JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Michele L. Waters, author of Through the Eyes of My Mulatto Daughter
(Crystall Clear Publishing)

In the late 1960’s in Selma, Alabama, an interracial couple, Richard Adams and Marilyn Halston encountered relentless ridicule, threats, and even beatings by white southern racists – all for the sake of love. The couple escaped that place and time by migrating to the West when they married – for Marilyn this was just the beginning of her tormented future.

Brittney Adams, their daughter and founder of Ebony Eyes, a home for troubled pregnant teens, discovers an unspeakable secret her parents had concealed for over thirty years. Brittney’s persistent unraveling of the truth forces the family to come face-to-face with the demons from their past.

Still distressed and afflicted – Brittney is faced with yet another challenge. A new resident, a sixteen year old pregnant teen, Angela, is being stalked by a mysterious man. As Brittney tries desperately to protect her mom and now Angela, a deadly accident takes place in the Adams’ home.

Through The Eyes Of My Mulatto Daughter is a heartfelt story full of mystery. This story will keep you on edge wondering who done it and why as Michele L. Waters takes you on this journey of a family’s struggle and endurance of racism, heartache and abuse.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Through the Eyes of My Mulatto Daughter?

Michele L. Waters: The inspiration behind Through They Eyes Of My Mulatto Daughter came from seeing and hearing or hearing about verbal and emotional abuse. In my opinion, verbal abuse is more socially tolerated; whether it is husband to wife or visa versa or parent to child. However, this story turned out to be so much more. It’s a story of domestic violence, racism, child abuse, love, forgiveness, faith, loyalty and uncompromising commitment.

JP: What did you experience with the release of your first novel, Can’t Let Go, that made you do something different with Through the Eyes of My Mulatto Daughter?

MW: Well, with my first book, I didn’t write it to publish a book. I didn’t market it before it was published. With Through The Eyes Of My Mulatto Daughter I began marketing around six months prior to publication. I also solicited help, advice and opinions from friends and family.

Can’t Let Go was written as a means of escaping the everyday hustle and bustle of life and work. My husband and I were investing heavily in real estate. When the housing market took a dive and hundreds of thousands of people began losing their jobs, our world cam spiraling down as well.

I found myself waking up to CNN, going to sleep to CNN and wandering daily if the bailouts received by the banks would allow for potential homeowners to but property again. I felt I had no control over anything. I couldn’t go to the bookstore and find a book to learn what to do to fix our situation. I couldn’t google it. Nothing.

In order to turn my brain off from this mess I began writing. This was my escape.  Even better, I WAS IN CONTROL!! At least control over the characters I created. Then I found this new passion. I love writing. I love creating new characters. I love writing stories that are relatable to all people.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Through the Eyes of My Mulatto Daughter getting out to the public?

MW: Marketing early and talking about it to any and everyone. I think my excitement about this book is contagious. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it really is a great story.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Through the Eyes of My Mulatto Daughter?

MW: First, I normally have a story in my mind usually inspired from what’s around me: things I hear, stories told to me by close friends or things I have witness. You know what they say,  “all fiction stories have some truth or a lot of truth to them”.

Second, when I’m ready to write I make an outline of the story. For me, I usually have the somewhat of the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story in my head. Then, I just fill in. Nothing great about my style to start. After I get it all down, I go through and try to make sure each chapter makes you want to go to the next and then the next and so on.

JP: What’s next for Michele L Waters?

MW: I made so many promises that I would write a sequel to Can’t Let Go, so I have to do that. Everyone wants to know what happened to Tiffany and Greg. After that, I feel like Through The Eyes Of My Mulatto’s Daughter, character Marilyn needs to come back to her original self before she was so messed up by her husband, Richard. So I’ll bring her back in a sequel.

Last, I’ve already started the outline for my personal story of slipping into financial ruins but how God carried me through my trials and tribulations. Being able to recognize blessings in the middle of the storms is truly a blessing and a story that must be told. I will be pretty busy for the next couple of years.

http://www.michelelwaters.com/
http://www.facebook.com/michelelwaters
http://www.twitter.com/michelelwaters
http://www.myspace.com/michelelwaters

Appeared on several radio talk shows.
UCLA, North Bay Media, Z105.3 on the Sister Circle talk radio show with Lady Freedom and Sistah Souljah, Cool Jazz Cafe with Terry Chestnut.

Debuted Through The Eyes Of My Mulatto Daughter at the 1st Annual Celebrity Writer’s Awards Show Oct 2, 2010

Selma Times Journal News Article, July 31, 2009
http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/news/2009/jul/31/author-signs-selma/

Books of Soul, Interview , September, 2009
http://booksofsoul.com/2009/09/interview-with-michele-l-waters/

Barnes and Noble Panel Discussion – New Author Spot Light, June 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytDkCcKU36Q

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