Book-Remarks.com

1. I really enjoyed your book Hand-Me-Down Heartache. The characterizations were done very well. What methods did you use to create your characters?
I used the sporadic method! Very little initial effort went into creating the main characters of Hand-Me-Down Heartache, Nina and her parents, Smitty and Juanita. I consider their story a gift as I do any story that flows through me. Maybe because when I began to formulate the idea of Nina's life and her journey as it was influenced by her parents and captured in the time frame of the book, I felt that I was more of a spectator in the creative process. The personalities, descriptions and actions were already etched in my mind. So, I can't take credit.

The additional characters, Janelle, Brice, Maurice and Leo, were brought in to support and enhance the story line. When I needed a sidekick to balance the emotional turmoil Nina would eventually experience, Janelle emerged beautiful, confident, full of thunder, and ready to be a true friend. I wanted there to be an unlikely example for Nina that she didn't have to remain a victim of her family's iniquity. "Whah la," her womanizing brother Brice surfaced. I knew early on that Maurice would be Nina's nemesis, but he that he himself also had been wounded. What better way to reemphasize the result of unhealthy family influences?

In writing Leo, it was important to me that he was just as equally desirable in Nina's eyes as Maurice. That the only thing that Maurice would have on him, in terms of being a "good catch," was that he had her heart. I didn't want Leo to be what society coined a "good guy" (you know, the ones who always finish last). I wanted there to be more to him. And his background, beliefs and choices, not necessarily the fact that he was famous, had to reflect that.

2. To me your style is like a mild, calming narrative. Who are your writing influences?
Early on in my writing career, I was once told by a bookseller/book lover, "Tajuana, there doesn't have to be a great tragedy or outrageous plot to make for great writing. Just tell a good story and people will always respond to your writing." I took that advice. And without asking myself, "Okay, what is the most outrageous thing that I can have happen to my characters?

" I instead ask, what elements can I add to their situations, their personalities, that will advance the book forward, and show a clear picture to the readers why choices were or were not made and why or how the characters found themselves where they are when we meet them. If I can continue to do that then I have a pretty good story.

To answer your question, I can't point to one or a collection of writers and say "They influenced my style." I majored in English Literature and must have been affected by most of the writers that I studied be they English, American, or African-American. I simply enjoy prose and poetry. But I can say what I enjoy reading. I love biographies especially. My favorite two are Mary Wilson's Dream Girl and John H. Johnson's Succeeding Against the Odds. The drama, the suspense, the story line, they read like most good novels.

3. Who picked the title for your book and what is your interpretation of its meaning?
A dear friend and advisor to me picked the title, Hand-Me-Down Heartache. There were other ideas thrown around, but that one just seemed to fit. For me the thought of hand-downs means I'm less fortunate, so I have to receive something that belonged to someone else. I have to receive something that I wasn't able to choose as new for me, and although I may not necessary want it, I have to accept it say, due to my financial status; I'm broke! Nina was definitely handed down the possibility of a life of continual heartache. And just like with anyone who has had to accept hand-me-downs they inevitably reach an age of maturity, or an opportunity of change when they get to decide if they will have to continue wearing hand-me downs all of their lives. When they would take charge of their lives (i.e. find or welcome opportunities to make choices that will improve their individual financial situation) they will never have to accept hand-me downs any more. Nina had to make such a choice for her emotional self and family blood line.

4. What were some of the challenges you faced in writing Hand-Me-Down Heartache?
As the character of Smitty began to develop, he began to resemble my grandfather, who passed away several years ago. In writing and developing his character, I was forced to meet face to face the mistreatment that my grandmother inevitable felt from him while he was alive. Also I was forced to face some of my own shortcomings in relationships. The positive side is that with facing the pain I felt in writing the book, I somehow healed just a bit more.

5. What is the most surprising thing you've discovered about the publishing industry?
I've come to realize, although I'm not so surprised, that they're still learning the proper way to market African American books.

6. Based on your experiences, what do you love most about being an author?
Being an author allows me a more relaxed schedule. I set my own hours. The perk is meeting and hearing from the readers who are so touched by my writing that they are sometimes moved to share their own personal stories with me. I''s rewarding when they end their stories saying that they decided to make better choices for themselves bases on the evolution of the characters that I write about.

7. As an author, how do you prepare for the criticism that is part of the writer's life?
I knew from the moment I began my career as a novelist that not everyone was going to fall in love with my writing, my characters and my style. And I'm truly okay with that. I believe that I was tapped by God to write, because if things would had turned out the way I planned them, right now I would be the publisher of a magazine. Writing books is something that I figured would come later in my life. But I'm doing it now, therefore, I must be only writing for those who have already been predestined to get something from my writing. I can't be concerned or angry with those who will not, because I apparently am not writing for them anyway.

8. Do you have other aspirations besides writing? If so, what are they?
I'd love to act in independent films and maybe one day down the line launch a new, hip magazine. I can also see myself eventually producing and/or directing. I also aspire to obtain just enough eminence to somehow affect positive changes within our suffering society.

9. What is the topic of your next book and when can we expect it?
I'm working on a couple of topics, but I think the next one will be the story of a character from a previous book who experiences, fights through, and overcomes anxiety disorder.

10. Any final thoughts?
Thanks for the interview and I'd also like to thank all the readers who have given my writing a chance. I hope that I have somehow bless your lives the way that you continue to bless mine.

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