The Next Big Thing

I was tagged by poet, novelist, and Harlem Renaissance scholar Hans Ostrom to participate in a self interview / game called "The Next Big Thing." It's designed to get you to share information about your current writing project. Hans's answers are especially great. Here are mine:

QUESTIONS:

What is the working title of the book?

"How to Leave the Midwest"

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea came several years ago as I thought about the father of a childhood friend. He was a backup singer with Motown who remained in Detroit after the company relocated to Los Angeles. I started thinking about that transition for him and for our community in general. As I started revising the first draft, other themes emerged like migration, escape, and what it means to move within a black body.

What genre does your book fall under?

Literary. Possibly thriller. Literary thriller- is that a genre?

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Jimmy: Don Cheadle

Igrid:  Tracey Heggins

Rome:  Laz Alonso

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Fearful of the changes happening in their neighborhood in 1979-1981, three residents of a Detroit suburb conspire to bring Motown back at any cost.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

The first draft was completed within months, and I'm happy that very few people have suffered through that reading! The revisions have taken years and have coincided with the birth of my children and my own relocation to various cities.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I'm inspired by black women writers who have gotten their stories down over the years. Those women are my inspiration.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Harry Houdini makes an appearance. Also Prince and former Detroit Mayor, Coleman  A.Young. 

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I plan  to send out queries to literary agents.