LaConnie Taylor-Jones

A few weeks ago, one of my readers e-mailed me. Her query was simple: how do you create the characters in your stories? That’s a simple question, right? Well for me, it’s a little more complex than simply creating a character. My goal as an author is to create characters readers will love!

Here’s the analogy I go through each and every time I sit down to develop the characters in my stories:

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My response has been and will continue to be the same. Why not?

I love romance! Plain and simple. Based on the 2006 report from Simba Information, revenue from romance fiction was estimated at 1.37 billion dollars. With the exception of religion/inspirational books, romance fiction outsold every market category with a whopping twenty-six percent. So, there are a lot of authors and readers who love my addiction to the genre, too.

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Have you ever wondered how a novel ends up on the big screen? Well, I asked myself this very question over the winter break when I took my daughter to see New Moon, the second book from the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer.

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If a Gallup Poll was conducted today and people were asked to define the term romance, an overwhelming percentage would say it’s the collection of love stories, the genre. Although the term has several meanings, there’s one other definition I’d like to put on the table—the spirit of adventure.

Aaah…the spirit of adventure! Are you ignoring the still, soft voice of your inner spirits? You know the one, the voice that begs and challenges you to escape the comfort zone you’re in and strive for higher ground. None of else, and especially authors should ever permit the walls of complacency to close in around them.

Perhaps you’re at a crossroad in life, contemplating a new path. Even though circumstances are aligning in perfect sync in order to go in that new direction, you fail to seize the opportunity. Why?

I don’t believe any industry is as daunting as the world of publishing. Every day, authors are faced with decisions ranging from penning in a different genre to changing agents or publishing houses. Instead of embracing modification, they hide behind the shield of same-old, same-old. Why?

Maybe, just maybe the ability to embrace our romance, the spirit of adventure is because we fear change.

Let’s face it people, change is the most difficult concept for human beings to accept. It’s even more difficult for writers. Whether the reluctance to engage in our romance is due to procrastination, lack of effort, or fear of the unknown, those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities just might pass us by. Then we’re left to ponder the proverbial, ‘what if’.

I’m not a ‘what if’ individual—never have been. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve delved into some romances in my lifetime that have straight up bombed! Rather than dwell on my lack of success, I focused on the lessons learned, the experience gained. There are some things in life only our romance can teach us.

What romance lies dormant inside of you?

It took twelve months to complete the first draft of my manuscript. Five revisions and six months later, those three hundred and ten pages circled through the literary community in search of a home. Days turned into weeks and before long, twelve months had come and gone. My manuscript was still homeless. Finally, I received ‘the call’ in the fall of ’06 and thought I’d won the battle, right? Aah!!

The war hadn’t begun, yet.

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Here we go…again!

It appears yet another tell-all book is slated for our reading pleasure with the January 2010 release of “Game Change” by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. Of course, this comes on the heels of Sarah Palin’s December 2009 “Going Rouge”.

Haven’t enough of these books landed on bookstore shelves? Remember when Scott McClellan dropped an atomic bomb on the world with his version of the White House under George W. Bush? And who can forget Barbara Walters recap of her ‘secret’ split-the-sheet sessions with former Senator Ed Brooks. Of course, Star Jones got busted in the process and fired back. Mind you, some of her anger was really directed at Al, who hinted his side of the story is on the way.

Folks maybe it’s me, but does it seem as though the publishing industry has become inundated with celebrities or wanna-be spot lighters coming from underneath every rock to share their stories? Not only do they land multi-million dollar advances, they’re on the television circuit before the book lands on the shelves, which by the way easily finds its way to the top of the NYT Bestsellers List.

Stay with me, people. It gets even better.

These books are published by the same publishers who’ve recently reported record losses resulting in staff reductions, moratoriums on manuscript acquisitions, and cuts to author advances and print-runs, or all of the above. If things are so bad in the industry, how is it they can cough up seven figures for three hundred pages of ‘he said, she said’, sponsor lavish events for their sales force, but send me and you a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ form letter for a potentially quality manuscript?

Somebody please tell me I’ve got this picture twisted!

Until next time – stay well and be blessed.

Imagine the struggles of those early pioneers in African American literature. Whether they penned fiction or non-fiction, the manuscripts they’d poured their heart and soul into was ready for the world to read. The only way this would happen was through publication. Led by courage and on the wings of faith, they strolled proudly toward the literary door. Many knocked long and hard, while others no doubt had to kick. Finally, entrance was granted. Fast forward to now. Every African American writer whether self-published or under contract with a traditional publisher should remember the struggle in celebration, not complacency. Although African American authors have come a long way, we still have a long way to go.

Until 2003, my link to the literary world was that of reader. However, in 2007, after the publication of my debut novel, When I’m With You, I see things from an entirely different perspective. While the struggles from yesteryear may have lessened, African American authors are still faced with challenges, nonetheless.

My last statement doesn’t come from what someone told me, but from personal experience. Three and a half years ago when I knocked on those same doors, I stood firm in the belief that the story burning deep in my spirit was worthy of publication. The most defining moment on my literary journey came when someone behind the desk said, “We don’t think readers would be interested in reading this story.” Okay, another rejection, which I was use to by now. Thankfully, I was able to ask why not and got an answer. “Well, it touches on issues black readers aren’t used to reading.” Whoa Nellie!! Yes, folks, that’s when I discovered that stories written by African American authors are categorized and scrutinized to a large degree based on profitability. But for me, the deeper implication was that either Black folks won’t read outside of what has already been published or they don’t read, period.

Sorry to disappoint you America, but Black folks read!! While African Americans make-up only 13 % of the total U.S. population their buying power is incredibly strong. Annually, nearly three hundred million of our dollars are spent on books. That single incident coupled with trying to find an editor who didn’t view the story through “colored glasses” made me even more determined to continue on the path of getting my story on store shelves.

Today, African American authors enjoy the benefit of better advances and royalties (although there still isn’t parity with white writers), savvy marketing plans, and effective book tours. Despite all of this, challenges remain. While I can’t speak for others, I’m resolved to continue the struggle of those who came before me. After all, our forefathers endured immense suffering and many died just for the chance to learn how to read. And authors before me were deprived of the opportunities I now enjoy. I owe them that much.

But how? Thanks for asking!

I must embrace the commitment and preparation needed to continually do the one thing that will keep me in the published world—write the stories of the heart. Of all the challenges I face as an author who happens to be African American, coupled with all the other components that shape the literary world; this is the only element I have complete autonomy over.

Okay, I realize I’m twenty-one days early, but it’s never too early for this topic to come up on the radar screen. Think about it, at the start of each New Year, we sit down with pencil and paper in front of us, gung ho to come up with a laundry list of resolutions. Oftentimes, before the thirty-one days in the month of January are over, our resolutions are forgotten and blowing two winds south of the Bermuda Triangle.

Well, my New Year’s resolution is not to come up with any resolutions especially when it some to my career as an author. Time out for the meaningless promises to writing X number of pages a day or Y number of chapters per week. Authors, it’s time for us to get serious, if we’re going to sustain our careers. The launch parties are over. The giddiness that bubbled inside of us when we held our debut novels in our hands for the first time is gone. We’ve made too many investments and sacrifices to get to where we are to turn back now.

So, this year instead of writing resolutions, I’ve opted to set writing goals. I discovered ‘SMART’, a goal setting technique in my profession a few years back. I plan to implement it to achieve my literary goals.

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Now tell me, what are your literary goals for the New Year?

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

Yep, there are four two-legged humans residing in my house. And I’ll answer the question before you ask. Yes, I was insane. A surge of maternal hormones overruled what little intelligence I possessed. While most Americans had the good sense to stop at two-point five kids, I felt it was my patriotic duty to contribute to the national average.

No, seriously, my four munchkins are my greatest accomplishment and most cherished asset. In a lot of ways, I’ve learned as much from them, as hopefully, they’re learning from me. There weren’t any books to purchase or courses I could enroll in that could truly prepare me for the role of parenthood. All I had was the desire to become the best doggone parent possible. My job is to provide my children with guidance, wisdom, and unconditional love, so that they can one day become independent, and survive in this world. So, with four distinct personalities to manage, I find that my parental beliefs never change, but the way I parent each child does.

Of my three boys, my youngest is the most sensitive. I’m always careful to maintain a calm, steady voice with him, unless I want a flood of tears to follow. On the other hand, that nine-year old she-devil, masquerading as my daughter can work my last good nerve. On more than one occasion, I’ve contemplated running away from home. The other two fall somewhere in between.

My leap into the literary arena was much like my jump into parenthood. I had zero writing talent, but a deep rooted passion for the romance genre. My desire was simple: write the best story possible. And I find that my approach to writing is similar to the way I parent. Each of my stories is different as well as the characters. In a lot of ways, I’m the parent to my stories. After all, I birthed them and my job is to nurture, give complete and undivided attention, and work to ensure they mature so they can one day leave the nest to find a new home called a bookshelf.

Yesterday, I got the revisions for my upcoming release from my editor. She’s a wonderful editor and has challenged me to make a good story better. Folks, I’ve got some work to do! After reading her comments, I was drained and stressed to the max. I shut off the computer for an extend break and said to myself, “I can’t do this!” Then, I thought back on the day my first child was born. As soon as the nurse wheeled him inside my room, I heard a soft grunt. His face was twisted slightly and his shoulders hunched a bit. He was in the middle of his first poop. Panic set in big time because I’d never changed a diaper in my life! When he finished, he looked at me like, “Well, Mom.” Maternal instinct took over. Even though he ended up with a crooked Pamper, his bottom was clean and dry, and I hadn’t been transferred to the psych ward. We made it through, together.

After reminiscing on that event, I decided my revisions were similar to my crooked diaper experience. My story needs me to get it from infancy to adulthood.

I’m the parenting author.

FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Edith Motte Young - an accomplished pianist from North Carolina, Ms. Young was the first Recording Secretary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Alpha Chapter. Upon graduation from Howard University, she moved to Youngstown, Ohio. Later, Mrs. Young taught at Claflin College in Orangeburg, South Carolina and went on to receive her M.A. Degree in Biblical Literature from Oberlin College in Ohio.

Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy
Dr. Betty Shabazz’s Delta Academy (“Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Women for the 21st Century”) is designed for girls ages 11 to 14, who have an interest in developing leadership skills. The program is named in honor of sorority member, the late Dr. Betty Shabazz, wife of Malcolm X.

Participants of this program demonstrate potential for success, but may not have support systems or access to financial resources. The program exposes girls to math, science, technology, and non-traditional careers. The Delta Academy sessions may also include service learning activities, field trips and book clubs. The Delta Academy’s symbol is the dream catcher, which is a Native American culture and symbolizes the power to capture bad dreams and entangle them into a web. Thus, the good dreams pass through the dream hoop’s center into the person.

Born Betty Dean Sanders (May 28, 1936 – June 23, 1997), in Detroit, Michigan, Soror Shabazz was an adopted child and grew up in a fairly sheltered, middle-class household. Her early social life consisted of the local Methodist church with her parents on Sundays, parties on some Saturday nights with church friends, and movies on Fridays. After graduating from high school, she attended Tuskegee Institute and encountered her first racial hostilities, which she didn’t understand, and her parents refused to acknowledge. “They thought [the problems] were my fault,” Soror Shabazz later wrote in an autobiographical portrait printed in Essence magazine. After two years in Alabama, she moved to New York City to attend nursing school at Brooklyn State Hospital.

After the death of her husband, Malcolm X, Soror Shabazz raised and educated her daughters, but still managed to further her education. Between 1970 and 1975, she completed a master’s degree in public health administration and received a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In 1976, she joined the faculty of Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn as associate professor of health administration. Shortly thereafter, she became director of the school’s Department of Communications and Public Relations.

~ ~ ~

Sisterhood is the essence of all the wisdom of the ages,
Distilled into a single word.
You cannot see sisterhood,
Neither can you hear it nor taste it
But you can feel it a hundred times a day.

It is a pat on the back,
A smile of encouragement,
It’s someone to share with,
To celebrate your achievements.

What is a sister?
She is your mirror shining back at you with a world of possibilities
She is your witness who sees you at your worst and best
And love you anyway.
She is your midnight companion,
Someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.

If you should feel sorrow or pain,
She will share it with you,
If you should feel happiness or joy
She will rejoice
Every tear that you weep,
She shall catch
Every smile that you smile,
Will lighten her load,
And traveling at the speed of light,
Will return to you threefold.

We are joined through sisterhood.
As generations of women gone before,
We are as individual as the sun and moon,
But tempered of the same fire – The Torch of Wisdom
Therefore we are as one.

Our power is in our strengths combines,
We are Delta Women.

By Soror Darrylyn Swift