JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
April Alisa Marquette, author of Absolution
(April Rain Publications)
Absolution is the provocative, sexy, fun, first novel in a trilogy. Available from April Rain Books, Absolution is a true page-turner about four friends, three women, and Beau, a homosexual male. The four live together and call themselves Cohorts. They believe their friendship is near perfect…until things start happening. Ronni betrays Beau by sleeping with his man. Beau and Ronni fight.
Their home is shattered, and the Cohorts are forced to choose sides. As another female Cohort plans a wedding, Ronni, the betrayer, becomes terminally ill. Ronni tries to keep it secret, but someone is nosy. Will Ronni’s business get out? If it does, was the Cohort’s friendship strong enough that one or all of them can exercise absolution…can they forgive?
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Absolution?
April Marquette: Actually, I had no plans to write Absolution. I was working on a different novel, but I kept ‘hearing’ conversations. The characters from Absolution kept ‘speaking.’ One character in particular said a few raunchy things.
I knew she and the others could never fit in the novel that I was working on. Therefore, I switched gears and began jotting down the new things I heard. Due to this inspiration, Absolution was born.
JP: What sets Absolution apart from other novels in its genre?
AM: Absolution is fast-paced and witty. A reader is drawn in from the first page. It is the type of book that makes a reader stay up late. (I’ve been told this any number of times).
It’s the type of novel that makes a reader want to know what the devil will happen! The characters take on a life all their own. They have issues and secrets that are interesting and kinky, as well as educational.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Absolution getting out to the public?
AM: The readers—no doubt. I happen to be a reader, first and foremost, so I am aware that readers are voyeurs. I had to become published to give readers the in-depth looks into characters’ lives that they desire. Readers crave drama, sex and entertainment.
I also never forget that readers want to be informed. They want to be part of something too, even if it’s only for the short while that they are engrossed in a good story.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Absolution?
AM: My particular writing process begins with me jotting down ‘conversations’ that I ‘hear.’ Those who ‘speak’ aren’t necessarily bodied beings. So, if I happen to be in a restaurant when the speaking begins, I’ll scribble on a napkin, if necessary. Then from these ‘conversations’ I derive where the characters are—that’s how the settings come about…
For me, the skeleton for Absolution took two months. Then I went back, gave the story color and dressed it up. This took a while because I put Absolution down to work on the novel I’d been working on before Absolution.
JP: What’s next for April Alisa Marquette?
AM: Next is the Summer 2009 release of Exodus, a titillating thriller, another first in a trilogy. Next is also the first book in a non-fiction series. Featured will be the recollections of an African-American healer woman. A character in Exodus happens to be based on this real live 70-year-old who has experienced many supernatural things.
Next is…oh there’s too much to tell—readers will just have follow me on this spectacular journey! Check me out and order signed copies at www.aprilalisamarquette.com. Or visit me at www.myspace.com/aprilbookmama – watch the Absolution video. My works are also available at various online bookstores including: Barnes & Noble – B&N.com, and Amazon.com.
http://www.aprilalisamarquette.com/
http://www.myspace.com/aprilbookmama
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