with Electa Rome Parks

Electa Rome Parks is the author of the best-selling novels The Ties That Bind and Loose Ends, which were originally self-published through her own company (Novel Ideal Publishing and Editorial Services Company) that is now dedicated to quality editorial services. Mrs. Parks has been writing ever since she remembers. After years of keeping a diary, journaling, writing short stories and poems, her first novel was born in 2001.

After successfully self-publishing her debut novels, Mrs. Parks signed a three-book deal with New American Library. Her first novel, The Ties That Bind, was re-released in October 2004, and Loose Ends was re-released in November 2004. Her newest book, Almost Doesn't Count, was released in August 2005.

Recently, Electa signed her second book deal with New American Library/Penguin Group. Her upcoming project is: Ladies Night Out (NAL, 2006).  Electa Rome Parks currently lives outside Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband Nelson and two children.  With a BA degree in marketing and a minor in sociology, she is presently following her true passion and working on another novel.  To find out when and where Electa will be in your area, check out her website at www.electaromeparks.com. To share your thoughts with Electa regarding her work, please e-mail her at: novelideal@aol.com.

Urban-Reviews.com: How did you get into the business and did you always want to be a writer?
Electa Rome Parks: I know this is going to sound so cliché, but I’ve been writing my entire life, since I was a small child. My family has vivid memories of me penning short stories and plays that we, my sister and my cousins, would perform at church and home. In addition to writing poetry, I always kept a diary as a child and later, as an adult, I kept a journal for many years. Writing has always soothed my spirit and played a major part of who and what I am.

I think I seriously considered writing a novel back in 1997/1998. However, I didn't get up off my butt and do anything about it until approximately 2001. I had no choice because three very loud voices, the voices of Mia, Brice, and Christian, would not let me rest until their story was told; they haunted me for many months.

UR: Tell us a little bit about your current novel?
ERP: My third novel is entitled Almost Doesn't Count. Primarily, the storyline centers on a thirty-something woman, Mercedes Jackson, who is dealing with her own internal demons. She returns home, to a small South Georgia town, to care for her ailing mother, Miss Betty, for the summer. Before the summer ends, family secrets, past misdeeds and the road to understanding and forgiveness are traveled. In my trademark style, readers get a full dose of drama, spice, flair and more drama. So, check it out (August 2005); you won’t be disappointed! Already, rave reviews are coming in.

UR: Are you working on any future projects?
ERP: In 2005, I plan to actively promote Almost Doesn't Count and continue to spread the word about The Ties That Bind and Loose Ends as well. I’m always attending book signings, book club meetings and conferences. However, I have to pick and choose selectively. Hopefully, this year, I’ll also have the opportunity to meet and network with more AA authors in our growing literary community. Readers and book club members can check out my web site at www.electaromeparks.com for my comings and goings!

Additionally, I’m hard at work on book four and five. My fourth novel, Ladies Night Out, drops sometime in 2006.

UR: What are some of your current favorites (Authors or Books)?
ERP: Now that’s a very hard question. There are so many great authors out there right now and I love discovering fresh, new and exciting authors who are up and coming.  I have a great love and admiration for contemporary writers such as Terry McMillan, Eric Jerome Dickey, Bebe Moore Campbell, Kimberla Lawson Roby, E. Lynn Harris, etc. to name a few. And my list continues to grow with new, up and coming authors such as Sybil Barkley Staples, Torrance Stephens, Kenny Blue, Yolanda Tucker, and Tim Everett.

UR: How do you feel about bad reviews and negative criticism?
ERP: My feelings on bad reviews and negative criticism is mixed. I half jokingly inform my readers to be careful what they say about my works because I'm sensitive. That is true to a certain point, (as writers, we are all sensitive when it comes to our "babies"), but I honestly feel all writers should be open to constructive criticism; it's like our progress report from our readership base. It helps us to grow and improve our craft as writers.

However, on the other hand, constructive criticism is the key words. If a review is written because there is a hidden agenda at work, i.e., malicious intent, petty jealousies, grudges, or whatever the case may be, then I don't think it is a good thing. I've personally seen reviews written in which the nameless, one named, or pseudonym reviewer will shred an author's works to pieces via a review and lovingly place it out on the Internet for all the world to see. What's up with that? If a book is that horrible, with no redeemable qualities, then I think as a professional courtesy, this is something that should be addressed offline between the reviewer and the author.

UR: What things are different now that you are a writer?  Any changes?
ERP: After I finally exhaled and sent thank yous and praises up to heaven, not a darn thing has changed (LOL)!

Well, that's not exactly accurate. Due to circumstances and events that were beyond my control, 2003 I became a full-time writer/freelance editor of sorts. So far, it's been an amazing adventure and learning experience. I've come to realize and appreciate that life has a way of placing you exactly where you need to be at a moment in time. And. . . being a full-time writer feels like I've rediscovered, been reunited, and slipped on a pair of my favorite, warm and cozy, familiar and comfortable (with the hole in the toe) bedroom slippers. The shoes fit.

I must admit, it's different working with a major publishing house. Things that were previously under my control aren't any longer. However, I still wear many of those same hats that I wore as a self-publisher. Plus, the publishing industry is very slow; everything takes forever. I've learned to budget and manage my monies better. 

UR: What is your idea of a novel's success? (i.e. good reviews, good feedback from fans, good sales, etc.)
ERP: All the above are key to a novel's success. Good reviews, good feedback from fans and good sales are all dependent upon one another.

UR: Does it matter to you where people purchase your books? (i.e. B&M versus online, Black Expressions, etc.)
ERP: Personally, for me, it doesn't matter where readers purchase my books. The bottom line is sales; it doesn't matter where they are derived from. Sales translate into dollars. . . that is key in this business, not location.

UR: What words of advice would you give to people thinking about getting into the business?
ERP: I know this is going to sound sappy, but so be it. . . Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and never give up. Picture where you want to be a year from now, five years from now and claim that space. We all have stories to tell, but there are only a few of us who actually sit down and put pen to paper. That makes you unique in itself.

Believe in your gift and use it every day. Network and surround yourself with people and places that uplift and promote your creativity. Listen to your inner spirit. The only place where your dream becomes impossible is in your own thinking.

And last, but certainly not least, write “something” every day. And remember, it's true; you can't please all the people all the time. If you believe in what you write and you're passionate about what you write, readers will pick up on that aura.

Keep the faith and it will come. . . .

UR: Why should someone read your latest novel?
ERP: I'm an avid reader myself and I know what is entertaining for me to read. I feel that if readers crave elements of high drama, exciting relationships, smothering spiciness, more drama, compelling characters, and added twists and turns, then they'll embrace my book; which they have.

Also, with these correct blending of elements, I feel my book comes across as real, i.e., my characters are ordinary people who are going through realistic "episodes" in their every day life that readers can relate to in one way or the other.

UR: What message(s) do you expect readers will take from your novel?
ERP: Primarily, I’m writing for entertainment value first. I write for the readers who want a mini-vacation without ever leaving the sanctuary of their home. I write for that reader who on a cold, wintry day, wants nothing other than to curl up under a warm afghan in front of a toasty fireplace, sip on some hot tea, and read about somebody else’s life. Not just read about it, but get pulled in, engulfed by it and feel the pure emotion. Feel the heat.

If readers take something away, a life lesson, in the process, then that’s great too; that’s an added bonus. I’ve accomplished my goal and much more; it makes it all worthwhile.

Every time I feel like giving up because the publishing industry is too stressful or the "monsters" have reared their ugly heads, I receive an e-mail or a personal letter from an avid reader and it makes my day to realize I’ve made an impact on somebody’s life. I can't describe that feeling. It's absolutely amazing!

UR: Are any of the characters in your book based on real people/events?
ERP: No, none of my characters are based on people I know. I love to go to a mall, a restaurant, a park or some heavily trafficked area and just people watch. You never know what you may hear or see. I enjoy trying to figure out what makes people tick (I have a minor in sociology). It's so true, much of what we've experienced, were taught and grew up being exposed to, on a conscious or unconscious level, we bring back into our every day relationships. Thus, the sights and sounds of my people watching, gelled together, asking the "what if" questions, become the basis for my characters. 

UR: What are your opinions regarding the popularity of urban street novels?
ERP: It amazes me how often this question comes up and is presented to people in the literary arena. My philosophy is simple: To each his own. If urban street novels has found an untapped readership base, then good for them. If people are reading who have never picked up a book before in their life, then that's a good thing. Maybe the readers, as they grow and mature, will elevate themselves and seek out more literary works as well. Who knows?

As writers in any genre, we aren't physically forcing readers to pick up our books and spend their hard-earned consumer dollars. With anything, there are choices. It's all about supply and demand. Good or bad, readers have spoken, and for now, there is a high appeal for urban street novels. Therefore, publishing houses will continue to seek out and publish authors in that genre. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, publishers tend to jump on the bandwagon and milk something to death if it is generating dollars. I think we all had better get used to them (LOL) because they aren't going away any time soon.

Just my fifty cents (LOL).

UR: Any final words you would like to share with everyone?
ERP: Yes, I'd like to send out my sincere appreciation to readers who are buying my books in droves, supporting me, e-mailing me, and helping to spread the word. Buzz is everything. This means the world to me, more than you'll ever know. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart! Hugs and Smooches.

And, I'd like to encourage everyone to support organizations such as yours. Subscribe, tell a friend, send donations, do whatever it takes to keep these publications striving. Publications such as Urban-Reviews.com are the eyes and ears of the AA literary community; they are our voice. We all need and should support one another and get out of the "crabs in the barrel" mentality. (Enough of my preaching. LOL)

Right now, my tour schedule is almost complete. I'm trying to finalize the details with my outside and inside publicists. Readers can keep abreast of my tour schedule and writing career through my web site at www.electaromeparks.com. And please, readers, drop me a line, give me some feedback (remember I’m sensitive now), and just holla at a sista at novelideal@aol.com.

     

Don't forget to check out our review of Almost Doesn't Count in AA Fiction.