Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Cynthia White

Urban Reviews: Start by telling our readers about Queen.
Cynthia White: The story begins with Queen going to prison to visit her father the day before his execution. As the conversation progresses you discover that he is in prison for a crime that Queen committed. She wants to confess so badly but her father won't allow it. We then go back a few years to Queen's sixteenth birthday party where the crime takes place.

After her father is sent to prison she finds herself suddenly engaged to a man she barely knows. She's basically all alone with no real family. Her father's best and most trusted friend becomes her surrogate father, but with an empire to run now all on his own he finds it almost impossible to control the young, stubborn girl. Things become even more complicated when Queen becomes involved with his estranged son. She then unknowingly tries to mold the young man into her father.

One of the most defining moments of the story is when Queen is rapped by the man her mother is having an affair with. When she tells her mother about the rape she basically calls her a liar. That changes her forever and starts a change in her, in who she is. She becomes detached with almost everyone. Her father is the only person she really trusts so when he is taken away from her she starts to fall apart. Sex is now how she relates to people. She's such a mess but the sad part is that she doesn't even realize it. She justifies everything she does. When she finally sees herself for who she has really become it may already be too late for her to change.

Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for this novel?
Cynthia White: I was actually working on another story at the time. I got this vision in my head of a young girl going inside a prison to visit her father who was innocent and about to be put to death. I stopped working on the other story and committed to seeing this story through. I became consumed by this character. I wanted her to grow but I knew that in order for her to do that she had to fall and make mistakes. She had been through too much not to. So I guess you can say that Queen wasn't planned. She just happened.

Urban Reviews: How did you get into the business?
Cynthia White: I wish I had this larger than life, inspiring story but I don't. I was just a girl who loved to write and one day I decided to take a chance on myself. I sent Triple Crown the first four chapters of Queen and a few weeks later I got a letter from them in the mail. At first I was afraid to open it. I just looked at it wondering what it said. Finally I opened it up and my heart almost stopped. They wanted me to send them the entire manuscript. I called my best friend and my niece first. They were the two people that believed in me no matter what. Then after I talked to them I got to work and I was at the post office bright and early the very next morning. It all just fell into place after that. A short while later they called and offered me a two book deal and here I am today.

Urban Reviews: Can we get a sneak peak at your next novel ?
Cynthia White: My next novel is going to be the sequel to Queen. I have gotten so many messages from people who want to know what happens to Queen. All I can say for now is that you will get answers to a lot of your questions. You'll learn more about her father and his past. You'll also meet some new characters who each hold a small piece of the puzzle that is Queen.

Urban Reviews: What have you learned about the book industry so far? Is it what you expected it to be?
Cynthia White: I've learned that writing the book is just the beginning. You have to get out there and network so for someone like me who is kind of a quiet person it can be a little overwhelming at first. Do what you have to do to get comfortable. Once you start talking to the readers and they're showing you love and giving you feedback you relax. My first signing was in Harlem. I was so nervous but ten minutes into it I was having the time of my life. I met so many people who will never know just how much they impacted my life. I still get a little nervous but I just work through it. It's so worth it to get to meet the people who've read my book and let them know how much I appreciate them and their support.

Urban Reviews: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Cynthia White: There are so many but of course Vickie Stringer, Kwan, Nikki Turner, Chunichi, Mark Anthony, T. Styles, Keisha Ervin, Noire, Zane, Alisha Yvonne, Leo Sullivan, Keith Lee Johnson, Shannon Holmes, Roy Glenn, Quentin Carter, Treasure Blue, Deja King, J.M. Benjamin, Tracy Brown, T.N. Baker, Ki Ki Swinson, Cydney Rax, Mary Monroe, Mary B. Morrison. I know I'm forgetting so many, but blame my mind and not my heart.

Urban Reviews: How did it feel when you first held a copy of your book in your hands ?
Cynthia White: It was the best feeling in the world. I smiled so much my face hurt. I was so proud yet humbled at the same time. I had to take a moment to thank God for everything he had given me.

Urban Reviews: What advice would you give to aspiring authors ?
Cynthia White: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Rejection is a part of life. Not everyone will get your work. That's just something you have to learn to accept and get over. The beautiful thing is that for every one person that doesn't get it or doesn't like it there will be twenty others who love it. Write for them. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and what you can do.

Urban Reviews: What do you want the world to know most about you?
Cynthia White: That I'm just me. I'm no more special than anyone else. I had a dream and I went for it. I'm the same girl from the block you see at the corner store or at the nail shop or most likely the bookstore. I love to read, to go shopping and to go to the movies with my best friend. I can be goofy and silly. I love to laugh. And I can't live without music. I can't sing at all but I do write songs. I'm not shy but I can be kind of quiet at times. I have bad days just like everybody else but I don't let those few bad days ruin the many good ones.