Tell us your latest news? My latest news is the recent release of my first hardcover title, Rhythms! In addition Rhythms has already gone back to press, prior to its full release to the public! We have also created a great music soundtrack to accompany the book--jazz, R&B a little blues and a beautiful spiritual.

Where are you from? I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. My roots are from Barbados and North Carolina.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? I guess when my first short story was published in 1987. But I really felt like a writer when my first novel, Rooms of the Heart was released in 1990.

Do you have a specific writing style? I think my style is a bit lyrical in its delivery and emotion driven. But readers may have another opinion. :-)

What are your current projects? Currently I am working on my next book, An Ordinary Woman.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book? The title RHYTHMS just seemed appropriate. The story is music driven and has a very lyrical feel to it.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? The one message in RHYTHMS is that secrets and lies can destroy everything you hold dear, and have consequences that effect generations.

How much of the novel is realistic? There are a great many elements of Rhythms that are true with regard to the time periods and historical events.

What genre are you most comfortable writing? Although the romance genre has been my foundation, I truly enjoy mainstream fiction. It affords me the opportunity to expand on topics and characters and not have to focus quite as strongly on whether the male and female characters are going to get together in the end. But I sincerely believe that having a romance background has strengthened my ability to write for a broader audience.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way? Robert Fleming. He has compelled me to stretch, to explore the full spectrum of the writing world through books, music, and art.

What are you reading now? I just finished a sneak peek at Timm McCann's upcoming novel EMOTIONS. Folks are in for a treat. Fearless Jones, by Walter Mosley, When We Were Grown Ups by Ann Tyler and If 6 Were 9 by Jake Lamar.

What new author has grasped your interest? Bernice McFadden!

How do you feel overall about self-publishing? I applaud those that can do it! I think it is a viable alternative to traditional publishing--IF it is actually a good book and not one that is published simply because the writer wants a book out there. Great successes have come from self-published authors.

Do you feel that the boom in African American writers is a fad or another renaissance? I would love to believe that it is a rebirth and awakening and will continue to flourish, if what we write can be expanded beyond "faddish" writings. If our writing is to truly survive and be recognized as good literature, it must continue to be elevated in terms of issues, themes, structure and audience.

Do you feel more African Americans are reading? Absolutely. Now we have something to read that is relevant to us.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything? No. I've had an incredible experience as a writer and have learned so much along the way.

Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career? I'm in it for the long ride. Writing IS my career.