Haute Off The Press
She gracefully enters the room wearing all black. I know she has arrived because loud cheers and “Oh my gosh it’s her” fills the room. I wait anxiously as she stops to speak with each person along her path. Instead of shaking hands she offers me a hug and I immediately feel her energy and passion. She sits with excellent posture, hair pulled back into a loose bun and we joke about this Atlanta weather. Who is this New York Times best selling author that has published 15 novels, received numerous honors/awards and remains connected to her readers and the community? She is Kimberla Lawson Roby.
Sareena Beasley(SB): How were your holidays?
KLR: It was wonderful! Each December, I am really focused on preparing for the next Reverend Curtis Black novel. I will admit that sometimes I sneak in a little work (laughing), but I make sure to spend the actual holidays with my family, and we truly had a great time.
SB: Best moment of 2010?
KLR: I have always had interest in obtioning the film rights to Casting The First Stone- which is the first installment in the Revered Curtis Black series, and it finally happen in November.
(we give each other a high five) Yes, I am so excited. The rights for One In A Million have been optioned since 2008, so I'm happy about that as well.With the Curtis series, I have so many readers asking me when they will see him on the big screen or in a television series, so I am glad to have been given the title of executive producer for this particular project.
SB: When did you realize that you could turn writing into a career?
KLR: When I was 30. I had been working in marketing, human resources and other fields in Illinois, where I live. I just always felt that there was something else that I should be doing. Honestly, I didn’t know what it was, but writing was always of interest to me, and I knew if I really wanted to make this change then I had to have a plan. Writing felt natural to me. I reflected back to my beginnings- elementary school, high school, professors in college who would say that I should consider a career in writing. Early on, I didn’t pay a lot of attention to these remarks especially in high school as I compared the salaries of writers and thought, “Oh no no no that’s not gonna happen.” I wanted a successful career, to make some money, and business seemed to be the path that would lead me there. I look back now and tell students not to let money be their driving force. Figure out what your passion and purpose in life is and if you do what you are supposed to do then the money will follow. So I continued to work and started writing every weekend, holiday and free moment that I could. Research in the field also played a major key. Learning more about those that turned writing into a successful career was amazing, and I knew that it was possible.
SB: You were apart of the corporate world for some time but made the transition into writing- How has having a business degree benefited your success to date?
KLR: It has been a huge help. When I first started, I received so many rejection letters from agents and publishers. My husband encouraged me to use my business degree and start my own company and make it work for me. My mom encouraged me not to give up because the copies of my manuscript that were being read by readers locally were getting really good reviews. So that made all the difference- I became self published and within 6 months I had sold over 10,000 copies. With that business degree, I was able to create a business and marketing plan and really focus on my niche audience. I really don’t think I would have been able to do this as easily without my business experience in the work force. Even to this day, I am completely hands on. Writing is a big part, but I also create the buzz/marketing efforts to go along with it. Another key part has been connecting with my readers and learning how to reach new ones.
SB: If you could do it all over again would you have started writing earlier?
KLR: I've thought about it. I remember talking to my mom early on in my writing career about how I should have majored in journalism and focused more on a writing major. I wondered if that would have made it so much easier and would have maybe encouraged me to start in my early twenties. I never forgot her reply. She said, “Yes, all this is true, but you really hadn’t experienced anything in life just yet, so what were you going to write about? I think you have started exactly when you were supposed to." I thought, wow mom that is a really good point. So now the answer to that question is no, I’m glad that I started when I did.
SB: You often speak about your mother and how much she has inspired you. Tell me about her?
KLR: This November will be 11 years since she has passed away. She was the type of mother who always told me that I could do anything. Sometimes I would catch myself saying I don’t really think I’m that good at this and she would say, “Yes you are, and you are just as good as anyone else.” Deep down I knew that she had to know there were some things that I couldn't do, but her motivation inspired me to want to try. She taught me such strong moral values and to always treat people the way I wanted to be treated. I know for sure she has been right about that.
SB: What is the first thing you do when you are preparing to write?
KLR: My inspiration comes from my readers and their feedback. There is nothing better than what I am doing right now. Being out on a national book tour, traveling from city to city and creating these interactions. Of course, you are always your own worst critic, and when I’m writing I am constantly thinking, "Is this good enough?" So, when I get my readers' feedback that encourages me to write the next novel. Facebook has done more wonders than ever. Sometimes when I’m actually on my page, I can read reader's replies and react in real time to what they are saying. So it’s amazing what my readers do for me and how much they inspire each novel that I write.
SB: When confronted with writer’s block how do you break out of it?
KLR: Well, for me I outline the first half of the book before I even begin writing, so I pretty much know every chapter at least 50% of the way. Sometimes it changes because the characters really do take on a life of their own, so I may not have planned for everything that will happen. When it comes to actual writer's block in general, I really don't experience that. I just keep writing until I get to the last quarter of the book when I am preparing to end it and trying to figure out how that will happen. There are times when I literally have to walk away from it, and it may take 2-3 days before I complete the ending. Sometimes, I’m in prayer, asking God for the direction that it should be going in. Also, it is always my hope that my books will benefit someone and that there is a lesson learned. So after praying and going about my daily routine, the ending will suddenly come to me.
SB: Which character would you say you relate to the most in Love, Honor, and Betray and why?
KLR: I would say Curtis’s and Charlotte's son Matthew. Though he is only 17 and a junior in high school, I can relate to him because his actions remind me of my mother’s teachings. He is the one character in the book who always treats people the way he would want to be treated. He truly believes in doing the right thing and has a really great heart.
SB: What do you say to the criticism of implementing such controversial topics into your work?
KLR: Well, you know the interesting thing is that when I am talking about corruption and specifically in the church you expect people to say why are you exposing this dirty laundry which has always been kind of hush hush. But honestly, that has never really happen. I have had pastors' wives approach me at events and say, “thank you for writing my story and for saying what I can’t say. Thank you for letting members of congregations know that you only see us on Sunday morning without having any realization of what we are going through the other 6 days of the week.” So I have appreciated this feedback. The Revered Curtis Black series is similar to real-life scenarios taking place in so many cities in the country. I did know what was going on in Illinois, but I don’t think I fully had an understanding of what was happening so many other places until after I heard from readers. So that has been very interesting.
SB: You present a constant theme of relationships throughout your novels. How do you feel men and women are relating to each other today? How can they find a deeper connection?
KLR: I think that parts of the reason that Curtis has had issues with his current and past wives is because there is a huge lack of communication. That is what is lacking in so many relationships today, and it is usually one of the main reasons people can’t get along and things don’t work out. They are not listening and don’t know each other very well. It's best to talk about your issues or problems then and there and not wait until later. It’s not healthy to go to sleep angry… then you wake up angry and the cycle continues. Honesty is another huge necessity and making each other laugh. I recently celebrated 20 years of marriage with my husband September 2010. Just this past Thanksgiving I was reflecting over our relationship, and I can honestly say that he still makes me laugh to this day. We let each other know how important we are to each other and never take that for granted, plus we are best friends. My husband has always said that we can’t let anyone inside of our circle and that includes family.
SB: What advice would you give a young woman that is looking for Mr. Right?
KLR: Always remember how important you are next to God. Know that you are worthy and you should be treated well. The signs are always there early on in a relationship so don’t ignore them. If you think it’s not that bad in the beginning it will be ten times worse later on. You have to respect yourself so when that good man comes along he will automatically have respect for you, too.
SB: In 3 words, what do you want your readers to gain from Love, Honor, and Betray?
KLR: Love, Honesty and Forgiveness. Those 3 things are extremely important in a relationship and in a marriage. Even when times are tough you still need those 3 things.
SB: Fill in the blank: There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t____________
KLR: Thank God for every single thing that he has done, what he is doing and what I know he is going to do in the future. I’m constantly working on my own relationship with God which has helped me personally and professionally.
SB: Your favorite quote/bible verse that keeps you motivated and could keep us all in a good space?
KLR: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Kimberla Lawson Roby is proving that stepping out on faith to pursue your passion and make a profit is possible. Her 15th novel Love, Honor, and Betray is taking the world by storm.Visit www.kimroby.com for an exclusive excerpt from the novel and a complete list of cities she will be visiting.
This article should not be copied or transcribed in any way without the written consent of the writer(Sareena Beasley ofT-3Concepts)
1 comments:
Kimberla is an amazing author and I have enjoyed reading her work. Please choose me to win Love, Honor, and Betray.
-T-
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