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

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Kiexizia Rodriguez-Green, author of BEautiful

April 14, 2009 Joey Pinkney 3 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Kiexizia Rodriguez-Green, author of BEautiful
(Lulu)

Tierra Rodriquez is a talented and successful business woman. She has to make her professional dreams come true, in spite of running from a painful past. In walks the handsome, smooth-talking client Malcolm Turner set on sweeping her off her feet, no matter the cost. When her best friend Aquarian shows up at her door after the death of a loved one and says it was that loved one’s dying wish that he reconnect with Tierra, life gets a little out of hand.

As she tries her hand at love with Malcolm, Aquarian is hit by a dunk driver. Malcolm isn’t happy about all time she’s spending at his bed side. When past secrets are revealed, her estranged mother shows up to help her get her life back together. Unexplained emotions begin to stir within her, leaving her confused and out of control for the first time in her life. Will the hours she’s been racking up on the therapist sofa rid her of her memories, or will her past continue to be the blinders that keeps her in the dark at the cost of all she has before her?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write BEautiful?

Kiexizia Rodriguez-Green: BEautiful is the result of my attempt to write my story. In the end, my life was too emotional, and this is the result of what my heart lead me to write…

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

KRG: I think this book is set apart from the others because it’s not set in one genre. It has a little of several genres. There’s no sex nor violence. People think, “Oh my God, there’s no sex scenes! I don’t know if I’ll like it.” Once they read it, they find they love it! It leaves them on edge wanting to know what happens next.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to BEautiful getting out to the public?

KRG: When I wrote this book, I really had no idea of what I was doing, what to do once it was complete, anything! I basically took the advice of a friend who had just published a book herself and went from there. I told people, my church, my job, my school and online. I told everyone I knew and met. It actually kind of made me come out of my shell a bit.

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

KRG: As a single mother, before anything else, my writing process is limited to when I have free time: after work, after dinner and after putting kids to sleep. That leaves little time to create, so I bring my notebook with me everywhere I go just in case a plot comes to me. I jot a lot of stuff down on the fly. BEautiful took about two years to complete. It started off as a totally different book, then evolved into the novel it is today.

Question 5: What’s next for Kiexizia Rodriguez-Green?

KRG: Currently, I am overdue for my own time table for the sequel to BEautiful, entitled Loves Seduction. There are three more sequels planned, all ending with a final book combining all the characters again. Each sequel will take on the life of and introduce you more intimatly with characters introduced in BEutiful.

I am also currently cast in several plays locally. I continue to do book and music reviews for AAMBC.com and Fuze Magazine. I also promote for local venues that expose new and inide artist to the New England market through a montly venue called Organix Soul.

http://www.lulu.com/mistiger
http://www.myspace.com/mistiger
www.youtube.com/kiexiza
mistiger02@yahoo.com
kiexizarodriquez@yahoo.com
413-886-7803

BEautiful was nominated for best new book in 2008, and Kiexizia Rodriguez-Green is nominated for Best New Author for 2008 with AAMBC (African Americans on the Move Book Club).

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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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