Author Gwynne Forster

AUTHOR GWYNNE FORSTER

Gwynne Forster was born in North Carolina, grew up in Washington, D. C., and has lived, studied and worked in New York City ever since she came of voting age. She considers herself a humanitarian, a perspective that she inherited from her mother, a high school principal, and which she also attributes to her work and education in the social sciences, more specifically, demography. Her fiction writing reflects her training in the sociology of the family and her understanding of inter-personal relations. It should not be surprising then, that quite a few of Gwynne’s novels and novellas are set within the context of the family.



Fiction writing is Gwynne Forster’s second career. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in sociology, a master’s degree in economics/demography and has additional graduate credits in journalism. As a demographer, she is widely published. She is formerly chief of (non-medical) research in fertility and family planning in the Population Division of the United Nations in New York and served for four years as chairperson of the International Programme Committee of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (London, England). These positions took her on official business to sixty-three developed and developing countries. Gwynne sings on her church choir, loves to entertain, and is a museum hopper, gourmet cook and avid gardener. She enjoys classical music, opera, jazz and blues with her husband with whom she lives in New York City.

This is just an excerpt of Gwynne's bio; to read the rest head over to her website.

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I'm a demographer, and as such, I worked for seventeen years a Chief of Fertility and Planning Research in the Population Division, United Nations, New York. Following that, I served as chairwoman of the International Programme Committe, International Planned Parenthood Federation, London with leadership of its family planning programmes in 126 different countries. These positions have taken me to 63 developing countries that I can count from memory, and I have visited or worked in the vast majority of European countries. I have three university degrees, I love music, especially jazz, blues and all classical forms. I'm married, have raised a stepson, and I live with my husband, who is also a demographer.

What is your earliest writing memory?

I think about age five, because I could read and write at that age, but I don't recall specific things that I wrote.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

Enormous relief. By the time I finish a manuscript, my next one is already fighting for room in my head.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

A Different Kind of Blues is one of two books due out in October. It is mainstream women's fiction. Having to fulfill a contract, I asked myself what kind of heroine would offer a challenge to me after having written almost forty books and novellas. I was watching television and saw a commercial about a woman who'd just been told she had two months in which to live. I didn't want to make it quite that melodramatic, but I wanted a heroine strong enough to cope with a terrible shock without having to write a morbid story about her. I came up with Petra Fields, who set out to do all the things she'd always wanted to do, credit card bills be hanged.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

My current project, Finding Mr. Right, is about a woman hell bent on exercising her right to chose her man herself, without any one's help. Even when the ideal guy is presented to her, she insists on doing her own choosing and nearly ruins everything.

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

My latest release has received outstanding reviews, and if you like enough suspense to keep you turning the pages and even dreading possible outcomes, enough mind-blowing sex to make you jealous of the heroine and an Alpha Male you'll dream about forever, Drive Me Wild is for you.

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do if you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

I'd shrug it off. A review is just one person's opinion.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I can't think of any author who has influenced my aspirations insofar as fiction writing is concerned. That is because I became a novel writer by chance after having enjoyed a highly successful career as a demographer, one for which I am trained. All I receive from fiction writing is, as far as I am concerned, pure gravy.

What books would you recommend on writing?

John Gardner, The Art Of Fiction

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn't have written a romance as my first book. I write mainstream fiction, and some of my books have won awards, but they are always judged as romances, because reviewers associate me with romance. And when they complain about something, it's usually what distinguished mainstream women's fiction from a romance.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Don't be disappointed by rejections. When you get one, clean up the manuscript and send it to the next editor on your list. The appraisal of fiction is, in some important aspects, highly subjective.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Probably that I have great respect for the English language, don't feel comfortable using blue language and love nature and people, not to mention tall, good-looking, educated and successful men.

You can find out more about Gwynne Forster and her books on her website: www.gwynneforster.com

Author Brooklyn Darkchild

AUTHOR BROOKLYN DARKCHILD

Brooklyn Darkchild is a 46 years old mother of nine with a life long passion for writing. A New York transplant born and raised in (you guessed it) the borough of Brooklyn, Ms. Darkchild has called Cincinnati her home for the past ten years. Her debut novel, This Ain't No Hearts and Flowers Love Story won the 2008 Reader Views Book of the Year Award in the Great Lakes/Regional category as well as placing third in the Spiritual/Religion category. Currently a day care teacher, Ms. Darkchild is working on the follow up to her award winning novel in her spare time.

This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

My life has always revolved around children. I’m the neighborhood candy lady whom everybody calls "Grandma." I’ll take as many kids as I can cram into my van to church on Sundays. I’m a mother of nine and grandmother of fifteen with another one on the way. I started babysitting when I was ten, went on to become a part time teacher’s aide, a lead teacher, then a day care administrator.

What is your earliest writing memory?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading and/or writing. I learned to read when I was three and learned to write soon after.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

There’s a feeling of elation that I cannot describe, it’s just supremely satisfying. There’s also a let down, because that project is over and done with; and the fear that people might not like it.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

Obie and Princess were characters I’d fooled around with since high school. I wanted to write a love story from the perspective of both the man and the woman and to show how differently two people can view the exact same event. I figured the more opposite the two were the better the drama. Obie was already this hardened street dude so I decided to make Princess this snooty rich girl from Park Ave. I needed a deep bond to hold these two total opposites together, and since Princess was motherless like me, I decided to make Obie motherless too.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story is a raw and gritty tale of the love between two people scarred by the absence of their respective mothers. Obie and Princess love each other dearly but their baggage keeps getting in the way. Besides the motherless issue I tackle racial identity and skin color conflict, drug abuse, prostitution, homosexuality, rape, stalking and mental illness. Those are heavy subjects, and parts of this story are very uncomfortable, but the story is told in a way that’s not only poignant but Laugh Out Loud funny as well. This Ain’t No is part of a trilogy: the second book, We Still Ain’t Got This Right is coming out early in 2009 with the third book out sometime in 2010.

I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

Start with the question: Is it worse to love your mother only to lose her or never to have a mother at all? Streetwise Obie and rich girl Princess never debated this; being equally motherless has bound these two opposites their entire lives. Obie has always been there for Princess, so when she decides at eighteen to become an R&B diva, Obie: who was discovered dancing on a street corner at age eleven, knows just how to make that dream come true. Along the path to stardom these two inevitably fall in love, but light skinned Obie and dark skinned Princess experience not only social class differences but skin color drama galore. Added to the mix are Obie’s flock of groupies and Princess’s stalking ex boyfriend, but when Obie’s fear of abandonment clashes with Princess’s need for emotional attachment the fireworks really begin. Then the question becomes: can a motherless child ever truly open his or her heart enough to love someone else?

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do if you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

After I wipe away my tears??? All kidding aside, this is a very strange book: people either are crazy about it or they absolutely hate it, there’s no middle ground; although I thank God for Jesus that the vast majority are crazy about it. Because the premise and the format are so different I realize I can’t please everybody. I try hard to be open minded and weigh each criticism on its own merits but I have to admit it hurts. It’s like someone called my kid ugly, even though I know she’s no stunning super model. It keeps me humble though. God knows my ego needs to be checked every once in a while.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I’ve never patterned myself after anyone else, I just wanna be Darkchild. I’d love to be in the game until I’m old and decrepit, but if I only write one or two books that are impactful, that’s enough for me.

What books would you recommend on writing?

This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story broke the mold on a lot of things the books say you shouldn’t do so I may not be the best person to ask that question, but it’s different for a reason. I will say that anyone who even thinks they want to be a writer should sign up for a writing fundamentals class and a creative writing class. At the least. You have to know what the rules are before you decide to break them.

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

At the very beginning I jumped at the first "agent" that accepted me and ended up stuck in a contract with someone who charged a fee for everything except blowing her nose. That wasted six months of not only my life but my book’s life as well. If I had to do it all over again I’d do way more research before signing with anyone.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Beware of leeches and do your homework. There are people out there who don’t give a kitty about your project, they’re only interested in taking your money. That includes the wealth of vanity presses that exist. And don’t let anyone steal your dream. A good friend of mine had the same experience with a less than reputable agent and she gave up on the idea of having her book published. She posted the whole book online instead.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Readers can find out more about me and read chapter excerpts on my website:

www.brooklyndarkchild.com Or my MySpace: www.myspace.com/bklyndarkchild

Thank you, Brooklyn Darkchild, for taking the time to share with the Wednesdays & Fridays blog family. We wish you continued success in your future endeavors.

Author Nanette Buchanan

Nanette Buchanan

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I am married with three married children and five beautiful grandchildren. I am employed by the State of New Jersey as a Senior Corrections Officer. I currently hold the position of Instructor at the Corrections Training Academy. I worked with youth for over 25 years as a Track and Field coach. I enjoy working with children, writing, and vacationing with family.

What is your earliest writing memory?

I began writing poetry in grammar school but didn't delve into it seriously until my years in college.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

It was a great boost to my self esteem. There were times when I thought I wouldn't finish it. Other than poetry and children stories I hadn't tried writing more than ten to twenty pages. So the completion of a full novel was an achievement.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

My character is a reflection of my feelings and my husbands about family matters. We both had siblings we weren't aware of or met during our childhood. The question after my husband was introduced to his sister was why had the family kept the information about her a secret. Unknowing could it be possible that they could have met before. What if they did?

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

Family Secrets Lies & Alibi's answers the questions that arise when family doesn't tell the intimate details hoping no one will reveal the truth. After the death of D.Q. Mince his son, Darrell must face the secrets his father has left. As the executor of the estate he must deal with the knowledge that his mother was the mistress is his father's life; the wife who stayed in the marriage waiting to collect after his death; the brother he never knew; and the new love interest in his life possibly being his sister. As these secrets unravel Darrell must make decisions about his life, his newly acquired business and the truth as he uncovers it bit by bit.

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

Have you ever wondered why funerals, weddings, and family reunions become the stage for Family Secrets to be revealed? Can chaos enter your life without you knowing the truth? If your answer is yes to either of these questions then you can relate to the suspense and drama in my debut novel. If you've ever asked yourself how or why a wife stays in a marriage knowing her husband loved someone else; or If you've ever been to a reunion spotted someone you never met and thought of the possibilities until a relative told you he or she is a relative to.......then you would love the suspense and drama my debut novel takes you through. With our society being filled with broken families...siblings that never meet......mother's that hold their own ground with no interest to unite the children they bore with the other woman's husband or lover; it leaves us to understand the possibilities of these children meeting and falling in love. Who will tell them it's wrong after they have loved each other for a year or more?

What would be the outcome if they chose their love over the love of their broken families? Curious to find out? Then read Secrets Lies and Alibi's.

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

I would accept it as constructive criticism. It is my belief that a review is a professional opinion. If one has given me a fair but less than average rating than I expect them to have read the entire work and to be able to pinpoint my flaws. One can not get better without accepting critiques but they must be warranted, professional and thorough.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I'm really bad when it comes to picking one or two authors that have inspired me. As a reader of many genre's I find that I am inspired and motivated by many. Omar Tyree, Valerie Wesley, Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King, TD Jakes, E.Lynn Harris and others. Lately I have been encouraged by Tyler Perry's work and the work of J.K. Rowlings.

What books would you recommend on writing?

Dan Poytner's book on publishing . Actually all of his works bring insight to new writers.

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn't have tried to go print on demand. I would have self published earlier and saved the money I lost in the process.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Keep the pen to the pad even when all the doors and windows seem to be closed. Research your work and options to promote, market and distribute. There is no one way to become a successful writer. Those who have reached success each have a story. Look for your path and follow it. Get advice, assistance and support it helps to keep you mentally prepared for the bumps and bruises. Completing the project is the reward.....then the work begins.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

www.myspace.com/ipendesigns www.amazon.com www.ipendesigns.com ipendesigns.blogspot.com

I have blogs posted on all my sights, my book trailers, poetry and reviews.

Want to be interviewed?

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Author Michelle Larks

Author Michelle Larks

Michelle Larks resides in Chicago with her husband. Before joining the Urban Christian Books family, Mrs. Larks previously released four novels under different publishing houses: A Myriad of Emotions (2003 Ebony Energy), Crisis Mode (2004 Author House, re-released 2005 F&M Enterprises), Mirrored Image (2006 Ocean Mist Press), Who's Your Daddy (2006 Book Surge). The last two books were published through Urban Christian; Keeping Misery Company (2007) and The Legacies (2008).

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I am an older sistah, I have two adult daughters, and am employed as a Systems Programmer. I also love watching NBA and NFL games, listening to music, and most of all READING!!!!

What is your earliest writing memory?

My earliest writing memory was of folding sheets of notebook paper in half and creating a book called Return to Oz. I loved the movie The Wizard of Oz when I was a child.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

I feel a sense of sadness in a way when I finish a manuscript, because I've lived and breathed those characters for so many months. When I am in the process of writing a manuscript and I think a portion I wrote was good, I'll get goose bumps.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

The ideas for my characters just popped into my head. I knew I wanted to write a story along the lines that I did and target a younger audience.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

My latest book is titled The Legacies. It's the story of a minister's son and a drug distributo’sr daughter who fall in love during their college years. And how God made a way for two young people from such very diverse backgrounds to overcome their obstacles and forge a lasting relationship.

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

The Legacies has all the elements of an engrossing story. It combines Christian ideals and preaches the importance of celibacy to young people. And most of all it shows us how we are all God's children regardless of our circumstances in life and how he sends Angels during our walk in life to guide our paths.

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

I take to heart what the review has said and try to improve upon any imperfections in my next book.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I came from a generation where there wasn't many Afrian American writers. I remember the first African American books I read were by James Baldwin, Donald Goines, and Iceberg Slim and boy did they hook me. I have read a variety of genres by many authors and what inspires me is simply a good story that pulls me in.

What books would you recommend on writing?

The book that Stephen King wrote, On Writing, has some very good writing tidbits.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Hold fast to your dreams, you never knew where they might lead you. Talk to published authors and draw on their experiences and advice. You don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Reads can learn about me and my books at www.MichelleLarks.com and www.myspace.com/michellelarks.