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/
