| When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
When the first person told me they loved my book, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I have always enjoyed expression. I have always been a creative person. Whether it was through my love for writing music or just writing in my journal. I have always thought of what I do as just my way of expressing what I was seeing or feeling at that given moment. When I started writing THERE WAS A SPIRIT, I never thought of it as my debut as a writer. I think this experience has been an example of a person seeking
her passion not realizing it was something she’s done naturally all
her life. Now that I have taken the step to share that gift with the masses, I know I want to be a “writer”.
THERE WAS A SPIRIT is a moving novel. What was your initial spark to write it?
It is essential to mention that initially there was a co-author of THERE WAS A SPIRIT by the name of Karen E. Hodge. Karen and I started writing the story of Najwa Jackson and Omega Pi Alpha after talking about the fact that we had yet to see
a fiction novel that depicted sorority and fraternity life fully. Pancreatic Cancer claimed Karen’s earthly life in the early stages of writing this book. However, before she passed I promised her that the book would be completed. Equipped with my own personal experience, I wanted to tell a side of Black Greek Life that had not been told. Black Greek-Lettered Sororities and Fraternities have a wealth of untold stories of social justice. They have had a huge impact on many of the lives in our communities. I felt it was time to depict those stories in fiction.
For those who may not know, what is THERE WAS A SPIRIT about?
THERE WAS A SPIRIT is the first installment in a sorority series. It takes the first look into the life of an African American college student, Najwa K. Jackson, and a year of her experience in her sorority. Najwa is a member of a Black Greek-lettered organization during a time in our history where it was not necessarily the “Black” thing to do. During the year she not only has to uphold her image as a strong, conscious Black woman, but she must uphold what she believes to be the principles of her sorority. The chain of events that occur during her senior year changes the atmosphere of the entire campus forever. The readers will find a little of suspense and romance in THERE WAS A SPIRIT. I think it will be a refreshing and different look at fiction.
What themes would you say are found in THERE WAS A SPIRIT?
The most obvious theme that is found in THERE WAS A SPIRIT is sisterhood, self consciousness and even love. However, there is an underlying theme of deception on many levels. I think the catch phrase used on my bookmarks illustrates that theme: “Every event in history has a story…and then there is the truth.”
If there was one thing you wanted readers to get out of the novel, what would it be?
There are several things I want readers to get from THERE WAS A SPIRIT. However, the most important would have to be the fact that there is always more to a story than what meets the eye. Search for the truth. Expose the truth.
Who inspires you as a writer?
I am inspired by Toni Morrison the most. Primarily because her books are a challenge. Toni is always able to find an intriguing and different way to tell a basic story. Each time I read her books I am amazed at the way she is able to so vividly describe her characters, their surroundings, their past and their future. Many people I talk to think her writing is too complicated or intentionally intimidating to the reader. But I believe that when you have complex yet vivid thoughts it takes the same kind of writing abilities to capture it in words. She has mastered that. I don’t pattern my style after her. Instead, I strive to master the art of describing my thoughts as vividly and creatively as I see them.
From your website, I gather future books of yours will take on the “real life” fiction vibe as THERE WAS A SPIRIT. Will future books be “inspired” by real life people and events?
Future books that I write will definitely have that “real life” feel to them. I am a huge history buff and I capture that in my writing. Our history as a people inspires who we are in real life. I believe that the world I paint for my characters should be true-to-life so that the reader is even more drawn to the experiences. I think it also lends an edge in believability for the readers. I did a tremendous amount of research about the era in order to capture a true to life story. THERE WAS A SPIRIT was set in 1973-74. The next book is a continuation of the story of Najwa Jackson, but it picks up about six years later in 1981. In a way, I feel as if I have in my mind what these characters are doing today. I am merely taking you back to the beginning and painting the scene of a much bigger picture.
What projects are you working on now? Any conferences or book signings in the near future?
Currently, I am working on a number of literary projects. The first and most important is the next novel in the THERE WAS A SPIRIT series. There are also a couple of literary projects by other authors that I am considering publishing.
I have several conferences lined up over the summer and through the fall. I am a featured author in the Literary Café at the Delta Sigma Theta Midwest Regional Conference. I will also be attending the R.A.W. Sistaz Affair 2005 in Atlanta as a featured author. I have other signings scheduled for Milwaukee, Cleveland and a few other Midwest cities. If your readers would like to find out where I will be, they can do so by visiting my website
www.knoellepublishing.com. I invite everyone to come out and meet me. I am looking forward to getting out and meeting the readers!
In closing, I would like to thank you for this interview opportunity. Each and every time someone expresses interest or compliments my book I am humbled. Thank you for your wonderful service and I hope that
all readers are inspired to light that creative spark within them. |
