I'm not saying - I'm just saying...

So, I see on Zane's myspace page she wanted feedback on what people thought about authors writing outside of their genre.

She was basically referring to writers who have crossed over into her territory - let's call it the sexy side of literature....

But it seems to me that she as well as her posters were under the misconception that the authors were pressured by their publishers to do so. And furthermore, it was mentioned that none of the posters would bow to such pressures - Zane herself stated that "Hell would have to freeze over" before she'd be forced my a publisher to make any changes to her writing style or content -- **I'm paraphrasing here**

What I did not find were posts that suggested the fact that maybe - just maybe authors have minds of their own and chose (without pressure) to write in another genre. Maybe these are multi-talented people that can write effectively and successfully under numerous genres....I'm just saying -- maybe the change has everything to do with pressure and nothing to do with pressure. Maybe it has everything to do with money and nothing to do with money??

How many eyebrows were raised when Mosley started writing Science Fiction or when Donna Hill went from romance to mainstream? Did we claim pressure then?

I'm just saying since when did a genre become a holding cell?

Me personally, I applaud everyone! It might not be my cup of tea - but it doesn't have to be for me to support them in their endeavors. I like to see people get ahead - I like to know that people are doing their thing - no matter what that thing is -- even if it happens to cross genres.........

Dang -- yeah, again

Okay I know - I suck!

How can I neglect this blog for so long? Here it is December and nothing since August!


A'ight already -- I promise to be better in 2007 and besides, I have a new book coming out in 2007!

Stay tuned for the cover -- it's hot!

In the meantime, my good friend and author, Bernice L. McFadden's novel,

Nowhere is a Place

, has been chosen as one of the best fiction titles of 2006 by the The Washington Post!

If you haven't already read it, you should...shit, you might learn something...I sure did!

Dang!

I can't believe the entire summer has gone by without a word from me!
Well let's see --- Ill catch you up. My sister got married on the island of St. John, My daughter graduated High School -- we just had a slamming going away party for her and we hit the road for college on the first. I will offically be an empty nester.
So I joined e-harmony - hey I'm not ashamed to admit it! I need some help - I don't get out as much as I use to and my favorite NY spot "Lola's" has not yet re-opened - sooooo...I say, why not. And if nothing comes of it - at least will have some interesting material for my next novel, right?
It's been a week and I have yet to be matched with someone - does that mean that I am unmatchable??? :)
I'll keep you all posted!

Crossing the water and returning to SHIT...only me

So, I spent a few days in Caribbean getting my tan on amongst other things...(smile)
I also got my read on and was able to finish a lovely and engrossing tale by Christopher Wilson, entitled: COTTON



The story was nothing like I'd ever read before and I would love to discuss it here on my blog. My thought is that this White British author really "gets" us Black folk. All I have to say is the phrase, "The Chosen People," kept coming to mind throught my reading of the story.

I also finished the small paperback copy of Annie Prouix's Brokeback Mountain
I really loved this story. I'd recently watched the dvd release of the movie and was very moved. I was surprised, after reading the story that Hollywood remained true to the story -- which is very powerful.

I started and half we through the History of Love
by Nicole Krauss. This is a very beautifuly written story -- even though I have no idea where she's going with it yet, but know that I will keep you posted on the outcome.

So to say the least, I had a wonderful time with my books, my friends, my rum punch..the sea, the sun and the sand. I've heard it said that if you are torubled by something, travel across the water and on your return those troubles will have either disappeared all together or just seem insignificant. Which was the case until I climbed the stone steps of my home and stepped in shit.

Yes, shit! A nice little pile of designer/toy dog poop! Left with love (spite) on my welcome mat.....

Let me say this, jealousy is a terrible thing. Hate is even worse...I've got a neighbor that harbors both of those traits -- hence, the dog shit.

But alas, I will not allow this to ruffle my feathers.....life goes on and Karma is a hell of a bitch.....hmmmm.

Oh and some of you out there will be tickled to hear that leaving the country I sat next to yet another BALL SCRATCHER! Maybe it's me? I dunno.

Where did the Month go?... and Booksigning Photos

Yes, I know. I've been working so hard on HEAT - that I've neglected this blog. But HEAT is finally finished and I have to say.....it's HOT!

Anyway, I'm finally going to sneak away for a few days. Well I deserve it don't I???

I plan on taking in lot's of sea, sand, sun and well that other "thang" that naturally goes along with an island vacation.....hehehehe!

In the meantime, check out these photos from my booksigning event at Black Images Book Bazaar in Dallas, Texas. The first picture of me and the owner Ms. Emma Rodgers!

The pictures are courtesy of photographer Mr. Alfred L. Long III who can be reached at: dallasdigitalphotographer@yahoo.com

I know what I said...but....

I know I said I would be posting while I was on tour -- but, I fell off. Hey, it happens. Besides, I was so busy -- and by the time I arrived at my hotel at night -- in a different city mind you....all I had strength enough to do was shower and fall into bed.

So let me give you the brief run down...I visited Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and St. Louis.

The turn out at the Shrine in Atlanta was very intimate...we had a round circle, great conversation and plenty of laughs..thanks guys!

Ms. Emma Rodgers of Black Images bookstore in Dallas, always does it up right. Fellow wordsmiths Vincent Alexandria and Victor McGlothin came out to support me, which of course helped to make my venue extra special.

Now ya'll know, I love to travel and having been in the travel business for so many years, I'm always excited to stumble upon a property that is unique. In Houston I stayed at the The Icon Hotel -- it has a Louisiana feel to it. I loved this small boutique property!

I signed at the Shrine in Houston, again another "intimate" affair....but wonderful!

My final stop was St. Louis, where after my event I was able to hook up with a long time supporter and friend, Evan Hilliard...the brother is a very talented poet and I'm sure in no time he'll be taking the spoken word scene by storm. Please visit his blog: Copasetic Soul

Also, I was interviewed by the awesome Lizz Brown...look out for this radio personality.....she'll be going national in a minute.

For the next week or so I will be working....yeah, I'm behind on the next novel, but don't fret...I'm back home and focused....and ready to throw myself into the final installment of the GROOVE series...did I mention the title?

HEAT.............

Ahhhh sookie-sookie now!

Atlanta what the F%@K!!!????

Well I'm writing to you from Hotlanta -- NOT -- It's freaking freezing here!! And foolish me only came with open-toed shoes! And I kid you not, 'round about five o'clock it started to hail....!

So this is the first leg of the FEVER tour and I've gotta tell u that it's starting off on a very interesting foot.

I came down from New York on Delta - First class dontchaknow! The man sitting next to me was traveling with his dog, who he kept checking on like a new mother with an infant -- now I like dogs - really I do -- but come on now -- you take away my right to cigarette and now I have to share first class with a canine???

Anyway, in between him checking on his "pooch" and reading his Balducci paperback - he kept scratching his balls! I swear on my mother -- I ain't telling no lie.

Chronic ball itching! For nearly two hours this man scratched and scratched and scratched -- he scratched so much I starting scratching. Is it catching? I mumbled...he of course was not amused.

So I get to my hotel, The Westin in Buckhead - and what a surprise to me -- the entire hotel is NON-SMOKING!

This is the south -- tobacco land and I can't light up in my hotel room??? You know I was fit to be tied. So I smiled sweetly at the front desk person-- well its not her fault - and I hope she takes the news calmly when she finds out she won't be getting her yearly increase because the hotel has lost thirty percent of their clientele -- meaning the heaving puffing Europeans and Asians....

Anyway, I mozied on over to the Lenox Sqaure Mall -- lawd, you Atlanta chicks ain't nothing to fool with, huh? You believe in your hair, nails and shoes.....the women here are slick! And there I was, in my flip-flops and capri's trying my damnedest to hold my gut in!

I passed this one young woman in a BeBe outfit -- which was basically - and I'm not speaking in hyperbole here -- a pair of bikini briefs and bra top -- red of course, with her ten inch heels -- mine you the child wasn't no bigger than a size two - but still............

I left there and went to this seafood restaurant - I figured I'd sit outside and have a glass of wine along with some fish and chips. Humph! The cod must have been a year old -- I've never had fish so tough in my life -- isn't cod flaky? This was like chewing on a rubber tire....

I'm ranting, I know....but I've got to flush somewhere...and this is MY blog.

So here I sit, waiting for my dinner -- seared tuna w/veggies -- my day starts early tomorrow so I'm going to hit the treadmill and sauna in the morning. I will blog when I get to Dallas tomorrow night and let you know how the Atlanta signing went.

Thanks for letting me bend your ear.

Nite - nite