|
Urban Reviews: Tell us about your latest book Not His Type.
Chamein Canton: Not His Type is about...
New York literary agent Catherine Chambers a 40-year old full
figured divorced mother, cookbook author and empty nester. A born
workaholic armed with an Ivy League degree, she worked hard to make
her children and agency successful. However, once her children went
off to college she refocused her energy on her work and the New York
Yankees. A lifelong Yankee fan Cathy was never disappointed by her
guys in pinstripes, particularly a certain shortstop. As for real
romance she struck out twice and had no desire to step up to bat
again. The way she figured a crush on Marcus Fox was harmless; she
would never meet him so he couldn't break her heart. It was the
perfect solution.
At 34 years old superstar Marcus Fox was one of the most eligible
bachelors in the country. With his love life in the spotlight, he
paraded some of the most beautiful actresses, singers, pageant
winners and models on his arm. Yet Ms. Right continued to elude him.
Then one day when an agency client failed to show for
lunch Catherine met Marcus and immediately sparks flew. Much to
their surprise love blossomed despite the fact Cathy didn't fit the
mold of his usual arm candy as the tabloid presses are quick to
point out. Still the two embark on a relationship even though for
all intensive purposes she's not his type.
Urban Reviews: Where did the idea for this story come from?
Chamein Canton: I am a lifelong diehard Yankees fan and one of my favorite players
is Derek Jeter. I also have a big crush on him (he doesn't need to
hire extra security though) Whenever they show him in the media he's
always with some wonderfully thin model type woman and I thought to
myself what would happen if someone like him (a high profile
athlete) fell for an average (full figured) woman. The idea stayed
with me since I like 64% of the women in the US alone am full
figured. I thought it would be fun to explore it from the view
of a pretty confident woman who goes through the same ups and down
about her body.
Urban Reviews: What made you want to become a romance author?
Chamein Canton: I didn't start out as a romance author. You see I entered this
world big from the beginning. I weighed in a few ounces shy of nine
pounds and then I spent the rest of my life trying to live down a
tiny three lettered word 'big'. I hated being the big girl. At one
point in my life I had so much black in my closet I thought I'd hear
the voice of James Earl Jones as Darth Vader at any minute.
Then my life changed when I was diagnosed with uterine cancer at 23
years old. I underwent six years of chemo, biopsies and more
surgical procedures than I'd like to remember. To top everything off
I was a divorced working mother and sole parental supporter of my
sons, so I spent many days going from chemo in the morning straight
to work with a supply of, Compazine, airsickness bags, crackers,
ginger ale and a very understanding boss. I can't
tell you how many days I spent lying on the bathroom floor green
with nausea wondering how on earth anyone could want to make
themselves sick just so they won't gain weight.
For the first time in my life I wasn't focused on losing something,
I was focused on gaining. I wanted more minutes, hours, days, weeks,
months and years to spend with my children. I was desperate to see
my toddler sons grow up and to make it to my 30th birthday. It took
a diagnosis of cancer to make me realize what truly counted in life
and it wasn't size; it's love. However through chemo I met couples
going through the depths of illness together and the love they
showed one another touched me in the deepest part of my soul. It
was a real testament to for better or for worse. It was then I
decided to forget my obsession with size.
As a result of cancer I gained a new respect for life,
refocused followed my first dream to become a wedding planner.
Still I wanted to bring the insight I learned to my clients so I
made it my mission to communicate to brides to be that
losing weight was not the key to happiness or being a beautiful
bride. The key to feeling and looking beautiful begins with self
love; a love that includes body acceptance, setting realistic goals
for your body and living a healthy lifestyle, which is how Down That
Aisle In Style A Wedding Guide For Full Figured Women, my first
foray into writing for full figured women, was born so to speak.
Once the bridal book was out I decided to do more to take plus sizes
from co-starring roles in romance novels to center stage. My novels
feature full figured female characters as the object of desire and
not just the jolly chubby friend.
Urban Reviews: Can you describe the day you saw your first novel on the
shelves?
Chamein Canton: I can only describe it as seeing your baby for the first time. I was
so excited that I cried.
Urban Reviews: What author do you think was your biggest inspiration to want to
be a writer?
Chamein Canton: I had so many authors influence me growing up like Austen, Bronte,
Nikki Giovanni and Alice Waters.
Urban Reviews: You are also involved in promoting other authors as well,
correct?
Chamein Canton: Yes. I work as a literary agent so being a book publicist goes hand
in hand. I understand the work it takes to write a book, but the real
work is to get the word out that you wrote a book.
Urban Reviews: What other projects can we expect from you in the future?
Chamein Canton: The sequel to Not His Type
is titled The More Things Change, and it came
out on December 2nd. My next book Waiting For Mr. Darcy will
be out sometime in the fall of 2009.
Urban Reviews: What things have you experienced that you would like
to advise other aspiring authors about?
Chamein Canton: I want to encourage other aspiring authors to keep writing. I know
it can be a daunting task because writing is a solitary thing but
try to share your writing with others to get some feedback. Keep an
open mind but stay true to your own voice. Here's a tip for those
looking for representation make sure you have your manuscript edited
by a professional. It might cost you but you want to present your
work in the best light possible.. If you don't have the money to
spare, try asking around writer's groups, college English professors
and/or grad students they may be able to help you.
Urban Reviews: Who are some of your favorite writers?
Chamein Canton: I enjoy Eric Jerome Dickey, Toni Morrison,
and Judy Blume.
Urban Reviews: Is there anything else you would like to share with us
about yourself or your books?
Chamein Canton:
I'm thankful to say that I've been cancer free for almost 14 years
and I've been able to live successfully with multiple sclerosis for
the past 13 years. It's not easy but I embrace every day. I’m
thankful for life and the opportunities I’ve had. I only hope that
through my fiction I’m able to pay it forward to make a better day
for real women of all sizes and shapes.
|
