Considering Houston my second home, especially MO City, I thank "my homeboy" Troy Martin for answering a few questions!  Thanks!

-SCBC, Inc. (2001)

Tell us your latest news? I’ve begun promoting Dazed & Confused on a more national level by attending various trade shows and events.  Recently The Houston Press selected me as “Best New Black Novelist.”  I encourage those looking for more insight on my recent “haps” to visit www.trojanworks.com.  Check out the “Pictures” section.   

Where are you from? I am from Houston, TX (MO. City specifically).

How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing? Writing is an extension of a person’s individuality, which I feel is affected by one’s environment.  The events that shape a person’s life will ultimately have some impact on the way he/she views certain elements of society, which in turn, may be expressed in that person’s writing style. Therefore the experiences endured often lend themselves in helping a writer to create.    Being a successful writer requires one to simply write about what he/she knows.

When and why did you begin writing? I first discovered my gift for writing in the 5^th grade by composing various biographies/essays on noted celebrities and historical events for class.  From there I continued to embrace my gift, but only when the mood suited me.  I was also an athlete and a thespian, so writing didn’t always receive top priority during my adolescent years.  It wasn’t until college, where I majored in Journalism, that I began reprioritizing my commitment to writing.       

When did you first consider yourself a writer? I would say my freshman year of college at Prairie View A&M University.  Coming out of high school, I’d been heavily discouraged from pursuing English or anything affiliated with writing because of the average (and sometimes below average) grades I consistently received on various writing assignments.  To say the least, I really started to doubt my abilities.  Then once I enrolled in Freshman Comp. at PVU, my instructor was literally overwhelmed by my writing ability.  It was as if I’d gone through a complete 180° turn around.  However, the reality is that I was finally blessed to be in a situation where an instructor actually valued my individual writing style as opposed to degrading it.  This experience was very significant in reestablishing my confidence.

Do you have a specific writing style? I like to “keep it real” with whatever I do, which applies to my writing as well.  The emphasis placed on being “politically correct” and not offending potential readers is so great, I feel a lot of writers compromise their gift for the sake of trying to please everyone (which of course is not possible).       

What genre are you most comfortable writing? Mmm, I’d say Contemporary Fiction simply because that’s what interests me most at this stage in my career.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?  Terry McMillan initially had the greatest influence because she demonstrated that African-American writers could successfully write stories that primarily catered to our demographic culture by using familiar facets of pop culture that we related to.  More recently, writers like Michael Baisden, E. Lynn Harris, Victor McGlothin, and Eric Jerome Dickey have reiterated the significance of strong male characters and the use of contemporary imagery in commercial fiction.

What books have most influenced your life? The Bible is the book that has had the most profound level of influence.  I don’t claim to be a Saint, but its impact has caused me to make more conscience decisions in my life.  Oh wait, within the last year I also read Rich Dad Poor Dad and How to Succeed in Business Without Being White, both of which played an important part in helping me to realize the importance of creating and maintaining financial independence.

What are you reading now? I recently read Shaquille O’Neal’s autobiography in one day.  I am in the process of reading The Firm, simply because I never read it, and I’ll eventually get around to reading The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Flyy Girl, Liar’s Game and a few others.

How do you feel overall about self-publishing? I feel self-publishing is an excellent way to break into the industry.  It requires excellent organizational skills, planning, and above all else, consistent MARKETING!!! This requires a writer to become more engaging and thereby allows one’s personality to have a direct impact on the success of his/her book.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of promotion for self-published authors? The advantage to self-publishing is the obvious control it allows an author to exercise over his/her work.  This includes everything from editing to setting up interviews and book signings.  As a result, you become more knowledgeable and readers have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with your personality.  Flipping the script, two obvious downsides that come to mind are limited distribution and financial resources.   

What are your current projects?  I am working on another book.

Do you feel that the boom in African American writers is a fad or another renaissance? I feel the resurgence in African-American literature is an overall extension of African-Americans accepting and embracing our very unique culture on a much broader level, which is being expressed through a variety of artistic mediums that include: (but not necessarily limited to) books, film, television, music, dance, poetry etc.

Do you feel more African Americans are reading? Definitely!  For the first time that I can recall, African-Americans now have a wide variety of choices with regard to literature.  In years past, there were only a select few authors whose work was deemed worthy enough for traditional commercial publishing.  However, with the advent of self-publishing and various other options, there are more titles available which depict an eclectic array of African-American viewpoints, hence there is a larger African-American readership.   

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. I received support from many of my friends as well as fellow writers.  There are many online writing communities who willingly serve as a source of strength and encouragement for aspiring writers.  Above all else however, my spiritual faith and relationship with GOD helped to sustain me through those times of despair and uncertainty.  

How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?  Everyone in my immediate circle has been very supportive.  My Mom was a little shocked initially when she read the first few pages of Chapter 1, but she eventually got over it J.  I must say, it was an equal blessing not to have a bunch of negative people attempting to discourage my ambition.  I would recommend that any person working towards a goal be adamant about maintaining positive energy sources in their life.    

Would you encourage or mentor someone to become self-publish? Self-publishing will work best if you are truly committed to the obligatory cycle of hustling, promoting, and marketing your book to as many different people as possible.  If a writer understands their market and knows how to get his/her product in front of the identified group, self-publishing should work out well. 

How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? It came to me actually.  There was no real “process” in naming my book.  The sub-title, “Surviving Life in the Game” was thrown in for added clarity and insight.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? I want readers to understand the struggles we sometimes endure, particularly where relationships are concerned, inevitably serve to teach us a valued lesson.  When faced with conflict or unexpected change, try to understand the role you played directly or indirectly.  Above all else, rely on your spiritual faith to guide you through life’s many “games.” 

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?  Be on the look out for my next book.  To be added to the Trojan Works Newsletter, drop me a line at trojanworks@aol.com.