Morris, Janine A.

views updated

Morris, Janine A.

PERSONAL:

Education: Hofstra University, graduated 2001; attended law school. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, writing, and basketball.

ADDRESSES:

E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Journalist and writer. Worked at Emmis Communications, then Jive Records, then Hot 97 in the programming department.

MEMBER: National Association of Black Journalists (served as president).

WRITINGS:

Diva Diaries (novel), Dafina Books (New York, NY), 2006.

She's No Angel (novel), Dafina Books (New York, NY), 2007.

Contributor to periodicals, including XXL, Source, and Don Diva.

SIDELIGHTS:

In her first novel, Diva Diaries, Janine A. Morris writes about three African American women—Chrasey, Dakota and Jordan—and the problems they face in their lives, primarily in the area of relationships. Chrasey begins an affair with a younger man as a way to escape her stifling marriage. Dakota has numerous boyfriends but is looking for a serious relationship. Jordan is also facing troubles in her marriage as she juggles a successful career with motherhood, leaving her husband feeling left out. In an interview on the author's home page that also appeared on Disilgold.com, Morris commented on the characters, noting: "Diva Diaries is about three African American women and their struggles to fulfill their dreams. They have been blessed with careers that they can be proud of, but they are struggling with their personal lives. They are educated and beautiful, and have been able to maintain their status as divas in society, but their image is more glamorous than the reality. Only the three of them know each others secrets, and knows in what ways they are lacking in their lives."

Lillian Lewis, writing in Booklist, called Diva Diaries "reminiscent of Waiting to Exhale" by Terry McMillan. "I think this is a novel … [that] a lot of women can relate to," wrote a contributor to the EuroReviews Web site.