JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… (The Soul of a Man Edition)
Alvin Romer, author of “What Lies in the Souls of Men” and “Adam Where Art Thou”
(Peace In The Storm Publishing)

My two essays in the book deals with the topical issue, as I give adamant reasons why we are in the pickle we’re in, and an in-depth analogy of the seminal essay, “Adam Where Art Thou?”

In a generic sense, I will reiterate and ask anew the questions: What do you think would be on the minds of men? And for the women: Just how well do you know your man? What should he be thinking about? I opine that the souls of men truly wants to be understood and not undersold as I give reasons why.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write “What Lies in the Souls of Men” and “Adam Where Art Thou?”

Alvin Romer: The idea and inspiration to write both of my narratives, ‘What Lies in the Souls of Men?’ and “Adam Where Art Thou?” are direct correlation to the state of the Black male in our society today. The former was posed to me by the publisher of The Soul of a Man Anthology, Elissa Gabrielle.

As I pondered the question (never realizing that it was the title of a forthcoming book that I would be a part of), I stopped and asked myself “What really lies in my soul? What are the things that bothers me most being a man of color in this world?”

The idea was simply for me to look at what I went through learning after I left the village and entered the world. The school of hard knocks prepared me well. I knew that I lacked all that would make me more of the man I knew I should be.

The book opens with “What Lies in the Souls of Men?”, and it appropriately sets the tone for the entire book. I intended for it to be inspiring to those that could relate to why we harbor things and allow them to fester and be scars that we wear on our sleeves.

“Adam Where Art Thou?” is the the extension to what we have put on the back burner that forces us to stand up and be accountable for not baring it all when it counts most.

I wrote the piece in harmony with and harking back to Biblical days when the Lord came looking for Adam and knew that he was hiding. This is profound as it portends that the Black man today still hasn’t come forward enough in certain situations to be Dominion over what God originally gave him.

JP: What has been your personal experience in being a part of The Soul of a Man Anthology?

AR: I think the second installment of A Triumph of My Soul Anthology Series has been long anticipated relative to the success of the first book in the series. The Publisher set the stage where the next book would naturally be what the men would consider triumphs against trials and tribulations that they’ would want to share.

The personal experience for me being part of this anthology had a lot to do with people expecting me to long have been part of something of this nature simply because they’ve felt that I belonged, and that after reading my essays for so long that I should have written a novel, a compilation of short stories or anything else to see that I was published.

The tone and tenor of the whole project allowed me also to use it as a lecture tool in crafting motivational speeches to the young folk that I mentor transitioning them from boys to men. Moreover, I’ve been able to talk to men’s ministries at various churches for them to be positioned to turn the tables for tides to turn in us being part of the solution in lieu of being problematic issues that society readily would want to place us.

JP: What is your most memorable moment of The Soul of a Man Anthology in terms of what has been expressed of you by someone who has had a chance to read this book?

AR: My brother who is a Pastor in Tampa, FL will be using my two entities along with vestiges of the stories from a few of the Brothers therein to launch a series of forums and rap sessions among both boys and men to find applicable means to help turn the former and latter into acts of accountability.

I love it when I pitch the book to women as I ask them, “How well do you know your man? Do you know what he’s holding back that would allow him to be better toward you and the household?” Invariably, I always get a sale and a great smile to boot. Not to mention that after they’ve read it, I get great feedback that I use in my speeches!

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Letters to “What Lies in the Souls of Men?” and “Adam, Where Art Thou?”

AR: Writers should be insightful and positioned where ink can flow indelibly with continuity. There’s not set process for me to write. I write when I can and where I can, and will honestly say that my writing process is a bit unorthodox and quite unlike the average writer.

Ideas come to me while doing routine things, and I jotting them down on pads that I keep with me at all times. Usually titles come first. I love creating catchy titles and creating text and content accordingly. I write best late at night when it’s just me and the golden veil of silence.

At times though, the bug will hit me any time of the day. It’s not uncommon for me to stop and just write. I’ve learned to conceptualize and outline topical issues into subcategories and fill in the blanks later. I teach this method to my students so that they further understand the need to format their ideas so that the writing process wouldn’t be a quagmire seeking insight and clarity.

JP: You are a very prolific and well-respected author. What s your latest novel, Of Righteous Apples and Other Spiritual Gems: Finding Purpose in Quality Living, about? And what has been your journey writing the that book?

AR: I currently have two non-fiction Christian projects that’s taking up most of my writing time. The first is a book two thirds of the way finished that I’ve set a Winter 2010 or early 2011 deadline. It’s entitled Of Righteous Apples and Other Spiritual Gems: Finding Purpose in Quality Living. That’s quite a long title with longitude to perfect latitude in how good precepts should accompany the wherewithal to live a better lifestyle.

Book two will be called The Female Pastorate: Divinity or Division in the Church? That title is self-explanatory! But suffice it to say, women feel that they belong in the pulpit just as a man does, and some male Pastors feel otherwise. My premise is: What does God have to say about it?

There’s pros and cons to both entities and finding those golden nuggets was both exhilarating and sobering as I dug deeper into the souls of both looking for answers! I’m looking for a publisher, but will likely publish them on my own. The goal is to found Anointing Grace Publishing Company in the very near future.

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