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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… Torrance T. Stephens, PhD, author of Dirt Behind My Ears

March 15, 2009 Joey Pinkney 2 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Torrance Stephens, author of Dirt Behind My Ears
(Firefly Publishing & Entertainment)

Torrance Stephens delves into a range of subjects, from politics and relationships to sports and history, providing valuable insight to the African-American perspective of the world. These essays are an effort of the author to try and explain his belief orientation with respect to the relationship of humanity to the universe, himself and society , especially the African American community via scholarship and satire

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Dirt Behind My Ears?

Torrance Stephens: Well, I have been writing essays all of my life. I started early around age 10. I also read a lot of philosophy and opinion in newspapers. I amassed more than 1,100 essays and took about 190 to comprise my first book of essays.

I loved both philosophical thought and scholarship; it just seemed to me that what I read lacked the experience of the common man. I think a writer is a product of his reading, and I have a penchant for wanting to publish all my works. Poetry, essays, nonfiction in the form of history, short stories and plays. I think a writer of substance writes it all from essays to science fiction and plays.

JP: This front cover of Dirt Behind My Ears is interesting to say the least: A black man with long locks sitting on a rusty lawn chair wearing a jogging suit and Air Force Ones with a rifle across his shoulders. Care to explain?

TS: Well, the picture was taken on my farm. I figure we all have dirt behind our ears because of the stories we could tell, especially us from the dirty south. I’m from Memphis, and my essays reveal the connection I have with the South from the city streets to that which makes us country. I keep a rifle in each room. That’s just how I take care of mine. Can’t call 911. Plus, I can hunt all the deer and wild turkey I want. Where I live right now, hunting and fishing is all good. What I was wearing on that book cover is how I dress.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Dirt Behind My Ears getting out to the public?

TS: Outreach through my blog and book clubs. I have seen sales increase via my blog and book clubs because word of mouth is what pushes sales. In fact, the only reason Borders and other major chains carry it in select stores is because of request. The underground is important. I hope history judges my corpus of writings more so than folks living now. That is the honor for me.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Dirt Behind My Ears?

TS: Well, I write everyday. I am influenced by Voltaire, Neruda and folk like Camus, historians, scientist and philosophers. I write how I talk and try to ground the reader in information in order to educate and even inculcate my purview of a particular subject matter. Like I said, I have thousands of essays and poems and short stories. I’m just trying to publish as many books as I can. I write for myself first, and that is the advice I would share with any writer. Your readers will find you if you serve your craft first before getting published, book sales or fame.

JP: What’s next for Torrance Stephens?

TS: I have a book of plays at press called Why I am a Gangster, another book of love sonnets called Late Night Winds of Club Paradise (170 plus poems) and a book of Short Stories called Freak Type Scene. I serve as senior Opinion Editorial Writer for Rolling Out UrbanStyle Weekly (http://rollingout.com).

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com

Bio of Torrance T. Stephens, PhD

Originally, from Memphis, Tennessee, he attended Morehouse College where he studied psychology, biology and chemistry. He received a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Measurement from Atlanta University and a PhD in Counseling from Clark Atlanta University. He is the father of two and currently lives in Palmetto, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. He is an author and has a novel, three books of short stories and a book of sonnets on the market. Dr. Stephens is also the owner of Braincell a store that specializes in merchandise and gourmet food for dogs.

Other Books by Torrance Stephens: Rockstar, Stud, Gigolo (short stories), A Matter of Attention (novel), Fast and Gamin’ (short stories), Butter Brown (short Stories), For U Who Left Me While I Slept (poetry) and a contributor to Bloggers’ Delight, Vol. 1.

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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or myspace.com/joeyreviews

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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… Tawana Jackson, author of Stretched But Not Broken

March 14, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Tawana Jackson, author of Stretched But Not Broken
(Xulon Press)

All Mia wanted out of life was a peaceful existence and unconditional love. Brutally raped at the age of five by a deranged homeless man, Mia had experienced everything but her dream. Her mother, Helen, a quiet and dignified woman, marries a concerned but drug addicted Vietnam Veteran whose controlling and abusive parenting skills turn Mia’s family on its ear.

Karen, Mia’s older sister, is nothing like her compliant mother and sister. She is brash, loud and not afraid to cry out when in pain. Karen is later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her overbearing and controlling personality knuckles Mia under her spell, causing Mia to begrudgingly acquiesce to Karen’s every command.

Helen also caters to Karen’s manipulative ways making Mia believe that Helen cares more for Karen than she does for Mia and her younger sister, (fathered by Bruce) Sasha. Through a life of kept secrets, silence in the face of abusive oppression, and a broken romance, Mia is driven to attempt suicide. But Mia has a friend, Julie, who has been telling Mia about the love of God and how much he has in store for Mia’s life and future.

Mia must then make a decision to let go of her past, and stretch toward a bright and loving future with a Savior who proves to be the only answer to Mia’s shredded life of fear, anguish, and hopelessness.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Stretched But Not Broken?

Tawana Jackson: My motivation in writing the book is that I was Mia, that little girl growing up trying to face grownup sexual feelings at the age of five. The outcome of rape, depression and physical abuse is so overwhelming in the lives of those that have been a victim. I just could not sit on the testimonies and gifts that God has given me.

Every year over one million souls leave this earth because of suicide. One in every four women are raped. One in every ten men also suffer from rape. The end results sometimes lead to self-destruction, self-hate, or spiritual death if God isn’t allowed to heal the hurt and brokenness

JP: What sets Stretched But Not Broken apart from other novels in its genre?

TJ: This book speaks to those who have suffered mental and physical abuse, as well as, those who have been imprisoned by drug addiction and mental illness. Though this is a fictional story, I have personally lived every aspect of this novel, from being an abused child to possessing the sexual immorality that corrupts a person’s body.

Everything I write about comes from experience as well as God-given creativity. I have a heady appetite for Christian fiction novels, but one thing I discovered was that few of them bring out raw emotion and self-conviction such as mine.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Stretched But Not Broken getting out to the public?

TJ: My keys to success are the following: As a survivor, I know what my characters are feeling throughout the novel. As a Life Coach, I’m able to answer some of the questions rape victims may have. Lastly, but most importantly, ninety-nine percent of the families in the United States or maybe the world can relate to the problems the family in my book suffers.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Stretched But Not Broken?

TJ: The book writing process took about a year. It took three months to do the actual writing, then another nine to rewrite and edit.

JP: What’s next for Tawana Jackson?

TJ: I’ve done several book signings, TV interviews, and radio interviews this year to promote Stretched But Not Broken. I will continue to do this next year. I’m currently working on the book’s sequel that should be completed around June of 2009. I’ll also take time out to visit local prisons to speak with women and men about the importance of family.

http://www.tjacksonbooks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/twrites.com

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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/joeyreviews

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Monica Marie Jones, author of FLOSS

March 11, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Monica Marie Jones, author of FLOSS
(Hub Books Publishing)

Friends since childhood, Abel, Solomon, and Jabez strive to climb the social ladder. Cousins Dionysus and Torah strive to climb that same ladder, but they would much rather travel on the backs of men like Abel, Solomon and Jabez. Tyse wants to climb that ladder as well in the company of men like Abel, Solomon and Jabez while attracting women like Torah and Dionysus.

Will they all be able to get up the ladder without pulling some down or walking over others? Will the ladder be able to support all of their weight, or will jealousy, envy, and betrayal cause everything that they have worked for to all come crashing down around them? When the worlds of these six socialites collide and become intertwined the outcome is scandalous. Will the controversies that they encounter be worth the cost that it takes to FLOSS?

Joey Pinkney: What gave you the idea and inspiration to write FLOSS?

Monica Marie Jones: After losing 65 pounds I decided to give modeling a try. The modeling scene opened me up to a whole new world that I had not experienced before. I observed how many men and women were driven by money, material things and looks. They often used those things to measure their worth. I was so fascinated with the entire lifestyle and what it drove people to do that I just had to write a book about it.

JP: Why did you choose to use biblical names for the main characters?

MMJ: When I was in school I always enjoyed how literature and poetry often had underlying themes that we could analyze and interpret. For this reason I like to have a meaning behind everything that I do, right down to the names of the characters that I select.

Here is the reason behind each name that I chose:

Dionysus is actually the name of the Greek God of wine. I chose this name because like wine, this character is alluring, addictive and intoxicating. The name is also unique, so just like the character it stands out, grabs your attention, and makes you want to learn more. It is also difficult to pronounce, just as there are many layers to her which often makes it difficult for others to understand her.

Jabez was named after the character in the Bible because he experiences several devastation and traumatic events back to back. This book was really only an introduction to Jabez. I plan to continue his story in another book in the FLOSS series where he will be the main character.

Abel is named after the “good” brother in the Bible because the relationship that he has with Solomon and Jabez in FLOSS is like that of a brother. In FLOSS, Solomon is jealous of Abel, and it leads him to seek revenge. Abel’s story will also continue in another book in the FLOSS series.

With Torah, I just thought that was an interesting name. There was really nothing behind it, but actually The Torah is to Judaism what The Bible is to Christians.

With Tyse, I just like the name. I thought it was unique.

Solomon is also a name that I like. It is a Biblical name. When I chose it, there was no specific reasoning behind it. When I expand Solomon’s story, which will be in another book in the FLOSS series that he will share with Torah, I plan to do my research to tie in some themes from Solomon in the Bible.

I was also influenced to write in this way by bestselling Inspirational Fiction author, Jaquelin Thomas, who often takes stories from the Bible and turns them into modern day tales.

JP: What sets FLOSS apart from other novels in its genre?

MMJ: While FLOSS is considered Urban Contemporary Fiction it has several underlying themes that border on inspiration. It is very real and raw at times, but it is still literary in nature. I tell a story that not only entertains, but also leaves people with something to think about that may even add value to their lives.

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

MMJ: As strange as it may seem, I do not write sequentially, meaning I do not start at the beginning and write what happens one after another until the end. I see my books in scenes, sort of like a movie. I write the scene, then I plug it in where it makes the most sense in the story. From there I go through and make sure that everything has a smooth transition. I started writing FLOSS before I stepped out on faith and left my full time job, so it took me a few years to complete it. 🙂

JP: What’s next for Monica Marie Jones?

MMJ: Currently I am working on several new books. My focus is on the FLOSS series. The next installment is a book called SWAG. It is not the sequel to FLOSS but you will hear from Dionysus again and her involvement in SWAG sets up what goes down in the FLOSS sequel which is tentatively titled, Intrigue. I am also working on the sequel to my first novel, The Ups and Downs of Being Round. The sequel is called, The Flip Side of Fat.

When I am not writing I am touring the world to promote my existing books. I plan to continue to hone my craft by taking creative writing classes at UCLA next year as well as spending some time writing at an Artist Colony.

I also plan to do more motivational speaking and launch a talk show. 🙂

www.monicamariejones.com
www.myspace.com/monicamariejones

I can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, Tagged and WordPress. I can be emailed at monica@monicamariejones.com or monicamjones@hotmail.com

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html

P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/joeyreviews

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