JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Jarvis Sheffield, author of Genesis: An Anthology of Black Science Fiction
(Graves & Sheffield Publishing)
The Black Science Fiction Society releases its long-awaited publication, Genesis: An Anthology of Black Science Fiction. Genesis, a name that evokes a sense of beginning, is the start of a new age of black science fiction that will contribute to the ever-growing, ever-changing mythos of black literature.
Within its pages, you will delve into the worlds of science fiction, speculative fiction, horror, and fantasy. Writers that are both seasoned and up and coming, African-American, as well as from the African Diaspora, have contributed 25 pieces of the most entertaining, eclectic, and enthralling stories that will capture your imagination like never before.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Genesis: An Anthology of Black Science Fiction?
JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
C. Hayes, author of Misconceptions
(Bran Nue Productions)
Gabrielle thought she found the perfect guy in Tre’ Johnson. He was all she ever wanted in a man. He was handsome, romantic, loveable, and he swept her right off her feet. Her dreams had finally come true.
Her fairy tale relationship/marriage was suddenly about to come to a devastating end. Gabrielle soon realizes that the man she married and who fathered her only son was suddenly becoming someone she didn’t know. The lies, cheating, sneaking around and odd behavior was making her regret her not so perfect married life.
Was Tre’ getting tired of the married life, or was he just showing her the person he really was all along. Gabrielle’s discovery of the person she married was mind-boggling. She realized that from the beginning who she thought of Tre’ Johnson was only a Misconception.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Misconceptions?
C. Hayes: I actually started writing a book about two years ago and never finished. This year I had a lot of free time. After experiencing a Misconception myself, I decided to write a story built around the same concept.
I started writing and couldn’t stop. I also had individuals in my life that encouraged me even when I didn’t think I could do it. This helped me. Eleven months later, I had a finished product.
JP: What sets Misconceptions apart from other books in the same genre?
CH: The story is something individuals go through on a daily basis. The message is strong. I know that some books have some type of background or meaning, but Misconceptions are real.
I think that many will relate to what my character Gabrielle experienced. In the end, she had to show herself love. That is what I want women to know: love yourself first. We tend to give our all to someone else and neglect ourselves. The book is real, yet simple.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Misconceptions getting out to the public?
CH: Making sure I get my book into as many hands as possible. I want to share what I have written with others. Maybe it will help someone along the way. Promotion is a big deal: getting your name out there and making your work known.
Another key to my success is to never change. I am who I am regardless of how many books I write. I am looking to grow as a person, a writer, and a business owner.
I realize that without people buying my work it will be just a written book on the shelf. I embrace those who support me.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Misconceptions?
CH: With this book, I had no process. I was told by a fellow author just to write until I couldn’t write anymore. I knew how I wanted the story to go, and I went from there. I started writing my book Mother’s Day of 2010, and I finished the book March 2011.
For my future books, I am going to try to outline and then start writing. I have learned so much in this process, and I am ready to start applying what I have learned in my work.
JP: What’s next for C. Hayes?
CH: I am currently working on a second novel entitled Life’s Dirty Lessons, and I am looking to do something more with Misconceptions. I am thinking of play or short film. I want to add more additions to my company. For those who don’t read, I want them to still hear and see what I am trying to convey.
JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
C.M. Jones, author of He Left Me
(HortonJones, Inc.)
He Left Me, like all of my work, is a Christian-based, short novel. This book is about a family from Ghana, West Africa, with a lot of family secrets and issues that have plagued their family for years. No one wants to talk about it – not the grandparents nor the parents.
However, the children are different. They want to move on and pursue their dreams and love, among other things. Because of the weight of the family secrets, they are having a hard time.
When one of the parents gives his religious beliefs all of his attention, he finds out that what the family thought were just secrets are actually generational curses. He decides to do something about it.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write He Left Me?
C.M. Jones: All of my work is inspired by my relationship with Christ. I write to entertain people and at the same time teach people, through fiction, how to deal with real life problems. This book is no different.
JP: What sets He Left Me apart from other books in the same genre?
CMJ:He Left Me is set apart from other Christian fiction books because it discuss real issues that people actually deal with everyday, only through the lives of fictional characters. It shows you that there is a solution to the problem.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to He Left Me getting out to the public?
CMJ: Persistence and reader feedback are the keys to my success. I am determined to succeed, and it’s not always easy. There have been times when I felt like giving up. When I put my work out to the public and then reached out to them for feedback, it kept me going.
I found out that I had a fan base that loved my work, which was encouraging. When I felt like throwing in the towel, I kept going just because I didn’t want to disappoint them.
Also, I had to be willing to be my own publicist, manager, agent, etc., because I realized that writing a book is only the first step. The next thing that I had to do was market myself or all of my hard work would have gone down the drain.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish He Left Me?
CMJ: My writing process begins with divine inspiration. It usually starts in church during the sermon. It’s probably something that my Pastor says and then I write it down, or I could be in the midst of prayer. (That probably sounds corny but it’s true.)
After that, I begin my outline of the story. I do go back and change things on my outline as I write, but I must have an outline to guide me through the process. While in the middle of writing, I get started on marketing materials and get the buzz going for the book.
After a few rounds of editing, it’s publishing time. It took me fifteen months to finish this book. It has never taken me this long before, so I can’t wait to hear what the readers have to say.
JP: What’s next for C.M. Jones?
CMJ: Right now, I am in school pursuing my Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. I will not be writing another novel for a few years. At least, that’s not my intention.
I will, however, continue to tour and promote the three books that I already have. I am also compiling a book of poems that I have written over the years. As far as my publishing company goes, I have three new authors that I am working with to try to help them release their books soon.
The main character in He Left Me is Tete Abula. She is a beautiful Ghanaian woman who married her husband young and had five children. She still maintained the spark and love in her heart that she had the day that she fell in love with her husband.
When her husband leaves, her she feels abandoned. She becomes a bitter woman, but he does not realize it. Eventually, Tete unconsciously makes everyone around her miserable and has to figure out how to change that.
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