Tag: Interview

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Fiction Author Virtual Book Tours

Nigeria Lockley Interview – Seasoned With Grace, Virtual Book Tour

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Nigeria Lockley. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

Provide by author.

Toi Thomas: Hi there Nigeria! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.

Nigeria: Thank you Toi. I’m so happy to be here.

Provided by author.

Toi Thomas: So tell me, who is Nigeria Lockley?

Nigeria: Nigeria is the wife of William, the mother of the “oogies”, Boogie and Woogie, the author of two books, Born at Dawn and Seasoned with Grace. I’m have super powers–I’m an author by night and a teacher by day. I like pralines and cream ice cream and blue is my favorite color. I’m addicted to coffee and nail polish. While I do publish as Nigeria Lockley, if I had a pen name it would be Rachel Murphy.

Toi Thomas: Well now, while I don’t have a set of “oogies”, it seems we have many other things in common. I’m a teacher’s aide by day and writer at night, my favorite color is blue, and I enjoy Butter Pecan ice cream- that’s close to pralines and cream.

Toi Thomas: Now, before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

Toi Thomas: What makes you geek out?

Nigeria: Fashion. Now that doesn’t sound geeky, but I really like hearing about the way a piece is constructed or the inspiration for a designer’s collection and very often they are inspired by history or artwork. It turns out that fashion is more geeky that one thinks when you start considering body types, structure, etc. I love it.

Toi Thomas: Oh truly believe that everyone is a geek for something. It’s not all about science fiction and comic books. I consider my sister a fashion geek as well, but I think the more popular term is fashionista.

From Goodreads.

Toi Thomas: What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

Nigeria: I was the only black resident of Sweet Valley High. I lived for those books. I read every single book in the series–including the Sweet Valley Saga (I bet y’all didn’t even know about that).

Toi Thomas: While I never read Sweet Valley High, I did know about it. It just wasn’t my thing. I did however read a few Babysitter’s Club books, but I mostly stuck to tales of fantasy. I wonder if my sister ever read any Sweet Valley High.

Toi Thomas: In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

From Wikipedia.

Nigeria: Zora Neal Hurston. I just think she was so brilliant and well-rounded. She also had a very interesting personal life, so I’d love to know the full scoop on her love life that inspired Their Eyes Were Watching God, how she handled the way some members of the literary community shunned her, and that impeccable fashion sense of hers.

Toi Thomas: Great choice. I too often wonder about the inspirations and lives of authors who’ve impacted my life or creativity in some way or another. Her work has definitely left a legacy and as much as I hate to admit it, when an author’s work in adapted into film, it means that it has impacted the lives of so many.

Toi Thomas: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.

Toi Thomas: So whacha got for me today?

Nigeria: Sentenced to probation at Mount Carmel Community Church, thirty-year-old, supermodel Grace King must put her plans of transitioning into acting to extend the longevity of her career on hold. Instead of God, Grace finds a “chocolate drop” of a man–Brother Horace Brown. While focusing on the pursuit of passion Grace lands the lead in a new film, but this role fits Grace all too well. Will this film revive Grace’s relationship with God and her career or bring her closer to destruction?

Toi Thomas: I like the premise of this story and must admit that I’m intrigued by the fact that the main character is supermodel. I curious to know more about her.

Provided by author. Click image for preview.

Toi Thomas: So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of Seasoned With Grace?

Nigeria: Grace King is a super model traveling down the path to destruction on an express bus. She’s beauty and the beast all rolled up into one body. Grace isn’t interested in what anyone has to say about her; she lives life by her rules and rides on the edge of her seat.

Toi Thomas: Grace seems like the kind of character one love to hate, but hopefully that changes as the story develops. While anti-heroes have ways of creeping into people’s hearts, a genuine character you love to love seems to stick with you longer.

Toi Thomas: What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Nigeria: Seasoned with Grace gives readers an all-access pass into the life of super model Grace King—peeling back the layers of her opulent life to uncover the scars that rape, addiction, and a forced abortion can leave behind. I think readers will be encouraged and experience redemption right alongside of Grace.

Toi Thomas: Redemption is the magic word here. You can never have enough stories about hope, second changes, and triumph. Perhaps Grace will become an icon in the hearts of those seeking their own redemption.

Toi Thomas: Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Nigeria: There is no method to my madness. Each story I write is different and requires something different from me in order for it to come out. I wrote my first novel, Born at Dawn entirely in long hand. I wrote most of Seasoned with Grace on my cell phone and out of sequence (that’s a whole ‘nother interview). My current work in progress Tempted to Touch was written entirely long hand due to a first person narrator who refused to let me in whenever I sat down in front of a computer.

Toi Thomas: Wow. I can’t imagine writing out a story on my cell phone. Sure I’ve written short stories and novellas out long hand, so the idea of a novel doesn’t seem to out of reach, but a cell phone. “They” say, write where the muse strikes and you’re a testament to that. I love it.

Toi Thomas: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

Nigeria: Yes I am.

Toi Thomas: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

From Wikipedia.

Nigeria: The Best Man. I can watch that movie over and over again and just crack up. I love the camaraderie and chemistry of the cast. If I could only watch one movie for the rest of my life I’d be fine with The Best Man.

Toi Thomas: That is a pretty good movie. I enjoy movies that show supportive relationships even if there is some dysfunction to it. If in the end, it’s healthy and loving, I’m all for it.

Toi Thomas: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Nigeria: In five more years by the grace of God, I’ll be the running a successful Christian based media and lifestyle company. I’ll start in the arena of publishing and branch out by the grace of God into other areas of media and lifestyle (fashion, health, wealth, and beauty).

Toi Thomas: That’s a very ambitious and positive goal for the future. I hope it comes to pass and wish you all the best.

Toi Thomas: Thank you so much Nigeria for spending time with me today.

Nigeria: My pleasure Toi. Thank you for having me.

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Nigeria Lockley, check out these great links:

Website: Nigeria Lockley

Facebook: Author Nigeria Lockley

Twitter: @NewNigeria

Instagram: newnigeria

This has been a

interviewpic-toibox

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Book-Fiction Virtual Book Tours

Lady of the Manor by Adrian Heflin @aqheflin Interview by #thetoiboxofwords via @RABTBookTours #drama


Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I’m sharing a special interview with author, Adrian Heflin, about his fiction book entitled, Lady of the Manor. Enjoy!

Where did the idea for Lady of the Manor come from?

RAVBT

The inspiration for Lady of the Manor came from a previously terminated relationship with a woman who was a victim of child abuse. The damage caused by this traumatic childhood led her to believe that she can’t trust any man, including me. After the breakup, I began thinking about how lives are altered even years after the abuse has stopped.  During a phone conversation with her, I began to consider the idea of a book about the life of a victim after the abuse. I thought the story would be much more conflicting and compelling to readers if the antagonist/abuser was a female. Once I developed the two main characters, I spent weeks in research and development of the setting, plot, supporting characters, and chapter organization before I wrote the first word.

How did the title of this book come about?

With my main character being named Rosemary Creek, I originally wanted to call the book, Cold Creek Manor. But, that name sounded very familiar to me. After a quick internet search, I realized I needed a new title. I wanted to keep the word manor in the title and another search with that keyword in mind brought up the title, lady of the manor. I looked up its definition and thought it was perfect.

What genre is this book and why did you choose to make it so?

I consider this novel a drama or family saga. This book follows the story of a manipulative woman and the family that  she antagonizes under her own roof. I chose to write a story that interested me and this is the category in which it fell.

What would you say is the overall message or the theme of this book?

I want people to understand that all victims of similar trauma do not respond the same way. Some become abusers or alcoholics as adults. Many victims suffer clinical depression all their lives. Still, others seem to recover and live normal lives. I hate when one victim tells another, “that happened years ago you should have been moved on like me”. We all don’t work on the same time table, emotionally. I believe we all have to be patient with one another and remember that the way we treat or mistreat people has long lasting and far reaching consequences.

Tell me about the experience of writing this book; how long did it take.

It took me nearly to years from the time the idea came to me until the time that the editing process was complete. Once I knew what I wanted the story to be about it took six weeks of research and development about Savannah, the year 1958, the vernacular of that decade. I organized the events into order and divided them into chapters evenly so that I knew what and when I wanted anything to happen. Writing the story was so simple because I knew exactly where I wanted to go and my deviant mind added in a few twists and turns.

Tell me about the main storyline within this book.

The main storyline is centered around a sadistic, abusive mother and the grown son who still lives with her along with his wife and five children. They have to deal with living beneath the same roof with this callous woman. Tension and conflict overflows between so many family members, but the Lady of the Manor is the root of all their problems.

Who is the protagonist of this story?

Richard Creek is the protagonist of this novel. He is the victim of his mother’s child abuse as well as the emotional and mental distress she inflicted on him. He is a man who has let the fear of his abuser control his every move. Richard has to decide if he can continue to allow the life of his family to be destroyed by his mother. He is the one who can set them all free from misery.

Who is the antagonist of this story?

Rosemary Creek is the antagonist of our tale. She is vindictive, malicious, and spiteful woman. She hates and misuses anyone she can, except her old friend, Pop Barnes. A bitterness has grown in her over the years because she can’t get the one thing she wants. She will spend the summer of 1958 manipulating and scheming until Richard allows her to touch him once again.

What is the major conflict in this story?

How do you live when your greatest enemy lives within your four walls? You don’t. Richard has been terrorized by his mother all his life and he has to find the courage to get away from her or get rid of her. As his family continually unravels, he feels the pressure from them to make a decision. Unfortunately, it may take tragedy to finally give him the strength to do what needs to be done.

Where and when is this story taking place?

This story takes place in Savannah, Georgia during the summer of 1958. The heat is beginning to rise, as well as the tension in Creek Manor. When they aren’t hanging around the house, our characters can be found at Barnes Market or partying the night away at Spunky’s. Occasionally, a visitor makes his or her way up from Pin Point Place, a nearby and predominantly African American community. In a time before cameras were everywhere, no one sees what goes on behind the closed doors of Creek Manor. But, everyone has an idea.

Who is your favorite character in this book?

Although I enjoyed creating the dialogue for Caruthers more than any other character, Rosemary is my favorite. As a shy person, I envy her ability to say whatever to whomever without concern for any consequences. Even though she appears to be strong, she is one of the most vulnerable characters of them all. Despite the likelihood that people will hate everything she stands for and everything she puts her family through, they will love her quick wit and sharp tongue.

Are there elements of your personality or life experiences in this book?

Every character I create has some of my personality within them. I have always been shy and timid like Richard, but not to that extent. The emotional distress that Hilary suffers is a direct reflection on my personal battle with clinical depression. I have battled thoughts of suicide on many nights. But, I don’t have any of my own life in the actual experiences of this book which forced me to really use my imagination and creativity.

What is one thing from this book you wish was real or could happen to you?

In a novel that deals with abuse, death, and violence, it is very difficult to select something that I would wish to be real. I would love it if every victim could feel the relief that Richard felt in the end. Many people never see their abusers brought to justice. I hope this book will provide a voice to those who never found the courage to reveal their own antagonists.

What is something you wish wasn’t real and hope doesn’t happen to you?

I wish that the abuse was just a story. But, I know it’s something that’s real and happens to children every day. Often, it is a secret that they take to their graves for fear of their abusers and society. It’s sad that anyone feels they have a right to take the innocence of a child. I know of many friends and relatives who have experienced this and my heart goes out to them continually. Many readers have confessed to me that they have been in Richard’s shoes and I’m the first person they’ve ever told. I pray that my children never have to know such pain.

Let’s say your book is being turned into a feature length film; quick- cast the main two characters and pick a theme song or score.

I can think of no one else that I would rather play Rosemary than Meryl Streep. She could capture that character like no other. John Cusack as Richard Creek. In the Still of the Night – Five Satins.

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. To obtain your copy of Lady of the Manor, please visit the links provided.

Amazon  |  Createspace  |  Barnes and Noble

  Books-a-Million  |  Author Website

This has been a

interviewpic-toibox

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Fiction Author

Mark Barry Interview – Fiction Author

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Wiz- oh I mean, Mark Barry. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.

Amazon Author Page

Toi Thomas: Hi there Mark! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.

Mark: Hi Toi, lovely to be here and thank you for inviting me.

Toi Thomas: So tell me, who is Mark Barry?

Mark: I am a multi-genre author (the clever name for contemporary fiction). I have written nine novels, seven of which are currently in print. My latest book is a gangster thriller set in the UK called Once Upon A Time In The City Of Criminals, which is difficult to acronymise. It is currently my best seller in the US.

Two of my books sell respectably. I live in the UK (Midlands) and have one son, Matt, on the brink of University. I am the co-designer of the popular reluctant reader project, Brilliant Books.

I also write anthology fillers (and I mean that genuinely – when an anthology doesn’t fill, out comes my helpful friend) under the name Stefan Xerxes.

Toi Thomas: Well Mark, I can already tell we are going to have good time today. Your title may be hard to acronymise, but at least it’s one that sticks with you.

Toi Thomas: Now before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.

Toi Thomas: Who is so you and why?

Mark: When I was a kid, I was often compared to Roger The Dodger, a character from the British comic, the Beano. Roger would do anything to avoid chores and schoolwork. In his room was stored a book of dodges with every single excuse known to humankind. He was my favourite character and I spent most of my youth coming up with great dodges. Well, up till I was thirty seven, actually. Kids stop the dodges in their tracks, Toi!

Toi Thomas: I’m sure they do Mark. I don’t have children of my own, but my nieces and nephews always seem to find ways of putting me to work.

Toi Thomas: Though I think I have a pretty good idea, tell me; what makes you geek out?

Wikipedia

Mark: I’m a huge comic collector. I’ve been collecting since I was ten. I collect Batman, Master of Kung Fu, Black Panther, Swamp Thing, Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Flash and all that stuff. I somehow managed to buy 96-150 of X-Men in NM at cover price, so that’s why I’m not going to publish my address online any time soon. Love comics.

Toi Thomas: blink blink OOO, what! 😮

I don’t blame you Mark. With a stash like that you can’t be too careful. Though I still keep up to date with all the characters I love to follow, my collecting days have taken a back seat to my writing interest, though I haven’t completely abandoned them and never will.

Toi Thomas: If comics are your thing, it makes me wonder; what was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

1958, Goodreads

Mark: Lord of the Flies by William Golding. What a terrific book and suitable for all ages. Piggy’s fate is an allegory which has never been equalled. I also read Lord of the Rings as a kid and since then, have never read another fantasy book. Why bother? How can that be equalled?

Toi Thomas: Starting on a brief tangent here, I love how we say the same things in the same language and yet they are not spelled the same. This always tickles me whenever I interview someone from the other side of the pond…

Now as for Lord of the Flies, it scared me as a kid, but I guess that’s the point. I don’t think enough of the newest generations have read it and thus society has suffered. Oh and it would be quite a feat to outshine Lord of the Rings.

Toi Thomas: In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

Wikipedia

Mark: Jim Starlin, the comics genius. He invented so many great characters, particularly Warlock (my favourite of  all time), Thanos, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora (the deadliest woman in the whole  galaxy) and Pip the Troll – unfairly airbrushed out of Marvel history – a degenerate smuggler and criminal. I’d talk about his seventies work, which is unparalleled. Along with Don McGregor, who wrote the seminal, novelesque “Panther”s  Rage”, Starlin revolutionised comics and laid the groundwork for writers like Alan Moore and Frank Miller a decade later.

Toi Thomas: Geez Mark, are you trying to make my head explode. All your comic knowledge is just too cool for me. I’d heard of Pip before but didn’t know much about him, plus no visual sprang to mind. I think it would be cool to attend a comic book apprenticeship to learn from greats like him, just how to write and draw characters and stories the way they do. But now I’m getting off topic.

Toi Thomas: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you the author, and dive into your special message.

Toi Thomas: So whacha got for me today?

Mark: Once Upon A Time In The City Of Criminals. This link contains everything a reader may like to know about my book. It’s a gangster story set in the Midlands of the UK.

Toi Thomas: All I can say it wow! Please if you are reading this, check out Mark’s link. You’ll be so glad you did.

Toi Thomas: You covered this already a little, but tell me anyway. Who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of Once Upon A Time In The City Of Criminals?

Mark: Terry Valentine is a loser. A bum and an ex-con who finds himself driving an escort to meet her tricks. He’s fat, washed up and addicted to designer drugs.

Chloe, is the escort, half his age, impossibly beautiful, amoral and bisexual, whose motives for doing the “job” are unclear.

Neville Gant is her boss. A manipulative, cunning and Machiavellian pimp who Terry hates from schooldays.

The other main character is the city itself – and the people who live in it.

Toi Thomas: Simply based on the characters, I can tell this isn’t a story for “the masses”, but that’s not to say there isn’t a huge audience for this. It’s like those people who say they “love” comic books and then rant about the violence in a Deadpool or Sin City Comic. There’s an audience for imaginative grit like this. Nice.

Toi Thomas: Tell me, what’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?

Mark: There is nothing like this out there. Whether that’s a good thing or not is another matter. It’s partly written in British slang, with Cormac McCarthy lack of “speech marks”. Indie tends to be very conformist and genre-led and I like to try new stuff.

This is a thriller, a romance, and a look at the world in which we live and a commentary on the relationship between the rich and the poor in the UK. Early reviews are positive. It is also an extraordinarily fast read – essential in today’s day and age.

Toi Thomas: What is this British slang you speak of? That’s enough right there to entice me. I’m always curious about what I call “how the real people of a nation actually speak.” I like to try new things as well, but am afraid I tend to chicken out…I keep trying though.

Toi Thomas: Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

Mark: I write straight onto the computer. I sometimes lay out my books in a little Hardy-esque notebook, but mostly not. It’s all in my head. I write in my living room (I live alone) in a small apartment (one day, Toi, one day!). I used to smoke sixty a day, especially at my desk, but now I nibble (and not carrots either). I work from November to March and read from April to September. I cannot read the work of others and write at the same time. I write one book a year. That’s a sustainable figure. I like writing in candlelight. I listen to all sorts – currently seventies disco music, the soundtrack to my latest work.

Toi Thomas: So not quite the fabulous life of a well-to-do bachelor, but not too shabby either. Cutting back on smoking must at least feel good. Have you considered dipping carrots into sweet dark chocolate? They it’s the milk chocolate that’s really bad for you. Oh, but wait…you write one book a year! You must be doing something right. Eat and smoke whatever you want. 😀

Toi Thomas: When you have time to reflect on things, what author(s) do you feel have most influenced your writing? Why or how?

Wikipedia

Mark: Martin Amis. No question. The greatest writer produced in these islands ever and I have considered that question for two decades. Money, London Fields and House of Meetings are unparalleled. I can never write like him, but I am inspired by his ideas and functional structures. I don’t follow 101 blogs or #writetips and neither does Amis. Otherwise, we’d all be writing the same book, Toi!

Toi Thomas: Thank you Mark for saying that. I admit that as a continually developing writing I do check out writing tips from time to time, but sometime I must put my foot down and say no. I don’t want to read cookie cutter books and I don’t want to write them either. I love your unique and unquestionable style and want to develop my own someday.

Toi Thomas: Sorry for my fight-the-system rant. Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?

Mark: What’s the full SP

Wikipedia

Toi Thomas: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Mark: The Man Who Would Be King by John Huston. Based on the Rudyard Kipling story and starring Michael Caine and Sean Connery. It has me in floods of tears every time. A fantastic film.

Toi Thomas: You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve gotten this answer and I still haven’t watched this movie. I need to step up and experience this for myself.

Toi Thomas: When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?

Wikipedia

Mark: I listen to Black Sabbath and Judas Priest and all that early heavy metal. I like Deftones and Slayer from later on. I like the Sex Pistols and The Ruts. Loud and fast. I also like (and this may come across as weird) seventies disco music (not sure why) like McFadden and Whitehead, Aint No Stopping Us Now. This music makes me happy. I’m not a fan of modern music at all, -who’s Kanye West/Lady Gaga? – but, then, I’m not supposed to be, am I? When I get merry, I listen to The Beatles – surely the best ever, Toi?

Toi Thomas: Don’t feel too bad. I find that people either love or hate disco; there’s only a few of us in between who just like it and appreciate it. As a child of the hip-hop generation, even I am struggling to embrace modern music. I keep thinking that it will get better and rejoice whenever I find a rare gem that doesn’t bring out my rage… You can’t beat the Beetles.

Toi Thomas: Now let’s play zombie urban survivor. What 3 things do you need to survive a black-out in Central Park the day zombies attack?

Mark: I’d love it, get rid of all that pent up, modern day, grumpy old man rage. I need a pump action shotgun with unlimited ammo, a machete for the up close and personal melee and a Dark Knight Returns Joker Tee Shirt.

Toi Thomas: You’ve covered all the bases: your uniform and two battle tactics. Bring on the zombies.

Toi Thomas: Let’s wind down a bit. What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?

Mark: Hanging around with my son in the last eighteen years. They were special times I’ll never have again – unless I meet a reasonably presentable and visually challenged thirty year old any time soon.

Toi Thomas: I adore answers like this. This is the reason I love to interview people. Spending time with your son is the joy of life. Who knows, someone special may coming along and you can doing all again.

Toi Thomas: Last question of the day; here we go.

Toi Thomas: Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?

Mark: I hope people wake up to climate change and that the Asians and Brazilians stop chopping down the forests – the two are connected. #Ilovecostarica Our children deserve it.

Toi Thomas: You make a good point. I believe there are quite a few dots that need to be connected in order for the world to change, but someone has to first recognize that there might be a connection.

Toi Thomas: Thank you so much Mark for spending time with me today.

Mark: Love it, Toi. Thank you for inviting me around the ToiBox. I’m off out to look for zombies!

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Mark Barry, check out these great links:

News Blog: Green Wizard Publishing

Interview Blog: The Wizard’s Cauldron

Twitter: @Greenwizard62

US Amazon Author Central: Mark Barry

This has been a

interviewpic-toibox

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords