J.T.’s Book
Corner Has a Threesome!
Get your mind
out of the gutter! I’m not talking about the type of threesome that
involves fingers, tongues darting in and out of mouths, limbs
intertwined, bellies and abdomens slapping in a slow rhythmic
motion, tangling and wrestling on the bed… My, my, my, I need a
glass of water!
I digress…
The type of
threesome I’m referring to involves Feenin’ for Sugar &
Spice, All That Drama, with some serious Pretenses
— demanding mental foreplay, arousing your senses and catapulting
your imagination to a thrilling destination.
It got hot and
heavy in my corner, with two guys and a girl! Experience your first
literary threesome… read on!
The Guy…
Keith Lee
Johnson, Author

JT:
Hey Keith, welcome to J.T.’s Book Corner. Have a seat and let’s pick
your brain a bit.
KLJ:
Thanks for having me.
JT:
Keith, why crime, thrillers and murder mysteries?
KLJ:
Funny you should ask that question because when I began my literary
journey, I had no plans of writing thrillers. But, I got an idea for
a cool FBI agent named Perry Phoenix. But a friend told me to switch
the names around and Phoenix Perry was born—a female. I loved the
idea and tore into the storyline. Once I finished PRETENSES, I knew
I had to write another thriller to prove to myself that the first
one wasn’t luck, which led me to Sugar & Spice.
JT:
Give us a little background on Pretenses, Sugar & Spice, Fate’s
Redemption and Little Black Girl Lost. Where do you get
your inspiration? Great titles by the way.
KLJ:
Fate’s Redemption was my first novel and PRETENSES, Sugar & Spice,
and Little Black Girl Lost all have roots in it—all released out of
sequence. Little Black Girl Lost is about Johnnie Wise, a
15-year-old black female, who is cursed with beauty and the body of
a grown woman. Men can’t seem to keep their hands off her, knowing
she’s a child. She realizes that her beauty can get her anything
this world has to offer and she wants it all. Fate’s Redemption
introduces Johnnie Wise, but it’s about her nephews—Jericho,
Sterling, and William. Jericho is an international arms and drug
deal with CIA connection. Readers may remember Sterling, a big time
attorney and sports agent as he is in both PRETENSES and Sugar &
Spice. William is a very successful psychologist who finds himself
involved in a love affair he’d tried to avoid for years. PRETENSES
introduced my favorite character to date: Coco Nimburu, the lethal
psychotic nymphomaniac assassin who keeps her word and breaks men
off proper prior to fulfilling a contract. Sugar & Spice begins when
a couple of twins are released from prison. They plan to settle a
few scores. These two villains will have you checking your closets
when you’re at home at night.
JT: Are the characters based on people
you know?
KLJ:
Not at all. My characters are based on the
human condition, human weakness, and human failings that we all
succumb to from time to time. For example, human beings make
decisions that get them into all kinds of trouble, decisions that
have repercussion; the kind of repercussions that ruins lives. I try
to let people be who they really are in my stories.
JT:
There are authors who write with a message. Do you feel the need to
get across a message in your writing?
KLJ:
I want the readers to recognize a certain
measure of truth in all my novels. But most don’t. I’m far too
subtle with my messages to the readers, as they don’t buy my books
to be taught life lessons. I want them to be entertained, but at the
same time, recognize certain truths. For example, in Little Black
Girl Lost, there were two black parishes. In one, the people were
poor and in the other, the people had money, had nice homes, and had
many thriving businesses—all before Affirmative Action. My point?
One day Affirmative Action will be no more and when it’s gone,
people need to know that black folk will survive and thrive, just as
the people in Ashland Estates did. As a people, we need to prepare
ourselves for this eventuality and at the same time know our future
is in our own hands.
JT: What advice would you give to
aspiring and up and coming authors?
KLJ:
I would tell aspiring writers to research
the business before they even get into it as the publishing game is
a mine field. It is tough and only the strong survive. I would tell
them to save their money for traveling expenses. Most don’t know
that when you first start out, chances are they won’t get a contract
that pays for tours. People on the outside looking in think if you
have a book out, you can quit your day job. Oh, how wrong these
people are.
JT:
What has been your biggest obstacle as an author?
KLJ:
I’d have to say building an audience has
been the biggest obstacle. But at the same time, I’m glad I didn’t
sell a lot of books out the gate. If I had, I don’t think I would
appreciate easy success. I think, in the long run, it’s better to
build the audience over time, but I am still impatient to a degree.
JT:
Do you have mentors? If so, how have they supported your growth and
development as a writer?
KLJ:
Unfortunately, no, I don’t have mentors.
But, Tee C. Royal, founder of the RAWSISTAZ has always been in my
corner. What little success I’ve achieved, has much to do with her
unwavering belief in my work and she’s constantly telling readers
about it.
JT:
How difficult, if at all, was it for you to get a book deal?
KLJ:
Strangely, it has been more difficult to
get an agent than getting published. I’ve been blessed to have black
publishers, Strebor Books, headed by best selling author Zane and
Urban Books, heading by best selling author Carl Weber, who heard of
my work and love it.
JT:
Why do you think your writing is so well received?
KLJ:
At the time of this interview, I have 3
books out. Pretenses, Sugar & Spice (both thrillers), and Little
Black Girl Lost; all of them are about strong black women. I think
my thrillers are mainly enjoyed because Phoenix Perry is strong,
self-assured, professional, and has a very good marriage. She’s also
a Grandmaster of Shaolin Kung Fu, and as an FBI agent, she uses her
skills to kick butt when she has to. I think black women like her
being in charge and not having to be so vulnerable to the threats of
a murderous and rapist society.
JT:
Okay, time for you to get comfortable in J.T.’s Hot Seat!
KLJ:
Okay, shoot . . .
JT:
What’s a typical day in the life of Keith Lee Johnson?
KLJ:
I try to start my day of with reading,
usually non-fiction, as that is what I enjoy most, and it’s usually
apart of my research for an upcoming novel. After that, I formulate
ideas for books. I like watching the news to see what supposedly is
going on, which also serves as a springboard for even more book
ideas. Then, I sit at my desk and bang out a few chapters, answer
emails, and return phone calls.
JT:
How do you define success?
KLJ:
To me, success and achievement are
interchangeable. Achievement/success, simply put, is accomplishing
whatever goals you’ve set for yourself, not necessarily earning a
lot of money. Achievement/success is doing what you want to do
within the bounds of the law. It is the pursuit of dreams. It is
liberty from the chains of fear and unbelief. It is recognition of
what makes you unique and what you have to offer others. It is the
realization, the substance, and the tangibility of a dream
fulfilled.
JT:
How do you deal with adversity and failure?
KLJ:
To me adversity is character building and
should be embraced, not avoided. Besides, you can’t avoid it anyway.
Life is full of ups and downs and no one escapes this. No one.
Adversity makes us better, stronger, and dare I say powerful when we
see it as a stepping-stone and not a roadblock. As for failure, it
does not exist. It is an illusion, nothing more.
JT:
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Black men in
America?
KLJ:
In my opinion, the biggest challenge
facing Black men in America is a lack of discipline in nearly every
area of their lives. Discipline is the necessary ingredient to lay
hold to achievement/success while simultaneously avoiding the
illusion of failure. If for example, Black men focused more on
establishing a career and educating themselves, rather than focusing
on the sweet nectar women offer; Black men would be much better off.
A by-product of this new discipline would be more eligible men for
black women to choose from.
JT:
Has there been a significant life lesson for you? If so, do tell.
KLJ:
Indeed. However, life lessons, for me,
take time to become apart of who I am; meaning I may know a thing,
but yet, not know it. For example, most of the time, we have to make
the same mistakes over and over again, before we make the necessary
changes to make our lives more complete. For those reasons, I’m
reluctant to say what life lessons I’ve learned. When I’ve truly
overcome these things, maybe then I’ll feel comfortable saying what
they are.
JT:
Specifically, what do you want Black men to learn as a result of
reading your novels?
KLJ:
If Black men were to learn anything from my novels, I would want
them to deal with their internal doubts,
fears, and insecurities from the past so they can overcome their
self-destructive behavior. I want Black men to recognize that there
are people in this world who have very big guns pointed at them.
STOP—SUPPLYING—THE—BULLETS!
JT:
Okay, one last question. What do you do to stay grounded and
maintain a sense of balance in your life?
KLJ:
Right now my life isn’t balanced. I spend
the majority of my time trying to get people to talk about my books,
read my books, sell my books, and writing or researching my books.
I’m trying to bring more balance, but I’m a long way from it.
JT:
Keith, thank you so much! I wish you continued success.
KLJ:
Thanks for the interview.
A Girl…
Tina McKinney,
Author

JT:
Tina, welcome to J.T.’s Book Corner and congratulations on your
debut novel, All That Drama! Now that your debut is completed
and on the streets, how are you feeling about it?
TM:
I’m feeling great about it. I love going to signings and people
telling me that they have already read my book. That’s a serious
rush.
JT:
How long has the writer’s bug been inside you, and when did you
decide to nurture it?
TM:
All my life. I started with poetry and I used to write short
stories all the time. This is the first project that I ever
finished.
JT:
How long did it take you to complete All That Drama?
TM:
It took me three months to write and another four months to have
it edited and rewrites.
JT:
Where did you get your inspiration to pen All That Drama,
and are the characters based on people you know?
TM:
All That Drama is based on a real life friend of mine. She plays
the character of Sammie. Marie is me (sort of kind of). My friend
didn’t do all the things that I said she did but she did a lot of
them. Some things were just plain made up but she was my driving
force.
JT:
What advice would you give to up and coming authors?
TM:
Don’t give up. This is a very hard business and you have to
develop a thick skin. Shoot I still cry inside when I see a bad
review but on the whole I think the struggle is worth it. My 2nd
piece of advice is to do your homework and be careful whom you trust
with your brainchild and your money.
JT:
Which authors do you admire and which one in particular inspired
you?
TM:
Zane is my inspiration. I wrote this novel after reading
Addicted. I remember thinking “I can do that” and I started writing
it. Other authors I admire and love are Mary Monroe, Allison Hobbs,
Darrien Lee, Mary Morrison, James Patterson, Robin Cook.
JT:
As an author, where do you see your future?
TM:
I hope to write full time in the near future. I believe enough
in my craft to do it but I have to convince my husband we won’t
starve! LOL
JT:
What do you want your readers to come away with, after reading All That Drama?
TM:
I want my readers to lover themselves before they begin to try to
love others. I recently saw a review that said something about they
was disappointed because Sammie never got better. The reality is
that in life people don’t always mature and grow into responsible
adults. But just cause Sammie didn’t get it in Marie’s timetable
that’s not to say that she won’t get it some day.
JT:
Are you working on another novel? If so, give us a little sneak
peak…details, the juicy details.
TM:
Lawd Mo’ Drama is the sequel and it is due to be released in
November 2005. For a preview, please check out my site and read the
first two chapters.
JT:
Tina why people should read All That Drama?
TM:
There is a lesson in this book for everyone. I touch on some
real life issues and problems that some people deal with on a daily
basis. I won’t say my novel is therapeutic but it’s good to know
that you are not alone in your struggles. One lady even told me if
helped her move on in life.
JT:
All right, it's time to put you in JT's hot seat. Let's see if
you can stand the heat with a little word association. Okay, I won't
make the seat too hot for you. I’ll call out a name or phrase and
give me the first thought that comes to your mind. Okay?
TM:
Ok
JT:
Favorite movie and why??
TM:
Color Purple – I loved the way Whoopee fled the kitchen when her
husband was cooking!
JT:
Favorite author and why?
TM:
Mary Monroe. Her characters are so vivid to me. She sucks me
into her stories to a point I won’t read her books unless I have
another on the shelf waiting to be read.
JT:
What makes a good evening, writing your next novel or sex?
TM:
Both. I write this hot scene and then go and try it out on my
husband or vice versa.
JT:
Writing a check to your favorite charity or donating your time
at a homeless or shelter for abused women?
TM:
Donating time would be my favorite. Prior to writing I searched for
different facilities to donate my time. I got disenchanted when the
shelters that I visited had their family members living there. I
will resume my search soon.
JT:
What is your favorite reward?
TM:
A new reader!
JT:
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
TM:
Don’t give up, stay supportive, learn to listen and listen to
learn. Realize the power we as authors have in unity. Read a good
book and spread the word and always remain humble. And finally,
remember spend more time uplifting this literary world and all of
it’s participants.
JT:
As a phenomenal African American woman, what struggles do you face
daily and how do you overcome them?
TM:
Balancing writing and being a wife and working full time is my
biggest battle. I have to learn to give each equal time because
they are all equally important. Of course, I want to kick the job
to the curb but my pocketbook ain’t ready for that. So I try to
ration out my time and slice of a piece of me for each aspect of my
life.
JT:
Where can people purchase your books and do you have a website?
TM:
All That Drama is available practically everywhere. If it is
not in a store near you, I am sure you can have them order it for
you. It’s also available on line at Amazon, Borders and Barnes &
Noble. My website is
www.tinamckinney.com . I also send out signed copies from my
site.
JT:
Tina, thank you for a wonderful interview!
TM:
No Jessica, thank you! When we both get time, I want to talk to
you about writing something together. I know it will be hot!
JT:
Tina, I’d like nothing more!
And Another
Guy…
Nane Quartay,
Author

JT: Nane,
welcome to J.T.’s Book Corner. Make yourself comfortable and feel
free to be as blunt and upfront as you’d like.
NQ: Much
love for letting me into your corner. I’m grateful for the
opportunity to speak with you.
JT: Let’s
get the ‘typical’ question out of the way. How did your writing
career come about? Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
NQ: I came
into writing a few years ago and, no, I didn’t always know that I
wanted to be a writer - though I always thought that I could do it.
I was always under the impression that writing was easy – after all,
it was always easy to read! – but damn, was I wrong! Fortunately, I
have a talent for writing so it is a labor of love and I’ve found
that crafting fiction is a natural thing for me. My writing career
started with a few creative writing classes that I attended at a
community college. In fact, the first chapter of Feenin is the
first attempt I ever made at creatively pulling a story out of my
imagination.
JT: I
would love a little peek into your current novel, Feenin.
Tell me about it?
NQ:
Feenin is the story of a young man, Tokus Stone, who struggles
to overcome the burdens, hurdles and pitfalls of being a young,
Black man in America. Abandoned as a teenager, he turns to a life
of crime while pursuing the fruits of academia, a college degree
that will allow him to escape his illegal way of life. But alas,
his past comes back to haunt him when he finally obtains his degree
and steps from one jungle, the hood, into the corporate jungle-
where he encounters predators of a different nature and becomes
ensnared in an ambush beyond his wildest nightmares.
JT: You
have a new novel coming, The Badness, in May 2005. How does
your upcoming novel differ from Feenin?
NQ: The
Badness delves into mysticism, eroticism and suspense. Alias
suffers from an age-old curse; a curse that he vows to break even if
it costs him his life. D.Wayne’s traumatic childhood at the hands
of his abusive mother have turned him into a demented killer
following the voice of his god, Ruh, who leads him in a deadly
search. Doin and Joozy feel separated from society but following a
chance encounter with Alias, their imperfections draw them together
and they find a love they thought was impossible. The tale of these
four strangers ends in a shocking climax that brings an entire city
to the brink of chaos.
JT: I ran
a search for you on Google and you are all over the place. How has
your experience in the literary industry been thus far?
NQ: The
literary industry is tough. But I’m in pursuit of my dream…and that
is what drives me. A pleasant surprise for me has been the support
of Black readers. They have proven to me that the belief that
‘Black folks don’t support each other’ is a mere fallacy. I’d like
to take this moment to thank each and every reader that has shown me
nothing but love in my many travels. Much love, returned, for your
support.
JT: What
do you want people to come away with after reading your novel?
NQ: I
people my stories with realistic characters and incorporate a
message deep with social commentary because, as a race, there has
been no other people whose existence has been commented upon like
ours. I hope to stimulate meaningful dialogue and raise awareness
while entertaining with realistic stories.
JT: Do you
feel you grow as a writer with each novel?
NQ: With
Feenin, I took baby steps. With The Badness I developed more
literary muscle and powered my way through. As a result, I can’t
wait until I hit my full stride; I’ll do a mad dash then! With each
novel I strive to reach deeper, grow and mature until each story
carries grown-man weight and power. And hit you right between your
brain-lobes!
JT: I know
your work is well received. Why do you think that is?
NQ: I
approach each story like it’s a journey. And sometimes a journey
can begin without your knowledge. It may come to you disguised as
an artistic spark of imagination or maybe wrapped in the cloak of
some urgent messenger. Or sometimes it may come to you blushing
like a grand design embedded in the grand scheme of things… but in
the end a good story is an exploration of the human condition. At
the heart of this journey is a commonality that evokes a life
experience that most readers can share with me. When that shared
reality is touched, on a meaningful level, a strong journey has been
traveled. A reader feels that.
JT: Let’s
talk mentors for a moment. Who are your mentors and how have they
supported your growth and development as a writer?
NQ: My
mentors are composed of any writer that can tell a powerful tale.
Authors ranging from Donald Goines (my personal favorite, who is
purely fascinating with his realism, economy of words and ability to
paint word tapestries) to Richard Wright, James Baldwin and Chester
Himes. I also look up to authors who have come along and created
their own niche when the industry said that their writing had no
audience. Stephen King, Harold Robbins and Zane are all writers who
achieved success despite the naysayers who placed boulders in their
paths.
JT: What
advice would you give to aspiring authors?
NQ: Rely
on your talent to get you through the many rough spots that you will
encounter. As a relative newcomer to this industry, I’ve found that
my belief in myself is what I often have to use to sustain myself at
the end of the day. Also bring a strong sense of perseverance to
the party with you; a sense of purpose can be your light at the end
of the tunnel. Even when a train is coming down the tracks –
straight at you!
JT: As an
author, what has been your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome
it?
NQ: My
inhibitions. I’m still seeking to overcome them.
JT: My
most favorite questions are those asked to the author while they are
seated in J.T.’s Hot Seat. This is the opportunity where our readers
get to see the real you. Are you ready?
NQ: Brang
it!
JT: Where
were you born and raised?
NQ:
Upstate New York.
JT: How do
you define success?
NQ: The
day my work seems like play.
JT: How do
you deal with adversity and failure?
NQ: Work
harder.
JT: Where
do you see yourself in five years?
NQ: At
least five books deeper into my career.
JT: What
do you to do stay grounded and maintain a sense of balance in your
life?
NQ: Look
at my bills.
JT: I’m
one who tries to avoid making the same mistakes of others. Has there
been a significant life lesson for you?
NQ: Keep
belief in your chest.
JT: Nane,
it’s been great getting to know you. I hope to have you visit J.T.’s
Book Corner again real soon!
A Sister-to-Sister Chat with Gayle Jackson Sloan

My first
encounter with author Gayle Jackson Sloan was in the APOOO Yahoo!
Group, exchanging writing tips, marketing and promoting ideas, and
the like. Her warm personality, diva character traits and hilarious
humor drew me in totally. I knew she was going to be one of my good
author friends and I couldn’t wait to meet her!
October 2002,
my opportunity arrived! I met Gayle at the APOOO literary event in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We were there to promote our debut novels.
We were terrified to read an excerpt of our books. More me than
Gayle, because my book was totally nasty and the event was held in
the annex of a church. But, we made it through our excerpts and had
a blast mingling with avid readers and other author friends.
Needless to
say, I am tickled to have Gayle in my corner. Gayle is a native of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, wife, mother and grandmother. She
attended Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now
Philadelphia University), where she studied interior design. She is
currently a legal assistant at a prestigious Center City
Philadelphia law firm, hoping one day to be a full time writer.
When Gayle is
not busy teaching her grandchildren to say, “Nana is a Diva,” she
enjoys listening to music, interior designing, surfing the net,
reading, watching old movies and gardening.
JT: Ladies
and gentlemen, the Boot Diva has graced J.T.’s Book Corner with her
presence! All hail to the Queen Diva of Boots, author Gayle Jackson
Sloan. Gayle, welcome, welcome, welcome! I’m excited to have you for
a visit. Girlfriend, let’s chat.
For those who
have yet to have the pleasure of meeting Gayle, you are in for a
treat. The sister has a closet filled with fierce boots! I thought I
had a serious boot fetish, but I have nothing on Gayle Jackson
Sloan.
GJS:
LOL Jess; you are a mess, girl! Thank you so much for having me
join you in your corner. I'm honored.
JT: Gayle,
how did your writing career come about? Did you always know you
wanted to be a writer?
GJS:
When I was younger I had thought about it, but life has a way of
getting in the way. I started a book in 1989 and fiddled with it
for a few years and finally left it alone out of frustration.
However, in 2000 I started writing Saturday's Child and it was like
I couldn't stop until I finished. I think it was my mother, who had
passed, was pushing me to get it done. She had always been a big
supporter of my writing. I also have a friend by the name of Lanie
who stayed on my butt to get the book down. She was a major help.
JT:
Saturday’s Child was originally self-published. What were
some of the obstacles you faced as a self-published author?
GJS:
Distribution, distribution, DISTRIBUTION!!! Did I mention
distribution?
JT: Amen!
Getting distribution can definitely an obstacle. As an author, one
of our “responsibilities” is to help up and coming authors, as we
were helped. What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are
considering going the route of self-publishing?
GJS:
Investigate your options and get you some bank before making that
move. I was cash poor when I went that route, so I had to do it POD
(print on demand), which is why I had a distribution problem. Had I
created my own company and had been able to do a print run of a few
thousand and then gotten with a distribution company, I think my
numbers would have been much better.
JT: Well,
your hard work as a self-published author has paid off. How did it
feel when you signed your publishing deal with Black Print
Publishing?
GJS: It
felt wonderful at the time.
JT: What
has been your biggest obstacle as an author?
GJS:
Finding time to write. Since SC came out, I have changed firms and
have been working sometimes 7 days a week, 10-12 hour days. When
I'm home, I'm working or too tired to move.
JT: Let’s
delve into your novels. For those folks who have not read your
novels, could you give us a little insight on what you’re novels are
about?
GJS: They
are just stories about slices of life. People, who for whatever
reason, have come together to tell their stories through me.