Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Michele Andrea Bowen

Urban Reviews: Can you tell us what your latest book Up at the College is all about?
Michele Andrea Bowen: Up at the College is really about faith and trusting the Lord when you have storms blowing in your life and don't have a clue as to what to do, to get out of an unfortunate and/or uncomfortable situation. For the main female character, Yvonne Fountain, it means that she quits wallowing in self pity and begins to pay attention to how God has kept her and delivered her and is working it all out for her good. For Curtis Parker, it means that without God's help, you can expect a storm to roll up on you and turn you every which-a-way but loose. And in the midst of these themes is a love story, a cast of quirky characters, some shenanigans, and lots of humor. I had a lot of fun writing this book and was very blessed during this process.

To be honest, when you read one of my books, you know that something good is going to jump off for the main characters. To quote my almost 21 year old daughter--"that's just how I roll." I love joyous and victorious endings to stories that begin as a storm brewing and blowing in a character's life. The Word of God is full of those stories and testimonies.

Urban Reviews: How did you come up with the concept for this novel?
Michele Andrea Bowen: I live in North Carolina--basketball heaven (Go TARHEELS). And in addition to the mighty ACC, there are two big historically African American Athletic Conferences that are prominent in our area--MEAC and the CIAA. The support and excitement over the CIAA and MEAC Basketball Conferences is so cool. I have always enjoyed those conferences whenever I've had a chance to attend one--mainly the CIAA.

I wanted to write a novel about black college basketball. But I also wanted to write about what happens when God is in the midst of our so-called secular lives and what happens when folks try to shut him out. I have written about the black church. And you can't go to the black church and not have the black colleges and universities fully represented at church.

I also wanted to have some fun and dabble a bit in what goes on 'up at the college.'

Urban Reviews: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Michele Andrea Bowen: I knew that I wanted to write stories when I was about eight years old.

Urban Reviews: Is there anything you know now that you wish you had known when you first emerged on the literary scene?
Michele Andrea Bowen: I wish I had known more about how a contract should be drawn up. Authors are so excited about getting a contract (which is so hard to do), that they need to take more time going over it and making sure that everything is working out for their good. Knowing this can make the journey as an author easier and so much better.

Urban Reviews: What was the best advice that you've ever received from another fellow author?
Michele Andrea Bowen: The best advice I've received has come from my two good friends, who are bestselling authors, Jacquelin Thomas and Victoria Christopher Murray. They have been in the business longer than me. And they have given me loads of good info to help me. Some of it was about contracts, agents, and how we can reach our readers.

Urban Reviews: What are your ultimate goals as a writer?
Michele Andrea Bowen: Well...first, I have to give my testimony of how blessed--God has been good to me in my profession as a writer.

My prayer list?  I pray that Up at the College hits the Essence Bestseller list. I would love to have my books hit the New York Times Bestseller's list.  I pray that one of the books (especially Church Folk) becomes a film.  I am looking forward to doing a joint project with Jacquelin and Victoria--that will be lots of fun! Last of all, I hope that my first cousins, award-winning gospel artists, Jonathan and Jason Nelson, will be able to write music for one of my books, or better yet, the movie. Now...that will be something to shout about!!!

Urban Reviews:   Do you have any ideas or plans for your next project that you'd like to share?
Michele Andrea Bowen: Most Definitely---The sequel to Church Folk, titled, More Church Folk!

Urban Reviews: What changes have you seen in Christian Fiction that have impacted how you write, promote, or market your books?
Michele Andrea Bowen: The changes that I've seen, have made me think more creatively about how and where to market my books. My publicist at Grand Central Publishing has been very kind about working with me to find great ways to reach the book buying audience who prefer to buy books outside of the traditional book store.

Urban Reviews: What do you think about all of the advances being made in digital media and the virtual/online world?
Michele Andrea Bowen: I think the advances are good. They make it possible to reach more readers and also to connect with readers. I'm a bit more conservative and reserved when it comes to branching out in this area--just my personality. But it does help with building a network with the people who support you and your work.

Urban Reviews: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you or your books?
Michele Andrea Bowen: I appreciate my readers. They have made it possible for me to continue writing these books. And I thank you for taking the time to interview me and review my new book, Up at the College.