Thank you Montré for sharing information with readers!  -The SCBC, Inc.

Where are you from? I'm from Dallas Texas but I now live in Los Angeles, CA.

Tell us your latest news? Well I have my second published novel out called Heaven Bound its the sequel to Heaven Sent.

When and why did you begin writing? I have been writing since I was a kid actually. I wrote and created a book for a class project when I was in the 5th grade. It was quite an accomplishment. I like to write as a way of just getting my wild imagination an outlet.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? I don't know if I consider myself a writer moreso than I consider myself an artist...and I paint pictures with words. My readers imagination is my canvas.

What inspired you to pen your first novel? I was at a point of my life where I felt like I needed to leave something behind in this world. I needed to create something that people could relate to as well as share a piece of myself as well.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way? Religion and my life in general influences allot what I have to say. Even though its fiction, Andrew Turner, the main character in this series of novels I'm writing is going through a spiritual journey much like I had to go through growing up. Its about coming of age spiritually and figuring out what truth is.

How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing? Oh man! How can it not? My mother is a minister so religion is a strong influence in my life but we grew up with very liberal minds questioning everything. As conservative the world was that I grew up in, with very strict religious rules of conduct, I can say my mother allowed me and my siblings to make up our own minds.

Do you have a specific writing style? LOL yeah I like to break the "writing rules" I do go from first to third person allot in my story so I can show what else is going on but i only have one MAIN character...but he's somewhat psychic so I justify that way.

What genre are you most comfortable writing? I started in Christian fiction but I see my readers and I slowly falling into this fantasy even though I write about Angels and spiritual warfare. Its a fun read and how often do you find African American fiction that breaks away from the everyday drama?

How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? Well its all apart of the story. Heaven Sent and Heaven Bound are about this small town called, Heaven Texas. the place is fictional of course it doesn't really exist.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? I want people to be truth seekers. I don't have any religious answers but I want people to stop being scared to ask questions.

How much of the novel is realistic? That's a hard question. I am telling your realistic things about biblical history, and I'm telling you realistic events that happen to people. Fiction to me is just a mirror of reality. Allot of it, is loosely based on my growing up experience (except without the supernatural abilities).

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life? Heaven Sent is about Andrew in high school (so I referred to my experience there) Heaven Bound is about his Mother's experience in college. My college life was such a questionable time and I think it is for everyone.

What books have most influenced your life? C.S. Lewis and the chronicles of Narnia. I love that series...it was one reason I love to think outside the box and let my imagination just run wild.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Eric Jerome Dickey, he's a very successful male author who has not only written novels but even graphic novels which is something I would like to get into later (and maybe screenplays).

What are you reading now? At the moment nothing, I read mostly nonfiction though (would you believe it)! I do allot of studying...I studying the Sumerians right now (the first civilization known to man...and they were black).

What are your current projects? Well I JUST finished the third novel Heavens Power although I don't have a publisher yet for it and I'm writing my fourth novel to this series.

Do you feel that the boom in African American writers is a fad or another renaissance? I told another close friend of mine who is author, Camika Spencer that I felt a Neo-renaissance was happening. I have never seen so MUCH creativity at one time. Something is going on, we're making history right now.

Do you feel more African Americans are reading? I don't think we read enough...and that's a problem. We really need to work on getting young people excited about reading again and rebirth the art of storytelling
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. I love my inner circle of friends, most of them are a few years younger than me but I see them like family. They are always trying to see what I'm up to and what I'm writing next. I thank God for their inspiration.

How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general? I think they are very surprised it's come as far as it has and two they are excited to see what's going to happen. My life is like my stories...always keeping you suspense.

Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career? Montré Bible is going to be around a long time.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything? Nope, experience is the flavor of life.

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers? Yeah, be sure to check me out and my novel on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/montrebible and be prepared to read a series of books that's going to change everything.

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