“Want to gain some wisdom about being a woman? Ask a woman!” Uh, not sure where I’ve heard this quote or saying. But former Mrs. Brooklyn International and Miss Haiti International runner-up Marjorie Vail comes to mind when pondering on that quote. This may be due to the all the golden pearls of wisdom she shared the last time she was interviewed by Kreyolicious. She comes across as a person who has it together in all areas of her life, or who’s at least a whole lot further than most of us. A mother, a pageant queen, a daughter and sister–she has a lot of verbal droppings on developing and maintaining outward beauty.

Do you think that beauty is something that will always be prized, no matter what?

As long as there are living and breathing human beings on earth, beauty will always be prized. Nothing makes me prouder than when someone says to me, “Wow, I’ve seen all the charity work you’ve been doing.” That—to me—is beautiful. Now, what I hope for the future is that we as a society learn to love the inner beauty of people. I find that as a mother, it’s important that I teach my son that it’s okay to gaze upon the external, but make sure you value, crave for the internal beauty.

What would you say to someone who has trouble with having a balanced view of beauty contests and pageants?

Well, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion but hopefully that opinion is based on some facts. All pageants are not created equal. There are some that are just beauty contests with a sprinkle of charity work. At the same time, there are those that are heavily focused on platforms and some aren’t. For instance, I recently competed in the Haiti International pageants. The International pageant is heavily focused on having a platform; a charity that you are passionate about. If you pick a platform like you would pick something off of a conveyor belt, then it will show. The international pageants want their queens to be women who are making an impact on the world. It is for that reason that I chose to compete in the International Pageants.

Tell us about your latest beauty pageant experience.

I just competed in the Haiti International Pageants and I had an amazing time. One of the reasons I believe I enjoyed so much is because of the director Hermanie Pierre—Miss Haiti International 2012. She created such an atmosphere of sisterhood prior to the pageant that by the time we competed we were all very close and very supportive of one another. I made, what I perceive, lifelong friends with beautiful Haitian women who are changing the face of Haiti.

I also learned two great lessons from that pageant. Prior to competing, I practiced and rehearsed everything from my walk to interview questions. I felt very prepared. In the end, I was the runner-up—which I am happy about). First thing I learned—no matter how prepared you are–there’s always room for improvement. The greatest lesson for me as a spiritual woman is that when God says it’s not your time then you just won’t win. Once I accepted that truth, then I was able to revel in my accomplishments as well as support my sister queens who won.

Who’s the most beautiful person you know?

That’s a tough one. On a spiritual level, Jesus is the most beautiful person I know. What is more beautiful than someone giving up their life because they love you? He is loving, compassionate, loving…he’s so many things that are perfect. The thing is to find those qualities in each person.

I don’t think that there is any one person I would say is the most beautiful person I know. I know many people with beautiful qualities that I admire. When I think about the women and men that I am close to, I see the conglomerate of a beautiful person. I love people who are loving, considerate, loyal, honest, peacemakers, prayerful and fun! No one is perfect, but I think if we give people the best that we have it makes this living in this world easier.

Staying in shape is important to a great many women. Do you have a special fitness regimen?

Oooo girl, I don’t like working out, but I know it’s a necessary evil. Usually, I start out doing cardio on the treadmill. I love to run. Then I work on my abs—either on a mat or on an equipment. Lastly, I work on my biceps. I’m working on getting Angela Bassett-type biceps!

You ever watch some of these old movies, and see that some of the same styles that were in vogue way back somehow permeate the modern era?

There is nothing new under the sun!

Do you happen to have a favorite fashion era?

I’ve always loved the fashions of the early late 1800’s because I’m in love with the classics of those times. Give me a suit from the 1950’s or 60’s and I will rock it! I will definitely party in a dress from the 70’s. I love the clothes from 20’s but unfortunately they don’t compliment me. Most of all, I love elegance. That is why I love pageantry so much. I get to serve people and look elegant at the same time.

[All photos provided by subject ]

Visit Marjorie Vail’s website by CLICKING HERE.

JM Lominy is the author of the thriller/mystery novel The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale , published through his very own publishing company Five Sons Publishing. Lominy was born in Port-au-Prince and at age seven he immigrated to the USA, along with his sister to join his mother in Brooklyn.

Upon his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in the Gulf War. Following an honorable discharge at the age of 22, Lominy enrolled at The City of New York and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

The father of five is based in Marietta, Georgia where he lives with his wife and their three youngest sons.

Lominy says he’s been writing for the past twelve years. “I am a writer with a lot of passion, determination,” he says, “and the desire to touch generations of readers with an emphasis on the Haitian experience.”

He gave Kreyolicious.com a behind-the-scenes look at how his pulse-pumping debut novel came about.

Was writing a book always a dream of yours?

Writing was not always a dream, most of my life I enjoyed many things in passing. I became an avid reader while in the Marine Corps. At that time, the Commandant of the Marine Corps required every Marine to read a list of books based on their rank. These books were mostly fiction with a military theme. I enjoyed those books so much I have not stopped reading [ever since].

My passion for writing began in college with poetry that few people have seen or read. It was not until 2001, when I visited Haiti for the funeral of my maternal Uncle did I start to write with a purpose. The vivid environment of Port-au-Prince and Pétion-Ville unleashed story ideas I have always had but never saw as potential book material.

Granted, you could have chosen to have the setting of your novel in contemporary times, or any other decades in Haiti’s history. Why the late 1950s?

I chose the late 1950s as the setting of The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale because it was a unique time in Haitian history. The late 1950s was the first time the exile of a president resulted in three short presidency and two military juntas, all between the periods of December 1956 to October 1957, which lead to a dictatorship and a violent period in Haitian history. The only other time you had such turmoil was post-Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1986.

How did you go about doing the research for The Deadly Rose?

My research for The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale began in 2001, after my visit to Haiti. The research was originally for another book I planned to write, but soon felt I was not skilled enough for such a complex and important book, so I put it on the shelf.

When the idea for The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale came to me, about five years ago, I used the research from the initial book. The research consisted of books written about that period, Haitian music provided me with vision about the period, a map of Port-au-Prince helped with the reality factor, and I consulted friends and relatives. I also used the Internet as a source for detailed topics I could not find elsewhere.

Were there tools and resources that you found especially helpful in publishing your book?

There are multitudes of websites and blogs dedicated to publishing, publiteriat.com is one of my favorites. Books like APE How to Publish a Book by Kawasaki and Welch is a must own. Other author’s websites may list information on publishing. In addition, I attended author conferences on publishing. These sources will cover publishing, printing, and marketing.

Most published authors will say that writing a book and completing a book is one of the most satisfying things they’ve ever done. Once you finished the first draft of The Deadly Rose, what came next?

The feeling I got from completing The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale was like catching my first fish; a total joy. Once I completed the first draft I started the editing process and sent copies to several friends for further editing before sending it to my editors.

Do you have plans to write more books?

I am working on the sequel to The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale and I am halfway to completion. I plan to write one book a year, if time allows, two. So far, I have 10 books I plan to write, all interrelated. I am constantly researching, which brings on more book ideas.

There are a great number of aspiring authors out there. What words of wisdom do you wish to throw on them based on your own journey as an author?

My advice for any author who desires to be accomplished; define your own goals, successes, and who you are or who you want to become. Write a wonderful book. Don’t take any short cuts and hire professional editors, book designers, and learn or hire marketing professionals. Reading is fundamental to writing, so read and write often. If you don’t enjoy the writing and publishing process, it will show.

You can preview the first chapter of The Deadly Rose by clicking HERE. Check out the book on Amazon!

Connect with the author on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and CLICK HERE to visit his website.