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Urban Reviews: Start by
telling our readers about Looker.
Stanley Bennett Clay: It's a book
that just happened by observing a very silent majority. There are so many
well-adjusted black gay brothers out there who never have enough
drama/trauma in their lives to be considered interesting enough to talk
about. No one ever talks about the under-the-radar, self-loving, well
adjusted, moderate, openly same gender loving, successful,
family-oriented, healthy and handsome, nice guy. I wanted to do a story
about him; a black gay man who has been routinely accepted by his friends,
family, and community. His blackness and his gayness has never been a
hindrance. Yet, like any other everyday person, the simple challenge of
true love and its attendant passion, can be daunting. That is the dilemma
of Brando Heywood-our openly gay, proudly African-American protagonist. He
seemingly has it all; everything but the passion of true love. But when
his close friend, the lesbian partner of a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer,
is raped and subsequently kills her attacker, he is called on to represent
her.
Urban Reviews: What inspired you to
create this particular storyline?
Stanley Bennett Clay: As with
virtually all of my writings, I create interesting characters first
without any idea of a definitive story line. They tell me what to write.
They dictate their story. After a while, I merely become a stenographer.
Urban Reviews: Is there a message
that you want readers to grasp?
Stanley Bennett Clay: The theme of
the book is stated on the concept page where I quote Archbishop Carl
Bean's so profoundly simple mantra: "God is love, and love is for
everyone."
Urban Reviews: Can we get a glimpse
at your next novel?
Stanley Bennett Clay: My agent is
currently shopping my biography of Vernon Troupe, who was Ray Charles'
personal valet for 40 years. Novel-wise, I'm working on a family epic that
spans 40 years. It's basically the story of a musician who runs into a
woman he's been in love with since high school. She's now a widow with
five children. They ultimately marry, but the musician spends a lifetime
competing with the memory of his wife's late husband while raising
children who come to love and adore him as a father, especially the gay
son who under his step-father's mentoring, truly comes to understand the
meaning of unconditional love.
Urban Reviews: What inspired you to
become an author?
Stanley Bennett Clay: Artistic
expression has been a part of my life since as far back as I can remember.
I was reading dramatic passages from The Bible before our church's
congregation when I was six; started playing the piano by ear when I was
7: wrote, directed, composed, and starred in a musical in my parent's
living room for the neighborhood when I was 10, wrote short stories; was
the editor of my junior high school and high school newspaper; president
of the drama and journalism club; was on the scholar quiz team; wrote my
high school musical play and starred in the senior production. I looked
back on all that when I was a young adult and thought that there was
something really weird about me, because everything seemed so easy when it
wasn't so easy for everyone else. I never studied or did homework but I
always got A's and B's. I thought I was some kind of freak, and it started
to really f*ck with me. I started to not take credit for a lot of the
things I did to deflect attention.
Urban Reviews: You've recently
completed the stage play for E. Lynn Harris' novel Invisible Life. Can you
tell us more about this?
Stanley Bennett Clay: This has been
a great and a grating experience. That I have had the opportunity to
actually write songs with Ashford and Simpson, for me, is a career high.
Writing the book for the show has been more challenging, but it's a
challenge I think I'm up to. We've gone through several re-writes, and
have workshopped the show. Having Tony-winner George Faison directing has
further upped the ante. I guess it's like delivering a beautiful child. It
does not come without great labor pains.
Urban Reviews: When can we expect to
see this on stage?
Stanley Bennett Clay: Several dates
have been discussed, but truthfully? Only when it's ready.
Urban Reviews: Are you working on
any other upcoming projects?
Stanley Bennett Clay: Actually yes!
I'm happy to say that I'm working with the brilliant actress Debbie Morgan
("Eve's Bayou"). I'm co-writing her one-woman show and will be directing
it this fall. Also this fall I'll be debuting my new stage play
"Armstrong's Kid" which I will star in. It will be my first stage
appearance since winning the NAACP Best Actor Image Award starring
opposite Bern Nadette Stanis ("Good Times") in "Anna Lucasta" twenty years
ago.
Urban Reviews: What is the biggest
lesson that you've learned about the book and entertainment industry as a
playwright and as a author?
Stanley Bennett Clay: Write from
truth. Write from the heart. Don't play your audience off. Entertain them,
respect them, don't take them for grant it. They've spent good money to
experience your art. Make sure it's worth it.
Urban Reviews: What do you want
people to know most about you?
Stanley Bennett Clay: I'm a
hopeless romantic in love with a wonderful man, in love with a wonderful
God, and in love with my wonderful self.
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