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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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
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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