Author Donald Peebles, Jr. Talks Urban/Street Fic @ AtBaP

For the month of February, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is taking it to the streets - urban and street fiction, that is.

We have a special addition to our February round-up features: Donald Peebles, Jr., author of Hidden Fires!












For February, I asked the following set of questions:
**What does urban/street fiction mean to you? Is there a distinction between urban and street?
**Of all the genres present, what drew you to write urban/street fiction?
**What has been - if any - some of the positive and negative comments you have received from readers?
**In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table?




In answering the question, In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table, Peebles stated, "I think urban/street fiction brings to the table into the branch of Black literature a more realistic lens into the Black experience. Blacks are people who have different experiences, cultural expressions, and histories. Urban/street fiction is just another sum of the whole of Black literature. It brings forth the perspectives of the working-class, pimps, madams, prostitutes, addicts, pushers, dealers. hustlers, kingpins, czars, gangstas, homothugs, lesbian AGs (Aggressors), swingers, sexual freaks, nymphomanics, stick-up kids, and other klnds of people whose testimonies are not told by the upper-and-middle-class Black Bourgeoisie, the BAPS, the Buppies, and the Black Bohemians who feel that Blacks still need to write books which will be accepted by the mainstream in order to be on the New York Times bestseller list."




To read the rest of Donald Peebles, Jr.'s thoughts on street/urban fiction, head to All the Blog's a Page!



ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Do Some Writers Deserve to Starve?

I use Elaura Niles' book, SOME WRITERS DESERVE TO STARVE, to help answer this question in a three-part series on the popular blog, THE BLOOD-RED PENCIL [link].



Head to The BRP to see part one and two on this question. Check out why it's important for writers to know their book better than ANYONE (part one) and why it's important to write THE NEXT BOOK (part two)!

Part Three is TOMORROW!

The Blood-Red Pencil [link]

Author/Pubber Markeise Washington on Urban/Street Fic @ AtBaP

For the month of February, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is taking it to the streets - urban and street fiction, that is.

We conclude our features on urban/street fiction with Markeise Q. Washington, author of Entrepreneur and owner of 5ive Star Publications!












For February, I asked the following set of questions:
**What does urban/street fiction mean to you? Is there a distinction between urban and street?
**Of all the genres present, what drew you to write urban/street fiction?
**What has been - if any - some of the positive and negative comments you have received from readers?
**In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table?




In answering the question, What does urban/street fiction mean to you? Is there a distinction between urban and street, Washingston stated, "There has been so much debate over these two little words that it's utterly ridiculous. I hate that we get put in a category, period. I was in Borders the other day looking for the African-American section. The reason I couldn't find it was the black slots that say African American were taken down. I guess they classify street as dealing with drugs, prostitution, hustling, slang, etc. Any neighborhood can be considered urban. Here's the definition- "characteristic of or accustomed to cities; citified." So that means anybody that has lived in a city for a period of time is-you guessed it-urban. To me there is no distinction because literature is literature. Another thing that bothers me is that question that black authors get asked: "Do you plan to write that genre forever?" It has yet to be answered honestly. I haven't heard an author say well no I plan to write street lit until my arm falls off. Authors should write what makes them happy and hope they build a fan base that sticks with them. I don't want to read a romance novel by Teri Woods. I love the style she already has."




To read the rest of Markeise Q. Washington's thoughts on street/urban fiction and to read an excerpt from Entrepreneur, head to All the Blog's a Page!



ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

CLG Talks to Indie Publisher/Author Barbara Joe Williams

ChickLitGurrl Talks to indie publisher/author Barbara Joe Williams!





INTERVIEW EXCERPT


CLG: If you had to define yourself as a writer, how would you do so?
BJW: I would define myself as a passionate writer. In other words, I only write about the things that I feel passionately about whether it's fiction or nonfiction.

CLG: How do the books you've written connect to your definition?
BJW: All of my books feature strong willed characters who are determined to succeed in life. I write about people falling in love, dealing with hardships, and going through life changing experiences in a positive manner. I show people with a thirst for living and a passion for overcoming whatever obstacles they face.

CLG: How have you promoted your works?
BJW: I've tried many avenues for promoting my work nationally by using the Internet and traveling to different cities. I've joined many online book clubs and networking groups. In addition, I conduct writing, publishing, and marketing workshops at various conferences, libraries, and universities. I've been interviewed on the radio, newspaper, and television. Recently, I started a local authors network, and I'm the annual host for the Local African-American Authors Day program in February. All of these avenues give me exposure and promote my work.




Check out the rest of Barbara Joe Williams' interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!



ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITINGChocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME![chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]



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Author Terra Little Talks about Street/Urban Fic @ AtBaP

For the month of February, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is taking it to the streets - urban and street fiction, that is. This week, I feature Terra Little, author of Where There's Smoke, and trust me, she has some things to say about this genre!












For February, I asked the following set of questions:**What does urban/street fiction mean to you? Is there a distinction between urban and street?
**Of all the genres present, what drew you to write urban/street fiction?
**What has been - if any - some of the positive and negative comments you have received from readers?
**In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table?




In answering the question, In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table, Little began her response by stating, "As a combined genre, which I don’t happen to think is always the case, Urban/Street Fiction brings confusion and, in some cases, anger to the table. There are truly urban, working class people who take offense at being perceived as having anything to do with street life by society’s standards, myself included. And there are those who are confused about what it means to be urban and what it means to be street; those who think one is unequivocally the same as the other. Along this vein, I think Urban/Street Fiction can bring stereotypical fuel to the table. We can all eat at the same table, but let’s not confuse corn with mashed potatoes, even if mashed potatoes is capable of covering up corn when we want them to."




To read the rest of Terra Little's thoughts on street/urban fiction and to read an excerpt from Where There's Smoke, head to All the Blog's a Page!



ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Essence bestselling author K'wan comes to AtBaP

For the month of February, All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP) is taking it to the streets - urban and street fiction, that is. And next in the roster is Essence bestselling author K'wan!









For February, I asked the following set of questions:

**What does urban/street fiction mean to you? Is there a distinction between urban and street?
**Of all the genres present, what drew you to write urban/street fiction?
**What has been - if any - some of the positive and negative comments you have received from readers?
**In the branch of Black literature, what do you think urban/street fiction brings to the table?


In answering the question, What has been - if any - some of the positive and negative comments you have received from readers, K'wan replied, "I get a lot of different feedback. Some people understand what I'm talking about and some don't. For the most part I always try to include a moral lesson in my stories so that you take something away from it besides the entertainment part."


To read the rest of K'wan's thoughts on street/urban fiction, head to All the Blog's a Page!


ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Help Shon Bacon Pick Her Debut Solo Project

Shon Bacon is going into indie publishing.

Issue?

She is having a hard time picking WHICH book to publish of hers first.

That's why she's writing. She needs YOUR help.

Head to her site - http://shonbacon.com.

There, she has the first 1,000 words of five novels. Take the time to read the excerpts and let her know which book YOU think she should publish first.

She thanks you in advance!

The Write Life for You Series Presents... Showing vs. Telling

Becoming a Lifelong Learner of the Craft of WritingBy author, editor, educator Shon Bacon aka ChickLitGurrl™

The Write Life for You is a series of articles on the writing craft. Past articles have focused on building character, developing a solid plot, and harnessing a writing style. This month, I look at SHOWING VS. TELLING IN STORIES.

Here's an excerpt:



Showing vs. Telling

This month, I’m talking about camping vs. marching. Before I pursued my MFA degree, I knew nothing about this “concept”.

Last month, I talked about camping vs. marching. At first glance, showing vs. telling seems like the same concept, but there is a difference. Both concepts examine how much a writer writes in a story; however, camping vs. marching tends to look at the development of scenes and their connection to the story’s purpose while showing vs. telling looks at the visualization of the things the writer writes in a story.

For example, if a writer has a scene that lulls and doesn’t connect to the story’s purpose, then the writer should cut and march through the scene, develop the scene so that it connects to the story’s purpose, or delete it altogether. This is camping vs. marching.

For example, if a writer summarizes action or tells the reader that a character is happy or sad, then the writer should revise the material to show the reader a character’s emotion or show the reader the action as it’s happening. This is showing vs. telling.

Want to learn MORE about showing vs. telling?

Then head to APOOOBOOKS.COM to read my latest article in The Write Life for You series!

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The Nubian Chronicles' Winter 2009 Issue is LIVE

http://www.tnc-magazine.net

Why should you check out the Winter 2009 Issue of THE NUBIAN CHRONICLES?

With our reader-favorite column this issue, we interview authors Carleen Brice and Cassandra Washington!

@ DCC, we bring episode 16 of our online serial, EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT: The day after suffering public abuse at the hands of her father, an embarrassed Clemson must face not only the man she loves, but her arch nemesis Kat and her mother.

Want sex? Want the changing of sex? Want the change that came to America? Want the change you can make to get whatever you like? Then you need to head over to NUBIAN belles-lettres to read our stories and articles!

@ The Poetry Corner, we spotlight lyrical wordsmith, CHAMSIL!

@ IN DA CLUB, we talk public relations and marketing with Raven Literary PR!

In his latest Matthew's Musings, columnist Matthew Lynch defines and discusses the importance of the Black Public Intellectual.

@ ASK DEDAN, Dedan Tolbert offers advice to a reader who wants to know how soon is too soon to start dating after a break up...

Want to read a most unordinary love story? In this issue of THE LIVING ROOM, columnist Stacey Tolbert offers the first of six installments to her story IRON.

Thinking about writing a screenplay? Already wrote one? In her latest THE WRITE LIFE article, Shon Bacon offers tips to editing a screenplay.

To contact The Nubian Chronicles regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@tnc-magazine.net.

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible!


The Nubian Chronicles - http://www.tnc-magazine.net!

SisterDivas' Winter 2009 Issue is LIVE

SisterDivas Magazine - Where REAL Women Congregate
http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net

Why should you check out the Winter 2009 Issue of SISTERDIVAS?

Because our MEDIA column is jammed full of great features with individuals whose talents move through words, through song, through acting, and through faith: authors Laurie Viera Rigler, Marilynn Griffith, and Paulette Harper; musician Brent Ellis of The Brent Ellis Group; singer/actress Alexis Grenier; and R&B star Shanice.

Because in our TOTAL BODY column, Dr. Cherry talks about why being "high maintenance" may not be such a bad thing, and entrepreneur Beverly Davis talks to SD about her business SundayCosmetics.

Because in our feature, LOVE BYTES, we bring you episode seven, where Destiny must decide if she's going to move forward in her feelings for Devon or let her past dictate her life.

Because in our LIFE column -- no matter the celebration - new year, Inauguration, Valentine's Day, The Sipping Sommelier L. Denise Jackson has the perfect wine for you, and Lindsay Price - playwright for Theatrefolk - stops by to talk to us about her company.

Because in our RELATIONSHIPS column, authors Eternity Philops and Portia Rainey show you the importance of friendship and self-love and faith.

Because over @ BUZZWORTHY, we show you our top pics for hot TV shows, CDs, movies, and books for the first quarter of '09.

To contact SisterDivas regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@sisterdivasmagazine.net .

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible.

SisterDivas: Where ALL Women Congregate!
http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net