Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Raymond Francis

Raymond Francis

Raymond Francis, 26, born in New Brunswick, NJ but raised in Willingboro, NJ is an author of urban literature. With a unique style that can only be described as ahead of it's time, he is definitely a force in the ever-changing hip-hop literature game.

His first short story, Lefty's Story is available through A mazon.com, B arnesandnoble.com, and P ublishAmerica.com. He is currently looking for a publishing home for his novel tentatively entitled Roses in Concrete.

Read A Full Excerpt of Lefty's Story: Click Here

Author's Myspace Page #1: http://www.myspace.com/youngtraffik
Contact The Author: Click Here
Order Your Copy of Lefty's Story: Click Here

Urban Reviews: Tell us about your novel Lefty's Story.
Raymond Francis: Lefty's Story is my debut, written in 2006 when I was 24 years old. It took a few months for me to write.

Urban Reviews: Where did the idea for this storyline come from?
Raymond Francis: I wanted to do something that represented my hometown; Willingboro, NJ. I put on for my city, just like Jeezy and Kanye. It is inspired by some personal experience as well as some imagination. Everyone asks me if it is a true story; I always say that it is fiction, but if it was true I would never admit it.

Urban Reviews: What inspired you to become a writer?
Raymond Francis: So many things. First my mother for always encouraging me to write. Secondly, my life is full of events to write about. Also, I'm a daydreamer so I always have crazy scenarios and stories floating around in my head. Finally, I feel like I can tell stories from a perspective that the reader can respect and relate to.

Urban Reviews: What are your goals as a writer?
Raymond Francis: I want to leave a legacy. None of us will be here forever, but generations down the line I want someone to be able to pick up my writing and feel like they know me. I like the idea of being able to communicate with people that I will never physically meet. I've never met Jay-Z, but I have been listening to his music for so long I feel like I know him. That's the feeling I want to leave my readers with. I want them to feel like they know me and the characters I create.

Urban Reviews: Lefty's Story is a rather small book. Did you ever think about including it in an anthology?
Raymond Francis: Yeah, I was new to publishing so I would have been happy to have that book in any anthology. I was rejected by a few publishing houses; Shannon Holmes, Cartel Publications and Triple Crown. But I'm glad I was able to get it out there via Publish America.

Urban Reviews: What things would you have done differently in regards to your book?
Raymond Francis: Nothing. Sometimes I wish I had made it longer, but I've had a few friends who are not really avid readers tell me that they like my book because of the length. Some people living that fast life don't have time to sit and read 70,000 words. I love everything about my book, right down to the cover done by my man Kayo Stokes for BLVD.

Urban Reviews: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Raymond Francis: I party, I go out as much as I possibly can. Check www.nightlifelink.com, I'm on there! Also I'm into music, mostly hip-hop and soul. I'm a basketball fan, New York Knicks all day and I'm a fashion fanatic, gotta stay fresh. Other than that, I just like to be around my family and friends. S, Kayo, Redd, Burns, H, Jig, Joedaga, She - I love ya'll.

Urban Reviews: What are some of your all-time favorite books or authors?
Raymond Francis: People are always surprised when I say this, but I don't really read much. My favorite book is The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah. That was the first book where I really related to the characters. I also think Shannon Holmes is a talented writer.

Urban Reviews: Do you have any ideas for any possible future projects?
Raymond Francis: Yeah, I have another novel complete. Right now it is called Roses in Concrete. I'm searching for a publishing home for that one now. It is longer and much better than Lefty's Story. I'm always working on something.

Urban Reviews: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your book?
Raymond Francis: I just want people to look at this book as an inspiration. I was living in a motel when I wrote this book, but I knew that I was capable of doing more with my life. So to anybody out there who feels like they need to change up their life, let this book let you know that it is possible.