One Author's Story of Living A Psalm 118:17 Existence

Any epiphany worthy of due diligence is one that should have a message that can be emulated and given its proper place for better understanding. Anyone with the privilege of reading best-selling author Kendra Norman-Bellamy’s initial foray into inspirational nonfiction will hav no problem in educing how poignant her story is. I SHALL NOT DIE is much more than a surface adaptation of angst gone awry...rather, it’s a real-life ordeal that saw the emergence of a woman come of age and her determination to rise up and be a galvanized influence on her family based on her late husband’s decree. And what a story!

Reading this book, I couldn’t help but empathize with the surreal ramifications of dealing with the AIDS virus, and not because I happen to know the author on a personal note...it stems from me having a member of my family succumbing to the malady, and understanding the real meaning of why she had to come forward. Moreover, it allowed me to dig deeper into my reserve and resolve and report to the general public how and why surface interpretation is not enough to understand what is needed to survive seemingly unsurmountable odds without faith initiatives. But this is the author’s story and she indeed goes deep to portray a man, his legacy and his affect on those that knew him best. It’s about an autobiographical sketch as a prelude to establishing an empowerment ministry, along with a window with a view. This indeed is an easy read, but profound with the message therein.

The author leaves nothing to bare and nothing unturned in depicting her journey. Thirteen intrusive chapters will allow readers a candid and gut-wrenching truth analogies on why it’s so important to at least get the truth about AIDS. I was asked after reading the book why I felt it was such a poignant and important read. I had no problems and illusions illustrating via my opinionated view that living testimonies are true testaments to how one can unlearn things that are so misunderstood in life, and why Jesus can make a difference when so much is shown why faith cannot be compromised. I loved this book for all of the emotion and truths that the author gave in baring her soul on issues that are often taboo when going deep into the pools of personal intimacy. What then are the messages the author wanted to convey?

Kendra Norman-Bellamy HAD to write this story. To wit: “Tests and trials are inevitable. The choice that each of us has to make is whether we will endure and believe God to deliver us...or if we’re just going to give under the pressure and die”, or this, “...although God is long-suffering, He wouldn’t let me get away with not fulfilling His purpose. There were hearts that needed healing, He said; minds that needed encouraging, and souls that needed saving. The were assigned to me, but the only way I would reach them is by way of obedience to write I Shall Not Die.”

And there you have it. Proof that this book -- the life and times of Jimmy Holmes, is the making of a woman, wife and mother in sharing and alluding graphically to the fact that there’s no need to die when there’s a purposeful reason for living. I recommend this book highly...and if you read no other this year, do yourself a favor and be enlightened by a true story destined to be the forerunner of more truths by this talented, gifted and blessed writer.

The Romer Review's LITERARY SHOWCASE Presents Author, Jacquelin Thomas

In the African American literary arena, I’m sure there are many authors that you find yourself reading over and over, and ones that you consider to bring it often and with pizazz. Yes, we all have our favorites. I’m not ashamed to admit that the standards I have for writers to allow their stories to be definitive in allowing words to give imaginative verve to them is what I look for. Best-selling author Jacquelin Thomas is all of that for me! What you’re reading now on this blog is part of a ‘blog tour’ featuring her latest book that I was asked to showcase. In it you will find a few intrusive questions that have been asked of her with my intent to give flavor to her what she is all about...and of course the review of her latest book -- ‘SAMSON’, a modern-day adaptation of Samson and Delilah’s story.

THE INTERVIEW....

Q. You wear so many hats as a writer—romance author, Christian fiction author, young-adult author. How do you decide what to write next? What are the differences, if any, in writing for different genres?

I love writing, and God has given me so many stories I find it’s hard to keep up at times. I love romance and I’m married to my very own Hero, so writing romance is just a celebration of love. With writing Christian fiction, it’s more of a ministry for me, and with YA, I have a heart for teens so I wanted to write books that spoke to their issues. There really isn’t any difference between them as I always strive to tell a good story. The teen books are geared toward ages twelve to eighteen. None of my books have profanity or graphic sexual situations.

Q. Can you walk us through your writing regime? Do you have a set outline that you follow, or do you go where the narrative takes you?

I write from an outline, which changes from time to time, but for the first draft, I tend to keep it close to my initial notes. The rewriting phase is when I really flesh out my scenes and let the characters tell me where to take the story.

Q. How important is it to incorporate your faith into your work? What does your faith bring to your life?

It’s very important as my writing is a gift from God. I didn’t just decide to be a writer—it is what I was born to do, and I truly believe this. God wants us to use our gifts to glorify Him and that’s what I want to do. Without Him, none of this would be possible.

Q. Throughout your Christian Fiction novels, the characters refer back to the Bible. Do you have a favorite passage from scripture? What is it, and why?

I guess it would be Habakkuk 3:17–19, because it talks about how Habakkuk lost everything, but he continued to rejoice in the Lord because God is his strength and has equipped him to endure trials and tribulations. I believe that we find out what we’re really made of when we go through hardships. Oftentimes, we feel life isn’t fair and we pout, but another way to look at our struggles is this: The harder the struggle, the more faith God has in us. He knows just how much we can bear, so when life gets rough, just know that God is there cheering you on, because He knows that you can make it through! He just wants you to realize it, too, and trust that He’s already worked it out.

THE BOOK REVIEW… Samson by Jacquelin Thomas

Inspired by the Biblical tale of Samson and Delilah, the first chapter wastes no time in setting the stage with what’s to come as Samson Taylor gives readers why a man is vulnerable without the covering of righteous intent with a heart that sustains it. Best selling author Jacquelin Thomas whets our appetite with a delicious menu with her latest book, SAMSON. The table is set and the players are ready to show that it takes more than one to allow iniquity to prove that the pulpit is not exempt from snakes. Is it fair to call Samson Taylor a snake? An unmarried man of God unwilling to give up his player’s card? The story unfolds with Taylor newly installed as Assistant Pastor at a gregarious North Carolina church. He’s perceived to be a man of God—and proves early that he’s definitely not ready to ascend the dais that his father previously held. Armed with adonis-like features, with a gift of gab, his charisma stirs up only adds to problems dealing with any beautiful women that happen to cross his path. And they come out one by one -- Savannah, Delinda, and most notably Meagan.

The book is a moving fast-paced drama that speeded along with enough intrigue and contrast for the denouement to justify Samson finally getting his act together. Like the story it’s crafted from a voice of reason is constant as a quasi-omniscient present in aunt Helen, who admonishes him more often than not about ‘thus sayeth the Lord’ morals. The author gives a plausible attempt to show Samson with enough reticence to be remorseful, but not before he meets Delinda, married to a popular NBA star which culminates to a public altercation with her husband. The chagrined and disgraced pastor tired of the frustration and shameful acts embarks on a journey to save grace where a new sense of awareness clarifies his current vision. Reading this story, you know that God will forgive Samson’s past—but will Samson himself be able to truly change his heart and turn the other cheek?

I loved this book. Simply because it reminded me of how lust and the challenge of conquering the desire to have any woman that appealed to me. Trying to get a life without the temptation that Satan throws to the weakened flesh can be fraught with dangerous dalliances with a false sense of security. Samson found out at the right time for salvation to be the progenitor of a great read, and I’m so glad that it was Jacquelin Thomas who gave it to us with page-turning delight. This in my opinion is one of her better books and I don’t have problems rating it 5 stars out of 5. Pick up this book and add it among the ones you savor and support!

The Romer Review's LITERARY SHOWCASE Presents Author, Allison Hobbs

Allison Hobbs resides in Philadelphia, PA. A former singer during the era of the Philly Sound, Allison was a member of a female trio known as Brown Sugar (Allison Hobbs, Phyllis Nelson, and Karen Dempsey). The Philadelphia trio toured as background singers for Major Harris who's number one single, Love Won't Let Me Wait, allowed the group an opportunity to perform as the opening act for artists such as Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind, & Fire. Brown Sugar later signed and recorded with Capitol Records. A self-taught folk artist, Allison's prolific body of work portrays scenes of black Americana. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University. But it's her writing that has everybody excited about.

"Ever saw something that appealed to you so much that no matter the circumstances and consequences you knew in your mind that you just HAD to have it? Even going to the extent that you'd beg, borrow or STEAL it? True to form and with a slew of books written where you stole time to read them, best-selling author Allison Hobbs has something sweet for you. I took time to talk to this maven of myriad thoughts of page-turning delight and she gave me all I could handle in answering my questions." Alvin C. Romer/Editor, The Romer Review

I first discovered you as a prolific writer with one of your first books, ‘PANDORA’S BOX’ a while back, and your star since then has ascended to greater heights...who is Allison Hobbs, why do you write as you do, and why should readers buy your books?

My mother named me Allison after a character in a book she was reading. I grew up in a household where every family member read daily. My mom read three newspapers a day. Her book collection was extensive, including autobiographies, classics, poetry, and controversial novels of her time such as The Tropic of Cancer and Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. Her favorite novelist was James Baldwin. My older brother read classics that were appropriate for young boys: old-fashioned, hard back classics, i.e. Huckleberry Finn. His book collection seemed terribly boring. In fact, I felt a little sorry for him and was perplexed as to why he kept his head buried in such dull-looking books. My younger brother, a prodigy of sorts, devoured comic books in addition to reading Invisible Man and other books that were considered adult literature.

While my mother and brothers read important works of fiction, my dad read “cheap little paper backs.” He always had a book in his hand. There was usually a cowboy on the cover. My mom definitely disapproved of his reading material, referring to his cowboy fiction as “trash.” My dad also had a vast collection of pornographic paperback novels that he kept hidden in the back of a closet. Like everyone in my family, I was also a voracious reader. My reading choices, however, were limited to classic Grimm Brothers and Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales, Aesop’s Fables and nursery rhymes. I loved books about queens and castles, make believe and magic. Books with glossy pictures and happy endings. I was very content in my make believe world and had no desire to try out different genres.

I was the eccentric and artsy member in a family of intellects. By the time I reached thirteen and was still obsessed with fairy tales, my mom no longer viewed me as merely quirky, she became seriously concerned about my emotional development. She insisted that I read a full-length, age-appropriate novel. I went to the library and browsed. I remember the librarian giving an audible sigh of relief when she saw me venturing outside the aisle of fairy tales. But instead of getting something that was recommended for teens, I selected Gone with the Wind. That thick book was a huge leap from fairy tales, but I read it in a few days. I became addicted to books. At the conclusion of a novel, I had to immediately begin another. No pun intended, but my lust for reading led me to explore my dad’s porn stash. I was intrigued by the naughty titles of those books. By day I read books from my school’s recommended reading list, but at night behind my locked bedroom door, I read eye-popping, arousing tales of wanton, scandalous sex!

I believe that my writing style and the genre that I’m known for is a reflection of the reading that inspired me during my youth. Classy and trashy—a meshing of profound literature and explicit porn. Though I never set out to become an erotic writer, being a creative person, it is my nature to express in a flamboyant and vivid manner. In my novels, I try to paint a picture with words. Like a songwriter, I play around with prose until I’m satisfied with the cadence and rhythm of the sentences. My covers are bold and salacious, my titles are often audacious, but don’t let that fool you. Inside the pages, the reader will find originality, rich language, and clever plot twists interwoven with messages of social importance.

With so many books on the market how has the journey been for you; what have you learned, and what would you do differently if you were starting out again today?

I’m fortunate that with so many books on the market that I have managed to stay current and stay in the game. I can’t take total credit. My publisher, New York Times Bestselling Author and Executive Producer of Cinemax’s Zane’s Sex Chronicles, Zane, gave me my start in the publishing industry and continues to enthusiastically support my efforts. That is a blessing that I don’t take for granted. If I were starting out again today, I would learn more about the craft of writing before getting mid-way into my manuscript.

Authors are always asked the question relative to their beginnings as a writer. Was it your goal to become a writer, or was it something that inspired you to choose this field?

No, I never planned on becoming a writer. My oldest brother, now deceased, was encouraged to pursue writing. He became an award-winning journalist and a published author. My younger brother was published by Holloway House while in his twenties. My mother constantly told me that I had the gift of storytelling, but I don’t think she actually expected me—free-spirited and unconventional—to ever sit still long enough to complete a novel. Had she lived to my collection of work, she would be extremely proud. In 1998, after the untimely death of a dear friend, I felt compelled to write about my journey in life…a journey, in which she had played a huge role from teenage years up until that point. When I attempted to write my autobiography, I had no illusions. I knew that my story would be of no interest to a publisher. But I wanted to document my life…for my children. For posterity’s sake.

After beginning the process, I found that writing about the past was a punishing task. I’d managed to suppress many painful memories, and reopening old wounds seemed more damaging than cathartic. So I distracted myself by playing around with fiction. I began to let my imagination run wild. Without planning, I found myself writing my first novel, Pandora’s Box. Making up a story was easier and much more pleasant than dredging up the painful past. Midway into the manuscript, I began to believe that I could actually become a published author. It was clear to me that I had the same talent that my brother’s had…that my mother had. My late mother had been active in the Civil Rights movement and she was once a free-lance writer for our local newspaper. Her commentary concerned social injustice. Though I never read any of her articles, I have some of her hand-written letters and I hear her voice in my own writing style.

To date, I hear ongoing inner dialogue that is prompting me to tell the story that I set out to write, but I’m still not emotionally strong enough. Apparently my protective subconscious won’t allow me to write any more than a few fragments at a time. Tiny, disjointed pieces of my life are interspersed in my various novels.

What are some of the timeless if not memorable occurrences that shaped you as a writer, and why would it be beneficial in sharing them with other aspiring writers?

After writing the first one hundred pages of my first novel, I proudly asked my cousin, a professional editor, to read what I’d written thus far. I recall smugly awaiting her email…confidently expecting to be praised. She took forever to respond. I couldn’t figure out what was taking her so long. After a few weeks, she finally sent me an email stating that she didn’t know how to tell me in a kind way that my manuscript was awful and was giving her a headache. She informed me that being a good storyteller didn’t necessarily make me a good writer. “I am a good writer,” I insisted. She vehemently disagreed and suggested that I take a writing class, join an online group, or get books that teach the craft of writing fiction. I was flabbergasted. Why would I need instructions on writing? My vocabulary was up to par, I was not grammatically-challenged, and as I’ve mentioned, my ability to tell a story was legendary. So what in the heck was she talking about?

We argued back and forth. Furthering her case, she said, “You have five girls in a scene, and you give the reader each girl’s perspective.” “Yeah, so what? What’s wrong with that?” I asked, really annoyed. Then she asked me the meaning of point of view (POV). I didn’t know and didn’t care. It sounded like some unnecessary, technical jargon. I was halfway through the book and I was very proud of my accomplishment and I was going to get published, darn it. But my cousin the editor, wouldn’t budge. She refused to continue reading my book—not even for money. “Learn the craft,” she persisted. Words cannot express the degree of my agitation. But I had no choice. I had to appease her if I wanted my 150 page-manuscript edited. With a birthday coming up, I told my significant other (at the time) to forget about flowers, no Godiva chocolate this year, and to take Victoria’s Secret off my wish list. I didn’t want any of the traditional birthday crap he usually bought me. “Get me books. I need tons of “How to Write Fiction books.”

He bought me eight different fiction-writing books. I randomly cracked open one of them and began reading. I was stunned to discover that my cousin had been one hundred percent correct. I had been arrogant, willful, and falsely suspected that she was envious of my new-found talent. To have been so blissfully ignorant was extremely embarrassing. But I was also grateful that she had risked hurting my feelings and that she had used tough love to steer me in the right direction. Knowledge is power. I rewrote those 150 pages and eventually finished the novel, adhering to all the rules I’d learned. My advice to all aspiring writers: Please take the time to learn the craft of writing. Your editor will appreciate not having to rewrite your work to make it readable.

Simon & Schuster (S&S), the distributor for Strebor Books International (SBI) the imprint you write for has been great partners together literally...has their relationship impacted on you as a writer and a sense of legitimacy?

I began as a self-published author. During that brief stint, I couldn’t refer to myself as an author without feeling pretentious. After signing a publishing deal with Strebor Books, and having Zane personally overseeing my career, I felt completely validated. The partnership between Strebor Books and Simon and Schuster was the icing on the cake. The library has always been a second home to me. I remember going to the library and inquiring about Pandora’s Box. A very snooty librarian told me, “We don’t have those kinds of books on our shelves.” I shrugged and thought to myself, we’ll see about that! Since then my books are on the library shelves nationally and in high demand. Since childhood, I get an adrenaline rush when I walk inside a library. Now that my books are on the shelves, that excitement is heightened. I get a total sense of legitimacy when I see my novels on the public library’s hallowed shelves.

Charmane Parker at SBI and Yona Deshommes at S&S keep me busy with the authors they represent relative to the books I get to review...share with the readers the process once you’ve submitted the final draft for publication...Are there any interaction individually or collectively between you for dialogue?

Zane edits my manuscripts. Her editing skills are as extraordinary as her writing ability. She understands my style and typically doesn’t need to confer with me or ask me to make any changes. Occasionally, she has to return a flawed manuscript for me to rewrite. Charmaine Parker reads the proofs after the book has been type-set. I’m always grateful for Charmaine’s eagle eyes. I can read the proofs ten times and still not find all the errors that Charmaine picks up. Yona Deshommes handles the publicity after the book is in galley format. Yona and the S&S publicity department collaborate with Zane and Charmaine on the marketing plan. With my next release, Stealing Candy, my input is being included in the marketing plan. Yona is accessible, personable, creative, and super intelligent. I feel privileged to work with this powerful team of women.

Let’s talk about your latest book, ‘STEALING CANDY’. What’s the premise or motivation behind this book, and how does it differ from others that you’ve written?

Stealing Candy deals with the disturbing topic of teenage sex trafficking. This problem is usually viewed as something that only happens in other countries, but it is rampant right here in America and is getting worse. Teenage girls and boys are being kidnapped and forced into sexual servitude. Children are being sold to sexual predators by their own parents in exchange for illicit drugs. A few stories make the national headlines, but for the most part, the children that are forced into the commercial sex industry have no voice. Every time I hear about an innocent child that has been violated in any manner, it hurts me to the core. Writing this novel was my personal way of bringing awareness to the plight of sex-trafficked children, especially those within the African American communities who don’t get the media attention as missing white children.

In Stealing Candy, I do not gloss over or allude to the dehumanizing and heinous crimes that are inflicted upon the main characters. The reader is given the raw, graphic, and ugly truth of what is happening to our children. Though there is always an underlying social message in most of my novels, Stealing Candy is the first novel that I specifically wrote to raise awareness.

What has been the favorite among your books, and why?

In addition to Stealing Candy, my next favorite is The Enchantress. I stepped outside my comfort zone and wrote a paranormal/erotic novel. The setting of the first few chapters is a plantation in Virginia during slavery. Adding that historical element along with the supernatural and erotic aspects was a stretch for me. After the doing the initial research on slavery and on mythological goddesses, the book required very little of me. It seemed to write itself. I was amped, exhilarated, and in this miraculous zone where hours would fly by. During the writing process, it seemed that I was merely a vessel in front of the keyboard. The book had its own will. The words flowed faster than I could keep up with them. I wrote The Enchantress in a only a few months.

What matters most to you both as a novelist and a writer…can you actively separate them in definitive terms as they apply to your writing sensibilities?

In my opinion, a writer can write anything from screenplays to advertising copy. A novelist writes fiction. As a novelist, I’m very aware of what my readers enjoy, but I’ve also taken risks and written books that appeal to my own tastes. However, book sales matter and I can’t force my preferences on my readers.

Let me throw a few topics at you. I want you to comment responsively and say the first thing that comes to mind!

Self Publishing: Hard work!

Your ideal book tour: It’s coming up this summer with the Stealing Candy promotional tour.

Learning the business: Arggh! The creative end is much more fun.

Your writing process: Turn off phones. Stay off the internet. Limited communication with the outside world while working on a manuscript.

Book Reviews and Reviewers: I love it when the reviewers “get it.”

What’s next on the horizon for Allison Hobbs?

Lipstick Hustla, the third installment to Double Dippin’ and Big Juicy Lips will be released in November 2010. My 2011 release is focused on three female friends with relationship issues. I guess you could call it a sister-girl novel…with a wicked twist. Also in 2011 or possibly 2012, I’ll be co-authoring a book with the best and hottest writer in the game. I’m totally looking forward to having fun with this project. Collaborating with my “shero” is a dream come true.

For additional information on Allison Hobb's latest and upcoming book, and to join the cause, refer to this link: http://sn138w.snt138.mail.live.com/default.aspx?n=302097979

The Romer Review's LITERARY SHOWCASE Presents Author, J.D. Mason

Anyone who is familiar with good storytelling and have read a lot of it should know author, J.D. Mason. Her books are all the rage and I make no apologies relative to the fact that she's one of my favorite writers. Moreover, I'm proud to announce the first presentation that THE ROMER REVIEW is offering under a subsidiary production called, 'The Romer Review's Literary Showcase Presents...' series. J.D. Mason is the author of several bestselling novels including, And On The Eighth Day She Rested, This Fire Down In My Soul, and You Gotta Sin To Get Saved, which has been selected as one of the best books of 2008 by Black Expressions and the RAWSISTAZ Online Bookclub, and has been nominated for The Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award in the African American Fiction category. She is the recipient of the Atlanta Choice Award for her novel One Day I Saw A Black King, and her novel Don’t Want No Sugar was also nominated The Romantic Times Magazine award for Best Contemporary Fiction. Her novels have consistently been selected by The Black Expressions Book Club as main selections, and her work has appeared on bestseller lists in the Dallas Morning News, Black Expressions Book Club, and on Amazon.com. Without further ado, we've decided to allow this author to be our first presentation and hope that you embrace her as we have! I had a chance to secure this one-on-one discussion and would like to share it with our reading audience:

Over the years you’ve written well enough to elicit an outstanding fan base with 6 books under your belt, not including contributions to two more anthologies...what has contributed to the longevity of your writing acumen, and what has been your experience from idea to bookshelves?

"Knowing that there is always another perspective to circumstances and being willing to consider other points of view is key to seeing the bigger picture. When I start new projects, it’s not about being overwhelmed with buckets of inspiration raining down on my head. It’s about choosing a subject matter that I think readers might find interesting and then asking myself the question, “What’s the best way to tell this story?”. That’s the motivation for me. The questions, “What’s the best story to tell” or “What’s the most unique story,” don’t necessarily come into play all the time for me, because I believe that just about any story can be made better if you are willing to tell it in an original way. People are absolutely fascinating, even when we don’t mean to be. We’re especially unique in our subtleness, when we think no one is paying attention, or when we’re being our most honest selves. I’ve always been pretty intuitive and observant, and those are the strengths in me, I feel, that keep me focused and driven as a writer.

The experience from idea to bookshelf is always a challenging one, and one that never unfolds the same way twice. Just when I think I’ve found that magic formula of how to put a book together, it never seems to work the same way again. I always struggle a lot in the beginning. Usually, it’s a process of starting and stopping and starting over again, before I finally find the “flow” I’m looking for. When I find the feeling I’m seeking, then I can usually finish the book, but until I do, it’s like driving a car that sputters along because you somehow got water in the gas tank."

Why is writing so important to how you can express putting it all down on paper...is there a method to this madness? When and where is the best time for you to write?

"There’s no method, but plenty of madness. I actually hate the process of writing. I love storytelling, making up stories, but writing is hard work. It’s not something I consider fun. It’s boring, tedious, frustrating, and did I say tedious? I know that once I get started, and find that vibe or rhythm, then it’s off to the races, and I try and write as quickly as I can to get as much done as I can before I lose it. But there is no best time to write. Some books I’ve written in the early hours of the day. Other books, I may have written in the afternoon hours, and some may be written late at night. I used to think that I’d have a formula figured out by now, but I don’t think that’s ever going to happen."

You may not remember me, but I was formally introduced to you via Marlive Harris’ G.R.I.T.S. online reading and book club about 4 years ago and have never stop admiring your afinity to great storytelling...how important are book clubs to all things literary pertaining to you as an author and the books you write?

"Book clubs are the pulse of the literary world. It’s the book clubs, I believe, that have kept most of us in print, and without them, I don’t know if I’d still be here after all these years. Individually, I don’t think they realize the power of their influence in this business, but collectively, they are as important as publishers, writers, bookstores… And it’s always wonderful to see people gather together to break bread to discuss a good book. Honestly, I think that’s the best way to truly enjoy reading."

From the first book you wrote -- ‘And the Eight Day She Rested’ to the current ‘Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It’ how have you matured as a writer?

"I’ve become more comfortable with the sound of my literary voice. With my earlier books, 8^th Day, and Black King, I honestly had no idea that I even had a literary voice. When you’re a new writer, you write mostly from passion, and the desire to finish a book and to hopefully see it on the shelves someday. But as time goes on, and you write more books, the passion is still there, but it’s different. I am still a nervous wreck before a book comes out, worrying over whether or not people will like it. But I write with purpose, now. I write with a specific direction in mind, and with my earlier books, I don’t think I did that, intentionally. Now I’m passionate about being more creative and exploring new directions with my books. As a writer, I feel that I’m brave enough to do that now—on purpose!"

I’ve always feel that your stories are character-driven with great plot twists, compelling settings with story lines that give drama a favorable flair...are there formulas you use to weave a fabric to tell your stories?

"All I know is that if I’m bored writing the book, then readers are going to be bored reading it. When that happens, I usually hit the delete button on my computer and start over from scratch. There’s not a formula, but I believe that reading should be more than two-dimensional. You have to do more than just see the words and hold the book in your hand. Reading should stir emotions, and physical feelings in the reader, and in the writer. I can’t just go through the motions and put words on paper just to fill a word count for my publisher. When I hit that last keystroke, I need to feel satisfied."

Let’s talk about ‘Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It’...tell us how you came about writing the gist of the story, and why was it so poignant for you to illustrate it in a narrative?

"The original premise of this book was to show the mature woman (40plus) in a different light. The three main characters, Renetta, Phyllis, and Freddie, are all about forty-eight, and thirty years out of high school, and I wanted readers to see that women of this age could be funny, daring, sexy, flawed, and still stumbling along trying to find themselves. The idea to add Tasha, the long lost daughter of one of these women, came later to add an element of tension to the group. This is a great book for book club discussions and for women to maybe see that getting older means getting more out of life in a way that you were too clueless to do when you were younger. It’s also about coming to terms with a decision these women made years ago, and realizing that each one of them, in her own way, has been mourning that decision for too long on her own."

People whose lives are connected seem to be one of the mantras you use to fuel dramatic interludes, are any of the characters in the books you’ve written related, or have issues that would justify fodder to be used in subsequent books?

"The only characters that I have carried over into other books so far are the characters from One Day I Saw A Black King, which I call my “unintentional series”. It was never meant to be a series, but I loved the characters, and they all had such a rich story line component, that it was hard not to do. And readers kept asking for more of these characters, which was surprising. I’ve been asked if I plan on writing sequels to other books, like That Devil’s No Friend of Mine and And On The Eighth Day She Rested, but I don’t think it’ll happen—necessarily. There are some characters from other books that I’d like to keep on the back burner, though…just in case."

‘On the Eighth Day She Rested’ and ‘One Day I Saw A Black King’ are two of my favorite J.D. Mason books...and I like them for many reasons, but mainly because of human values are interwoven with how relationships are won and lost on how decisions are made... What can you tell the reading public about how issues between people may be staples for you writing a good story?

"People and their relationships are the best and most plentiful inspiration. I mean, it’s endless. An individual has a ton of different relationships going on all at once, and in each of those relationships, that person can represent someone different to each person; a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife…and in each role, we behave differently depending on who we’re with. We think differently, we speak differently. That’s the beauty of being human, and that’s why the inspiration for exploring relationships in books is so bountiful. It’s about stepping outside of my skin and pretending to be someone else. And when I do that, I have to try and think and act like they would. I get to play pretend when I’m writing, just like I used to play when I was a kid. That’s why this is such a great job."

What is your favorite book you've written...the one that you feel best exemplify how you nailed your concept for reader appeal. Explain why.

"I honestly can’t say which one is my favorite. I’ve loved them all for different reasons, and I don’t know if I’ve ever completely nailed any concept for any particular reader. I think that if you ask different readers, you’ll get different answers as to which book they liked best. Personally, I like them all."

If someone were to ask you, “Who is J.D. Mason, why you write as you do, and why they should buy your books, what would you tell them?

"I’m probably one of the most unassuming people you’ll ever meet, and I can be a bit shy too sometimes. I communicate so much better as a writer than I do in face to face conversation. But still waters run deep, and I am more confident on paper than anywhere else. Sometimes, I don’t even know how deep I can be until I go back and read something I’ve written, then look at it, like “where did that come from?” Being a creative writer is what I do best, and when you read my books, I think you’ll be carried away by good stories that offer new and different perspectives that maybe you wouldn’t have otherwise considered. I write to get you thinking and talking, and maybe even arguing and disagreeing. I write to stir feelings in you that maybe you didn’t even know were there, but are surprised and happy to discover."

Are there any suggestions, tidbits of information or good advice that you could give my granddaughter about becoming an accomplished writer?

"Have an open mind and spirit. Be receptive to your thoughts and characters voices, no matter how much they conflict with your own. And be brave enough to try new things, to explore new and unique concepts. Be diligent, because this business is tough. It’s tough to get into, and even after you’ve signed a contract for your first book, it’s still tough. I won’t tell you to get a thick skin because the criticism will come. All criticism hurts, but you should learn to separate constructive criticism from insults, and grow from it."

What’s next for J.D. Mason on the horizon?

"I’m finishing up the very last book featuring the characters from Black King. The new book is called Somebody Pick Up My Pieces, and should be out later this year. I’ve just turned in my first science fiction novel to my editor, and I’m waiting to hear from her on how I well I did, or didn’t do, with it. It’s the first book in a three book series. I have just started a new novel called 'Beautiful, Dirty, Rich' and it centers around a rich and powerful black family from the south called the Gatewoods, and I’m toying around with the idea of writing a YA sci/fi novel or series, if it works out."

Introducing...Hozeh, the Author!

Every now and then there comes a literary gem that shines in spite of every other gem that sparkles may be sparkling in its wake. Authors come and go, but there are a few that shine so brightly that it's hard to be ignored. Such is the case of first time author, Hozeh, a prolific writer who aims to make more of a name for himself despite the fact that Hozeh indeed is a Hebrew word meaning 'a suggestive parallel with the Prophet'. The Hip Hop Manifesto is his latest work. I took time out to ask a few questions of this talented author and here is what he articulated to me....

ACR: If someone were to ask “who are you?”, including wanting you to give them three adjectives to further describe yourself, what would you say and what would they be?

Hozeh: I’ve always thought that the question “Who are you?” was a difficult question to answer. Reason being: when you answer that question, you immediately impose limits upon yourself. I don’t do limits. But, if pressed for an answer, I would have to say that I’m an advocate for change—both personal and in the world at-large—who thinks, writes, teaches, and loves like his heart and mind are on fire…but are not being consumed. Three adjectives to describe myself? Now, that’s a lot easier. Passionate, risk-taker, non-conformist.

ACR: What redeeming value do you get from writing…what do you get out of sharing what you write?

Hozeh: I believe that every writer who is truly committed to his/her craft is inspired by God and called by God. So, I get a great deal of satisfaction doing what God has called me to do. Sharing what I’ve written is part of that calling as well.

ACR: Describe your book in general and the setting specifically, to those who may question the reason you wrote it in the genre it's written in (and of course, without giving too much away, LOL!)

Hozeh: The Hip Hop Manifesto is a sci-fi novel set in the southwestern United States approximately one hundred years in the future after war, famine, disease, and death has left the Earth a barren wasteland. Disease and mutation have gifted a few of the survivors of this holocaust with tremendous cognitive and psychic abilities. They are able to recall every word that’s ever been spoken and written and use The Word for not only its rhetorical power and wisdom but also its energy. The gifted have made a new religion, and its holy book is the Hip Hop Manifesto. El Adrel, the main character, has trouble grasping the subtleties of this faith, and we follow him as he seeks to master it and himself.

ACR: I have to constantly remind myself that this is your first effort at publishing a full-length novel. Was writing always a form of expression for you…if so, explain further?

Hozeh: Writing was not always a form of expression for me. In fact, in undergrad, I avoided classes that required large amounts of writing. I disliked writing. It wasn’t until I got cut from the basketball team in my sophomore year that I started to explore other means of expression. My first poems were written in 1989, my senior year, after hanging out with some new-found friends who had formed a Hip Hop group. I had always had a deep appreciation for Hip Hop, and after being with those guys for a while, my love and respect for the art deepened. To this day, I write in a Hip Hop state of mind, pulling from as broad of a perspective and ideological foundation as I can. Like pure Hip Hop, I refuse to put limits and boundaries on myself as a writer.

ACR: The previous question had a lot to do with the style and substance used by you as a first time novelist, share with us the concept behind and the making of your book... where did the idea originate?

Hozeh: Circa 1998. I was talking with a friend and colleague one Sunday. He remarked that he hadn’t attended church that day but that he had listened to Stevie Wonder. I said to him that listening to Stevie is as good as goin’ to church and that I’ve gotten “the ghost” from listening to his music. I went on to list several other artists who given me religious experiences. The idea that works other than the Bible, Torah, Koran, Bhagavad-Gita, etc. can be “of God” began to take shape.

ACR: Let’s talk more about how and why you chose the unique title for the book and what significance it had on the story line?

Hozeh: (cont. from above) Soon, I asked myself, what if Hip Hop was the basis for a religion, and if it was, what rituals would it have? In what way would salvation be achieved? What would be its holy days? Would there be a Sabbath? Who would be its prophets? What text would its disciples read from? A Hip Hop manifesto, perhaps.

ACR: This story reads like a movie, and I won’t be surprised if there’s a script being written for it. (If indeed there is, please explain further). Tell us then, the methodology used to create and weave the characters throughout the book to enhance the back story and other plot twists.

Hozeh: I’m in the process of adapting it for a television series. To me, it would fit best as an HBO series. A movie wouldn’t do the depth and scope of the novel justice. The methodology used to create and weave the characters throughout the book, story, and plot is from a Hip Hop foundation. Countless hours were spent finding the right rap quotes by listening to tapes, CDs, and browsing the internet. In a sense, I would do what Rakim, of Eric B and Rakim, would do: “I start to think, and then I sink into the paper like I was ink. When I’m writing I’m trapped in between the lines. I escape when I finish my rhymes.” In other words, you have to become totally immersed in the subject matter as an actor would immerse himself into a character.

ACR: From idea to bookshelf, to what effect do you owe any modicum of success to the fact that your book is now in print…. in other words, who and what is responsible most for bringing it to fruition?

Hozeh: Countless rappers, Hip Hoppers, writers, and God are owed the inspiration. There’s an old adage in street culture: rap is what you do, but Hip Hop is what you live. The best Hip Hop is made by people who breathe and bleed the culture, the way of life. There’s a difference between a guy rappin’ because it’s the latest gimmick to sell records and Eminem. There is a difference between Mexican food and food made by Mexicans. There is a difference between a person who practices martial arts for self-defense and a Shaolin martial artist.

ACR: What is your favorite scene in the book, and why does it hold such significance to your train of thought?

Hozeh: My favorite scene is in chapter 39 when El has a talk with his inner child. That scene reminds me that there is good and bad in all of us and that to judge anyone is a self-defeating, futile gesture. Chapter 39 also reminds me of Jesus’ quote, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” As I told a colleague once, “We are just men; we’re not meant to know everything.”

ACR: What’s next on the horizon for you besides marketing this book and letting the world know that they should read it?

Hozeh: I plan to further explore (thinking, writing, creating, etc.) what I consider to be the greatest challenge facing humankind today: human rights. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This excerpt from the Declaration of Independence is one of the most sacred utterances enunciated and penned by the hands of humankind. I have long held that a person deprived of life is dead, a person deprived of liberty is a slave, and a person deprived of the ability to pursue happiness will become a monster. To let any of those consequences befall anyone is to betray the most fundamental thing that makes a person an American, or dare I say, a human. Indeed, how can you call yourself an American if you are in opposition to it?

ACR: Based on what you know now about the publishing industry, what would you do differently and what would you tell other inspiring authors?

Hozeh: At this stage of the game, you don’t have to wait for a major publishing house to publish you. You can do it yourself…and keep your rights. However, be smart about it. Find a good editor. Know and understand all of the different ways you can market yourself. Lastly/firstly/most importantly, write something that will get you noticed. BE PROVOCATIVE!