Black Book Chat with Connie Briscoe
Written by RAWSISTAZ · October 6, 2009 · 373 views
Sisters & Husbands was our September 2009 main Book of the Month (BOM) and it’s great to have Connie Briscoe here throughout the day to chat with us. So, feel free to jump in and get your discussion on!!
SHORT BIO
Connie Briscoe has been a full-time published author for more than 15 years, with six novels, one photo-essay book and one novella published to date. She’s worked with HarperCollins, Doubleday, Ballentine, Harlequin and Grand Central Publishing. Her work has hit many major best-seller lists, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, USA Today Weekend, and Essence magazine.
THE AUTHOR SPEAKS
When I wrote Sisters and Lovers, the prequel to Sisters and Husbands, I was single after a divorce
many years earlier. Many of my girlfriends were also single. I remember thinking how different life was for us than it had been for my parents’ generation. Back then, most women were married with children at an early age. My generation was less inclined to take the plunge before reaching their thirties. Many of us, whether single by choice or chance, had to learn to accept life without a mate well into our thirties and beyond. That’s how Beverly was born. When the novel opens, she’s 39, still single and struggling with her situation.
Flash forward. In Sisters and Husbands it’s ten years later and Beverly is engaged to be married. After a string of lovers, she’s about to take a husband, or so it seems. By this time Beverly has learned to accept life as a single woman and even to question the necessity of marriage since she’s seen the marriages of her sisters and girlfriends fall apart, and now she’s got cold feet. Will she got through with it?
I went through a similar phase. I first got married in my twenties. It lasted less than a year. He wasn’t the right man for me, and I got out. I couldn’t understand how I could have been so mistaken, and the experience soured me on marriage. But I’ve always liked the idea of marriage–companionship for life, a sex partner for life, raising children and growing old together. My parents had that. So 15 years later I decided to try again, and we’re going on 10 years of marriage now.
With age, wisdom and experience maybe you can succeed where before you failed.
Website: http://www.conniebriscoe.com
RAWSISTAZ Literary Group was founded in 2000 to support and promote the work of African-American authors. The groups, on and offline, represent close to 600 readers, writers, aspiring writers, and others interested in literacy and the impact on our communities.
Connie, I love being able to see the “behind the scenes” view on why/how a book was created. Thanks so much for sharing with us and joining us for the book discussion today. Feel free to ask any questions you have as members will be stopping in throughout the day to join in!
-Tee
I just want to say hi Connie! Have fun in your chat today.
Hi, Carleen! Hello, everyone. As Tee mentioned, I’ll be checking here throughout the day and happy to answer any and all questions.
One question I do have, what do y’all think of sequels, where two or more books feature the same main characters and settings and continue the story line from one book to the next? They make it somewhat easier on the author since we don’t have to develop all new characters or settings. But what do readers think?
Well, I, errrr, ummm…don’t like sequels as much as I like stand-alone books or even books that are more like spin-offs. Oddly enough, I love prequels. I know, it sounds crazy. With sequels, I don’t like that most of them are not stand-alone, so by the time the actual book comes out, either I have to re-read the first book as there is normally a year or more in between them. (And in some cases, I never read the first book, so I feel like I have to read it in order to be caught up with the characters.)
I have read a few sequels where it wasn’t necessary to read the earlier books in the series, and I didn’t mind those as much.
-Tee
I don’t mind series or sequels. Sometimes I prefer reading a series to see what happens next. Are you thinking about continuing these characters stories?
Jaime L. Lincoln
I actually didn’t read Sister and Lovers (although I bought it, but wanted to read Sisters and Husbands first for this book chat!), and I still enjoyed Sisters and Husbands. I don’t feel like i have to go back to read Sisters and Lovers, or that I missed out on something in Sisters and Husbands. But in general I do like sequels, as long as they are done well and have a stand alone plot. I definitely like sequels (or maybe it’s spin-offs) for great characters in the first book who I want to learn more about.
I enjoy sequels if the story is different, makes sense or answer questions the author left up in the air and most important, that the author doesnt take so long to write that book that you forgot the questions..LOL
I like sequels sometimes like when they are needed to provide closure or when they can stand on their own but is written well enough for me to wanna read the book because I care not read it because I’m lose as heck.
I am not a fan of sequels unless there is a need to continue the story, i.e.
unresolved storyline, issues, etc. However, having said that, I’m a sucker for a good book so if the sequel is well-written, I’ll likely read and enjoy it. î”
I am not a big fan of sequels. Sometimes I discover the 2nd or 3rd book first and then have to go back and read the previous novels. That sometimes discourages me from reading the series all together. I am like Tee; I too like prequels. I Love a novel that can tell a story alone without the need for continuation. Although, if the first book is GREAT, I will read the next one(s) in the series.
Hi Connie..thank you for joining the chat. I love your P.G. County series. The characters were true to form. What inspired you to write those installments?
I don’t mind series as long as the next book is better than the first. Too many times I have reads sequels and they fell short…. weak plot, characters become unbelievable.
Connie,
First, thank you for taking the time to share with us today!! Before I read Sisters and Husbands, I read Sisters and Lovers first so I can get familiar with the characters. I understood and identified with Evelyn, Charmaine and Beverly in both books. They each had situations happening that I either experienced or know someone that has.
I have several questions about Sisters and Husbands. The Kevin and Valerie scenario, what influenced that? I didn’t trust Valerie in Sisters and Husbands which was a change in Sisters and Husbands, her behavior was questionable soon as I began reading. Kevin well what can I say? He’s a double standard if ever there was one. The man had the nerve to get upset with Evelyn because she took his advice and moved on. What’s up with that? When he made life changes without discussing it with his wife.
Jaime L. Lincoln
Hello Connie,
I enjoyed Sisters and Husbands too. I agree with Jamie, I didn’t trust Valerie either. I was wondering, why didn’t Beverly have any children after all of this time? Just wondering. I just couldn’t believe that happened. I like sequels if there is a need for one, like there’s unanswered questions or if the characters are so good that they need to be in another book.
RE: Sequels–
I understand the sentiment of not wanting to feel you have to read a prequel before the sequel! I always try to make it so that you don’t need to read a prequel before you read my sequels! Darn, I’m getting twisted just thinking about what I just wrote.
Anyway, I thought long and hard about writing a sequel to Sisters and Lovers. It was my first novel and I wanted to try other things–new characters, setting, etc. But 15 years later, after I’d written several other novels and a nonfiction book, I was still being asked what would have happened with Beverly, Charmaine and Evelyn after all these years? So I decided to go back and revisit them. They were so much fun the first time around and they launched my career as an author so they have a special place in my life and my heart.
As for PG County and Can’t Get Enough, I just loved the setting for that series since I live not far from the real PG County, where something interesting is alway going on. Believe it or not, the opening wedding scene in PG County really happened, or something very similar.
@Jaime, unfortunately there are too many Valerie types in the world, sisters who you really can’t trust with your man. And the scene with Kevin leaving Evelyn was inspired by the breakup of the real marriage of a close friend who came home from a shopping trip to find her husband of 20-something years packing to leave her.
Connie
So true and sad at the same time.
@Radiah, like a lot of women Beverly just didn’t have kids. I do know a few women like that. They didn’t want to have children unless they were married and since they didn’t get married they remained childless. And even though Beverly is getting up in years, she could still have kids with modern reproductive science being what it is or she could adopt.
This is very true. I know some women like that myself.
I am one of those women. When marriage and family happens it will happen, is what I always say.
I too know women who are waiting to be married to have children, I also know women who have said if I’m not married by a set date they have alternative plans, adoption or other means. I commend them all for their choices.
Just wanted to say I enjoyed Sisters and Husbands, as well as all your other books.
I know this is a discussion about Sisters and Husbands but can you tell us what you’re working on next?
@ Connie, I read Sisters and Lovers before Sisters and Husbands and I can truly say that you don’t need to read the first book before reading this one. Will we see these sisters in a future book?
@Radiah, I don’t have plans for anymore Sisters books at the moment. But I never say never! I’m working on something entirely different for the next one.
Connie, you touch on blended families in the book. Can you share why you added this theme? I only have my two children and can’t imagine how a stepchild would fit in the mix. Especially ones like those in the book.
And of the characters, who was your favorite to write? I can imagine you have closeness to the characters since they were your “first”.
-Tee
Tee I can’t speak for anyone else but for me a blended family has worked well. I grew up in one my oldest sister came into our family when I was 6 and my youngest sister was 3, my parents had 3 more children all knuckle head boys. The six of us had the best time growing up together. My parents were always hurt the most when someone made a negiative about my sister.
Love is the key to blended families, as a results of the love we were give an shown as children all six of us have blended families. There are no step-children , no my sister or brothers wife/husband children, they are my sons, daughters, nieces and nephews.
Children are sponges, the more love you show them the more they give, the more they given and receive as children the more they give as adults. With all due respect to everyone, if you can’t give and show a child love in my opinion you don’t love yourself very much.
As for children from a spouses previous relationship or marriage, how can you say you love and want to marry that lady/ man, and not love and accept their children.
Yes this is a subject near and dear to my heart, I am off my soap box.
I enjoyed your comment, Toni. This issue is near and dear to me as well.
I agree with what Evelyn had to say about what happened with Kevin and Valerie. That they wre both to blame, but Kevin was the one that was married and had responsiblitlies. So many times we’re ready to blame the other party, when the spouse is to blame to if not more. Was there an influence behind this as well?
Jaime L. Lincoln
@ Tee, I have real-life experience with blended families since my husband has children from past relationships. Although the events with Charmaine are fictional I will say that blending families takes work. And it’s far more common these days as more people remarry or marry late and already have children from previous relationships.
@Jaime, No, particular influence. However it does bother me when women place all or most of blame on the other woman and let the husband or boyfriend off the hook. He’s the one you should be most upset with since he’s the one who cheated on you, not the other woman.
In regards to Charmaine and Tyrone blending families. I wondered what would’ve happened if Charmaine spoke her mind when Tiffany visited the first time.
Connie, thank you so much for joining us today. I read both Sisters and Lovers, as well as Sisters and Husbands. I generally don’t care for sequels; as other members have mentioned, I don’t like to have to read all previous books in order to understand/enjoy a book. I did enjoy both of your books though! I think I identified with Charmaine more in this book because of the “mixed family” element. I don’t have any kids but dealing with my SO’s son, the son’s mother and how those dynamics can influence my home……..whew, I found myself looking forward to Charmaine’s dilemma.
Susan
Yes, Susan. Sometimes we go into these relationships with the best of intentions. But other parties don’t want to play nice. That’s when we learn the real meaning of the word “patience.”
Hello Connie. I read both Sisters and Lovers and Sisters and Husbands. I have to say that I enjoyed Sisters and Lovers more. The character of Charmaine is the one that I most related to; the joining of two families. I have had this experience from my mother and step-father and myself and hubby. It can be a hard thing.
Sisters and Husbands just didn’t hold my attention as much but that doesn’t mean I don’t think you did an awesome job.
LaDena
I love sequels and I have this thing that it I buy a book and it has a sequel I will get the first before I will read because I want to be familier with the characters. I bought Sisters and Lovers first now I am hearing I could have read it first but I did not so I am awaiting for Sisters and Husbands to be delivered before I will read the book…because I love your writing style when I read P.G. Country and Can’t Get Enough….
You can read Sisters and Lovers first if you already have it. But you don’t have to. Either way, I hope you enjoy them.
You offered a few hillarious moments in the book, too. Which I thought offered a balance to some of the more dramatic themes in the book. I fell out laughing when the cousin (please don’t laugh, I don’t remember his name) was talking about how religious his wife had become and insisted they pray after making love because they weren’t procreating. Or the time the time when Julian and Beverly broke the bed. Did you let your imagination run wild to offer some of the lighter scenes?
The praying scene was told to me by a friend it happened to. And let’s just say the bed scene is based on experience. Don’t ask me whose experience! LOL!
LOL!!!!!
Hello, Connie. I am going to get right to my point. I love the scene in Sisters & Husbands when Valerie was flirting with Kevin and everyone including Charmaine thinks it harmless until we know what happens after that. Why did you make Beverly insecurities almost ruined her chance of happiness with Julian? Do you think that Charmaine and Tyrone was wrong for taking sides against each other when it came to their children?
As I mentioned in the discussion at the top, Beverly’s insecurities about marriage are based on my own after my first marriage failed after less than a year. It really scared me. Although I was aware of my fears, lots of sisters have subconscious commitment phobias I think. They go from one man to the next and always find something wrong with them. Sometimes it’s about them making bad choices, but often I think they’re afraid to commit and don’t realize it.
Yes, Charm and Ty were definitely in the wrong. But they learned from their mistakes and that’s what’s important.
Okay everyone! Share one scene where you said “Oh no she didn’t!” LOL.
When Valerie had the nerve to try to make Beverly feel bad about being with Julian when Beverly came to confront Valerie about Kevin. I could not believe Valerie was even saying that, especially since Beverly asked Valerie if she was interested in Julian before she ever began anything with him. Valerie was a piece of work, one of those people who you can talk to until you are blue in the face, and they just won’t get it.
@Tee LOL! Let me see if I can get this right. It was the scene when Valerie was trying to explain to Beverly her reasoning for sleeping with Kevin. Also, when Beverly caught Kevin and Valerie.
The scene where Bev catches Kevin and Val making whoopee always gets a lot of laughs when I read it at book signings. I had mixed feeling writing it though. I was sad because Kevin was cheating but tried to insert a bit of humor to lighten things up.
The scene for me is when Valerie finally told Bevelry her true feelings about Julian. Then when asked by Bevelry if he knew, she got indigant and said talk to him. That deserved another slap across the face and another name to be called. LOL!!
Hello Connie,
I really enjoyed Sister’s & Husbands, as well as Sister’s & Lover’s.
I enjoy sequel’s it the characther development is good, meaning people are not just throw inbetween the pages to take up space.
I have to make sure, I don’t ask the same question. So I am going to read the previous posts.
I enjoyed Sisters and Lovers and Sisters and Husbands. Sisters and Husbands, captured all emotinons I cried, laughed, and said what the ##.; a few times.
Thank you for a wonderful read.
Are we breaking the server? LOL! My connection is really sluggish. I will come back a bit later though.
Hi from your former neighbor. Thanks for the invitation to this site. I don’t live in PG, as you well know and am more of a mystery fan…. but I need to keep up with your writing. Do I need to read them in order? Much Love and encouragement to you.
Oops computer acting up. I thought I was starting a new message.
Just wanted to say I enjoyed Sisters and Husbands, as well as all your other books.
I know this is a discussion about Sisters and Husbands but can you tell us what you’re working on next?
It’s about a woman who comes into a lot of money and it nearly destroys her. She has to learn the hard way that money doesn’t buy happiness. That’s all I want to say for now.
Thanks for sharing everyone and for all the great comments and questions! Thanks to Rawsistaz for putting this together.
Thanks for chatting with us today, Connie. I am a huge fan of your work, especially the PG County books. I enjoyed Sisters and Husbands, but I enjoyed Sisters and Lovers more. Your next novel sounds interesting. I look forward to reading it!
Hey Connie! I actually read the books in reverse order. They are both, as I suspected very well written. I actually like sequels but I would say 3 books in a series is about long enough. I always enjoy reading your books. The best thing about them is how well the story is woven together and the whole realness of each character. I swear that I know some women in my own life exactly like each of the women including poor Beverly. Keep up the excellent work! You’re one of my favs.