 Vincent
Alexandria, author of two great mystery novels, If Walls Could Talk
and Postal Blues, took time out to give the SCBC some information about
him.
Thanks for your participation, Vincent!
-SCBC,
Inc.
Where
are you from? Kansas City, Mo.
How has your environment/upbringing colored
your writing? It is formed by
my
sense of humor, education, family, and determination.
When and why did you begin writing?
I started at the age of 8 and it was
a
form of self expression.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I completed my first
stage
play.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Present tense, with comical satire.
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
Murder Mystery with a
romantic twist.
Who or what has influenced your writing, and
in what way? Walter Moseley,
he
is a master at weaving a story and putting you there.
What books have most influenced your life?
Malcolm X, You Are As You Thinketh, Black
Betty, Little Yellow Dog, The Bluest Eyes, and The
Mis-Education
of a Negro.
If you had to choose, which writers would you
consider mentors? Walter
Moseley
and Toni Morrison.
What do you do to set the mood for writing?
Jazz music, candles and a dark
room.
What are you reading now? Hidden
in Plain View by Blair Walker.
What new author has grasped your interest?
Victor McGlothin, my best
friend.
How do you feel overall about
self-publishing? It was the best way to
learn the business of writing. It has been very lucrative
for me because I operate as a business.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of promotion for self-published
authors? Learning all aspects of writing, selling,
marketing, promoting, inventory, finance, and
accounting. I think that you have done an excellent job at exposing
the African American readers to your work!
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What are your current projects?
My second book has
just been was released this past Spring,
Postal
Blues. It's a sequel to the first book.
Do you feel that the boom in African American
writers is a fad or another
renaissance?
The interest in
reading is here to stay.
Do you feel more African Americans are
reading? Yes, it is a
clear and
productive way to energize
the imagination and spirit.
Name one entity that you feel supported you
outside of family members.
Black book stores.
How does your family and/or friends feel about
your book or writing
venture in
general? They
love it, they are more excited than me, especially my wife
and
kids.
If you had to do it all over again, would you
change anything? I'm living my
dream, that says it all. Just
look at the smile on my face the next
time
I'm signing.
Do you see writing as a long- or short-term
career? Long term, I
will be picked up very soon. My agent is
shopping my work as we speak and there is
great
interest. This will be a career for me.
How did you come up with the title for your
book(s)? You have to be
creative and have a title that tells a reader to
"pick me up."
How much of the novel is realistic? 100%
Are experiences based on someone you know, or
events in your life? Somewhat,
but about 70% is creative imagination.
Would you encourage or mentor
someone to become self-publish? Sure,
I already have.
Is there a message in your novel that you want
readers to grasp? You
never
know, who you think you know!
(smile).
Is there anything additional you would like to
share with your readers?
If you don't believe in yourself,
nobody else will.
www.vincentalexandria.com
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