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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Corey Barnes, author of What Is This Love Thing All About

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Corey Barnes, author of What Is This Love Thing All About?
(CJ Publishing)

(One of the first ten people to comment on Corey Barnes’ author interview will win a free copy of What Is This Love Thing About.)

(Congratulations Lena! She won a free copy of Corey Barnes’ What Is This Love Thing About.)

Meet Rick Jenkins, who has everything that most would love to have in life. Great job, great looks, well educated, money, he has it all, except for one thing – a woman to share it with. A single and eligible bachelor, Rick can’t seem to even find a good woman to go on a date with, much less to think about take it to the next level. Rick is content to take life as it is until one night at a sorority fund raising function, he runs into Aphrodite Morrison and his fate changes forever.

Aphrodite is a mysterious, yet angelic, woman who Rick is lost for from the first minute he talks to her. A partner in one of the top advertising companies in the Greater Atlanta area, she does not have a want for anything. There is another side to Aphrodite that looms under the surface. When she thinks she has met the perfect man, her past threatens everything that she thinks may be meant for her and happening with Rick.

Joey Pinkney: When did you get the idea/inspiration to write What Is This Love Thing All About?

Corey Barnes: I love to read. I try to read at least two novels per month, which is hard with my schedule. I have read some very good books, and I have also read some very bad ones.

A little while ago, when I was reading a bad one, I made the comment to a friend of mine that I could write something better than this mess if I put my mind to it and put in the time. My friend, being the woman that she is, tells me to go ahead and do it.

Basically, don’t talk about it, be about it. After that, I just began to play around with it and before long, I was on my way.

JP: What elements of Black Love will we find in this novel that will set it apart from other novels in its genre?

CB: What is different in What Is This Love Thing All About? from other novels in its genre is the return of the pursuit, of the thrill of the chase. Nowadays, most books in this genre are dripping with sex, one night stands and basically “wham, bam, thank you ma’am”.

In my book, I almost go back to my granddad’s day when a man did not mind letting a woman know how he felt about her. He showed her. If he was interested, if he thought she was worth the fuss, he would do anything in his power to show her and to get her.

Men back then showed their feelings and were great communicators, things that society say a man can’t do or be nowadays. In What Is This Love Thing All About? all these things are readily apparent and that is what sets it apart from other books in its genre.

JP: What have you learned from writing and developing What Is This Love Thing All About? that you will be able to apply to your next release?

CB: For my next book, I will be sure to get someone to read over it early besides myself. Being in the school system, I consider myself to be a pretty good editor since I do it all the time.

As I read through my first draft, I thought everything flowed well. When I sent it out to a couple of friends, they noticed I had some gaps as I only had told my story from one point of view. Once I looked at it, I saw that they right.

I went back and basically wrote in the female character and made it tight. I will be sure to get feedback early and make sure I tell the story I want to from all angles to give the reader the full effect the next time.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you, start to finish for What Is This Love Thing All About?

CB: I always keep a stenograph pad with me no matter where I go. When I go to work out at the gym or run the lake or at basketball practice, whatever, I take note cards. I always have a pen, as I never know when a thought may hit me.

I try to write situations and scenes. I like for there to be a flow and leave the reader ready for the next chapter, the next piece to the puzzle. There are some nights where I sit and write for hours and some nights I just don’t have it.

The key is when I don’t have it; I put it down and get away from it. If I force it, the result will be some garbage because I am not all the way tuned in.

As far as What Is This Love Thing All About? start to finish, it probably took me about 8 months. I actually went and basically added a character after I thought I was done, which at first only took 4 months.

The female character was much harder to write, and I wanted to make sure I captured the woman correctly, which is why it took longer.

JP: What’s next for Corey J. Barnes?

CB: Next up for Corey J. Barnes, I am currently working on the sequel to What Is This Love Thing All About? I have written almost a stenograph pad full of notes on different ideas, situations, and scenes. Now it is just a matter of tying them all together.

I also want to write a book for middle school and high school aged males that are growing up in a single parent home, without their dad. I want it to be hopefully be able to help other young men get through these trying times by giving them insight and telling them how I made it through, some things I did that maybe they can as well to get where they want to be.

http://www.myspace.com/coreyjaye
http://www.facebook.com/coreyjaye
http://www.coreyjaye.com/
http://www.cjpublishingonline.com/
coachbarnes3@yahoo.com

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36 thoughts on “5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Corey Barnes, author of What Is This Love Thing All About”

  1. I enjoyed this interview because Mr Barnes changed the way romance stories are writtn most are written with the sex and you as a reader sometime can predict the ending and from the interview it seems as if “What Is This Love Thing All About” seems totally different I have added this to TBR list.

    1. I agree with you, Ms. Joyce. Barnes really takes the genre in a new and refreshing direction by bringing it back to the “old school” when men used to show you how they felt instead of playing the “macho role”.

      I even think his book cover was subtly sexy without being over the top. That also added a bit of class in my book.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      1. Joey,

        Thank you for this informative interview with the stellar author on the rise, Corey Barnes. I’ve had the pleasure of reading his work and it really DOES take you back to the time when wooing a woman was warranted. (Still is, by the way in my eyes.)

        I appreciate his cover as most covers today are over glamorized and don’t speak to what the book is about; Rick and Aphrodite are brought to the forefront in this novel and speak volumes in the journey.

        Loretta R. Walls
        Author and CEO, Nu Cherte Publishing

    2. Joyce,

      This book is VERY DIFFRENT and Corey brings the right elements of the old school back in full force.

      I think you’ll like what you read. He’s worth the investment.

      Loretta R. Walls
      Author and CEO, Nu Cherte Publishing

  2. Great Interview. I have had the pleasure of reading Mr. Barnes Debut Novel and LOVED it. I want someone to gift wrap me a Rick Jenkins and send him my way. Mr Barnes took it back old school when Men would court woman. The book flowed very well. I eagerly await the next release.

    Joyce you wont be disappoint in this read the ending is not predictable at all.

    Joey I agree the cover was nice no half naked woman just taking up space and the Gentleman is dress for success no pants hanging off the behind.

    I highly recommend this novel to read Mr Barnes is going to be a force to be reckon with

    1. SiStar Tea, listen to you! That’s cool that Mr. Barnes has crafted such a well-written story that really gets to the essence of what true love can be.

  3. Hey Loretta!

    Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad to see the amount of support Mr. Barnes has received thus far. I know he has a bright future ahead of him, and I look forward to working with him in the future.

  4. Loretta and SiStar

    You both have made me wanna go now and order my copy I promised myself I would not buy anymore books this week okay,SMH this a new week I guess I can…..

    1. Joyce you will not be disappointed This book goes old school when men courted ladies. I want me a Rick for sure!!!I am still waiting for Corey to gift wrap him and send him my way lol

  5. Wow. I will be interviewing this guest through AAMBC Virtual Tour. After reading this interview, I will want him to elaborate more on the new style of romance. I am glad he is taking it back to the old school style of dating as well, where men had feelings!@ Where are they????

    I will tap into his book this week as well to speak on this book that he delivered.

    Adrienna Turner, author of “The Day Begins with Christ”
    http://www.adriennaturner.webs.com
    http://www.dreams4more.com

  6. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of What Is This Love Thing All About by Corey Barnes.

    1) Joyce Dickerson
    2) Loretta Walls
    3) SiStar Tea
    4) Adrienna
    5) ???
    6) ???
    7) ???
    8) ???
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  8. Great interview! I love the way the Corey just up and decided to write a book one day, like he said don’t talk about it…be about it. I also love his idea about writing a book for school aged and middle school males growing up in a single parent home without their dad. I can relate so I’m really looking forward to that one!

  9. Joey Pinkney
    October 20th, 2009

    Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of What Is This Love Thing All About by Corey Barnes.

    1) Joyce Dickerson
    2) Loretta Walls
    3) SiStar Tea
    4) Adrienna
    5) Kaya Cassan
    6) Natalyne
    7) ???
    8) ???
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  11. I’m learning more and more each day that chivalry isn’t dead, so it’s great to know the old school way of romancing a woman is still alive in the minds of men. Just that alone makes me want to read this book. Top that with the comments and inquiring minds really want to know what this book is really about. Great interview gentlemen.

    1. Thank you Jennifer for stopping by. I appreciate you taking time to read and also comment. No, chivalry isn’t dead…and it never will be. I think we get to caught up in media such as music and movies that we overlook the millions of men around the world who cherish the women they come in contact with.

      Sure, there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, but there are plenty of good brothers out there. I think Mr. Barnes for highlighting that in his novel.

  12. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of What Is This Love Thing All About by Corey Barnes.

    1) Joyce Dickerson
    2) Loretta Walls
    3) SiStar Tea
    4) Adrienna
    5) Kaya Cassan
    6) Natalyne
    7) Black
    8) Jennifer C
    9) ???
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  14. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of What Is This Love Thing All About by Corey Barnes.

    1) Joyce Dickerson
    2) Loretta Walls
    3) SiStar Tea
    4) Adrienna
    5) Kaya Cassan
    6) Natalyne
    7) Black
    8) Jennifer C
    9) Unika Howell-Molden
    10) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. One of the first ten people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.

  15. Great interview. Would’ve liked to have known how he got started and if he went with self-publishing or a major publisher. Otherwise, sounds like an interesting novel.

  16. Cory Barnes reminds me of myself. His thought process is very similar. I too carry notebook and pen with me at all times. You just never know when something intriguing and interesting will come to you as you go about your day.

    He seems to be a very sensitive man who isn’t afraid to show it in his writing. It’s always refreshing to hear about love and relationships from such a man, instead of the pumped up fantasy versions that are so loaded with misplaced sexual scenes that you lose sight of the plot.

    I will definitely purchase this book and spread the word to all my reader friends.

    Thanks Corey Barnes!

    1. Sometimes technology gets in the way of a good story. I have heard plenty of authors bemoan the self-editing curse of the digital age.

      He’s old school in more ways that one.

  17. Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of What Is This Love Thing All About by Corey Barnes.

    1) Joyce Dickerson
    2) Loretta Walls
    3) SiStar Tea
    4) Adrienna
    5) Kaya Cassan
    6) Natalyne
    7) Black
    8) Jennifer C
    9) Unika Howell-Molden
    10) Lena

    A random winner will be chosen momentarily.

  19. I am really enjoying the book. I am on Chapter 26 and even though I am from a younger crowd than most of the readers in the previous comments, I can appreciate being “schooled” on how the older men treat a woman in the correct way. I try and read it everyday, which is hard because if I aint into the book, my girlfriend is glued to the pages. With ‘Coach’ Corey Barnes always being a mentor of mine, I hope he has success in other works because this one is pretty good so far.

  20. Very good interview. I read “What’s This Love Thing All About”? and I absolutely loved it. I got my copy on a Monday and was finished reading that Wednesday. It was definately a page turner and I hated to put the book down. Being a single woman in the dating game , it gave me a little hope that chivalry is not dead. The different angles in the book (male vs female views) was well represented. I was definately able to relate to the story. I look forward to the sequel and would definately like to see a book for teen males. Thanks Corey.

    1. Sharonda, you make a great point. This books is both educational and entertaining. I’m so impressed by the strength of this publishing debut. Kudos to Mr. Barnes.

  21. Wow, I am speechless after reading all of the comments above! I am really working on accepting all of this love, it is just so overwhelming for me, can’t be put into words. Joyce, thanks for adding to your TBR list, hopefully you (and your friends) will enjoy reading about us being so much more than the norm we are painted as nowadays; Loretta and Tea, what can I say that hasnt’t been said?! Thanks for the continued love, if I could say more than thanks, I would…Adrienna, hopefully you have the book by now, can’t wait to talk to you next week…Natalyne, thanks for checking in, I will be sure to keep you up on that much needed book that our males are desperately in need of…Black, sounds like something that we might can do, let’s talk about it..Thanks, Jennifer and no chivalry is not dead, it is alive and well more than you might think…Unika, thanks for stopping by…Barbara, thanks in advance for the support and passing the word on to your friends..Shawn B, wow, you continue to amaze me! Became a man right before my eyes, so proud of you and thanks so much for the kind words. Take care of both of your ladies and yourself…..Sharonda, thanks for checking in and the thoughts, very much appreciated and well recieved….Joey, you the man! Thanks for allowing me to use your platform to let a couple of more people know about what I think is a story that needed to be told and read, heard, and discussed by all, “What Is This Love Thing All About?” tell a friend, tell a two, and once again, thanks so much for all the love!!! God bless…

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