Dallas native and author, Victor McGlothin tells readers about his literary career. 

When did you first begin writing?  I started putting my thoughts on paper in '96. Bored and reading a lot of Black Lit' for the first time, I had a thought one day that proved more than justa whim. "I can do this," stuck with me and I've never looked back.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?  I first considered myself a writer when I had finished my first novel and it was only 45 pages. I was a writer... with a short story.

Which author(s) would you say influenced your writing?

Walter Mosley and Valerie Wilson Wesley both contributed greatly to my style. They set the bar high for intrigue, suspense and mystery; all fashioned within contemporary stories.

Has your environment or upbringing colored your writing?

My early environment had nothing to to with my writing. In fact, no one in my house read. Unless, of course you're including the T.V. guide. On the other hand, I do sprinkle the things I've seen into my stories every now and then. Sometimes, that's what makes them so real.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

I like to delve into Urban Contemporary Fiction the most because that where my heart is but who knows. Maybe next time I'll do something set in 1947. Just maybe I will.

How do you come up with a title for your book(s)?

Titles are so important to me. I never start without one. Now, it may change a hundred times while I'm putting the story together but not usually. That would be like changing your child's name after it turns 10 months old. That just ain't right. To me, the title fits the essence of the story but you do have to keep in mind that readers should be interested after hearing it too.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Social Redeeming Value is the stratus I write from going all the say back to my slavery days when I was mastered by the spoken word mic. My words ought to amount to something worth reading or I wouldn't bother.

What are you reading now?

I am reading this funny new novel by a sistah from Austin. Toshia. The title is "You Wrong For That." I just met her and she is as big a sassy, spirited, riot in ink as much as she is in person.

Do you feel that the boom in African American writers is a fad or another renaissance?

I do believe that the Renaissance is upon us. Now, we should really consider how it effects our legacy going forward. I'd hate to be thought of and remembered as the "Booty Book" era. Marinate on that one.

What are your current projects?

I've just finished the my offering for '04 (it'll be something that every sistah wants) I've made sure of that. The next one is a spicy joint about this Full Figured female detective, Vera Miles. She's usually up to her neck in trouble and it's always somebody else's.

Name those that you feel supported you, outside of family members.

The Sistah Circle (Dallas) and The Good Book Club (Houston) were two of the very first to help a brotha feel a part of the scene by showing me the same kind of love given to those who'd already made the leap. Much love sistahs. Thank you.

How does your family and feel about your writing venture in general?

Everyone in my family loves the books... so much so that they don't mind paying full price to prove it. That's awesome! Good thing too, 'cause ain't gone be no 'hookups and you can tell 'em I said it.

Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career?

This writing thing is the horse I'm riding now and I'll stay with it until it bucks me and steps on my head. Hopefully I'll have better insurance by then.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything?

There is nothing I'd change if I had to do over again because I've learned how to roll with the punches, take the good with the bad and a whole lot of additional cliché's that speak of enduring and overcoming obstacles. Shoot, it 's taken me six years to become an over night success. Now, I'm gonna take a short nap and ease my troubles mind.

How do you feel, overall, about self-publishing?

Self publishing should be a "right of passage." A writer learns so much during that process that serves not only him or her but also their readers. It teaches humility if nothing else and every writer could use a good dose of that.

Would you encourage or mentor aspiring authors?

I'll mentor any writer who's serious and supports me back. Please don't email me wanting advice when you haven't bought my work. That's one thing I can't tolerate, people wanting something for nothing. "Everything worth having should cost us something- that way, folks will appreciate it more." Muh'deas words of wisdom.

Visit Victor online: www.victormcglothin.com

Back to Authors