The Official Website for the author who wrote The Magic and the Mayhem
In The Magic and the Mayhem every one of John’s children is different. For those of us who have raised a child we know that just one child is capable of demonstrating each of his kids’ behaviors, sometimes all in one day.
Cecelia is the “spoiled” one. She has been raised with all [...]
My next book is called Frank Lee. It is loosely based on the lives of my parents. My mother was born in South Carolina but raised in Harlem, New York and my father was born in North Carolina and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My mother is interracial, her African-American mother and her white father never [...]
At a recent book signing someone asked me what my motivations were to write. When I responded in general about where my writing impulses come from she shook her head and rephrased the question. She wanted to know why I wrote this book.
A lot of things inspire writers to write. I [...]
John Drake, the main character in my book, The Magic and the Mayhem, is what I’d call a loose man. For years he’s been a proud baller and shot caller who handles women like a juggler trains balls to stay in the air. He’s one of those men who knows he probably has children but [...]
For an author reviewing a post published work it can be nerve racking rethinking certain parts of the story for which I could have elaborated more. For instance, the Elizabeth Oliver (Betts) character in The Magic and the Mayhem is a single parent by choice. I wonder what her motivations were to have a child [...]
This blog is dedicated to my writing and will hopefully give other first time novelists an opportunity to learn from my journey. I try to write every day. My first (writer's) draft is written without any thoughts as to where the story is going. After the initial twenty pages or so I put together an outline because the characters really do take on a life of their own, and it takes a certain measure of discipline to remind these "made up characters" that you're the boss. Following an outline allows your story to have a fluid beginning, middle, and end. Without an outline and a dedicated resolve to follow it the story will be scattered and may never find its end. I usually read through a chapter ten or more times before I'm satisfied enough to move on to the next one. I never let anyone read my novel until its ready to go to the editor. I chose to self publish The Magic and the Mayhem using www.lulu.com. Self publishing gives authors a tangible product so they can introduce their work to the world, get feedback, and strengthen their skills. Some people think its cheating and that it somehow invalidates an author's work but the more traditional publishing houses are virtually impossible to gain admittance to. It's obviously not impossible but getting into the game is like hitting the lottery. I recommend self publishing along with routinely submitting your work to reputable publishers but while you're waiting, keep writing!