Dr. L.A. Davis earned her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Development in 2018. Her dissertation focused on the blind or visually impaired to understand how this population perceived employment, and how those perceptions motivated them to seek employment. In her first book, she writes about her experience as an online doctoral learner, the difficulties she faced, how the words “Thank You” changed her journey, and several tips to help you through your journey. Though the book is targeted to Ed.D. and Ph.D. learners, many of the tips included in her book can be used for any level of higher education.
Exclusive Interview
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I am a straight forward, giving, compassionate, tenacious, and affectionate woman. Those attributes should not be surprising for any woman. There are two things that are surprising about me though. First, I try to do something that scares me once a year. One year I went skydiving in tandem. I was all gung-ho, excited and sure of myself until the door opened, and I was sitting there waiting to free fall. I was told to put my foot on a peg when the door opened. I am short, so my foot could not reach the peg. The way the wind was whipping, it would not have mattered. I thought my shoe was going to fly off. I started blubbering when I saw this huge, blue, body of water which was a dam way below. All my bravado was gone, and I was about to tap out. I was ok when I saw my videographer after the first few seconds of the most incredible feeling of free falling. I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with my sky diver as we floated back to earth. I do not think I want to ever to that again, but I do not regret one second of it. The second fact is, I used to be a mechanic. I won’t say which kind, but I do know how to swing a torque wrench.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I do things afraid. To me there is nothing in the world worse than regret. I try something even if I fail at it. If I fail, I just call it an adventure and move on.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born on the island of St. Thomas United States Virgin Islands in the historical neighbourhood of Savan. Though Savan is not the gem she used to be, I would not trade growing up there for anything in this world. Interestingly enough, everything I have written so far (Dissertation, first book and my current writing) has some influence of where I was born recorded in it. I now reside in Texas but will be relocating eventually.
What writing are you most proud of?
The writing that I am most proud of is my dissertation. Though it was very difficult, it will hopefully help a lot of people all around the world. If I write 1,000 books, and they all make it to the number one best sellers list, I do not think it will top the pride I feel about writing my dissertation.
Tell us about your new book?
I have always been the one to think way outside of the box, it has not always gone over well but it is who I am, and I have no choice but to accept it. It is called. “So, You Want To Be A Doctoral Learner Huh? Are You Nuts?” A short story of my difficult journey as an online doctoral learner, and some tips to help you succeed. It was birth from a very difficult experience through my doctoral program. I wrote it to help others who are also having a difficult time. I throw in a lot of tips that helped me. I consider it a story wrapped around a study guide so to speak.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Writing this book specifically, was difficult only from the aspect of it being painful to remember my experience. It made me sad all over again which is something I was not expecting. Getting published was easy because I self-published. My dream is to one day get picked up by a reputable publishing company. Marketing by far has been the most difficult. I have heard of authors not selling a single copy of their work. To me that is shameful. For someone to put in their time and love into any project and not get one ounce of recognition from it is sad. I did not want that to happen to me. I have only sold one eBook since September. Every other sale of my book came directly from me either through book signings or email. No one wanted the book unless I signed it. Even if a friend purchased one and they told a friend, they did not want to order it from a site. I am not complaining, I love it! I also want my book to become a top seller. I know it would be difficult for my genre of book, but I have always been the one to think way outside of the box.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family has been extremely supportive. Many of my friends have been very supportive and others have not. My work might not be their interests, so I do not take it personal. I cannot afford to.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands with the ability to travel anywhere in the world that I want too.
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
To me that would be making it to the number one best sellers list of a major publishing company. My goodness, what in the world could ever be more successful in writing than that?
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
I would invite all my ancestors. I want to kiss and hug my grandmothers again. I want to meet my grandfathers that I never knew. I want to meet the people I could never meet so I could learn where I come from. I would ask them if I made them proud, what I should do to reach my goals, and if they liked my cooking. If not, I would ask what they suggest I do to make it taste better for our next visit.
If you are a doctoral or Ph.D. learner (student) or considering becoming one, this is the book for you. This book is written for the novice researcher. Dr. Davis shares her personal story of her trials as a doctoral learner, her difficulties with a chairperson, her decision to quit her program and how the words "Thank You" helped her to successfully cross the finish line. Also included are, tips on how to choose your university, difference between a Ph.D. and Ed.D., how to find your need or gap, how to choose your chairperson, research techniques, relaxation techniques, her qualitative data collection experience, and tips on how to analyze your qualitative data. To give you a head start, Dr. Davis included some terms that you should become familiar with, websites that may help you, and visualization graphics to help you focus on your goals when you feel like giving up.
Connect With The Author
Buy the book
email: davislad2018@gmail.com
Dr. L.A. Davis
P.O. Box 690923
Killeen, Texas 76549
Or
Dr. L.A. Davis
2403 W Stan Schlueter Loop #690923
Killeen, Texas 76549
Thank you to everyone who read my interview, and I hope that you enjoy reading my book!