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CR: Jade's presence in the novel was very important. Some male heterosexual readers began to question Porter's sexuality as well because they said they'd never hang around a man who they knew were gay. In my opinion, an attitude, such as that one is the reason many of our black men are "On The Down Low". I try to keep my personal opinions away from the subject of sexual preference, but I will say that black men who are in the closet and messing around with both men and women need to come out and be straight with themselves and their partners. There is no honor in being deceitful. It's time to stop lying
NSBC: The other main character, Winona had a secret which affected the way she interacted with her family and friends. Do you think Winona could have handled her secret better if she felt she would have had their support?
CR: I think that because Winona regretted her live and things she'd done in the past, that she went about her life pretending things were a lot better than the way they really were. I feel she did that for her children and her own sanity. Some people call her strange, but I think she was a strong woman. In the process of everything that was going on in her life, she still worked full-time, raised two children on her own, and obtained an advance degree. But it really doesn't surprise me because black women are historically, very strong, and we've grown accustomed to dealing with blows that our life sometimes gives us, and rolling with it.
NSBC: What can readers expect in the sequel to Memories of Yesterday?
CR: Winona and Porter are returning as two of four main characters along with Jade/Vanity and the introduction of a new female character, who will be every decent woman's worse nightmare and far from a man's fantasy. Let's just say, all that glitters ain't gold.
NSBC: Your latest book, When I Get Free, takes a rare glimpse into the life of a black male after he's released from prison. What inspired you to write it?
CR: I met a man who was recently released from prison.
NSBC: How did you meet Anonymous, the voice behind the novel and are your readers curious about his identity?
CR: I'd rather not say how we met, just that I am very glad that we did. A bookseller in Fort Worth, Texas, where the novel is based, said that many of her customers would like to know who Tower really is. Some have said they know him.
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CR: Anonymous and Tower are not one in the same, but their ordeal is very similar. I promised anonymous I would not divulge what was fact and what was fiction. The story is not based on a true story but rather inspired by one.
NSBC: After he's released from prison, Tower's parents welcome him with open arms. How well do you think Tower would have did outside of prison without his family support.
CR: Family support is crucial. I think if he didn't have the support of his family, he wouldn't have made it. He probably would have killed himself or returned to a life of selling drugs.
NSBC: Tower goes through a lot of drama after he's released. In your opinion, do you think the issues ex-convicts face after they are released makes it harder for them to assimilate back in society?
CR: I think it has to be difficult for ex-cons to assimilate. I'm sure they feel out of place. Even promoting a book on prison was difficult. I will never forget going to a book fair in Dallas over the summer, when a very classy black lady came to my table and she seemed very interested in the book from the cover until I answered her question, what is it about? She handed the book back to me and went to a table selling a romance novel. A lot of people purchased the book to send to their relatives in prison. It might be better to send a relative who's already in prison a book that doesn't deal with prison. They want to escape. Anonymous still hasn't read all of the book because he has nightmares from his prison experience and he doesn't want to relive it. I'm not trying to take away from my sales, but I'd much rather When I Get Free go to teenage black males, single mothers of teenage black males, people who have never been incarcerated so they can gain an understanding of what it's like, then to go to a prisoner or ex-con who can write a book of their own about prison. I sent my first novel, Memories of Yesterday to several prisoners and they really enjoyed that one. They're awaiting the sequel.
NSBC: I want to congratulate you on your book deal. How is that coming along?
CR: It's nice to have a book deal because I can invest my money in other things now. I plan on investing it on a book tour because I am anxious to introduce myself to avid readers and black and independent book sellers. I am pleased to have a major publisher invest in my work and provide me with one of my biggest missing links--distribution. I am also very glad that I started the process out as a self-published author because I've learned so much, mainly that publishing is a business, first and foremost.
CR: I am so glad you asked. I am working on completing the web site www.avid-readers.com. It should definitely be launched by March 2nd. No later than the 3rd. I'm very excited about it, and with each monthly update it's going to get better and better. I just hope that my fellow writers support this venture because the site is really to give back to avid readers.
NSBC: Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to do this interview. You're a great writer and I wish you much success in your career.
CR: Thank you for your support. I'd like to feature your book club on avid-readers.com because you offer a great service to writers, please continue doing what you're doing. I'm sure I speak for most authors when I say, it's much appreciated. God Bless!
Visit Cheryl Robinson at www.cherylrobinson.com and at www. avid-readers.com
