Category Archives: writing
Author Interview: Allison Grace
I first met Allison at the Black Pack Party in Harlem this year. I felt a connection to her right away. We just hit it off. She exudes wisdom, intelligence and talent. I took an immediate liking to her and am so happy to call her my friend. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, the gifted and beautiful, Allison Grace.
1) Who is Allison Grace?
Allison Grace is many things. I’m a woman, mother, daughter, author, introvert, comedian, master of sarcasm, author and unicorn. LOL.
2) Are you a native New Yorker?
Yes. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York. I’ve lived in Brooklyn and Harlem as well.
3) I read your love for reading and writing started early on. What was the first book you read that ignited your passion for writing?
The first book I read was Whoreson by Donald Goines. I didn’t know how much it would affect me until later on. It was my mother’s book. I used to sneak peeks of it when she was at work. The sexual nature of it ignited my passion for eroticism. Now I know why my stories are sexual in nature. When I became an adult I ventured more into romance and urban fiction. The first urban fiction novel I read was A Hustler’s Son by T. Styles of the Cartel Publications. Imagine my surprise and glee when she asked me to be a part of her Street Team in 2008 where I promoted, read and reviewed their novels to create a buzz for the company during its genesis phase. It was there that I learned the business of publishing from the outside in as opposed to the inside out.
4) Was there a particular person, family member, friend, teacher or mentor who encouraged you to write?
When I was in elementary school my second grade teacher encouraged me to write an essay and entered it into a contest. Because of that, I won and had to read it to all of my classmates and peers. I won the District 11 essay contest. I felt proud. Aside from that, my mom and my sons always encourage me. There’s nothing like being encouraged by those that stand by you. In this journey, I’ve also met amazing people such as Kevon Gulley of Save Black Boys who every day reminds me that I need to strive for bigger than I am. Also, my business partner Chris Styles and I speak every day. Sometimes I don’t even talk to him. I just text him “Foot to Ass” and he knows we need to get cracking on projects. He will also call me and remind me that I cannot slack or else nothing gets done.
5) What has your life been like and has your experiences been infused into your books?
My life has been pretty damn interesting. I have absolutely infused some of my experiences whether positive or negative into my books. They provide the passion and emotion that causes people to text me in the middle of the night and cuss me out. I’ve got a slew of animated friends and I weave some of their stories into my tales as well so it’s a mashup so to speak.
6) How does your ideas and inspiration come?
They come in the bathroom. I get my best ideas on the crapper or in the shower…. it’s quiet and you can think without being bothered, LOL.
7) What is your writing process? Do you write every day and for how long?
I try to write every day, but since I work a full time job, it’s not always possible. What I do is write in my phone when I can. Most times I zone out in my pajamas with my laptop and snacks. I can knock out about 5000 words in a weekend if I focus and I am passionate about the story told.
8) When you wrote your first book, what did you learn the most?
Oh boy! That book was basically born from a horrible relationship with my ex boyfriend. Lies, betrayals and broken promises caused me to pen poems and then they turned into short stories which ultimately turned into the books, Broken Promises Never Mend and Bound by Lies. I am working on finishing the series and tying it all together. Since it’s been a while I need to revamp it and modernize it. It’s coming though.
9) Tell us a little bit about each of your books. Which book was the most difficult to write and why?
The names of my books are Broken Promises Never Mend which is about a woman that discovers that her mate is living a double life. Because of his disrespect and betrayal, they both lose something dear to both of them.
Bound by Lies is the sequel to the above and continues where the last one left off. It chronicles the effects of what happens when one person isn’t truthful and the repercussions of love, lust and lies.
Bittersweet is my third novel and is far more gritty than the other two. It’s more erotic and “hood”. It details the story of a woman that’s a nurse by day and a stripper by night. She gets sucked in by the love of money and can’t get out of its grips.
Prepaid Mistress 1 and Prepaid Mistress 2 is the story of a woman with a torrid past. She loses her mother and father respectively at important times in her life and it molds her idealism of future relationships with men. Because of that she doesn’t know how to love and substitutes sex for it.
Bitch Clique Reloaded chronicles how past hurts can influence your future especially when it comes to family and most times when it comes to friends.
Blaque Widow tells the tale of a woman that’s married to who she sees as the love of her life. It all changes and she realizes when it’s almost too late. Struggling with abuse and addiction, she feeds her obsession with murder and ends up being out of control.
10) Typically how long does it take you to write a novel? Do you write long hand or type?
It normally takes me nine months to a year to write a book. I write with long hand at times when I don’t want to miss a thought and then type it out. Nowadays I just type it and keep moving. I go over it twice and then begin rewriting it one last time before it goes into editing.
11) How has your writing and publishing journey been thus far?
It’s been interesting to say the least. I’ve met some phenomenal people that have influenced me and encouraged me. I’ve also met some evil sons of bitches that are praying for my demise. To them, I tilt my hat because what’s for me, will be. I no longer try to please people. At the end of the day it’s OKAY to be selfish because not everyone will love your work but those that do, you push hard for them because THEY are your core fans and audiences.
12) What would you like to see change in this industry?
I doubt it will change but the backbiting… There’s enough love out here for everyone. NO one has to lie, cheat or steal to get ahead. It’s the norm however and it gets people where they need to be. I’ve been tempted to go that route but I see greater things beyond that road so I don’t dare. My blessings come from GOD not man. The end will justify the means.
13) What are specific things you did to hone your craft?
READ, READ and READ some more. I read outside of my genre and I read some within my genre when I am not working on a project. I tend to watch well written shows and translate them into how I would have written them. It takes a lot of practice, patience and perseverance.
14) How do you develop your characters?
Very carefully…. my characters are a mash up of myself and some of my friends and family. I also people watch when I travel. They show you much with their body language.
15) Do you learn a lot from the editing process? If so, what specifically?
The editing process showed me that you cannot edit your own book! Aside from that there’s a difference in line editing, copy editing and developmental editing. Those are the most common ones used and should be apart of the process each and every time. Please EDIT PROFESSIONALLY!!
16) If there was one thing you could do differently, what would it be?
I would have devoted more time to building my brand. It’s a long hard process and I’m still not as known as I should be with the amount of books I’ve written. I know however the more I grind out good material then people will want more from me and I will garner the attention I deserve.
17) What do you want your readers to take away from your books?
In all my books, there’s a woman that struggles. She struggles with if she’s pretty enough, if she’s a good mother, if she’s sexy enough, if she makes enough money. I want my readers to understand that without struggle there’s no progress and my characters make it through to the end even though their future appears dim. There’s truly a lesson in it all and a testimony when it all boils down to it.
18) How do you see yourself in five to ten years?
In 5-10 years I see myself on the New York Times Bestsellers list…….. in my home with my husband and my dog relaxing on our porch in Atlanta. I see myself basking in success and working for myself as an author published by a major imprint. I know that’s an anomaly now but it does exist and I want to continue to believe it can be my reality.
19) What new projects are you currently working on?
Shit! The true question is what am I NOT working on!? I’m working on Prepaid Mistress 3 as well as beginning another series for Sevyn McCray Presents. I am also working on two novels under my own imprint. One of them is something you all have been waiting on for a few years. Another is something new and fresh in a different genre than many are used to seeing me write in. I’m also collaborating with my business partner on a web series entitled “Slow Sippin… Yes LOVE I’m talking to you”. This collaboration is with Chris Styles, from out of Brooklyn. New York. He is a wonderful spoken word artist/poet and author. It is slated for release on Valentine’s Day 2016. We are super excited about it.
20) Lastly, what advice would you give a novice writer?
Write from your heart. It’s your heartbeat translating onto those pages. Five hundred people will have the same beating heart but no two have the same rhythm. Pay attention to your own!
Meet Allison Edwards formerly known as Essence M & now known as “Allison Grace”. The beautiful brain behind Illuminnessence Publishing, founded in 2007 by this avid writer/ reader who began her love affair with words at a tender age. Allison went on to create an extensive catalog of unpublished works including poetry & short stories.
Allison’s passion for words began in early childhood, she had always been fond of reading about life, love, poetry and short stories. As she matured, she challenged herself to hone her craft, exploring various story lines and navigating into the tumultuous world of adult relationships. Throughout her teen & young adult years she decided to put pen to paper and indulge one of her fantasies, to become a writer. Some of her favorite authors include Donald Goines, VC Andrews, Jackie Collins, Judy Blume and ZANE. This eccentric choice of novels allowed her to see different genres, writing styles and what they entailed. Each were very different and taught her a lot with regards to target audiences, story lines, and descriptions. Nothing prepared her however for her venture into Urban Literature.Allison’s first experience with Urban Lit began when she, as an avid reader received a message from one who promoted for a brand new unknown publishing company and was seeking assistance in promoting novels. Members would receive a chance to win free books and other spectacular prizes. Allison jumped at the chance and was soon an official Street Team/Pep Squad member of the “Cartel Publications” spearheaded by Essence Best-selling Author T Styles and her partner Vice President, Charisse Washington. They both would play an important role in Allison’s literary career later on as mentors.Their influences and support caused Allison to link up with KingPen A.S of HHEAT Magazine and she was able to co host a show with him featuring authors on Blog Talk Radio. Authors interviewed include K.D Harris, Jason Poole, Iesha Brown, and much more. This allowed Allison access to an industry untapped where new and established authors were able to speak with her regarding novels they wanted to promote. She then took on the responsibility of hosting her own radio show which showcased authors such as Takerra Allen, Tanisha “Mahogani P” Pettiford as well as others. During this time, Allison shamelessly continued to promote The Cartel Publications and began writing her first novel.
It is with that unwavering tenacity that we’ve arrived at this point. Allison’s first venture into self publication “Broken Promises Never Mend” became available in paperback in January 2010. An amended version of which was released June 2010 in paperback, which features a new cover. It premiered on Amazon for Kindle, as of June 2010 as well. Allison learned various lessons while putting this novel together. Some of which she’s still learning to this day and with every novel she improves her craft and tries harder. She proved that by releasing a follow up to her debut less than a year later showing naysayers that she wasn’t a one hit wonder.
The sizzling sequel Bound By Lies debuted on Amazon for Kindle, February 2011 to rave reviews and is still causing mouths to drop with an ending that rivals its predecessor. Both novels are considered an “underground success” and were edited by Brandie Randolph of Editing Couture. Allison followed up with a novel for the streets entitled Bittersweet which showed the world that she was here to stay. During a brief hiatus, Allison published a short story series (Bitch Clique) that brought just as much drama as an entire season of “Scandal”.
Allison is currently focused on a collection of other works slated for release in 2016, under her imprint “Full of Essence Publications”. The idea to reinvent herself came about with prayer and the desire to be so much more than she already established herself to be. In 2013, Allison Grace was signed to an independent publisher “Sevyn McCray Presents” spearheaded by Sevyn McCray and David Weaver of SBR Publications. Her novel under that imprint PrePaid Mistress debuted at number 5 on the Amazon Bestsellers list for African American women’s fiction. She followed up with the sequel Prepaid Mistress 2 and also revamped her ebook series Bitch Clique Reloaded into a full length action packed standalone. in 2015, Allison released an emotionally charged novel focusing on domestic violence and addiction entitled Blaque Widow. Allison anticipates an abundance of blessings in 2016 and beyond beginning with work on other titles she’s got in store as well as promoting authors that seek her assistance in publishing.
“I was blessed to enter this industry and know how hard it is, so the least I can do is give back.” she says with a gleam in her eye and a smile on her face. This native New Yorker prides herself in assisting others and promotes literacy to her children. This isn’t the end of Allison Grace and we can tell she’s got a long way to go but the rewards have been phenomenal.
You can follow Allison Grace on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Author Interview: Raynesha Pittman
I first met Raynesha Pittman on Facebook. I watched her from afar and was impressed by what I saw. Fate had it that we would connect, and when we did, it was if we knew each other all our lives. I am extremely proud of this talented young lady and believe this is just the tip of the iceberg of her successful literary career. It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Raynesha.
1) Where did you grow up? Did you have a good childhood?
I grew up on the east side of Los Angeles in a area known as the Low Bottoms. Now at thirty-three years old, looking back, my childhood was okay. If you would have asked me this sixteen years ago, I’m sure the answer would have definitely been different. Growth of the mind does change the memories.
2) Did you always want to be a writer?
I have always written to express myself or to entertain my friends. Writing wasn’t the shocker, but being published….now that was the shock.
3) Who was your greatest influence in your life?
My father and maternal grandmother. My father was not the ideal role model or law abiding citizen, but he was my dad. The life lessons he thought me are held near and dear. And my maternal grandmother is the reason why I am not a female version of my father.
4) What motivates you?
I was raised by two street hustlers, so being a go-getter was ingrained in me at an early age. But when that self-motivation begins to run low, my family immediately gives me a refill. I look at my babies faces, and watch my husband work two full-time jobs, so I can stay home to write. I also watch my mother fight her battle with Lupus with so much strength and determination that it recharges me. My family is my largest motivation.
5) Who are some of your favorite authors and what are some of your all-time favorite books?
My list of favorites is long, but John Grisham is number one. I love all of his work that I have read, but there’s something about The Rainmaker that makes me read it at least once a year.
6) Was there a book that changed your life after you read it?
No, not really. I’ve read a lot of eye openers that brought light to issues I’ve faced or a few to bring me to tears, but nothing powerful enough to excite change.
7) What was your experience like self-publishing your first book, Kismet?
Self-publishing was a headache and wasn’t the route I originally wanted to take. When the publisher I initially submitted it to fell through on promises, my alternative was to publish the work on my own. The rainbow that followed that storm was that the publisher walked me through self-publishing. And with a phone call to K’wan for more information, I was able to put it out myself.
8) What are some of the valuable lessons you learned by writing and publishing your first book?
Editing is key!
9) If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently?
I’d definitely hire a professional editor and a couple of proofreaders. I entered the industry trusting everything I heard and it was a very expensive mistake.
10) How have you honed your craft?
I research more and I don’t attempt to publish everything I write. A lot of what I write are skill builders. I take my non-fictional day and turn it into fiction or a medication commercial turns into a story using the side effects. It keeps my creativity going. I’m also in a lot of writer’s groups and I take lots of notes.
11) How did you go from being a self-published author to signing with Write 2 East Concepts? How did that come about?
When I reached out to K’wan in 2010, he wasn’t taking submissions. In 2011, he opened them up briefly, but my writing wasn’t where it needed to be to get signed by him. In 2013, he reached out to me and asked me if I was still writing because he hadn’t seen me mention it. I said yes. He told me to submit a story and the rest is history. He released Dog Food in July of 2014 and Dog Food 2 May of 2015. It still feels like a dream to me!
12) Do you have a writing routine and do you write every day?
No, I do not, but I do write daily when and wherever I am. With eight other people in the house having a real routine would be perfect, but with six of those eight being busy children who need me constantly, I write when I can steal time from them.
13) How do your ideas come for your books?
Life’s seasons and reasons. Everything that catches the attention of my six senses is a story waiting for me to tell.
14) How long does it typically take you to write a book?
It depends on what is going on around me. I’ve written one in three weeks and the longest was three months. It really depends on how much time I can sneak away from my responsibilities to my family. Even with pulling all nighters, there’s never enough hours in a day.
15) What are some of your goals you would like to accomplish in the years ahead?
My biggest goals are to be signed by a major publishing house and get my books on the shelf EVERYWHERE! I’m working hard to be able to cross those goals off my list so I can make new ones that are even larger.
16) What is the hardest thing about writing and publishing?
Writing isn’t hard when you love to do it. My issue with self-publishing is that I don’t have a marketing team or a promotion staff doing my leg work. I’m a one woman team and if I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done.
17) What would you like to see different in the industry?
The crab in the barrel mentally needs to be done away with. It’s easier to uplift than to breakdown. Hopefully, we will all realize this one day.
18) What do you want readers to get from your books?
I write in different genres but as a whole, a new understanding or view on the issues I touch on. If I wrote to entertain then I hope the book accomplished that goal.
19) Lastly, what advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Study your craft, read contracts before signing them and if you don’t understand the lingo, get a lawyer. Finally, never let anyone stop you from living your dreams. Giving up should NEVER be an option!
Thank you, Raynesha. It was a pleasure to interview you!
Raynesha Pittman grew up as one of Los Angele’s many troubled youth which led her into serving four years around Los Angeles juvenile corrections centers, placements, and camps. She first recognized her love for writing while incarcerated. Her first manuscript was written to her mother in hopes of giving her insight to what Raynesha was going through as a teen, but never published. One positive thing Raynesha had during her troubled years was book smarts, her ticket out of the hands of correctional facilities. She was an honors student since kindergarten, certified gifted in the third grade, and was sent to Woodland Hills, California for a more challenging education, yet she had to be placed in advance placement classes there too. Her temper and fighting had her removed from the enriched schools, but that didn’t stop her. She graduated high school at sixteen years old and received acceptance letters to five out-of-state universities which she later declined offers to due to still being on probation until eighteen years of age and not being able to leave the state. California State University at Los Angeles and Northridge accepted her last minute application with open arms. After attending school for a little over a semester she discovered she was pregnant and decided to put her role as a mother first. She moved to Tennessee for a new start with her boys and received her PTCB national certification in July 2010 after three and a half years of being a licensed Pharmacy technician. It was while working in a pharmacy, she met Michael Antonio of Payne Publishing, Inc., who encouraged her to write a book. She took his opinion to heart and wrote her debut novel, Kismet. Raynesha currently lives in Tennessee with her husband and their six children.
Raynesha Pittman is the CEO, Founder and a author at Conglomerate Ink, an Urban Literature publishing company established November 2010 to help authors expose and share their talents of storytelling while developing discipline in their craft. In May 2011, Raynesha was offered the opportunity to help promote literacy nationwide by childhood friend, author and now publisher Terry L. Wroten by joining the West Coast Authors Movement also known as W-CAM where Raynesha not only fills the position of an author on the team, but is also over website design and management and acts as W-CAM’s Southern liaison due to her living in the South. Her greatest literary achievement came in January 2014 when she was signed to Write2Eat Publishing under the legendary K’wan Foye.
You can follow Raynesha Pittman on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Author Interview: Faith Cheek Weathers
I first met with Faith months ago on Facebook. It was on King Publishing Group – The Buzz page. We connected instantly. Then I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at the Harlem Book Festival back in July. I have a great deal of respect and love for this talented author. While we were talking the other day, this interview happened. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you, Faith.
1) Where did you grow up? How was your childhood?
I was born in Albany, NY and raised in Syracuse, NY and Louisville, KY. I had a great childhood. I did a MS Readathon commercial. We lived a nice middle class life. My father liked the finer things. My mother stayed at home and always put us first.
2) When you wrote your first book, did you find it hard?
Yes. I didn’t know first person from third. The editors chopped my book up. I had to change it to make it more urban. But I pulled it together.
3) Is that how you learned to get better, with an editor?
Yes, and I learned quick! When I wrote part two, I didn’t have any rewrites.
4) How long did it take you to write your first book?
It didn’t take that long, a few weeks. But I use to write in notebooks, so it took a while for me to type it up. I wrote Church Whore in two weeks.
I feel closest to God when I’m writing. I’m at peace when I’m writing because I know that’s what I’m supposed to be doing.
Now I type on my laptop, but I still have about ten stories in notebooks. My first book was written in 2008. Shxt Happens was written in 2007.
5) So when did you decide you were a writer?
I’ve always written. I use to write letters for all of my friends in middle school. Break up letters, and love letters.
The first time my teacher noticed my writing was at the end of my eighth grade year and she said, “Had I known you could write, I would have gotten you published.”
I just knew I loved it. My best friend Angie told me that writing was my calling. That was in 2006 before my son was killed.
6) Can I ask what happened?
He was run over by a school bus on Sept 28, 2006. He was 14. He was the second child I lost. I had a stillborn in 1999. I was seven and a half months. I named her little Faith.
7) So would you say this was the impetus which propelled you into writing full-time?
Yes, after Sean died I decided to take my writing more seriously. Because before then I would write movie scripts, but never stories.
8) How do your ideas come to you?
I never know what I’m going to write. I free style. Like with my first series all I knew was I wanted a woman who was strong and no nonsense. I knew I wanted her to have two best friends. That’s all I knew and I just wrote.
The funny thing is one of characters became bi later in the book, but when I first described her, I said she seemed like she could be a lesbian, but I didn’t even remember that.
My friend told me well that’s how you described her. I talk about my characters like they are real and in the house with me.
9) What are some of you all-time favorite books and authors and why?
VC Andrews! I grew up reading all her books. That’s what made me say I want to write. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
This is how God works. Years ago, before I was signed the author, Carla Pennington put up a list for summer reading. Budussy by Eros was on the list. Once I read it, I was hooked. At that moment, he became my favorite author. And years later, not only is he my publisher and mentor, but he’s one of my best friends.
10) What was your most favorite book to write?
Church Whore was my favorite book to write. It just flowed out of me.
11) Do you write every day?
No, I don’t write everyday.
12) What do you believe made you a better writer?
Life experience. Listening to my spirit.
13) Are you working on anything new now?
Yes, Church Whore 3. Plus a few other jewels I’ve started on.
What is the most important thing to you? What inspires you? Pushes you to higher heights?
I want to grow as an author. My parents gave me the gift of words. Watching my father preach and stir up souls made me want to do that in my own way. They taught me the power of words. My kids push me to follow my dreams. I’ve made many sacrifices to do so.
My mother wrote poetry and played for our church, so words were always important. At the end of the day, I always have my words.
14) What advice would you give a new writer?
Stay true to yourself. Stay humble. This game changes people and most times not for the better.
Thank you so much, Faith. Wishing you the world of success and abundant blessings on your literary journey.
Faith Cheek Weathers was born on September 15, 1974 to Rev. & Mrs. Earl Cheek. Faith learned at an early age the importance of words. Faith used to write letters for friends in school and quickly made a name for herself as “The Letter Writer.” Faith would write for fun as she obtained a Bachelors in Psychology. In 2014 she was signed to a publishing company. In September of 2014, she was signed to KPG. Under the direction of her mentor Eros, Faith started to build her catalog. One year later Faith has then ten releases under KPG with many more to come. Faith resides in Greensboro, NC with her four remaining children. Faith has experienced many trials and tribulations including the death of two children, but she doesn’t let anything stop her. Stat tuned to see what this preachers kid has up her sleeve. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow Your Passion
Not everything in life is about money. Yes, we need money, I’m not saying we shouldn’t work or be responsible. What I am saying is when we truly follow our passion, money isn’t the motivation, purpose is.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
My wise father once said, do what you love and the money will follow. His passion is cooking, singing and people. If you see my father, you see me. I probably would have followed in his footsteps and taken over his restaurant, if I wasn’t passionate about the arts. I was good in the restaurant business because I love food and people. Yet, the restaurant business wasn’t for me.
My passion was the arts. I spent hours listening to the radio growing up. My mother bought me my first phonograph at the age of seven. I had 45’s and I would listen to them over and over. I would take walks from my house to Sam Goody on Queens Boulevard, where I was introduced to musicians like Al Di Meola, who is a radical guitarist and ahead of his time.
I didn’t realize I had a singing voice until two musical directors from a play I was in, told me I had a beautiful voice. I thought they were just being nice, until my peers started to tell me the same thing. It was then that I started taking singing seriously and found a coach.
In the midst of this, I loved to dance (still do). My mother was a professional dancer, so I started dancing as soon as I learned to walk. But, in order to get into the top clubs in Manhattan, I needed a fake ID. So me and my friends took a trip to 42nd Street and got ourselves some. It was then that I started frequenting clubs like, the Palladium, Red Parrot, Copacabana, Limelight, Tunnel, and much more.
Yes, music is a passion of mine. But so is reading and writing. I started reading books and keeping a journal as a kid. I devoured books and poured my feelings out on to the page. I also started dabbling in poetry, by the time I reached High School, I submitted my poems to the school newspaper and they made it to the front page. I also drew, so I would draw something that would coincide with my poems which was a plus.
But sadly, for years, I didn’t think I was a “writer”. I knew I was an actress, singer, dancer, and artist, but for some reason, I never thought I was a writer. This discovery happened later in life, when I read Jeff Goins book, You Are A Writer.
If you are not sure what your passion or purpose is, I highly recommend reading his other book, The Art of Work. Jeff is a good friend, colleague and mentor of mine. I have watched him do some amazing things over the years. He is inspiration to me. If you don’t follow his blog, I recommend that you do. I have learned so much from him.
If you don’t know what your passion is, you won’t know what your purpose is either, because passion and purpose go hand in hand. I encourage you to explore and discover what your passion and purpose is, because once you do, you will feel fulfilled.
Are you struggling with knowing your passion or finding your purpose? If so, let’s discuss it in the comment section below.
Author Interview: Brooklyn June Miller
A few months ago, I was hearing a buzz about June Miller’s book, Color. Cut. Clarity. I honestly didn’t know who he was and it was my first time hearing his name. So I went on a little mission and researched. Well, I was able to see his work, but I only came across one interview with the lovely Kisha Green. Since he lived in New York City, I decided to hit him up and ask him if he would be willing to meet with me in person for a live interview. To my surprise, he graciously accepted. I was fortunate enough to get to know the man behind the pen. He is a talented, perceptive, intelligent, and wise man who I am grateful to now call my friend. Without further ado, here is my interview with Brooklyn June.
1) What part of Brooklyn did you grow up?
I was raised in Bed-Stuy and Fort Greene.
2) What did you aspire to be as a child?
As a child I always wanted to be a doctor. I remember my mother giving me a medical book for Christmas too.
3) I read you loved writing since public school? Was there a particular teacher that motivated you?
When I was in public school, I was lucky enough to be in gifted classes and in the 5th and 6th Grade my teacher, Mrs. Ronni Freed took a big interest in my intelligence and ability to write creatively. She was the reason I became valedictorian of my graduating class.
4) Did anyone else in your family write?
No, no one else in my family writes. I believe my ability comes naturally.
5) What are some of your favorite books and authors and why?
My favorite book is Black Boy by Richard Wright. This was my first grown up read and I escaped into a world of reading that further sparked my love for the written word. Before then I read a Judy Blume book, Are you there God, it’s me Margaret. It was my sister’s book but I loved reading so I devoured all her girly books like Nancy Drew mysteries. Then I read a book by Claude Brown that changed the way I looked at writing, Manchild in the Promised Land. That book took me somewhere dark I’ve never been but would soon find about in my later years.
6) Was there a particular book that changed your life?
Black Boy, it awakened me. I needed to know what my ancestors went through as a people and my journey to learn my history begun.
7) Do you write full-time or part-time?
I currently write full-time.
8) How did you perfect your craft as a writer?
I have to say that I’m not sure. I’ve never read a book on writing and have no formidable background. I listen to those readers who support me and try to give great, original stories.
9) Do you have anyone you look up to or influenced you?
The person who influenced me to write was my sons’ mother. She read a journal I was keeping and told me I should turn it into a story. She read urban books at the time.
10) Do you have a writing routine or ritual?
I don’t have a routine per se, but my best time to write is in the wee hours of the night when there is nothing but me and the characters talking.
11) Do you write every day?
Every single day.
12) What do you want your readers to get from the books you write?
My first book, This Game Has No Loyalty, I wanted to tell an authentic story of the pitfalls young people face when making choices due to the circumstances of your environment. After that series, I wanted to give readers great stories that would entertain but also leave them scratching their heads at the end.
13) How many books do you have published?
I have over fifteen books published.
14) Usually how long does it take you to write a book?
For a full length novel, it will take me a month and a half to two months. For 35,000 words, that’s within a month.
15) Do you use an outline or freestyle?
Long hand or typing? I honestly don’t write outlines. I have a concept and the characters in my mind and I just start typing and let the characters tell the story.
16) What was your most favorite and least favorite book to write and why?
My favorite to write was Victimized-Buchanan’s Secret. It showed my true ability to write outside of what everyone else does. I don’t have a least favorite because I love all my stories, if they sell or not.
17) How do the stories or characters come to you?
Some of the stories pop into my head from something I’ve been through or seen, other times I sit down and try to think of something original but not too far fetched and develop it into my own.
18) What was the best experience you ever had as an author?
My best experience was being summoned by a woman who had heard about me and was suddenly intrigued by my work.
19) What lured you to the dangerous life of the streets?
I wasn’t lured, I chose my life. I wanted fast money and was fearless when I was younger.
20) What was the greatest lesson you learned in that life?
The Game Has NO Loyalty.
21) Did something happen that propelled you out of the game?
The birth of my daughter made me realize that I no longer had to live a selfish life, I had someone to live for.
22) I read that you were enrolled in college, what was your major?
Ha. I graduated from New York City Technical College and my major was Microcomputer Business Systems (whatever the hell that was).
23) Was your first novel This Game Has No Loyalty based on your life?
Loosely.
24) When did you branch out and start Four Shadough Publishing?
I was laid off and decided to start my company.
25) How were you discovered by Ashley and JaQuavis?
K’wan put in a word for me and at the Harlem Book Fair, Treasure Blue introduced me to JaQuavis. I received a call from him some months later and the rest is history.
26) Do you consider yourself an urban writer or something else?
I would say urban because my stories are set in urban environments, but I offer more than an urban experience.
27) What would you tell the youth of today?
If they would listen, get an education to secure a career and change the stigma and deadly cycle we all get caught up in. I would also tell them to learn THEIR history so they can understand society a little better, when armed with knowledge, you have the upper hand.
28) What projects are you currently working on?
Three projects, Improper Love 2, Sheba and Reno 2, Muffin’s Story and hopefully a part two to Color Cut Clarity.
29) Is there a dream you want to fulfill?
I’m living my dream.
30) Last, but not least, what is the best advice you would give to someone who is just starting out as a writer?
Learn the business end of the industry so you will not fall victim to the system.
Thank you for a wonderful interview, Brooklyn June.
June Miller is the published author of, This Game Has No Loyalty, an urban street fiction novel depicting real life on the streets and the love relationships within those parameters.
His love of writing was first discovered in public school where he dazzled teachers with his creative short stories and intriguing poems. His writing was officially acknowledged locally when one of his stories was featured in his class yearbook.
As June reached his teenage years, he abandoned his love of writing for the dangerous life on the streets of Brooklyn. Although he was educated, the excitement of the street life interested him and he quickly took part in petty crimes, which soon elevated into the introduction to the infamous drug trade where he became a major distributor of illegal drugs out of state. During his illicit activities he was apprehended and convicted then later incarcerated. Once released on parole, he reclaimed his spot in the drug trade and continued trafficking illegal drugs, the threat of violating parole a fleeting thought. His youth and inexperience in life fueled his desire for illegal tender without the thought or regret of contributing to the destruction of his community.
As time passed all of his relationships, social, personal and romantic, became strained due to the nature of his business. His life lacked stability despite the illusion of financial comfort. He was responsible for himself so there was never any balance in his life until the birth of his first daughter, who changed the way he viewed life…her life. June decided to make changes in his life and immediately enrolled into college where he rediscovered his love of writing, showcasing his literary abilities that were recognized by his English professors.
While pursuing his degree, tragedy struck and one of his closest friends was brutally murdered. Overcome by anger and revenge he channeled his emotions into something that came to him naturally, he wrote the story. It didn’t heal the wound to his heart but was therapeutic in helping him express feelings no one knew about. The story was buried along with his feelings for 10 years until one day he came across it after coming from a funeral for yet another fallen youth to the same game he had given up. At that moment he decided to write a story, a true to life account of what happens in the streets with hopes of reaching the youth by delivering vivid accounts of the pitfalls of the street life that is not taught to them and at the same time, promote literacy in these communities because it’s the gateway to learning and sparking mental creativity.
June began penning his novel This Game Has No Loyalty and incorporated his own experiences into his writing to produce the “realness” his story needed to capture his audience.
June is also the author of This Game Has No Loyalty II – Hustle for Life and This Game Has No Loyalty III – Love is Pain published by FourShadough Publishing, a book publishing company that is rooted in the promotion of literacy in urban neighborhoods here and abroad.
You can follow Brooklyn June Miller on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Author Interview: Noire
I read and reviewed G-Spot by Noire a few months ago, and absolutely loved it. You can view my video review here. I was so intrigued by the story, that I reached out to Noire and asked her if she would be willing to do an interview. She graciously accepted. I think you will find her interview an absolute delight, and if you loved her before, I promise you, you will love her even more. I do. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for her as a woman and as an artist. She is someone who has overcome so much adversity in her life. She is an inspiration to me. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, Noire.
1) Who is Noire?
I’m actually a very complex and reserved person, so it’s hard for people to pin me down. I’m a free spirit, a practical joker, a mother, a sister, a friend, a creative thinker, a writer, and an entrepreneur.
2) How was your childhood?
It definitely wasn’t the best. My mother had a lot of substance abuse issues, so as kids we were exposed to a lot of drama. That’s why my stories read like you’re watching a graphic movie. I grew up around drugs and crime, and when I was young I looked up to pretty girls who were getting caught up in that lifestyle. I write about what I’ve actually seen, and in some cases, I write about what I’ve experienced in my own life. I give a lot of thanks to my aunts because they loved us enough to step in and rescue us from my mother. They placed us in a more positive environment.
3) You are hailed as the Queen of Urban Erotica, when did you know you wanted to write and write Erotica
I started writing when I was a little girl, probably about six or seven, but I hid my stories because I was scared all the time. As I got older and matured, my writing matured too. When I was fourteen, my next-door neighbor bought me a five-subject notebook for school, and I filled it up by writing fantasies and mysteries. I also wrote a few comedies so I could make myself laugh. I think those early attempts at urban comedy shine through in my Sexy Little Liar series with the Misadventures of Mink LaRue.
4) Was there anyone in your life who encouraged you to write?
There was one time that my aunt found something that I had written and hidden in the back of a drawer. She read it with her mouth hanging open. I thought she was going to chastise me because of the sexual content, but she loved it and said she couldn’t believe I had such creative pen skills. It was a short story that I had written just for myself as usual, but my aunt is a writer too and she convinced me that the rest of the world needed to read my stories. Her encouragement was life-changing for me.
5) When did you decide to pen your first book? How long did it take?
It didn’t take that long because I didn’t know I was writing a book. I was just telling yet another creative story and letting it unfold in it’s own way and it’s own time, so there was no structure and no pressure. It was all original, and all at my own pace.
6) What do you believe shaped you as a writer?
It had to be studying people and their conversations that shaped me. I watched and listened to everything, even when it got me in trouble. I was that kid that got smacked for having my eyes in grown folk’s mouth or for listening to grown folk’s conversations. And I read everything I could get my hands on too, including the newspaper.
7) How do your ideas come to you?
My ideas come from the life I’ve lived and the environments I’ve been exposed to, the people I’ve known, and the situations I’ve witnessed. I went from admiring the so-called chickenheads, thots, and trap queens, to mentoring and counseling them and showing them that they have options and alternatives in life. My stories are basically big blinking warning signs. They’re cautionary tales about the pitfalls of the streets, and they lay out in black and white what can happen when you play dangerous games in this world.
8) Do you have a favorite place or space to write?
Yep! In my bed!
9) What is your creative process?
My process is internal. When I hear a character talking, I listen.
10) Do you have a writing ritual, routine or practice?
I do my best writing at night. I work all day and I stay up late writing. I don’t have any particular routine because characters are always in my head. I always hear them. It’s just a matter of finding the time to get what they’re saying down on paper.
11) What does your typical day look like?
I think my day looks like most people’s day. I have a job, so I work and put in my eight hours, and when I get off I take care of bizz on the home-front. I write at night for relaxation and because creating believable characters comes easy to me. I’m no longer a neglected or abused child, but even after all these years writing is like therapy to me.
12) Were you always a reader?
I’ve always read whenever I could get my hands on something. My mother, as deep as she was in her addiction, she had a love for books too, and that was one of the good things that she passed on to me. When I was growing up reading was my only escape from my reality. My mother actually eased up and let me be when she saw me reading. Maybe she respected the connection I had with words, who knows. But I used to steal magazines off the table in doctor’s offices and read other people’s newspapers when they left them on the train. I mean I just I ate up anything that had words printed on it. Words were sexy and attractive to my eyes.
13) What are some of your favorite books and authors?
There are just too many to name. But I like literary fiction, mysteries, and the classics best of all.
14) Do you listen to music when you write? What type of music do you listen to?
I love all music, so I switch things up depending on how I’m feeling and what I’m writing at the time. I listen to R&B, rap, house, old skool, and even classical music.
15) Have you ever struggled with fear, insecurity or rejection as a writer? If so, how did you deal with it?
I believe every writer goes through something, especially if they’re successful and good at what they do. I struggled a lot early on because I was sneaking and writing and hiding everything I wrote. I never expected anybody to like my stories and I didn’t know there were readers who were into what I was into. I was shocked when G-Spot: An Urban Erotic Tale was published and readers absolutely loved it. There was nothing on the shelves like G-Spot back in 2005 when it was published. G-Spot became an instant classic, and although you can find a lot of knock-off copycat stories based on G and Juicy today, back then they were original and unique characters and nobody had ever written a story anything like it before.
16) What gets you through hard times? How do you overcome adversity?
Prayer and laughter! I pray a lot and I laugh a lot. I don’t take myself too seriously, so I definitely don’t focus on adversity. I believe in the power of the universe. I try to treat people the right way and I surround myself with positive people who are going in my direction. Everybody else gets a smile and a wave as I pass them by.
17) Was there one thing that changed the course of your life?
Yep. Being rescued from my mother and taken in by my aunts. Those women didn’t just change my life, they saved it.
18) If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
Too many things to list! But then again, maybe nothing. I like myself and I’m cool with where I am in this life. All of my mistakes have become life experiences, and I value each and every one of them.
19) Did you ever imagine becoming as successful as you are?
No, because I never set out to share my writing with the world. But I actually don’t think my literary successes are my greatest accomplishments. I think the powerful relationships that I build with other women, and the mentoring I do to help children and teenagers are more important than anything else. The writing accolades I get are fun, but it’s the real life work that I do face-to-face from my heart that means the most to me.
20) What do you want readers to take away from your books?
I’ve been crowned the QUEEN of Urban Erotica and the word QUEEN stands for Quality Urban Erotica Every Novel. When a reader closes one of my books I want them to feel like they’ve been on a helluva ride. I want them to recognize the quality writing, the detailed plots, the 3D characters, and the human emotions that my pen game invokes. My motto is #DemandQuality and I want my readers to value what I give them because I don’t short change or cheat them out of a dime. I give them their money’s worth. Because that’s what literary Queens do.
21) What inspires or motivates you?
I’m inspired by life itself because I know how short it is. I’m happy and I’m inspired by love. By children! By laughter! And definitely by sex!
22) What is your vision or dream?
My dream is to see young people, especially young ladies, embrace their power and strive for what they want in this world. I envision a world where my child can dare to dream and to create her own prosperity and happiness, regardless of what it is.
23) Do you have any hobbies?
Most people don’t know I’m a belly dancer. I love moving my body and I find my hips and abs very sensual. Of course my abs ain’t what they used to be, but I can still wind it up!
24) What do you believe constitutes good writing? How does one perfect their craft?
I think good writing is careful writing. You perfect it by understanding the written language, developing your skills, studying the craft, understanding the concepts of literature, and being able to lay out a plot in a rational and believable manner. In short, you write with skill, but you write from your gut.
25) If you could change one thing in this pen game, what would it be?
I’m usually not one to put restrictions on people, but the pen game has become so polluted with trash that it’s hard to sort through the garbage heaps and find good writing these days. I think books should have to be sold without a cover. So many gullible people get caught up by the pretty images that it’s almost embarrassing. I’ve been presented with books that have the hottest artwork ever on the covers. I mean, sexy chicks, urban scenery, slick fonts, bold colors, the whole nine.
And then I open them up and start reading and I can’t believe my damn eyes. A misspelling every other word, a plot that makes no damn sense, or something that has already been written thirty other times in a hundred other books. Or, characters who all sound and act alike, and no real story being told at all. Just a bunch of drawn-out scenes with nothing happening. I think we should rip all the glamorous covers off and leave just the title and the author’s name. Let the book stand on that!
26) What do you like most about writing and what do you like least?
Most? I like plotting. I have a good feel for it. I like constructing plot twists that look like pretzels. Least? Editing!
27) Do your life experiences play into what you write about in your books?
They sure do. I write about things I’ve seen, things I’ve heard, and whether good and bad, I also write about things that I’ve experienced.
28) How did your awesome book, “G-Spot” come about?
I grew up around a few girls just like Juicy and I decided I wanted to tell their stories. I started writing G-Spot after I witnessed something foul going down with a young girl who was close to me. I tried to school her, but at the time she just couldn’t hear me. So I wrote her story and let her read it. It opened her eyes and blew her mind. I’m happy to say that she’s a college graduate and an entrepreneur today.
29) What’s next? Any new projects on the horizon?
Yes! I’m working on a hot project with artist Reem Raw and I’m loving the way our ink blends and our words flow together. It’s a serial street novel called EMPIRE STATE OF MINEZ and it has one of the slickest and most elaborate plot twists that I’ve ever written. It’s part street banga and part urban love story. I can guarantee that you’ll love it.
30) Lastly, what advice can you share from your own personal experiences to a novice writer?
My advice to young writers is to figure out why you’re in the game. If you’re only in the game for the quick money, and you’re kicking out shitty book after shitty little book with real pretty covers, then enjoy it while you can because it’s not gonna last forever. You can only fool people until they get up on you. Eventually your disrespect for the craft of writing will turn readers off and they’ll stop going in their pockets to throw good money away on your bad shit.
But if you’re writing books because you love this profession and telling stories is your passion, then keep right on doing what you’re doing, even if nobody buys a single one of your books. All words motivated by passion are good words, and your voice deserves to be heard!
Thank you so much, Noire.
NOIRE is editor-in-chief of NoireMagazine.com, the Queen of Urban Erotica, the #1 Essence® bestselling author of Unzipped, Hittin’ the Bricks, G-Spot, Candy Licker, Thug-A-Licious, Baby Brother (with 50 Cent), Thong on Fire, Hood, novellas in Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless and Maneater, and the editor of a collection of urban erotic quickies, From the Streets to the Sheets. She is also the author of the first urban erotic serial novel, G-Spot 2: The Seven Deadly Sins. Visit Noire online at AskNoire.com, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Author Interview: Al-Saadiq Banks
What else can I say about this brilliant author? Besides the fact, that he’s absolutely gifted and a gem of a person. Someone I’m grateful to know. Someone who is real, deep, spiritual, and intellectual. Someone who God has blessed with so much talent and creativity, that he touches people’s lives. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, Al-Saadiq Banks.
1) Did you always know you were a writer?
No, I never knew I was a writer. Never even considered it. Never dreamed of being one or even wanted to be one. Never crossed my mind.
2) What type of books do you like to read?
I like to read self-help books, spiritually motivated books, and books on conspiracy theory.
3) Do you have some favorite authors or books?
No, I don’t have a favorite author. I really just freestyle when it comes to my reading selection. I love the Celestine Prophecy, The Secret, and all of Robert Greene’s books. I have a very militant mindset, so I enjoy all of the books on the Art of War.
4) When did you first decide to write a book?
I considered writing for the first time in 2002.
5) Do you use an outline?
I don’t use an outline until I’m trying to close the story out. I want to be sure that I didn’t forget any of the key points that I want to include. The hardest part for me is closing out. I can go on and on and on. LOL.
6) What is your writing process? Do you have a writing ritual or routine?
No ritual, I just write whenever I can and anywhere I can get it in.
7) What does your typical day look like?
I spend most of my day on the computer researching the business side of publishing and I slide some writing time in between that. I used to write all day 16-17 hours a day, but once I learned the business side of it, I write less. You can write all the books in the world, but if you don’t understand the business, the books will never reach the masses. You must understand the business.
8) Out of all the books you have written, which was your favorite to write?
Basically all my books are special to me because they all were written during different time periods in my life and each one means and represents something different to me. I do have a three top ones though, Caught ’em Slippin’, Block Party 3 and Strapped, in that order.
9) How do you come up with the ideas for your books? Is it based on your life?
They are not necessarily based on my life, but things I have seen in my life.
10) How long does it take for you to write a book?
I never put a time limit on a book. I just let it flow. My earlier books only took a month and a half, but lately, it’s nine months at least.
11) What do you want your readers to take from your books?
I want my readers to take a look into the lives of some of the most vicious individuals in the world and through my books, I want them to understand what motivates certain individuals. A lot of us are so quick to judge, but never having been in the shoes of the people that we judge. Most of the time, it’s all about cause and effect and we can never say what we will or won’t do in life if we have never been forced to make certain decisions. To see my readers cheer for the bad guy makes me realize they must have felt his pain in life.
12) What is your dream now?
I don’t really dream, I just make things happen. My next move is film.
13) Thinking back on your life, what would you have done differently?
For the most part, nothing at all. Everything I have been through in life made me who I am and also gave me the information to write over a dozen books so far.
14) When did you decide to start True 2 Life Productions and why?
After the first book was written. There was no other way. I couldn’t even imagine signing my book over to another publisher and wait for a royalty. I’m wired differently than most.
15) What brings you the most satisfaction in life?
It’s the little things that mean the most to me. Big things are nice, but I don’t need big things. I’m quite easy to please.
16) You just released your new book Outlaw Chick, how did the idea to write this story come about?
Riding in my truck one day, and listening to the words of Jay-Z and Beyonce’s song, and the whole book presented itself in my mind.
17) How did you perfect your craft as a writer?
I wouldn’t say it’s perfected, but I will say I work on it every day. I write something every day and I read every day. I also study the dictionary. Plus before books, as a child, I was an art major, so I’m quite visual. That helps me tremendously because it helps me to paint the perfect picture.
18) What do you believe constitutes good writing?
Good writing to me, is when the reader feels like they’re watching a movie. They finish reading the book and feel like they actually know the characters. It’s all about character development. If a reader reads 300 pages of your book and doesn’t remember your character’s names, the character development was weak and you haven’t done your job as a writer.
19) Are you currently working on any new projects?
I just finished up the fifth part to my Block Party series due to release in the Fall of this year.
20) Lastly, what advice would you give someone coming up in this game?
The advice that I would give a writer is read just as much as you write. You will thank me later! LOL.
Thank you so much for a fantastic interview, Al-Saadiq Banks.
Al- Saadiq Banks made his entrance into the literary world in 2002. Al-Saadiq Banks and his brother Naim Banks formed a publishing house under the imprint of True 2 Life Publications, using their first title No Exit as a launching pad to knock the doors of the genre off the hinges, selling approximately 90,000 books the first year.
Al-Saadiq Banks is widely respected by his readership base and colleagues in the business for penning True 2 Life, hard core, raw and uncut, crime novels, which all take place in the city of Newark, New Jersey throughout a variety of eras, dating back from the 80’s and 90’s to the current day. He’s appreciated for his story-telling ability and the in-depth development of his characters which leaves readers feeling as if these are real life characters that they’ve known all of their lives. Al-Saadiq Banks and True 2 Life Publications has just recently taken a leap into the world of comics, wherein they just adapted Block Party into a comic book. Their mission is to transform all of their titles into comic books and graphic novels. The future of Al-Saadiq Banks and True 2 Life Publications will be the conversion of the graphic novels into animated comic series and the independent film “Block Party”. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Author Interview: Silk White
I’m excited to interview the multi-talented Silk White. He is an author, actor, and film director extraordinaire. We connected on Facebook, and then I started watching his web series called “The Hand That I Was Dealt” and got hooked. I fell in love with his writing and characters. He plays a smooth operating drug dealer named Zoe, who cheats on his wife. Author Silk White is one cool, laid back, and talented dude.
1) What was it like growing up in Harlem?
Growing up in Harlem was fun, it made me have to grow up fast, but that’s where I learned how to be a man.
2) Were you creative as a child?
I wasn’t too creative as a child. I just enjoyed the regular things that kids enjoy. I was a good kid.
3) What made you start writing?
I started writing because I was doing a lot of reading and found an interest in it. I thought I could be great at it and found a love in it. I love to create a good story that everyone loves.
4) Do you have a favorite author and book?
Yes, my favorite author is K’wan and my favorite book by him is called Street Dreams, that’s the book that got me wanting to start writing from the beginning.
5) When did you start getting interested in film and acting?
I started getting interested in film and acting when I saw how people loved the characters in my book and I wanted to see if I could bring those characters to life on the screen. I love a challenge.
6) Do you like to act more than write?
Acting and writing are two things that I love to do. I am currently working on my acting and trying to improve
7) Which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I enjoyed writing my new book Business Is Business the most, that story just somehow came to life in my head.
8) What is your philosophy on life?
My philosophy on life is to just make the best of it and continue to try and get better and better each and every day.
9) How do you overcome obstacles?
I overcome obstacles by dealing with them. There will be obstacles in everything you do, there is no getting around it.
10) What means the most to you?
Just being creative and putting out good material means the most to me.
11) Who has been your greatest influence in life?
I think I would have to say that I have been the greatest influence on my life. I’ve been through a lot and have seen a lot, but still stay motivated to be great.
12) How do the ideas come for your books and film?
Lol! I don’t know, the ideas just come to me, it’s hard to explain. It’s kind of weird.
13) When did you decide to start Good2Go?
I decided to start Good2Go in 2007. I only started the company at first because nobody else would sign me lol, well I guess I showed them.
14) Do you enjoy the business end of publishing?
Yes, I do enjoy the business end of publishing. I’ve definitely learned a lot, but now nothing surprises me in this business anymore.
15) You have done a couple of films, “No Way Out” and “Black Barbie”. You also have an excellent web series out called “The Hand I Was Dealt”. Where did the inspiration for them come about?
The inspiration for the movies and books come from just wanting to give the viewers a great story. And with each project, I continue to get better and better.
16) How do you balance writing, publishing, filmmaking and acting?
Lol, it gets pretty difficult when it comes to balancing all these different things, but I just do my best to make time for those things. When it’s all said and done, I want to be great. So in order to be great, I have to put in the work.
17) Where do you see yourself in ten years? What other goals do you want to achieve?
In ten years, I see myself owning several other businesses…having a show on cable television, having one of my books turned into a motion picture, and living in Los Angeles somewhere.
18) What other projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently writing “The Hand I Was Dealt” Season 2. I’m also working on a few other things that I’m not allowed to discuss right now, but just know I’m definitely working.
19) What helped you hone your skills as a writer, actor, etc…
Me just wanting to be good at those things helped me hone my skills, and I did a lot of studying. As far as acting goes, I continue to work on the craft until it’s mastered.
20) Lastly, what advice would you give a novice writer or filmmaker? What are the things you have learned that you can pass on to someone coming up?
What I can pass on to someone on the come up is don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Be ready to work hard for what you want and never give up. Also, don’t just jump into something, do your homework and research first.
Thank you so much, Author Silk White.
A native of Harlem, New York, Silk White began his writing career in 2006.
He is a best selling author of Urban Fiction Novels & Co-Owner of good2go publishing/good2go films. Silk also produces movies and has “No Way Out” and “Black Barbie” as film credits to his name.
In his spare time, Silk loves to write and act. He is currently producing a new movie and is hard at work on his next novel. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Pilar Talks Books: G-Spot by Noire
I discuss G-Spot by Noire on this week’s segment of Pilar Talks Books. As I mentioned on the video, Noire has an amazing writing voice. The second you start this book, you won’t want to put it down. It’s that good.
If you want to purchase this book or any of her books, you can do so here.
Thanks for watching and have a great week.
Author Interview: Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas
Me with 848 Web Series Team
I have been following Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas for quite some time now and I think he is an exceptional man. I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time last month. It was a real treat, because I got to spend time with him and the rest of the 848 Web Series team. Inch is one of the most down to earth and humblest men I know. Besides being incredibly talented as a writer, actor and filmmaker. If you haven’t read any his books, or watched the 848 Web Series, I highly recommend it.
1) Where did you grow up? How was your childhood?
I grew up in the Northeast Bronx, New York City, a housing development called Edenwald Houses. My childhood was fair…my mother was a single mom raising six children on her own. My older siblings were dipping and dabbing in drugs. Mom was on welfare, no real male role model around…just my mother, mostly.
2) What was your dream or aspiration?
My dream was always to own my own business. Nothing in particular..a store perhaps, but something that I could call my own and run it how I wanted to run it.
3) Who did you look up to or admire? Who was your greatest influence?
I had no one that I wanted to be like except the neighborhood drug dealer. There were a few, but one or two stood out to me for various reasons. For those reasons, primarily materialistic reasons, and me growing up poor, I wanted what they had. I wanted to be them.
4) What has gotten you through hard times in life?
My faith in the almighty Creator has gotten me through the times when most people were expected to crack or break. I am a practicing Muslim and I have been so for 23 years. Islam the religion, is perfect. People ruin it!
5) What kind of music do you like or listen to?
I listen to hip hop and R&B music.
6) What is your favorite movie and why?
One of my favorite movies of all time has to be “Scarface”. The story of a Cuban immigrant who made something out of nothing. According to him, all he had was his balls (courage) and his word (honor). Sometimes that’s all that we need.
7) Who are your favorite authors and books?
My favorite authors are different from my favorite books because an author can write an awesome story, but once you get big headed and appear as if your shit doesn’t stink, Fuck You! But a few of my favorite stories are: The Coldest Winter Ever, True To The Game, Dutch, B More Careful, Block Party, Do or Die, Standing At The Scratch Line (My all time favorite), Gangsta, Kiss The Girls, and Flower’s Bed.
Some of my favorite authors are: Treasure Blue, Al-Saadiq Banks, James Patterson, John Grisham, Thomas Long, T. Benson Glover, and Michael Whitby.
8) Tell us a little bit about the books you’ve written? How did you come up with the ideas for them?
No Regrets, the first book that I’ve ever written was inspired by my own childhood. Flower’s Bed, the novel that set off my company is a story about a young lady and domestic molestation. I wrote that book to grab the attention of the readers. Unwilling To Suffer is a hood love story inspired by a personal experience and That Gangsta Shit, an anthology was created to introduce my authors on a level smaller than debuting a full length novel.
9) How long does it take you to write a book?
I wrote my first book in eight days, it’s first draft. Flower’s Bed took me three weeks. Black Rose’s took sixteen days and Unwilling To Suffer took me six months to complete.
10) What are some of the things you learned from writing books?
From writing stories, I’ve learned how to read and write better, I’ve enhanced my vocabulary and I’ve also learned how to improve on story line.
11) What inspires or motivates you?
My will to succeed and win motivates me to reach for the stars. I feel like I have so much potential that I almost wasted running around in those streets that now I try to be an example for the ones headed down that same route.
12) What would you do differently if you had a second chance?
If I had a second chance, I wouldn’t do anything different because everything today for me is the way it is because life was the way that it was.
13) How did you come up with the concept for the 848 web series?
I am a huge fan of “The Wire”. I enjoy the tv show “Power”. I was intrigued by how so many people were so excited about, the following week’s episode of “Empire”. I absolutely admired the show, “Money & Violence”. So I grouped all of those elements together along with incorporating my preparation for writing a novel and boom, 848 was born. I always say, nothing too ratchet, something easy on the tongue, something familiar, easy to remember and something unordinary.
14) What do you want people to take from your books and 848?
I want people to know that the man behind my books and 848 had one time given up on society and life. There was a time when I thought that I would never be shit, so why even try. And here I am today, with maybe not much financially but I am so happy that I made it this far and how other people can see me as a source of encouragement. Hope, for lack of a better term.
15) Do you enjoy acting or writing more?
I enjoy acting and writing equally. I really enjoy coming up with the ideas of how a scene should be played out, camera angles etc.
16) What are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for a loving family. I love my children with all of my dear heart.
17) Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now?
In five or ten years, with enough hard work, determination, sacrifice and consistency, I see myself on the big screen.
18) What advice would you give the youth today?
To the youth of 2015, although it may sound cliché, never give up. Never give up hope because God is real. We cannot enjoy the rainbow without first enduring the storm. We must experience hardship in order to truly appreciate success.
19) Are you currently working on a new book or project?
Right now, I am still in the production stages of rounding out the end of Season 1 of 848.
20) Lastly, what advice would you give a novice writer?
When it comes to being an author, the READERS, MAKE you, or they break you, figuratively, of course. NEVER, release material that you aren’t 100 with, from its title, the cover, down to every page, every chapter, every paragraph & every sentence. Begin EVERY story with some action, or over the top drama. Be descriptive in your sex scenes, & graphic when there’s action or violence. Exaggerate, but make everything believable & imaginable. Be unpredictable with your story & lead folks to believe one thing, then give them something they wouldn’t expect. Make your readers sympathize with your characters, show compassion… many will empathize automatically with them (when one actually went through it as well). Make them connect with your character, the best way that you can, then bring your character to a low point. Once you’re there, your readers will begin to have hope of a rise. Once YOU feel that way, drop your character into some deeper shit, where the only way out, IS, up…then you give him or her a triumphant rise.
Give your character issues (health, education, family, financial & morals), within the story itself. Make folks LOVE your character and write your narration, and most of your dialogue in correct English. Proper English. Everyone speaks different, but we understand what we read, and interpret it, the way that we talk. So a country nigga and a bitch from Boston can read the same story, & identify exactly the same understanding as the writer, from their experiences, but will actually be hearing it, in their own lingo.
Most importantly, appear to be tangible. Many authors are arrogant and seem surreal so readers look at them as fake & don’t want anything personally to do with them. That creates a barrier, a gap, or a form of distance, between reader & writer, yet the idea is to be on one accord, so the overall understanding of a story and the author behind it, is fundamental and very simple to connect. Be as friendly & sociable, literary wise, as possible. You never know what a simple smile, a wave, handshake or response to an email or inbox, can accomplish.
Be available & WILLING, to do signings. Every signing may not be advantageous, financially, but it can be filed as a learning experience, it can be deemed a rehearsal for future events, and it’s also a form of promotion. Folks may not have the money at that time but they’ll remember your presence and when they return and you aren’t there, they’ll purchase your material because you were kind. Be open minded and patient. Stay hopeful. Believe in yourself and your work. Forget anything negative that anyone has to say, be thankful for the compliments you receive, and be appreciative for any constructive criticism. Without it, we’ll never know where to improve!
Wow! What an incredible and generous interview. Thank you so much, Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas.
Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas was born and raised in the Bronx. He’s talented, impulsive, and a passionate writer who thrives on being creative. You can fallow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
God’s Promises
It was about three years ago when I attended a Christian Writer’s Conference. I took a class taught by Cindy Sproles about how to write devotionals. I took many classes, but this particular class stood out for me the most. I guess it’s because Cindy is an amazing woman of God, and she taught with such love. She was also the one who introduced me to the concept of writing devotions using God’s promises.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
She told us to get “Our Daily Bread Promise Box“, which contains 240 promises from the Word of God. Cindy said for us to use this as an exercise and practice writing devotions.
I admit, I haven’t done this for a while, but this morning something tugged at me to go look in the box. I nearly cried because it read, “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22.
This Scripture is particular encouraging to me right now because this year has been challenging for me. With all the struggles I’ve been faced with, I kind of lost my way for a bit. But in the past couple of months, the Lord has wooed me back. I also have some amazing Godly friends who earnestly pray for me (you know who you are, thank you).
Last Friday, I had a spiritual breakthrough. I began the day with a meaningful telephone conversation with a friend of mine. It was deep and fruitful. We talked about the power of prayer. I don’t know why, but that conversation sparked something in me.
Then in the evening, I met up with a sister in Christ for dinner. She’s known me for years and has witnessed many chapters in my life. We hadn’t seen each other in over 2 years. But we always manage to pick up where we left off as if no time passed. God used her to remind me of who I am in Christ and all of His promises upon my life.
It was as if I had amnesia and forgot… but as she spoke, memories flooded back, reminding me of everything God has done throughout my life. Miracle upon miracle. I felt something break, and a peace come over me. A peace and assurance that I haven’t felt in quite some time.
I say all this to say, that no matter what you are facing or going through right now, no matter how deep the pain, no matter how lost you feel. God is with you, He is by your side, and He promises to never leave you or forsake you. I am a witness. So be encouraged today.
Please let me know how I can pray for you today. Leave your prayer requests in the comment section below.
Follow
embodyart