Chat With Tracy Price-Thompson Took Place
~ Wednesday March 26, 2003 at 5:57 p.m. ~
Tracy Price-Thompson
Tracy:=
Tracy Price-Thompson
Thumper: LOGGED IN
~ March 26, Wednesday 5:57:06 p.m. ~
Tracy: LOGGED IN
Tracy: Hey Thumper!
Thumper:
Hello Tracy. How are you doing this evening?
Tracy: I'm doing well, can't complain. And you?
Thumper:
I'm doing well. It's a beautiful day here in Indianapolis.
Tracy: Yes, it has been nice here as well. But not as nice as it will be
when I move to Hawaii in June!
Thumper:
Already, you make me sick. *LOL*
kolaboof: LOGGED
IN
Tracy: lololol
Tracy: I know!!
kolaboof: Hi All.
Thumper:
Hello Kola, how are you doing this evening.
kolaboof: Fine...I just wanted to congratulate Ms. Thompson on her new book
Tracy: Hi Kola...how are you?
Tracy: Thanks so much!
kolaboof: I haven't read it yet, but intend to get it tomorrow.
Tracy: Great. Please let me know what you think after you've read it.
Thumper:
I have to throw in my 2 cents as well. I loved your new book Tracy. I loved your
first one too.
kolaboof: I will via Thumper.
Tracy: okay, and my email address is in the book as well.
kolaboof: great. then I'll email you directly.
kolaboof: It usually takes me a day to read a book.
Thumper:
What was the genesis of your new book Chocolate Sangria? What began the creation
of Juanita, Scooter and company.
Tracy: Okay, I look forward to hearing from you
kolaboof: I really came to be quite and listen to Thumpers questions.
Tracy: Welll...
Tracy: I actually started Chocolate Sangria as a short story.
Tracy: It was called, "Saving Scooter"
tonyah: LOGGED IN
Tracy: and the story ended where Juanita saves him after that big fight.
Tracy: Hi Tonya!
Thumper:
Really.
Tracy: But...the characters wouldn't stop talking to me.
Tracy: Scooter was demandiing to be heard...
Tracy: telling me that there was so much more to him...
Tracy: So I simply let it flow and let him come out!
Thumper:
I loved all of your characters.
kolaboof: The title of the book sounds really sexy.
Tracy: Thank you both.
Tracy: Thumper, it was my goal to write a story that was totally
different than Black Coffee, yet still well-crafted with characters that would
be memorable and deep.
Tee Garner: LOGGED IN
kolaboof: Hi Tee and Tonyah.
Thumper:
The beginning of the book was fascinating. I was hooked immediately. It reminded
me of the way the use to make those movies back in the 30s and 40s.
Tracy: I am the type of writer that has to stretch my limits and find
the range of my creativity, and I do not want to be pigeon-holed into writing
the same thing over and over again.
Thumper:
Hello Tonyah and Tee.
Tracy: lol
Tracy: Hello Tee!
Tracy: Also...
Zane: LOGGED IN
Tee Garner: Hi Tracy
Tracy: heard someone say that the beginning of the novel seemed to be
reaching toward more literary writing...
kolaboof: Tracy...I think that's the hardest thing to do as a writer...not
write the same story over and over. Or moreso..the same THEME. Very difficult.
tonyah: hello everyone .. oh i was sending im's telling people to come to the
chat
Tracy: And that thankfully I didn't go all the way there.
Tracy: I wasn't trying to be literary or commercial...
Thumper:
Hello Zane. *big smile* What chu doin' here? *big smile*
Tracy: Just doing my thing as a writer and being creative.
Tracy: Hey Zane!
Tracy: Yes, Kola, that is very difficult.
kolaboof: Hi Zane.
Zane: I always pop up in the same places as Tracy
Tracy: And if writers only write from their own experiences they will
quickly run out of things to write.
Tee Garner: Do we have a protocol here, with the ?=question !=comment or just
jump in whenever?
Zane: I have a tracking device in her hair :-)
Tracy: So true, Zane, and you are always good company!
Tracy: lololol
kolaboof: Good question Tee
Tracy: Well girl follow me to the grocery store and help me pay for
enough food to feed all these here chirren!
kolaboof: lol
Zane: lol
Tracy: Thank all of you for coming into the chat this evening. I
appreciate you.
tonyah: yw @ tracy
Thumper:
Tee: well, no protocol per say. Simply wait a beat or two for the author to
respond. If it gets confusing. I will ask everyone to pause for a second and
allow Tracy to catch her breathe.
Tracy: Thumper, any protocol?
Tracy: k.
Thumper:
No. Just let me know if there are too many questions coming at you and I will
slow everything up.
Zane: Tracy, how do you like touring?
Tracy: Okay. I am fine and ready to answer questions and respond to
comments.
Tee Garner: LOGGED IN
Tracy: I don't really like it as much as I thought I would, Zane.
kolaboof: Thumper...do you actually smoke? (I quit 2 years ago) Hi again Tee.
Tracy: While I really enjoy meeting my readership...
Thumper:
The most fascinating character in the book, for my money is Jorge. Now, where in
the hell did he come from?
JDaniels: LOGGED IN
Zane: hey JD
Tracy: touring requires a lot of energy and effort and I find myself
getting very far behind on writing and other projects.
Tracy: Hey JDaniels!
JDaniels: hey, there:)
Tracy: Jorge!!
Zane: I can imagine
Tracy: I know he seems like the devil incarnate.
JDaniels:
Hey, Tracy, congratz on your success
Tracy: I created Jorge to keep the conflict rolling in Chocolate
Sangria. Thanks, JDaniels!
Tracy: Jorge provides a lot of tension in the story, and works against
the goals of the main characters.
Tracy: I wanted readers to loathe him, but at the same time feel for him
because of his own complexities and the loss of his innocence.
Thumper:
I felt for Jorge on one hand, and wanted to slap the Hell out of him with the
others. Jorge is the perfect foil.
Tracy: Most people actually hate him, and several have told me they were
hoping he died a horrible death.
Tracy: Great, Thumper!
Tracy: Then that means I did my job.
Thumper:
Absolutely.
Tracy: I wanted to stir up conflicting feelings about Jorge, had to give
him solid motivations and a credible background.
Zane: Yes, creating a character people feel for and hate at the same time is
the mark of a great writer
tonyah: very true
Tracy: Thanks, Zane. It really took a lot of learning for me to
understand that, and to realize that not all characters could be likeable.
Tracy: Or should be.
Thumper:
Zane, don't we all have our good sides and bad sides. It seems only fair that
charcters should be the same way.
Zane: I totally agree
Tracy: So true!
kolaboof: My literary side is suspicious of books inwhich the characters are
too likeable and easy to figure out.
Tracy: Thumper, how did you feel about Conan and his love for Jorge?
Thumper:
Now, that was a work of art there.
Tracy: lolol
Tracy: Isn't it strange how we form attachments to people?
Tracy: Especially if we know what it's like to lose loved ones?
Thumper:
Yes. The book was three dimensional all the way around, the plot, the sub plots,
Juanita relationship with Scooter, etc.
kolaboof: Tracy--are Conan and Jorge gay? And if so, how much pressure did you
feel in portraying such a couple without stereotype or slander against your gay
fans? Was that a concern?
Tracy: Thank you. I really studied its structure from an objective
perspective, and hoped it would come out as three-dimensional as possible.
Tracy: No, Conan wasn't gay
Tracy: Jorge wasn't either.
Tracy: Jorge was a preditor. An opportunist.
Thumper:
Hold on Tracy.
kolaboof: Oh I see now.
Tracy: lolol
JDaniels:
I think if you portray gay people honestly, the gay community wont be insulted
JDaniels:
why is this grin in my words?
Thumper:
Jorge wasn't all the way straight. I mean if men didn't float his boat, he had a
strange way of showing it?
Tracy: Yes, portraying gay people in a positive and objective light was
very important to me.
kolaboof: LOL @ J. Daniels
Tracy: Jorge was a user. He used men when it was convenient or
beneficial to him.
Tracy: He preferred women, but would be with men if it would further his
own goals.
Thumper:
Now, speaking from a man point of view, its hard to fake getting excited.
sally: LOGGED IN
Thumper:
when there's no stimulus.
Tracy: I really tried hard to be sure that I wasn't offensive to the gay
population. I had a gay brother, whom I loved dearly, and would never want to
offend him.
Tracy: Hi Sally!
JDaniels: so he was just bisexual
Tracy: Yes, Thumper.
Tracy: I agree.
kolaboof: Now Tracy...are your books as sexy as Zane's? Hers are full of hot
sex. And "almost" as well written as my sex scenes. LOL. Hi Sally
Tracy: In order to get it up, he must have had a level of excitement.
Zane: lol
Tracy: But he never considered himself gay, or tried to have a
relationship with a man, only brutal sex to achieve an end.
Tracy: lol
kolaboof: I LOOOOVE your books Zane.
Zane: I thought it is possible for both sexes to be aroused by the same sex,
even if they never act on it
Zane: I think, I mean-LOL
JDaniels: well a lot of DL men dont think they are gay, yet they still sleep
with men
Tracy: Kola, you don't know how many people tell me that my first novel,
Black Coffee has too much sex.
Zane: thanks kolaboof
JDaniels: lol@zane
Zane: amen to that JD
kolaboof: Tracy...I can't wait to read your books. I'm so mad I didn't get my
order on time.
Tracy: I think you are right, Zane. Absolutely right about being able to
be aroused without acting on the arousal.
Zane: some men get aroused when the wind blows on their genitals
Tracy:
Chocolate Sangria is full of sex as well, and some say that it is too graphic,
but they usually keep right on reading it
Thumper:
Tracy: Tell us about Juanita.
Tracy:
Juanita was the mirror image of Scooter.
Tracy:
Both were orphans...
Tracy:
both were being raised by older people
Zane:
Tracy, some of these people have met you. They don't know you have that "blow a
man's back out" persona about you
Tracy:
and both were ostracized in their community because of things they could not
control.
Tee Garner: AUTO LOG OUT
Tracy:
lololololol
JDaniels:
oh my goodness, lol
Tracy:
Zane, you are toooo much!!!
kolaboof: Bye Tee. So soon?
Tracy:
Juanita caught hell. But the worst aspect of her life was being a black woman
without sisters
JDaniels:
Tracy, what was the central message u were trying to get out from your book?
Tracy:
and I dont mean blood sisters. I mean a sisterhood.
Zane:
What is your next book about and when is the release date?
Tracy:
JDaniels, the central message in Chocolate Sangria is one of friendship and the
strength of its bonds.
Tracy:
A message of self-identity, and of self-determination when deciding who and what
you are.
Thumper:
Tracy:
Often, we allow society to influence our self-perceptions, and hope that the
characters in Choc San
JDaniels:
Now with Black Coffee. It was one of those books I read very quickly, and felt
myself emotionally up and down the whole time.
Tracy:
evolved to a point where they learn to determine that for themselves.
JDaniels:
Do you consider the male love interest to be a dog or a confused brotha?
Tracy:
Many say that Chocolate Sangria is fast paced as well, and creates a lot of
different emotions
Tracy:
In Black Coffee or Choc San, JDaniels?
tonyah: i think both books are fast reads
Tee Garner: LOGGED IN
JDaniels:
Black Coffee. I'm still waiting for my copy of Black Sangria:)
Tracy:
Hi Tee, glad you are back?
Tee Garner: I keep getting booted out.
Tee Garner: :(
Tracy:
JDaniels,
Tracy:
I wrote Black Coffee in a way that Rom should have been seen as a good brother
who was human, flawed, conflicted, had issues, but was a strong black man who
ultimately loved his children and loved his woman.
Tracy:
I don't really try to write my male characters as dogs b/c I have three sons and
a husband.
Thumper:
Did male readers give you a hard time with Romolus in Black Coffee
Tracy:
Not that there aren't dogs out there, but even they have good points.
JDaniels:
I was about to ask that same question, lol
Tracy:
No. Hundreds of women emailed me asking where they could find them a Romulus!
Tracy:
They loved him.
JDaniels:
I loved him and he made me sick at the same time, lol
Tracy:
Loved him to death. Didn't like some of his behaviors, but understood his
motivations and appreciated his redemption at the conclusion of the story.
JDaniels:
I felt he should have been man enough to stand up to his wife
Tracy:
Yeah, girl. My hubby makes me sick sometiimes too!
Tracy:
But I love him to death!
JDaniels:
but then i tend to give me no rope
JDaniels:
men i mean, lol
Zane:
lol, same here
Zane:
in regards to the husband making me sick sometimes comment
Tracy:
Yes, most women felt the same way, that he should have stood up to her, but
every man I talked to understood that his wife had the power because she had his
children and total control over them.
Tracy:
Oddly, a lot of women who want there men to be fathers to their children...
Tracy:
also wanted Rom to say fuck it to his wife and walk away and leave his own
children behind.
Tracy:
His entire core conflict was because of his love for his kids.
JDaniels:
true, but in the meantime he was doing girlfiriend
Tracy: If not for that, he would have walked away and never looked back.
JDaniels:
getting her prego and walking around in a circle. thats why my emotions were up
and down
kolaboof: Now what was the wife's story in Black Coffee? Was she just a bitch?
Tracy: Yes, his marriage was over.
Tracy: But that didn't stop him from loving his kids, which is what a
lot of mothers would like to say about their own baby's daddies, but can't.
Thumper:
Did you self publish Black Coffee first? Did it make a difference with it being
later picked up by a major publishing house?
sally: AUTO LOG OUT
Tracy: Yes, he did Sandie wrong. He made mistakes, and so did she. I
created them that way or there would NOT have been any tension in the novel and
we wouldnt be having this discussion b/c you could have closed the book at page
67,
Tracy: Yes, Kola. Wife was a straight up ho.
JDaniels:
thats true
JDaniels:
thats true
Tracy: Yes, Thumper, I self pubbed Black Coffe first.
Tracy: I think self pubbing was instrumental to its being picked up by a
house.
JDaniels:
if a book doesnt pull some time of feeling, then its not worth the paper. i read
it a while back and still be like, romulussssssssssss, u need to be spanked! lol
Tracy: lolololo!!
Tracy: Good, JDaniels!!!
Tracy: Then again, I did my job.
Thumper:
I didn't think the wife was a straight up ho. I thought she was a bitch and
didn't know her own mind.
Zane:
lol JD
Tracy: Just like Zoe in Zane's Addicted, I want readers to remember Rom
and Sandie long after they read the last page.
Tracy: Yes, she was tipping out at night,
JDaniels:
she just needed some happy pills
Tracy: at lunchtime too.
Zane:
Tracy, what do you think about the new AA imprints at major houses? Are they
living up to expectations overall?
JDaniels:
and to clean her house, lol
Tracy: He was waking up in the middle of the night to a whiff of her
perfume in the air, cause sister was GONE>
Tracy: Good question, Zane.
Tracy: I have heard so much about imprints...
Tracy: and I can honestly say that I have been mostly happy with mine.
Tracy: There have been challenges
Tracy: but I have been treated well, even though many other writers
don't feel that they have
kolaboof: Does anyone know Erroll McDonald at Random House? What do you think
of that brother?
Tracy: My next novel is coming out under Ballantine/One World
Zane: cool
Tracy: And Iam looking forward to seeing the difference between them and
Strivers Row
JDaniels:
What made u decide to move to another house?
Tracy: I think if it weren't for imprints a lot of us would not have
been as successful as we have been.
Tracy: They have been a launching pad and a foothold to gettiiing into
the publishing houses.
JDaniels: well, imprint I mean
Tracy: My editor got a promotion and took on One World and took me with
her.
Thumper:
Haven't heard of him, Kola.
kolaboof: How much tension, Tracy (and Zane too) have you had with Editors?
Tracy: I have been blessed, and I know Zane has too.
Tracy: My editor is great.
Zane: Neither one of my editors has ever asked me to change a thing
tonyah: well random house really seems t o love you tracy
Tracy: I haven't had to change anything
JDaniels: I dont think there is always tension
Tracy: Yes, they have been good to me, Tonya.
Zane: my only tension is being late turning in all my books, like a month
before they come out-lol
Tracy: The only thing about my editor is she is too squeamish for me.
Thumper:
OK, gang, we have 15 more minutes. does anyone have any last questions for
Tracy?
JDaniels: sometimes editors do push the sequel thing too much though
Tracy: She needs to toughen up. Man up!
JDaniels: sometimes editors do push the sequel thing too much though
Tracy: No sequels for me, thus far. I am to bring something totally
different to the table each time at bat.
JDaniels: what is your next novel, Tracy?
Tracy: Just wait until you guys get A Taste of Hunnie.
Zane: and when is the release date?
Tracy: My 3rd novel is totally different from the first two.
Tracy: Jan 2004.
Zane: that's good Tracy. Keep them guessing on what you'll come up with next
tonyah: i notice all of your novels are totally different ... has that been
hard?
Tracy: I want to write something different each time. ATOH really
stretched my creativity because I wrote of things I had no knowledge of.
Tee Garner: AUTO LOG OUT
kolaboof: Yeah, my books take immense research. BYE TEE
Tracy: So research was a constant task, and then I had to immerse myself
in characters who were very different than any I'd ever created.
Tracy: It was actually painful at times.
Tracy: I would rather scrub the toilet than write, many, many days!
kolaboof: If it was painful...then you're WRITING
Zane: lol
Tracy: Yes, lawd!
JDaniels: research is fun in itself
Tracy: I had to truly stretch, but I had a man who helped me.
Tracy: He held me up to a standard, chapter by chapter
Zane: that's good Tracy
kolaboof: Tracy...I just have to ask
Tracy: and sometimes he sent the chaps back and said, "Aw, hell no."
Zane: lol
Tracy: "You can do better than that, darling."
kolaboof: Would you consider yourself a male-identified woman writer....or a
woman-identified writer
Tracy: So I was constantly forced to write towards my apex, and I hope
it should in this next work.
Tracy: lololol
Tracy: lololol
Zane: If Tracy can answer that, I will be truly impressed
Tracy: Had to think on that for a minute
Zane: I don't even understand the question-lol
kolaboof: Alice Walker asked that , I didn't know how to answer
tonyah: lol
Tracy: I think I am a male-identified woman writer.
kolaboof: I didn't understand the question right off the bat.
Tracy: I identify more with my male characters and tend to write in a
male voice most often.
kolaboof: I think you are, too. From this interview.
Zane: << about right dumb of kind>
Zane: oh okay
Tracy: My fourth novel, Hot Koko, is about a woman but told by a man.
kolaboof: ZANE...girl, you a hormone identified writer LOL just kidding
Zane: I get it now
Tracy: I have no idea why I write better or more as a man though.
Zane: lol kolaboof, I actually write literary novels also. They just won't be
coming out under Zane.
Tracy: They get on my nerves sometimes!
JDaniels: U have to really have a deep understanding about men to write in
their voice. and I really think female writers do that well
kolaboof: Well make sure I get one, ZANE. I do Love your books.
Tracy: Yes, I know you have a wide range as well, Zane.
Zane: I agree JD
kolaboof: Zane...you're responsible for my second son being conceived.
Thumper:
I would like to thank Tracy for stopping by and chatting with us. I've been a
juge fan of hers since I read Black Coffee last summer. Tracy, do you have any
parting words.
Tracy: Yes.
Zane: lol kolaboof
Tracy: Thanks to all of you. You have my appreciation and love for your
support and encouragement.
kolaboof: You're great Tracy!! Fun meeting you.
Tracy: Thanks! And thanks, Thumper, for inviting me and for liking my
work!
Zane: We appreciate you also Tracy and tell your hubby that the limp you gave
him at the hotel last weekend in VA will get better and so will his back
Tracy: lololol
Tracy: ou must have been in the room adjacent to ours!
Zane: lol
JDaniels:
Good luck, Tracy. Keep clicking away at that pc
Tracy: That headboard was knocked clean loose!
Tracy: Thanks, JD.
Zane: yep, didn't sleep a wink. I was taking notes for the sex chronicles 3
tonyah: yeah keep up the good work tracy
Tracy: Zane, let's set a play date for Lizzie and Lili.
Zane: she'd love that
Tracy: Thanks, Tonya! I love ya!
kolaboof: GOSH...this was over so quick. Thumper needs to expand these to 2
hours.
Thumper:
Naw, Tracy, thank you for writing. And keep on writing!! Now, I'm going to talk
about your good friend Linda W. and see why she didn't show up for the chat.
*big smile*
tonyah: i love ya as well :)
Tracy: Yes, the time flys by.
Tracy: Tell Linda hello for me!!
kolaboof: Thumper...I sent an email to that MALL in Philly.
Zane: I sent one also
Tracy: Me too.
Zane: One of my authors is supposed to be signing there next week and I hope
they can stay open
Zane: They really support a lot of people
Tracy: There is great traffic there and very high sales.
kolaboof: Oh that's right Zane, my agent told me that you actually own your own
Publ. House!!
Tracy: I wonder if the mall wants to put a different type of store there
Zane: yes, 21 signed authors and growing
kolaboof: Good for you girl!!
Zane: they need to keep the book store
JDaniels:
yes she does, she's the strebor ceo:)
kolaboof: That's it...Stebor
Zane: lol JDaniels, you are just being kind because I mailed your royalty check
yesterday
Thumper:
I sent mine as well. Thank you all so much for your support. Although I'm
on-line, I still believe that we should all support our black bookstores, cause
without them many of us wouldn't have gotten to read authors like Tracy and
Zane.
kolaboof: Or KOLA BOOF most definitely would not be heard without Independent
Book stores
Tracy: So true. They supported me when few people would.
Tracy: I had a POD book and it was hell getting it into stores.
JDaniels:
and u know that, lol
Zane: We need as many black bookstores as possible
kolaboof: JDaniels, what have you written?
Zane: If I had the time, I would open one and have a signing every night
kolaboof: Yes, we do need to keep and support BLACK stores
tonyah: zane i've been thinking the same thing
Tracy: Zane, that is a wonderful idea.
JDaniels:
LuvAlwayz, which is co authored and with SBI, and its sequel, Draw Me With Your
Love. and im also with BET Books, too. Serpent in my corner comes out in July.
Tracy: I wish I could do something like that.
JDaniels:
Do you think emails can help keep basic black books open?
Thumper:
OK. Tracy, thanks again. Zane, you were an unexpected pleasure. Kola, you're my
girl and I send you much love. Thanks to everyone else for coming as well. I had
a good time. But now, I got a steak to grill. *LOL* Good night.
Zane: Good night all
Tracy: LOLOL G'mnite, Thumper. Eat some steak for me!
kolaboof: GOODNIGHT Thumper, you're so sweet.
Zane: LOGGED OUT
tonyah: good night thumper
Tracy: Will the chat room continue to be open?
kolaboof: Yes, it's open 24 hours Tracy
Tracy: k
JDaniels:
night nite, american idol is gonna be on soon:)
kolaboof: I just heard of that book LuvAlwayz
kolaboof: It's only 4 in the afternoon here in California
Thumper:
Yep, the chat room is always open. Enjoy.
JDaniels:
well the other two are not out yet
Thumper: LOGGED OUT
kolaboof: BYE thumper
Tracy: Kola I will be hitting California frequently after I move to
Hawaii
kolaboof: Is that your name....JDANIELS? on the books
JDaniels:
what's the name of your book, Kola? What's your pen name?
kolaboof: I hate California
Tracy: Really? Then girl you should move to where you can be happy.
tonyah:
hopefully she will tour hawaii lol
tonyah:
hopefully she will tour hawaii lol
Tracy: Yes, I sure will. Believe it!
kolaboof: Kola Boof is my name. You can search my name on the net. I wrote
"Long Train to the Redeeming Sin: STories of African Women" and I have "Diary of
a Lost Girl" coming out, I THINK (not sure yet) from Random House.
JDaniels:
yes, although I have two pen names. I've another book, a different genre coming
out in the winter, with strebor
JDaniels:
Ok, I'll do that:)
kolaboof: Yes...actually there is a Fatwa death sentence on my life...I am
stuck in my house ALL The time.
kolaboof: I come from Sudan.
Tracy: Kola, I think I have heard of you
JDaniels:
I'm on amazon.com looking now, lol
kolaboof: In my new book, Diary, I talk about my affair with Osama Bin Laden in
1996. You might have read about me in the news. But that's my life
tonyah:
wow
Tracy: Girl, I read some of your posts on the AALBC board and fell in
love with you.
Tracy: I had no idea that this is who you were tonight.
kolaboof: Thanks Tracy.
tonyah:
how do i have that smiley face by my name
kolaboof: I am so misunderstood, Tracy.
JDaniels:
oh my goodness, for real?
Tracy: I was like--finally! A sister who is in love with her own black
self and her own black people and not afraid or ashamed to tell it!
kolaboof: Yes. For real.
tonyah: wow
kolaboof: Thanks Tracy. That's how I truly feel.
JDaniels:
lol@tonya
kolaboof: JDaniels. You should visit my web site at www.kolaboof.com
Tracy: Girl, they were giving you a hard time but you held your own.
kolaboof: LOL @ tanya.
tonyah: i'm going to go check it out now
kolaboof: My life is total hell. State Department OWN me and my kids.
JDaniels:
ok, i'll do that
kolaboof: I am counting a good check from Random House.
tonyah: random house is suppose to be sending me some books .. i hope they send
me yours , if not i will buy it for sure
Tracy: Girl, I can't wait to get that book.
kolaboof: Thanks Tonya. I'm currently OUT OF PRINT.
Tracy: I have friends from the Sudan
tonyah: dag
kolaboof: My publisher in Morrocco was firebombed and they dropped me.
Tracy: And my third novel, ATOH takes place partly in Kenya.
Tracy: I deal with female circumcision
kolaboof: I am infibulated Tracy
JDaniels:
why are u out of print? is it for political reasons?
kolaboof: They cut my vagina after my birth.
Tracy: Okay, that is the experience I have given my character.
Tracy: how old were you?
kolaboof: Yes, my publisher put me out of print after I was threatened with
death.
Tracy: do you mind me askiing you questions in this forum?
kolaboof: No, I don't mind.
kolaboof: Ask away.
Tracy: Okay, thanks. I interviewed a lot of women for my novel. How old
were you?
kolaboof: Osama Bin Laden won't deal with a female unless she is CUT
Tracy: Infibulation involves the cutting of the clitoris and the closure
of the vaginal lips, correct?
kolaboof: I think I was 1 years old. I did not know that I was cut until my
Black American mother adopted me and looked down there and told me.
JDaniels:
why is that? was it threatening to him or for religious reasons?
kolaboof: In my culture...they leave the clitoris intact. Thank god.
Tracy: Okay.
Tracy: In my story the girl has part of her clitoris cut away, but not
the entire organ.
kolaboof: In Africa...female circumsicion means Woman Is Clean/Pure
Tracy: Have you had a reversal surgery?
Tracy: Yes, for honor and chastity.
kolaboof: Yes, many women of the Nile River (where I am from) still have the
clitoris intact.
tonyah: i'm reading your bio .. all i can say is .. wow
kolaboof: No....no reversal surgery. I keep it to honor my dead African mother.
Tracy: Yes, she is a phenomenal woman.
Tracy: In my interviews I found many women who were just fine with their
circumcision, and others who were not.
kolaboof: I am phenomenal because a Black American woman raised me. I write
about that in my new book.
Tracy: Some were badly scarred emotionally and psychologically.
JDaniels: How did you get with osama?
Tracy: In my story the girl is emotionally scarred
kolaboof: I met Osama in Marrakech Morrocco in 1996. He forced me to date him.
I did not want to. He saw me at a restaurant. I was a model then.
Tracy: others in her family are not
kolaboof: I campaign against Female Circumcision. It is EVIL and cruel.
Tracy: Well we could have one hell of a conversation about it.
Tracy: started out feeling one way about it,
kolaboof: Yeah email me, Tracy and I will phone you. kolamask@yahoo.com
Tracy: but after my research and talking to women and seeing the scars
and the effects of it, physically and mentally, my views changed.
kolaboof: Female mutilation is TRULY for the male's pleasure.
Tracy: k. what is your website, Kola?
Tracy: I agree.
kolaboof: The women are "brainwashed" to accept it.
Tracy: I want to send you the prologue to ATOH, where my character
actually undergoes her circumcision.
kolaboof: kolaboof.com is my web site. But if you search my name at Yahoo--you
will find hundreds of interesting stories
Tracy: LOGGED IN
Tracy: I got booted
tonyah: you are truly amazing
kolaboof: Oh--another Tracy!! This is great. A twin story.
kolaboof: Thanks Tonyah. You're sweet. You should email me too and I wll send
you a copy of my book that is out of print.
Tracy: Yes, indeed!
Tracy: I am so happy to have met you online.
tonyah: i will email you for sure
kolaboof: I'm honored to meet you, too.
Tracy: When I read about you I was soooo impressed with your spunk and
your candor.
tonyah: i am so glad i met her as well
kolaboof: I love to meet other authors.
gloria: LOGGED IN
Tracy: I am checking out your site right now.
kolaboof: Thanks Tonya...what you do you do, Tonyah? Hi Gloria
Tracy: Hi Gloria
Tracy: Is this Goria Mallette?
gloria: yes. child, i'm just finding the message box
gloria: Sorry I'm late
kolaboof: Lol at Gloria!
Tracy: hey gloria!
tonyah: hi gloria
Tracy: that chat is over, but we are still here having fun
tonyah: I am a publicist @ kolaboof
gloria: please, I'm computer stupid. all day installing new computer and
software.
kolaboof: Tonyah are you a book critic?
gloria: Hi Tonyah hi all
kolaboof: oh
tonyah: sorry it took me a minute to respond, i'm on your website and chatting
..
tonyah: i have a couple of literary columns as well
Tracy: Kola!!!
kolaboof: Tracy, I was supposed to get your book yesterday....I would have read
it by now.
Tracy: We are truly twins!
kolaboof: They are late.
Tracy: I am at your site....
kolaboof: lol
Tracy: We love the same authors!
kolaboof: Tracy is so funny.
Tracy: Gloria Naylor,
tonyah: i noticed that too tracy when i read her bio
Tracy: Jaqueline Susann
Tracy: Alice Walker!
Tracy: All my favorites!
kolaboof: LOL....actually, I only mentioned Jaqueline Sussan as the first book
I ever read (which got me addicted)
kolaboof: I had such a hard time learning English
kolaboof: I love Alice and Toni Morrison the best.
kolaboof: Gloria...how are you doing? I think your name is very familiar.
tonyah: ya'll forgive me ... i'm just totally amazed
gloria: Hi Kolaboof, I'm fine.
kolaboof: LOL@ Tonyah. U are so cute!!
gloria: Oh, I'm not that's familiar so don't worry about it
kolaboof: Are you an author, Gloria?
gloria: sometimes
gloria: I'm trying, anyway to be an author
kolaboof: ok mystery lady (LOL@Gloria)
gloria: I have a book coming out in November, The Honey Well
tonyah: did gloria just say she's trying to be an author .. lol
Tracy: Gloria has also written three other works
kolaboof: That's a good title, Gloria. Sound interesting.
Tracy: publsihed I should say, four other works
kolaboof: I knew she was being MODEST
gloria: That's the truth Tonyah. Am I lying Tracy?
Tracy: namely Shades of Jade
tonyah: she's an excellent writer
Tracy: Weeping Willlows Dance
Tracy: Promises To Keep
earl sewell: LOGGED IN
kolaboof: OH!! I know her!
Tracy: and When We Practice to Deceive
kolaboof: Hi Earl.
Tracy: Hey Earl!
Tracy: Good to see ya. Long time no chat
gloria: I love you too Tonyah and Tracy but it will be a while yet before my
name is known. Okay Tracy, enough
tonyah: she's excellent ... check out her interview
gloria: Thank you Tonyah. Hi. Earl
earl sewell: hey there, chile, u know how it is when u gotta write a book
Tracy: Gloria is a bestselling author and her name is well known
kolaboof: Gloria...I'm so honored to meet you.
earl sewell: hey gloria
Tracy: And Earl Sewell is also in the house
JDaniels: AUTO LOG OUT
gloria: the honor is mine, Kolaboof. Right now, Tracy is the hot one
kolaboof: BYE JDaniels, so nice to meet you . I will order your LuvAlways
tonight
Tracy: Earl, please list your published works.
earl sewell: Ok,
Tracy: Gloria, this is an open forum. My chat was from 6-7 and most chat
members have already left
kolaboof: Wow...a lot of famous authors here, that's so great.
tonyah: tonyah, sorry but you can not input words more than 50 characters in
length.
earl sewell: The Good Got to Suffer With The BAd
kolaboof: Yeah, Gloria...wer'e having fun chatting beyond the limit
earl sewell: Taken For Granted
gloria: I see. Again, sorry I was late and now my son is calling . It's time
for bed. I will ahve to say good night also. Hope to join you folks again
earl sewell: After HOurs: A collection of erotic writing by black men
kolaboof: Is everyone friends with Troy Johnson then? AFTER HOURS
tonyah:
http://www.mpbnetwork.com/lounge/
kolaboof: AFTER HOURS....I lllooooove that book cover, Earl
tonyah: scroll down and you will see Gloria's name
Tracy: what about Grown Folks Business, Earl?
tonyah: scroll down and you will see Gloria's nameearl
tonyah: earllllllllllllllllllll
kolaboof: I haven't read the book yet. I am writing a book of erotic
fiction--it'll be pub. about 3 years from now. I have other books lined up
first.
tonyah: all these talented authors up in here
earl sewell: working on that one now Tracy. thanks for asking
Tracy: AUTO LOG OUT
kolaboof: BYE GLORIA...thanx for saying hello tonight.
earl sewell: by gloria
Tracy: Night Gloria!!!
tonyah: nite gloria
kolaboof: It's only 4 afternoon where I am.
gloria: thank you, hon. Earl, good to meet you lol. Tracy call you tomorrow.
night alll
gloria: LOGGED OUT
kolaboof: Earl?
earl sewell: nict to meet u 2 gloria
earl sewell: yes koloboof
kolaboof: I loved your book cover on AFTER HOURS...I have the book, but haven't
read it.
kolaboof: Call me Kola
earl sewell: tracy how is your new book doing
earl sewell: Kola, i am one of the authors in the book Robert Fleming is the
editor
kolaboof: I'm writing a book of erotic fiction, too
JDaniels: LOGGED IN
tonyah: j daniels says she's on her way back in
earl sewell: tracy? r u still there?
kolaboof: Won't be out for atleast 3 years though, I have others lined up
JDaniels:
I was booted
Tracy: Chocolate Sangria is doing really well, Earl. Thanks!
kolaboof: JDANIELS...I was just saying that I was going to order your book
tonight
earl sewell: good 4 u kola
JDaniels: Hey, Earl:)
tonyah: if you haven't read taken for granted . you should
JDaniels: Thanks, do that. I want to check your work out, too:)
Tracy: Kola I saw your pictures on your site. You are a beautiful woman.
The pictures are wonderful!
earl sewell: I need to pick up a copy
kolaboof: Taken for Granted by Earl Sewel, I'll write that down
kolaboof: Thanx Tracy, you're sweet.
earl sewell: hey JD
tonyah: yes, please read it kolaboof .. it's great
JDaniels: I was looking for pics on their but couldnt find them
kolaboof: The Nudity bothers the editors at Random House. I want it in my
contract that I must be topless on back of books.
tonyah: everybody in here have some awesome books
JDaniels: u finished Serpent, tonya?
tonyah: isn't she beautiful
Tracy: click on photo gallery at the top, JDaniels
kolaboof: They don't understand why African women do this
Tracy: Yes. very.
tonyah: almost finished @ jd
JDaniels: ok, going now
Tracy: Au naturale African beauty. The absolute best kind!
kolaboof: We believe that its an abomination for a woman's breast to be covered
on the Nile River...American publishers fight with me, however
earl sewell: r u working on your next book tracy?
kolaboof: But I won.
Tracy: Yes, it is A Taste of Hunnie
Tracy: Which is why I find Kola so fascinating.
Tracy: She has some of the experiences of my main character
kolaboof: Tonyah, where are you living?
Tracy: ATOH is actually finished, and I am working on Hot Koko now
tonyah: richmond, va
kolaboof: WOW!! I have family in Tidewater, Va. Newport News (my black American
adoptive family)
JDaniels: have u lived in va, kola?
tonyah: really .. wow!!!!!
kolaboof: I grew up in Wash. D.C. after I left Sudan
Tracy: Kola, I am over her rolling on the floor crying laughing about
the quote on your site about your breasts!
tonyah: jdaniels is here also
Tracy: I lived in Newport News twice.
Tracy: Will be there again on May 30th.
kolaboof: Yeah...people get mad at me Tracy for things I say. Very angry with
me. Especially white American women.
tonyah: and may 17th ... hopefully .. lol @ tracy
JDaniels: Richmond born:)
Tracy: Yes, Richmond on May 17th!
kolaboof: J Daniels was actually BORN in Richmond. That's cool.
kolaboof: Am I the only one who lives on the West Coast now? I hate California.
kolaboof: I wish to move to Long Island, N.Y.
tonyah: there are lots of writers out there w/you @ kolaboof
Tracy: I lived in Long Island when I went to college.
kolaboof: Black people in California....are NOT black.
Tracy: I am actually from Brooklyn and drove to Long Island for school
each day.
Tracy: Where on the Island do you want to live, Kola?
kolaboof: I used to live with a man in Huntington? And had friends in
Amityville
Tracy: K. That is pretty far out on the Island.
kolaboof: Then again...it's cold in N.Y.
Tracy: Not Central Islip far, but far.
Tracy: Yes and I hate cold weather.
kolaboof: Yes.
Tracy: Moving to Hawaii!!
kolaboof: I hate cold weather, too.
kolaboof: HAWAII is a fun place.
tonyah: me too @ kolaboof
kolaboof: If I could afford it, I would have a cabin in Hawaii.
Tracy: Well folks, I have to go. Have a million things to do tonight and
very little time to do them.
JDaniels: how long have u lived in cali, kola?
tonyah: that's why tracy needs to take me w/her to hawaii .. lol
Tracy: Thanks for those of you who came out to my chat. Much love,
thanks for the support, and peace and balance to each of you.
kolaboof: JDANIELS: I live in Cali about 3 years, I think.
Tracy: C'mon, Tonya. You can come and get a grass skirt and get your
luau on!
kolaboof: I was living in Morocco, N. Africa and then went to Spain and London
JDaniels: good luck, Tracy:)
tonyah: gurl now that's what i'm talking about
Tracy: Thanks! G'nite all!
