RAWSISTAZ One On One Interview

Author Interview with Deatri King-Bey
February 2005

RAW:  Tell us all about you, the author.  And then tell us about the person behind the author.

I write the same as I read, broadly. I write everything from romance to science fiction. I love mixing and matching elements of different genres to come up with something fresh and exciting for the readers.

Behind the author is just little ol’ me. My family means the world to me, and every day I thank God for blessing me with them. My husband and children keep me laughing, then throw in the rest of the family, and believe me, there is never a dull moment. Boy do I have some stories to tell!

RAW:  How long have you been writing and what has the experience been like for you?   Since you're also an editor, how have you balanced the two and also utilized your expertise? 

I’ve been writing forever, but started writing full-length manuscripts in 1993. My first project was a screenplay that was GOD AWFUL. Yep, my poor family suffered through reading it. That was definitely cruel and unusual punishment. I continued reading and learning the craft, then eventually switched to writing fiction novels. I know my family is grateful I improved. I’m blessed because my family and friends have always been supportive of my writing aspirations.

As a developmental editor, my technical skills are in the forefront and my artistic ways have to take the supportive role. When I’m writing, my artistic side gets to be in charge, and the technical skills take the supportive role.

RAW:  We like to show support to those who motivate, support, and push us.  Please identify any of the people who have helped you on your journey to become a writer. 

Besides my family… Marilyn Tyner was the first industry professional I really got to know. I suggest anyone who is serious about becoming an author obtain a mentor. Someone in the industry that can give a little friendly advice know and again. La Shaunda Hoffman (http://www.sormag.com) isn’t a published author (yet), but she has helped me and countless others more than I can say. Cheryl Ferguson who was my writing coach. The whole staff at Third World Press… There are tons of folks out there who helped me along the way. 

RAW:  What is your writing process like, and how did you come up with your style of writing?  Do you write full time or part time?

My writing process depends on how complicated the plot will be. With Caught Up I created a plot map, had a calendar close by and placed the scenes on the appropriate date. There was a lot I needed to keep up with and the time line could have easily been mixed up.

I have a file for future books. I get an idea for a story, write out a quick synopsis, then add it to the file. When I’m ready to start a new book, I either pull from the file or go with something off the top of my head. The file is not set in stone. Rarely does the finished product look exactly like the original synopsis. Actually, never has the finished product looked exactly like the original synopsis.

I think I came up with my style of writing from reading so many different genres. I like to push the limit of a genre, yet still be considered part of the genre.

I write part-time, between two to three hours a day.

RAW:  What motivates you to write?

I know people think I’m crazy when I say this, but I literally have thousands of stories and characters in my head. If I do not get them out of my head, I’ll go crazy. The only way to get them out is to write them.

RAW:  How does writing affect every other area of your life?

We all have some creative talent. Writing is my creative outlet. Because I’m fulfilled in this aspect, that spills over into how I handle other aspects of my life. Then again, whenever someone needs a letter written or report edited, guess who is first on the list to be called. LOL. But I don’t mind. You know I’d be hurt if they didn’t ask. We all support each other.  

RAW:  Tell us about your book in as many words as you'd like.

Rosa Bolívar discovers the man who raised her is not her biological father. Before she has a chance to recover from shock, the DEA comes to her with allegations that the man she loves as her father, Ernesto Bolívar, is actually the number two man in the largest drug cartel in the world. Though disappointed with Ernesto, Rosa knows he is a changed man and sets out to prove his innocence. She enlists the help of DEA agent Samson Quartermaine and soon finds herself falling for him. Torn between loyalty and love, Rosa must weave through a tangled web to discover the truth… a truth that could lead to her murder.

RAW:  How do you come up with the titles for your books?  What about the character names? 

The titles tie in directly with the story. For example in CAUGHT UP the characters pasts are quickly catching up with them. In my next book EBONY ANGEL, the main character Ebony Washington is like the angel of the neighborhood. She’s one of those people who goes around trying to save everyone.

The names usually come out of the personalities and or physical features. For example in CAUGHT UP, I gave Samson his name because I wanted a strong name to match his strong characteristics, and I gave Rosa her name because though she is as delicate as a rose petal, she knows when to pull out the thorns.

RAW:  Why did you choose to write on these specific topics?

How well do you know your loved ones? I was talking to my granny one day, and she opened up about the things she used to do decades ago (he he, you thought I’d give away her age. NOT!). I was like, “No way!” I told my sister-in-law things that I did as short as twenty years ago, and she was like “No way!” In the book, Rosa is finding out about things that happened thirty years ago, and she’s like, “No way!” And now the DEA is in the mix saying you didn’t know, what else don’t you know?

RAW:  What is your favorite genre to write?

Mainstream fiction with a family drama bend to it.

RAW:  Any advice you'd like to pass along to other writers?  What about to readers?

For writers: Read, learn the craft, read, obtain a mentor, read, write, read, join peer groups, read, reach back and help others along.

For readers: Sit back and enjoy the ride and explore different genres.

RAW:  What's coming up next for you?  (Upcoming books)

I’ll be putting out three different types of romances. Ebony Angel is an interracial romance that hits the shelves in February 2007.  Beauty and the Beast is my contemporary romance version of the fairy tale and is scheduled for release in April 2007. I also wrote a novella titled Winter Wonderland for the erotic romance anthology Love For All Seasons, which is due out June 2007.  

RAW:  What literary events will you be attending this year?

Romance Slam Jam (March), Book Expo America (May), Black Writers Reunion/Conference (July), Gwendolyn Brooks Writer’s Conference (October).

RAW:  Now, the Just for Fun part of our interview. 

Favorite author: Beverly Jenkins
Favorite book: Archangel by Sharon Shinn
Favorite TV show:  Stargate 1
Favorite sport: Basketball
Food you can't do without: Salmon
What time do you go to bed? 8-9 p.m.
What time do you get up? 4-5 a.m.
Character you'll never forget in a book: Harriet in Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My middle fingernails grow in curled. I’d like to place an order to have them grow the same as the other nails.
Something really funny, that no matter how many times you see/hear it, it's still funny: When my dad, brother and I were in the basement playing volleyball and my dad knocked the ball into the light fixture and broke it, we all got quiet. When my mom got home and was yelling at us to find out who broke the fixture, my dad pointed at us and said, “They did it.” If the look on my face was even half as hilarious as the look on Tyrone’s (my brother) I know he’s had many laughs from the memory.

RAW: As we close out the interview, share some words of advice or inspiration?

Well, as some of you may or may not know, I have Dyslexia. When I was a child, my parents were told I couldn’t learn to read. Well I can obviously read and even write (So I’m told. LOL). Why am I telling you this? Because folks are always trying to pigeon hole our youth. Telling them who they are and what they can’t do instead of what greatness they come from and is in their futures if they go for it. I thank God for the parents he gave to me. They weren’t perfect, rich or influential, but they didn’t sit back and allow the system to drown another black child. Start reading to your children when they are in the womb. Start teaching them our history and learn a little something, something yourself. Introduce them to all types of fiction and non-fiction.

Read, read, read, read….

RAW:  Any last words or things I may have missed that you'd like to share?

I’d just like to than Tee for this opportunity to hog up the spotlight and the rest of my RAW-Family for all of the support. It’s been fun, and we’ve only just begun. 

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