Dr. Folake Taylor was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian–born parents in the early 70s and was raised in both countries before settling in the United States to live the American dream.
Taylor obtained her medical degree (MB ChB–Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) in 1998 from the Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. After medical school, she underwent a year of rotational internship in Nigeria after which she relocated to the United States. She is a 2006 graduate of the Internal Medicine Residency Program of the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA.
V.Richardson: Hi Folake! I am delighted to chat with you!
FT: I am honored you picked "The Only Way is Up" for the The Write Vision book club.
V. Richardson: It's truly my delight, as I absolutely adored, "The Only Way is Up." Please share with readers the synopsis?
FT: This book features my experiences and views on pertinent life issues as an immigrant to the United States of America. The objective is to empower women. However, the greater part of the message is of relevance to a general audience. Some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:
* Identity
* Health & Preventive medicine
* Finding a mate
* Relationships & Family
* Single parenthood
* Teenage pregnancies
* Gender roles
* Diet & Nutrition
* Global exposure
* Positivity & Loving yourself
* Spirituality
* Life outside the United States
* And much more…
V. Richardson: I am an advocate for healthy living, especially female health issues. You offer wonder information on living healthier lifestyles. What do you want readers to take away from "The Only Way is Up?"
FT: I want readers to feel empowered. I want them to have a better understanding of family values and the dynamics of relationships. I want people to be energized to do better and improve on themselves. And I want them to go after their dream and live it.
V. Richardson: Who are/were your literary influences?
FT: This is a weird choice but the first person that always comes to mind when I get asked this question is Barack Obama. I absolutely loved "Dreams From My Father" and it gave me a whole new outlook on life and what I make of it; what I can achieve.
V. Richardson: What have you discovered about yourself on your journey to publication?
FT: I have discovered that I am unstoppable!
V. Richardson: "Unstoppable", I love that! There is always a story behind the author’s works. How do/did you handle rejection (s)?
FT: Like everyone else, I have the momentary "Oh no she didn't" (note I used a she because it's mostly women...funny). But then I talk to myself, I encourage myself, I look for a learning point or ways I can improve based on the criticism and I move on to the next rainbow. It's always right around the corner. Just a few days ago, my days started off with one of the most explosive mixed reviews so far and even an act I found insulting from the blogger in question.
But I talked myself out of it, responded to her like a lady and that same evening, had a blast on the radio with an interviewer. Even true valleys do not have to last forever unless we decide to stay there. Just head to the next mountain top!
V. Richardson: The mountain top, The only way there is up! Folake, what advice would you offer to aspiring authors?
FT: Read a lot. Read what you want to sound like. Write a lot. Write daily. Research the industry. Make contacts and connections in the industry. Read books about the craft. Put it in God's hands and ask for his blessings. If you don't start to write, your dream will never be realized.
V. Richardson: Sound advice, indeed! Are there any up coming and/or future projects readers should be made aware of?
FT: I am working on my first work of fiction, "Anonymous Gift Giver," and it is tending towards Ethnic Chick Lit. The protagonist will be an immigrant like me and she will have a lot of dating woes she will subsequently learn to rise above; and so much more. Look out for it.
V. Richardson: Sounds delicious, can't wait for its release. How can readers contact you?
FT: My email address is ft@theonlywayisup.net
Website
http://www.theonlywayisup.net F. Taylor on facebook
@folaketaylor on twitter
Blogs are
http://theonlywayisupblog.blogpot.com and
http://folaketaylor@blogspot.com
Bonus Question
From The Heart:
V. Richardson: When life can get a little hectic and you are feeling a little dismayed. How do you find peace in the storm?
FT: I stop and shut out all the noise, both from outside and within my head and I talk to God. I ask him for help. If my schedule is too hectic, I cut out some things. I started to have some health problems earlier this year which I felt were not unrelated to the stress of the book tour in addition to my professional and domestic duties. I scaled back on the marketing and touring. I find peace in my heart with God. If I have to spend a whole weekend in the house and not see the outside world, that's what I do.
V. Richardson: Thank you Folake for sharing both your work and a part of who you are! As always in closing, continue to inspire as you aspire!
FT: Thank you so much for having me Vanessa. It is such an honor to be recognized by someone like you. Blessings.
Tony Grant, a native of North Carolina, is an American R&B singer, writer, producer and stage play actor. Grant replaced Marc Nelson as lead singer for R&B group Az Yet following Marc's departure in 1997 to pursue his solo career. Included in Grant's brief tenure with Az Yet is the popular remake of "You're The Inspiration" with Chicago's Peter Cetera. 
