Breina Payne

Breina Payne is a scholar and single mother of two wonderful children. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her future goal is to obtain a Master’s degree in creative writing. She loves music and was featured on Big Beat Record’s album Veto.

Book Description
Full of honest introspection, Breina Payne's Crossing the Line is a fascinating example of a woman's self-discovery. Phoebe Nolan's life is about change, and the transitions will be difficult. Through her relationship with a female professor, Phoebe discovers her own weakness-and her strength.
 

 

 

 

PageOneLit.com:  Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Breina Payne: I grew up in a small town called Aberdeen, Mississippi. I wasn’t too big on reading novels but I faithfully read Local newspaper, school textbooks and short stories from Readers-digest, which were my most available resources. I was definitely a writer at a young age. I wrote poetry and song from as early as nine.  I moved between writing Poetry and Music lyrics entailing my stories of interest. Then as a teenager growing into a young adult I wanted to expand on my ideas and express them in a broader realm. My biggest influence as a child was my Granny who raised me. I took my values from her and was influenced by things she said, one in which she often told me, “Never to judge a book by its cover.” I carry that cliché with me everywhere I go.

PageOneLit.com:  Why do you write?

Breina Payne: I love writing, whether it’s about me or someone-else. Writing has always been therapeutic and a way of expression for me.

 

 

PageOneLit.com:  In your new book, "Crossing the Line" you have written a simple story with a complex character -- What is the common thread/theme you feel carries this book from beginning to end? What was your purpose of writing "Crossing the line" in first person?

Breina Payne: The common thread that carries this book from beginning to end is the progression with life experiences causing change.

Writing in first person in-able me to show through this character thoughts how people can adjust and include unfamiliar things in their lives.



 

PageOneLit.com:   Discuss your character "Ray" Where did this character come from? Is she based on anyone you know?

Breina Payne: Ray is a fictional Character who I created by taken bits and pieces of known personalities from people that have been in my life.

 

PageOneLit.com:  Explain your title "Crossing the Line" and how this title reflects the story.

Breina Payne:  “Crossing the Line” is reflected in the way that Ray alters her morals and beliefs to venture into unknown territory

 

PageOneLit.com:   In "Crossing the Line" how did Ray change as a person from her experiences?

Breina Payne:  "Ray” has always been the pilot of her life which she flew to familiar places. At one point she has flown out of her” realm of normality” into a place that she’d never imagined.

PageOneLit.com:  "Crossing the Line" would make a very good movie - If you were asked to cast the movie who would be your lead actors/actresses and why?

Breina Payne: I think that Jada Pickett- Smith would be my best pick for Ray, because she has a very soft and feminine look, but at the same time I’ve seen her in movies where she didn’t take any shit.

PageOneLit.com:  What did you learn from writing "Crossing the Line”?

Breina Payne:  We should have a clear understanding of a situation before we fully emerge into it and also we can’t respond to every situation that is presented to us.

 
PageOneLit.com:  What's next?

Breina Payne: The Ghost on Short Street.

PageOneLit.com:  What was the last book you read? 

Breina Payne: “The Ghetto” by Steven Richardson.


 

PageOneLit.com:   Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Breina Payne: Yes.

Writing poetry and music lyrics.

Keeps me thinking