Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Wahida Clark - Author of Payback With Ya Life

Wahida Clark

Wahida Clark was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She is no stranger to the hard work and sacrifices that breeds success. This Trenton native owned and operated L.M. Clark Printers & Publishers Inc., a printing and publishing company in Trenton. She decided to write fiction while incarcerated at a women's federal prison camp in Lexington, Kentucky.

She is crowned the Queen of Thug Love Fiction by Nikki Turner, the Queen of Hip Hop Fiction. Wahida's style of writing is the 'TEMPLATE' for urban literature. When you read her novels, they are so real you are convinced of one of three things: you know the characters; you want to know the characters or you a character. Her Essence and Black Issues Book Reviews best-selling novels include Thugs and The Women Who Love Them, Every Thug Needs A Lady, Payback Is A Mutha and Thug Matrimony, all of which were published by Kensington/Dafina Books.

After serving eight and a half years incarcerated, Wahida was released from the federal prison camp in Alderson, West Virginia. Today, she has just completed the follow up to Payback is a Mutha, titled, Payback With Ya Life and is now working on Thug Lovin’, Part 4 to her Thug Series. She is also Vice President of Prodigal Sons and Daughters, a non-profit organization based out of East Orange, New Jersey that serves as a re-entry program for convicts and ex-convicts as well as a support group and mentors for at-risk youth.

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Author's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/wahidaclark
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Urban Reviews: Can you tell us about your latest novel Payback With Ya Life?
Wahida Clark: It is the sequel to the Essence and Don Diva Best Seller Payback Is a Mutha. Even though I was sure that I ended Payback Is A Mutha with no room for a sequel, my fans thought otherwise. So Payback With Ya Life was born and the old characters are back and it's filled with even more page-turning drama.

Urban Reviews: You also have an anthology with Kiki Swinson titled Sleeping With The Enemy coming this summer. Can you tell us what that book is about?
Wahida Clark: Sleeping With The Enemy is an anthology. Kiki penned her story, which is titled "Keeping My Enemies Close," and my story is titled "Enemy In My Bed." When our editor over at Dafina read the two and saw that they mirrored one another, she suggested that we collaborate, and ‘Sleeping With The Enemy’ was born. I wrote "Enemy in My Bed" in '04 so I'm anxious to get the feedback from my fans.

Urban Reviews: How long does it take you to write a book? What aspect of writing do you find to be the most challenging?
Wahida Clark: Anywhere from 3-6 months. To me the most challenging is descriptions. I like to get straight to the point, bring on the drama all the while knowing that my readers need to feel, taste and smell.

Urban Reviews: Do you think you could sustain a career in writing? What other things can we expect from Wahida Clark?
Wahida Clark: I would like to think so, especially after penning Essence, Don Diva and Black Issues Book Reviews Best Sellers, such as Thugs and The Women Who Love Them, Every Thug Needs A Lady, Thug Matrimony and Payback Is A Mutha. Don’t forget Sleeping With The Enemy and my upcoming May 13th release of Payback With Ya Life. The other things to expect from me, the Queen of Thug Love Fiction, is ‘Wahida Clark Presents,’ which is my own publishing company. The first release is scheduled for August and the first title is Trust No Man by Cash. I’m also Vice President of Prodigal Sons & Daughters, a re-entry program where we turn liabilities into assets. Talking about people of course. The people who society have basically written off. Wahida Clark? I’m a hustler, but I’ll give you those two things for now.

Urban Reviews: Your life story could very well be a book in itself. Have you considered doing a memoir in the future?
Wahida Clark: Several people have suggested that I do a memoir. Yes, it is on my ‘To Do’ List.

Urban Reviews: What other upcoming projects can fans look forward to in the next year or two?
Wahida Clark: The Part 4 to my ‘Thug’ Series, highlighting the leading couple Trae and Tasha as well as Marvin and Kyra. Maybe a cross over book. I have one finished but I’m undecided as to what to do with it. Should I keep it crossover (mainstream) or turn it hood? Maybe that’s a question I can post on my Myspace blog to my readers and ask them what I should do. And again, my own publishing company ‘Wahida Clark Presents.’

Urban Reviews: What's the best advice that have you received from another author in the book industry?
Wahida Clark: To keep writing. Uncle Yah Yah and Relentless Aaron said to write all you can. They told me that while I was locked up. And the advice that I give to myself is, “Give it your all. Don’t shortchange your fans. They respect and love you more when you are consistent.” Bestselling author K’wan (and one of the most genuine individuals I've met since I’ve been home) told me, “Wahida, the fans either hate us or love us.”

Urban Reviews: What do you like to do when you are not penning your next bestseller?
Wahida Clark: Build my printing & publishing company, my literary agency and represent Prodigal Sons and Daughters.

Urban Reviews: Any advice for those who are thinking about entering this highly-competitive book industry?
Wahida Clark: The stakes have risen. The fans want more originality.

Urban Reviews: Any final thoughts about yourself or your debut novel that you want to leave with readers?
Wahida Clark: I thank my fans for all of their continuous love and support. Make sure that after you read ‘Payback With Ya Life’, you share with me some feedback. Visit me at http://www.myspace.com/wahidaclark and http://wahidaclark.org.