Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Marchel Alverson

Marchel Alverson

The author of Painted On Souls and Savor The Sweetness, Marchel Alverson hold's a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Missouri, where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She also holds a Master's degree in communications from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Marchel has worked as journalist for more than 12 years, both as a writer and editor, in Kansas City, MO., Reno and Tampa. She currently works as a communications specialist in Kansas City. To learn more about Marchel, visit her online at http://www.mysite.verizon.net/resuw2kc.

Read A Full Excerpt of Savor The Sweetness: Click Here

Author's Official Site: http://www.mysite.verizon.net/resuw2kc
Author's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/writer4sho
Order Your Copy of Savor The Sweetness: Click Here

Urban Reviews: Tell us about your debut novel Savor The Sweetness?
Marchel Alverson: Actually, Savor The Sweetness is my second novel. My first novel was Painted On Souls, which was published in 2006. But, Savor The Sweetness is about the true test of friendship between best friends, Celeste Gray and Terri Hunter. The duo seem to have everything they want in life. But, it's an illusion. The book centers around Celeste Gray, a listless homemaker who struggles with her daily monotony. When a hit-and-run driver kills her husband, Celeste descends into emotional exile, unable to cope with her newfound grief. As her life takes one shocking turn after another, including an affair with Terri's own teenage son.

Urban Reviews: Where did the idea for the storyline come from?
Marchel Alverson: I started looking at my own life...the type of things I was taken for granted and how I feel if suddenly, everything was taken away from me. It is human nature to covet what others have...believing the grass is always greener on the other side. But, as I discovered while writing about Terri and Celeste, often times it isn't.

Urban Reviews: How long did it take for your write your novel? What things did you do once your manuscript was finished?
Marchel Alverson: It only took me a couple of months to complete the first draft. Of course, I revised it continuously. I write old school, meaning I sit down with a pencil and paper first. Well, maybe not totally old school because I do use a mechanical pencil.

I started a personal tradition after I finished Painted On Souls and that is I purchase a bottle of wine when I feel the first draft is near completion. I set the wine down on my desk and use it as inspiration to finish. Then, when the last page is printed, I have a private toast.

Urban Reviews: Do you have any projects that you are working on?
Marchel Alverson: Right now, I'm concentrating all of my attention on my market efforts for Savor The Sweetness. But, I do have a few ideas I'm bouncing around. My goal is to complete a novel a year.

Urban Reviews: In regards to the literary industry, what things do you feel every aspiring author should know about before jumping into the business?
Marchel Alverson: That finishing the manuscript is just the beginning! In fact, it may be the easiest part. The real work begins with the marketing and making yourself known in a stream of other talented black authors, or any other authors for that matter. I guess they should realize that, except in rare cases, the industry is not going to embrace you with open arms. But, I'll be damned if I'm not going to kick and scream to get in.

Urban Reviews: Who would you say has been the biggest inspiration for you to want to become an author and how so?
Marchel Alverson: Actually, my biggest inspiration was my senior English teacher in high school. She is the one that first saw promise in my writing and encouraged me to continue. She would have me come in and hold special readings of my work to her freshman classes. She has since died from breast cancer.

Urban Reviews: What do you like to do outside of writing?
Marchel Alverson: My personal life is chaotic to say the least! I'm a single mom of two, so what little free time I do have, I like to read, of course, take long walks, family time, and swim when the weather permits.

Urban Reviews: What are some of your favorite authors or books?
Marchel Alverson: My all time favorite author is Toni Morrison. I'm a huge fan of so many writers, Eric Jerome Dickey, Alice Walker, Victoria Christopher Murray, Walter Mosley, and a host of others. Too many favorite books to name as well, but a few that come to mind are Native Son, If Beale Street Could Talk, Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Coldest Winter Ever.

Urban Reviews: Has the book industry been more than you bargained for? Is there anything you would have done differently?
Marchel Alverson: Ooh yes, definitely! I think I would have self-published long before this, done the whole process myself from start to finish.

Urban Reviews: Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself or your book?
Marchel Alverson: Just that I'm very grateful to Urban Reviews for supporting me, and that I encourage all the readers out there to take a chance on the "unknown" writers who are in our midst. They are truly exceptional!