Q+A w/ an Author You Need to Know

Join me for bi-weekly Q+A sessions with authors I think you should know!

Help me welcome author & founder of Facebook's Big Black Chapters,

Liza Bangston.

Bangston's brainchild, Big Black Chapters boasts a membership of over 1,ooo members and she's the wildly talented author of three published works: Bound by the Headmaster, The Boss's Naughty List, and Daddy's Gone.

Q: WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

A: The winter after Hurricane Alicia destroyed Galveston Island, where I was born.

Q: WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS?

A: I idolize Brenda Jackson and Beverly Jenkins. Mary Monroe is another favorite.

Q: DO YOU KNOW THE STORY OF HOW YOU WERE NAMED?

A: Actually, I do! My mother named me after her favorite actress at the time - Raquel Welch.

Q: Does writing energize or exhaust you?

A: It depends on the scene. Action-packed, fast paced chapters give me life and are enjoyable to write. However; there are those scenes, the disturbing ones, that take a toll on me emotionally, mentally, and sometimes, physically.

Q: What is your writing Kryptonite?

A: My family. I know that sounds bad, but with young children and being the oldest child [and grandchild], there are a lot of people who depend on me. This makes finding time to write a challenge. Not to mention, when I do, I’m usually to exhausted to focus.

Q: Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

A: Romance readers expect certain things. Happy endings. Emotional drama. I try to deliver those expectations in a new, fresh way.

Q: Do you think there is a void in the industry that you could fill? If so, where and how could you fill it?

A: Absolutely. I haven’t seen many black writers producing dark romance or erotica that doesn’t revolve around urban or contemporary themes.

Q: How long have you been writing?

A: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Even before I could write, I carried around notebooks that I would scribble in, pretending to craft stories for my little cousins. I really became serious about the craft in junior high school.

Q: When you’re writing an emotionally draining (or sexy, or sad, etc) scene, how do you get in the mood?

A: Mood music. Give me the right soundtrack and I’m good to go.

Q: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

A: To completion...four. But only three of those have been published. My favorite has to be Bound by the Headmaster. It’s the story that gave my confidence a much needed boost.

Q: Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

A: Layla Maxwell from a WIP I’m co-writing with my best friend. I relate to this character in so much and her life mirrors mine in so many ways it’s scary.

Q: What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?

A: Beverly Jenkins. No doubt about. In my mind, she already is.

Q: What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A: Any beach. I don’t care what coast as long as waves are crashing against the shore; I’m there.

***Please share a link to a favorite song.***

https://www.pandora.com/artist/glass-animals/zaba-deluxe-edition/gooey/TRdpKlVmpbldZ7q

Thank you for taking the time to share a bit of who you are with us!

Find Ms. Bangston's work here:

https://urlzs.com/bpD8

And here!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bigblackchapters/​