SELENA HASKINS: Writing Stories that Heal, Inspire, and Endure

It comes as no surprise that Selena writes within the context of her upbringing and draws her readers into the urban realities of her world. She wants her readers to know that every family has a past and some of the family secrets carry generational baggage. This impacts how they treat each other and how they succeed or fail in society. That’s why some of her central themes in her work are forgiveness and love. She wants readers to remember that forgiveness isn’t just good for the soul—it’s also the best way to break the family cycles of poor behavior. She hopes to inspire her readers “to lead by the example they want the next generation to carry,” and so her characters and their emotions develop along these lines. According to Selena, “Sometimes the best lessons come wrapped in a whole lot of chaos mixed with laughter, joy, and tears.” These real-life emotions have led her to pin family sagas that can be read and enjoyed from generation to the next.

Craft Your Signature Voice

Before you find your voice as an author, listen to other authors. Become an avid reader or audio listener across multiple genres to appreciate diverse styles and narratives. As you do, you will begin to develop your own voice and find what is authentic to you. Some of Selena’s works have been inspired by her favorite authors: Connie Briscoe, Daniel Black, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Bernice McFadden, Leonard Pitts Jr., and Omar Tyree. Selena has crafted a distinct storytelling style and established herself as a notable presence in the world of fiction.

Know Your Audience

Understanding an audience’s preferences is a crucial aspect of storytelling, and Selena skillfully balances her personal interests with the expectations of her readers. For example, Selena is an NBA fan and references basketball throughout her books. But she understands that her audience might not have a strong interest in sports, so she does not make basketball the central theme. This demonstrates that she prioritizes her audience’s interests over her personal passions.