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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Daphine Robinson, author of Caring What People Think

April 11, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Daphine Robinson, author of Caring What People Think
(Truthful Press Publishing)

Russell Brown is the most eligible bachelor at Outreach Fellowship Church. He’s career minded, has his own money and is successful. He’s tired of dating and has vowed not to casually date. He’s on a mission to find “Mrs. Brown”. Battling depression since her father’s death, Dannica Rawlins sees nothing good in her present or future. At the end of her rope, she meets Russell in the nick of time.

After dating for only a few months, Russell is sure she is the one to take his last name. Will Dannica allow God and an upright man to love her pain away? If you liked Daphine Robinson’s first novel, Brotherly Love and Betrayal, you’re sure to love Caring What People Think.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Caring What People Think?

Daphine Robinson: I wanted to write on the topic of depression in the African American community, but didn’t want it to sound clinical. I was sitting in my driveway one afternoon waiting for my garage door to go up one day when I had a light bulb moment which ended up being the inspiration behind the suicide scene at the beginning of the book.

JP: What sets Caring What People Think apart from other novels in its genre?

DR: The characters will be identifiable as people you probably know. Readers say it is very conversational, and they swear I’m talking about someone they know. Christian-fiction authors write differently. Yes, there is redemption. Yes, there might be scripture quoted. But it is for all people.

If someone reads my work and they are not a believer, they might be inclined to check out this Jesus afterward. I don’t hit them over the head with a lot of religion. However, you know where the characters and I stand by the time you finish. I want readers to be entertained as well as changed by the time they get to the last page.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Caring What People Think getting out to the public?

DR: My first book was a huge hit, especially among “church folk”. They like reading books that are edgy. I take them right to the edge. Then they realize it’s fiction and Christian at the same time!

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Caring What People Think?

DR: I always have ideas for new stories, and I write them down. As life happens, I’m always in character mode. For instance, I could be waiting in line at the grocery store and overhear a conversation that sounds like something one of my characters might say. Or it may cause me to go in a different direction with a current story.

It took me about nine months to write Caring What People Think. I had the outline in my head about a year prior.

JP: What’s next for Daphine Glenn Robinson?

DR: I am currently working on Jailhouse Religion, a story about three friends whose lives change drastically the night of their high school graduation fifteen years prior.

http://www.daphinerobinson.com/
http://www.myspace.com/daphineglennrobinson
http://www.daphinesplace.blogspot.com/
author@daphinerobinson.com

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… HBO’s The Wire actor Tray Chaney, author of The Truth You Can’t Betray

April 8, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Tray Chaney, author of The Truth You Can’t Betray
(Booksurge)

Tray Chaney, currently appearing as Malik “Poot” Carr on HBO’s award winning street drama “The Wire,” announces the re-release of his inspirational autobiography entitled The Truth You Can’t Betray.Â The book has been inspiring young people as well as adults to strive for their dreams. Mr. Chaney’s book release has marked a pivotal new turning point for the young Washington, DC Actor.

With his acting career skyrocketing toward stardom and fame, Chaney decided to put his life story into words with The Truth You Can’t Betray. His publication is quickly gaining media attention and support from his peers. His book is suitable for all audience and is written without profanity. The Truth You Can’t Betray has an encouraging message that speaks of the importance of determination and hard work to reach lifelong dreams. His story chronicles the personal life of a young man choosing a path of righteousness on his way to public stardom.

With so much opportunity for young people to choose wrong from right, Chaney says, “I wanted to share my story to illustrate to the young people that hard work and determination will pay off for you as long as you stick with it and never give up. I want to be a positive role model for all the young people in the world.”

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to share you life story with The Truth You Can’t Betray?

Tray Chaney: I always wanted to share my life with individuals around the world. I wanted to show them that you can achieve success if you put your mind, body and soul into it. We live in a society where there is so much negativity and where people don’t have morals. I felt like, “Why not write a inspirational/motivational book about pursuing a positive dream?” The true inspiration comes from being around positive people. A lot of people will be pretty shocked as I take them on this journey that led me to starring on one of the biggest shows that ever hit televisionÂ hands down: HBO’s The Wire!

JP: What sets The Truth You Can’t Betray apart from other autobiographies?

TC: Most individuals and entertainers decide to do an autobiography when they have achieved a lot in their careers. Not saying that I haven’t, but I am in my early twenties. I felt the need to start inviting my fans and the people on my inspirational journey now. I am going to update readers that are younger, older and in between on some of my life’s choices that I have made and am continuing to make. This book is not set up as chapters; it’s set up in seasons because I respect the line of work I am in which is acting.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Truth You Can’t Betray getting out to the public?

TC: Well of course, being self published helps. I have managed to market and promote myself through multimedia avenues like television, magazines, internet, parties, etc. It’s just a matter of setting up a myspace page, twitter page and face-book then beating up the streets with my product. I use this book as a tool to motivate. I know I have something, so I’m driven to run up in the hair salons, barbershops, restaurants, train stations and wherever else I need to go. That’s how more people have gotten to know about Tray Chaney outside of my affiliation with The Wire. They also know me as an author with a message and a lot of drive.

JP: What has been your readers’ reactions to your life story?

TC: Their reactions have been very positive. The reactions really make me feel overjoyed. People are touched when they read it because they feel the same way that I feel right now doing this interview right now. That’s how the book reads. It just flows. It’s not long and drawn out. It’s straight to the point. I wanted to give my people the real Tray Chaney. Let me just add that there is NO profanity or cursing in the book at all.

JP: What’s next for Tray Chaney?

TC: I have a independent movie coming out on April 21, 2009, straight to DVD with the rapper Freeway from Rocafella Records entitled “What We Do”. The move is directed by Tron Anderson. I am shooting a film now called “The Conversation in DC” directed by Frank Jackson. More movies, more books and more music. I am working with producers putting together a soundtrack for the book. Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but I like to try different things.

http://traychaneyblog.tumblr.com/
http://www.myspace.com/traychaney
http://www.twitter.com/traychaney
Facebook Tray Chaney

On the heels of his book release last year, Tray wrote and produced a play that was performed in the ARC Theater called “The City of Lost Dreams.” Soon Tray hopes he can turn his autobiography into a film. Tray has ventured into another industry sector with his music. He is pursuing a music career working with various producers. Tray Chaney’s up and coming album is entitled “Jack of All Trays” is coming soon. It will be made available at most outlets. His album currently features two hit singles “Dilemma,” featuring JAZZ of Druhill, and the international pop record “Baby Lets Go,” featuring G-Mann with Cherry. For more information on Tray’s career and to listen to his music visit www.myspace.com/traychaneyfeaturingJazz.

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Kiffany Dugger, author of The Green Eyed Butterfly

April 5, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Kiffany Dugger, author of The Green Eyed Butterfly
(Dugger Publishing)

Seth St. James invites you to get comfortable and prepare your mind for a whirlwind journey as you travel with her to unlock the mystery of her past. Like a leaf in the wind, Seth blew into town after her family died in a mysterious accident. At eight years old, Seth was left alone to be raised by her surrogate grandmother, Madelyn. Together, the two worked hard to keep their identity a secret.

Seth is now a grown woman trying to lead a seemingly normal life, but the secrets and the mystery behind her family’s deaths continue to loom over her life. As the twentieth anniversary of her family’s death approaches, Seth receives a mysterious visit from a stranger who jolts her back twenty years to the very night her family was killed.

Hanging on to her sanity by a very thin thread, Seth set out to uncover the truth surrounding that horrible night. She must once again change her identity in order to confront the man that she believes murdered her family and she finds much more than she bargained for.

She discovers life changing information about herself, her heritage and her family’s sorted past. Her strength is tested as she becomes torn between falling for a stone cold murderer and staying true to her long time love. Filled with deception, sensuality, and suspense this transforming journey, somehow, links everyone through six degrees of separation. Just when you think you know what’s going on… Think again!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Green Eyed Butterfly?

Kiffany Dugger: I’d been trying to write a book for years, but I was in college having fun and just couldn’t focus. Years later, I actually started to have dreams about people that I didn’t know and places that I’d never been. I started seeing my characters and scenes from the book as if I were watching a movie. I actually thought I was losing my mind. I kept trying to ignore “the vision.”Â Then unfortunately, due to an illness, I was idle for quite some time.

One day, I got tired of these people in my head bothering me, so I opened my laptop and started writing The Green Eyed Butterfly. It was amazing. The characters became real, and they openly invited me into their world. The book began to flow like water from a never ending fountain. After I finished the first book, it was like a floodgate, and I began to write others.

JP: What sets The Green Eyed Butterfly apart from other novels in its genre?

KP: The Green Eyed Butterfly covers several genres: There’s some romance, suspense and mystery all rolled into one. Whatever the reader is looking for, The Green Eyed Butterfly has it.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Green Eyed Butterfly getting out to the public?

KP: Self publishing is definitely not easy.Â It takes dedication, hard work, an unshakable faith in God and the talents that he has so graciously blessed me with. I knew that I’d written a great book, and I wanted the world to see what I saw.

This has been a difficult road, but knew that I couldn’t just put this book on the shelf.Â The ironic thing is that most of my ideas, character names and even the name for the book came while I was sitting in church. I can remember writing book entries on the back of my church bulletin. So church was enough motivation for me!

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish The Green Eyed Butterfly?

KP: I don’t really have a structured process. I have to wait until the characters come to me and tell me that they are ready to share their time with me. Sometimes, I can write for days or weeks. Sometimes, I’m idle for months.

There have been times when I’ve been driving down the street and had to pull over to jot down my thoughts. Music plays a key role in my writing process. I also make a soundtrack for whatever project I’m working on.

JP: What’s next for Kiffany Dugger?

KP: Wow, the sky is the limit.Â I’m going full speed ahead, expect to see The Green Eyed Butterfly on the big screen.

http://www.duggerpublishing.com/
http://www.myspace.com/southerngirlentertainment

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