First off, thanks so much for joining us for an up-close and personal interview for TeensReadToo.com! My name is Jen, and I’ll be your server today…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time out of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your readers and fans.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always wrote. I use to write short stories, raps, and plays. In 2002 as part of my job as a teacher I tried to get students who didn’t read to read. The first think I did was start a book club. The students thought the books were okay, but not realistic. So I decided to write a book for them. Four years later the book was published and I was bitten by the writing bug.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
I sent my book to ten or fifteen publishers before someone said yes. I have five more books in the works, so I will start the process all over again.
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
I’m writing the second book in a trilogy. The protagonist, Keisha gets herself into a lot of trouble because of the decisions she makes. In Ultimate Dilemma, Keisha has battles with her friendships, relationships with parents and past boyfriends, and she struggles with her sexuality.
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
Teenagers
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
I am an only child who married an only child and we have two children Tayelor Grace and Kenneth David (K.D.)
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Spaghetti or chocolate chip cookies
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Pray, hug my kids, and brush my teeth
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?
I don’t know, I’m pretty boring. Maybe my wife’s selection of music.
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
My college colors were black and red (NWOSU). I always say that I am a black man with red blood- I’m a true RANGER!!
Who is your favorite cartoon character?
I like Dora and Diego
Which cartoon character is most like you?
Maybe little Bill or anyone that talks to much.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?
March on Washington- August 1963
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re writing?
I don’t listen to music while I’m writing. I like anything that Glorifies God. I like Chris Tomlin, Trip Lee, J Moss, Marvin Sapp, just to name a few.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you saw at the theater?
I don’t watch TV. I don’t have time. I’m taking three class, I teach all day, I coach two sports, I’m writing four books, and I’m trying to promote the books- not to mention my wife and kids. I’m not complaining, I love staying busy.
The last movie I saw was The Great Debater’s. What an awesome movie.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
The decisions you make today will determine your life tomorrow. So make more good decisions than bad decisions.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
The Ultimate Dilemma
Derek’s Dilemma
Real Talk
The Dating Paradigm
# 1 Draft Pick
A.G.A.P.E
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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