JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Eyone Williams, author of Fast Lane
(Fast Lane Entertainment)
The streets of Washington, D.C., are at their most violent in years. From 5th and Rittenhouse to M.L.K. Avenue, roll with Mann, his little brother Lando, and their crew of uptown soldiers as they take no prisoners in the Fast Lane.
As the drug epidemic rages out of control in the Nation’s Capital, Mann, a young, handsome hustler, makes his mark in the D.C. streets with nothing but money on his mind. In a game with no rules, anybody can get it and no one is off-limits when it comes to stacking paper.
To rise to the top, Mann must play his cards right and surround himself with those loyal to him. However, who can be trusted when everybody is trying to get paid by any means? Sex, money, drugs, murder, and mayhem … The drama never ends in the Fast Lane.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Fast Lane?
Eyone Williams: The inspiration to write Fast Lane came from growing up in the D.C. streets. I saw a lot at a young age, and I began to put my ideas down on paper. As I began to write, my ideas grew into what became my first book.
I read a lot of Donald Goines when I was young, and I was impressed with the way he painted a real picture of what was going on in the streets in his day and time. I wanted to write stories of what was going on in the streets during my time. From there, Fast Lane was born.
JP: What sets Fast Lane apart from other books in the same genre?
EW: Fast Lane is raw street fiction, as close as a reader will get to what really goes on in the underworld. When I wrote Fast Lane, there were no other books out that went deep in the street life of D.C., and that’s exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to show why my city was the way it was during the 90s.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Fast Lane getting out to the public?
EW: I grind. I go hard when I set my mind to something. I believe in myself and all that I aspire to accomplish in the publishing business. I put my all into Fast Lane, and I feel strongly about it being the first release under my company, Fast Lane Entertainment.
Nevertheless, I would have to say that my keys to success are surrounding myself with people who give me the best advice, studying the game, and not being afraid to do my own thing no matter what other people say or think about the moves I make. My mind-set is that I will not lose!
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Fast Lane?
EW: My writing process for most of my books was at least a chapter a day. Once that was done I would go over it and fix whatever I didn’t like. Fast Lane was my first book, as I said, that took me almost a year to write because I really didn’t know how I wanted the story to pan out.
After that, my other books—Hell Razor Honeys 1 and 2, The Cross, and Lorton Legends—only took months to write. At this point in time, where I have so many things to do publishing-wise, I write as much as I can, even if that’s only a few pages a day.
JP: What’s next for Eyone Williams?
EW: Next for me is Lorton Legends, a book that I’m publishing with DC Bookdiva. I’m really looking forward to moving this book. It’s a book that really means a lot to me because of the story and the background of the story.
After that I’m focused on the next book that I have in the lineup for Fast Lane Ent. which is Money Ain’t Everything. From there, it’s on to the next one.
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ONE of the first five people to comment on Eyone Williams’s author interview will win a free copy of Fast Lane.
(Meaning, each different person who comments on the interview counts as one.)
Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of the book.
1) Metha Coleman
2) Rahiem Brooks
3) Joyce Dickerson
4) ???
5) ???
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview. ONE of the first FIVE people to comment will win a FREE copy of this book.
(Any one can comment, but you must have a mailing addres in the U.S. to recieve physical copies of the book.)
I was reading a book on writing, and one of the mantras was “write what you know”…
That’s exactly what Williams is doing with his series of books. He’s giving it to us from the ground level, straight up no chaser. He puts in the work and it shows. Like is inspiration Donald Goines before him, he has a solid and loyal group of readers who absolutely love what he does and can’t wait for the next release.
Good job.
I love Eyone’s writing style. I read Hell Razor Honeys 1 & 2 and was blown away. It sparked my Eyone flame..lol. I will be getting Lorton’s Legends this weekend at the Harlem Book fair. I cannot wait!!! He paints such a vivid picture when he writes. Its as if I am in the story!!!! And I loved Donald Goines so I can say that Eyone”s book take you to the same place Donald did!!! Keep up the great work E!!!!
Eyone, I wanted to send my respect your way for writing genuine stories and consistently. It takes time for an author to become a household name and you’re embarking on that journey. I recently was given a copy of the mix tape that you made for one of your DC Book Diva label mates, and I was impressed. I have did time in federal jail and I look forward to Lorton Legends, because many guys from DC that I did time with painted a very disturbing picture about that jail, and I am anticipating that you will be offering a sneak peak inside that world.
I think when you write stories close to what you have experience in life, it makes a difference and sometimes when others read your story, it helps them to relate to what can happen to them. I found out, that it is more put into books when others can make a character be like them…they can put true heart into it versus authors just writing because they have the gift.
Your book (s) are on my to get list already.
I am a fan of his work so far. I am sure this will be another hit.
Ollie Moss
ollimo91@aol.com