Thank you, Cydney, for participating in our author project!  -The SCBC, Inc.

Tell us your latest news.  One of the most exciting things to ever happen to me is in the works. MY DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND, my debut novel, will be available June 8th. Have you ever started liking someone that you knew you shouldn't like? Have you ever fantasized about what would happen if you were to cross that line? This book explores that topic and more.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?  I guess when I was in college at Eastern Michigan University. It was the first time I got published (I wrote several feature stories that appeared in the annual yearbook). And then I submitted a poem called WeBeHeBeSheBe (about black slang), and was surprised and happy when the EMU literary magazine published the poem.

What inspired you to pen your first novel?  Well, MY DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND is the third manuscript I wrote, the first one to get published. I think, out of all the stories I’d written up to that point, this one made me feel like it could be the one that could possibly be something that readers would like.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?  Everything and everybody influences me -- just all the dramatic experiences I've gone through and survived. The books I've read inspire me. The articles on people who have become successful -- whether they are writers, singers or actors -- all of that gets inside of me and makes me want to know why things are a certain way, and why did this person go through this awful experience but now she's doing better.

Do you have a specific writing style? 'I try to be straight-forward using simple sentences that convey the character's emotions and psychological mindset. If possible the following elements are what I love to include when writing stories: humor, sensitivity, sensuality, spirituality, and simple yet profound statements. Lots of sarcasm, attitude, and juicy dialogue are goals too. And I prefer writing conversational style novels in first person point of view.

How did you come up with the title for your book? Titles come to me a lot and for this book the initial title was Your Daughter's Boyfriend, but I changed it to My Daughter's Boyfriend because it sounded more provocative.

How much of the novel is realistic?  Some of the settings are actual but used fictitiously. I try to create real emotions (for the most part) but I'm sure some of the character reactions can be construed as questionable. It's difficult to know how a character is going to respond in a given situation so you have to go with your gut.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?  This taboo story is fiction, but I know there is nothing new under the sun. I'm sure that guys who are attracted to their girlfriend's moms exist everywhere. We just don't hear about it too often. The novel isn't based on people I know and I doubt that anyone would be willing to confess something so personal and forbidden, so I had a lot of fun using my creativity to tell the story.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?  I have two mentors: Margaret Johnson-Hodge, author of Some Sunday and True Lies. She has been in my corner from day one. She gives advice, makes me laugh, provides good tips, and tells me what to do (in a nice way, of course). My other mentor is Marissa Monteilh, author of The Chocolate Ship and Hot Boyz. I swear she is my sister in another life. We can talk and laugh and marvel over so many things that exist in the publishing industry. And she is the most positive person I've ever met.

What are you reading now?  At the time of this interview I am reading THE GOTHAM DIAIRIES by Tonya Lewis Lee and Crystal McCrary Anthony. It's an interesting read about high society New Yorkers.

What new author has grasped your interest? Cheryl Robinson. She's the writer that I mentor. I call her twin because we have a lot in common. Cheryl can write her butt off and I love her books When I Get Free and Memories of Yesterday.

What are your current projects?  I'm working on book number MY HUSBAND'S GIRLFRIEND, which is a scorching hot taboo novel.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. I would say RAWSISTAZ Online Book Club, specifically Tee C. Royal. She is sooo incredibly supportive, nurturing, positive, and a great person to network with in terms of getting the word out on my book.

Do you see writing as a long or short-term career?  Very few things give me as much joy as writing, and I hope I can produce novels for the rest of my life.

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?  To the aspiring authors out there, here are several key things that should help: (1) Read a lot because it will teach you what is good to do and what bad habits you should avoid in terms of writing. (Avoid clichés and redundant scenes). (2) You may not write every day, but write with consistency. Hopefully, the more you write, the sharper you'll get and the more your confidence may grow. (3) Know the competition. Know the industry. Who are the best-selling authors? What are people reading? And what can you do to stand out in the market?

 

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