Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Zoe and Yusuf Woods

Zoë and Yusuf T. Woods

Zoë Woods, co-author of the novel Blood of My Brother, has roots in Virginia and Pennsylvania. She has a passion for literature and the arts and was ecstatic when presented with the opportunity to assist her husband Yusuf Woods with their debut novel and future works. Zoë is a witness to the power of attraction to the street life and the strength that it takes to transform and learn from experiences once involved in it. Her collaboration with Yusuf brought forth an element of expression beyond imagination, revealing perspectives from both the inside and out. Zoë has spent several years studying to fulfill her dreams and complete her college education with specializations in Computer Information Systems and Business Management. She divides her time between motherhood, utilizing her artistic abilities in design, writing, and promoting awareness and prevention of domestic violence.

Yusuf T. Woods is a Pennsylvania native and author of Blood of My Brother. With an ever present flair for entertaining, Yusuf began his writing while serving time in Federal prison and at a point in life when he realized that his personal experiences, the consequences he paid, and his knowledge of the street life could be used creatively with the possibility of enlightening those who are headed in the same direction that he once was. Having spent years of his life in prison due to living the life of a hustler, he knew first hand how the death of people’s dreams, relationships, and spirits could happen so quickly. Yusuf used an innovative approach to present this story to show the dark side of living the fast life as well as the temptations that seem so fascinating, yet they only consume. Not only does he aim to provide literature that captivates and excites, he also unleashes his distinct creativity to portray scenarios that are happening in some urban cultures today. In addition to writing, Yusuf devotes his time to studying Islam, his family, being a father, and counseling others. He and his wife Zoë are currently at work on other upcoming projects, including part two of the Blood of My Brother trilogy.

Author's Website: http://www.ynzproductions.com
Author's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/cherokeebeauty
Publisher's Site: http://www.rjpublications.com
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Urban Reviews: Start by telling our readers about Blood of My Brother.
Zoë Woods: Blood of My Brother is a story that takes place in the city of Philadelphia, about a drug Kingpin named Roc who is known to own the streets in this city and has been in the game for many years. He has run with the best of them, reached a level of success within the game and feels that he has had enough so he chooses to walk away and leave that life behind. He started hustling to take care of his family which is his mother and younger brother Lil Mac, after his father’s passing. His main focus was to protect his brother from the street life and make sure that he chose a life that would consist of going to college, making legal money, and making it out of there alive.

Roc wants to hand over the city to his best friend Boggy but before he has that opportunity, a new clique starts to ring bells within the city and starts to invade Roc’s territory and take out his team. Roc is forced to make a decision that is sure to change his life forever. He becomes the Roc that once rocked people to sleep in order to protect his life, territory, and family. This story unfolds into a situation that no one could have imagined, especially Roc. The head of the new clique is a man only known by the name of Solo, and he is ready to stop at nothing to become the next big Kingpin, even if it means spilling the blood of his own brother.

Urban Reviews: What motivated you to create this storyline?
Yusuf T. Woods: There are flashes of my own life experiences through out this novel. Readers will see some of the things that I have seen and ultimately how imperative it is to take life seriously. My wife and I came together and created some eye-opening scenarios to surround things that are true to life. I have lost so many friends to gunfire and prison. I have been incarcerated myself and when you look back at your life and how one decision could have prevented that, it can change your world. What inspired me to create this storyline is my own life, the life of my children, my wife, and also those who are caught up in the game right now.

Urban Reviews: Is there a message that you want readers to grasp?
Yusuf T. Woods: First and foremost, value your life. Each and every day is a blessing, we are losing too many of our people for absolutely no reason. Blood of My Brother will literally reveal the lives of some hustlers, the things that seem to be accomplishments, the consequences of certain actions, and just how real it can get in the streets. I didn’t hold back in this story because I know that sometimes people have to see the whole picture no matter how shocking it is, in order to really get the message. For the men and women to be, meaning our children and teenagers, we have to protect them. I don’t want my children to walk the streets that I have walked or witness the things that I have. The streets are calling for blood and there are people that will stop at nothing to take your life just because of who you are or what you have. It is a sad reality, although it is something that can be prevented. Our culture is becoming more of a negative statistic then a positive one. A lot of us place ourselves in situations that harm us rather then help us and it doesn’t have to be that way.

I came from this lifestyle so I can only share what I know in hopes that someone will see that change is a must when it comes to hustling, we can save ourselves from the destruction that it brings. Once you have taken a good look at what you were doing and the other options that were available, it seems so obvious that you could have traveled a different road. I remember someone sharing a quote with me that said, “Don’t have any regrets because everything that you did was what you wanted at that time.” I’m sure many people are familiar with that saying, and in a way it is true. We have a choice to change our actions, and at that moment, it is what we wanted or felt needed to be done. If we can talk about what we have gone through in order to help someone else make the right decision, then we should do that. My goal is to produce literature that I feel in my heart, express the thoughts and share the memories that made me who I am today and give the readers something they can find entertaining in addition to the underlying message that it conveys. When I was growing up, there was never any second guessing putting food on my family’s table or making sure that they didn’t go without necessities. I got caught up in this life at a very young age like a lot of people. That is the part that is most devastating because hustling becomes all that you know.

You reach a point where you’re addicted to this type of life because of the money, the fame, things that you possess or can possess. Those who may know just how it is because they have been there or know someone who has may understand just how it takes a hold of you. Unfortunately, it usually takes something drastic to happen in your life before you can see just how wrong that was. At other times, it can take just one person to talk to you, one person to hit you with some knowledge that opens your eyes like you’re seeing the world for the first time. For me, it was both of those. I spent many years in prison because of this. When you are in those streets, you are blinded by so much. For the men who are hustling, it could be the cars you own, the type of house you are living in, the women who would stop at nothing to please you just because of who you are or how much money you have, or the fear that people have of you. Reflecting on all of that, none of it meant anything to me. I can see how much of a waste that was, but it took for my life to be impacted in a negative way for me to recognize that my priorities were misplaced, how valuable time is, and just how much of a danger my actions were. I won’t say that it was all negative though, because I truly feel that this was meant to happen. You can’t really walk the streets and hustle without knowing that eventually something will catch up to you. I was given another chance to make a good life for my wife and my children and be the man that I am supposed to be and that is something that I will not take for granted.

Some may think that they reach the top when you are a Kingpin. I have come to learn that you reach the top when you can feel totally secure with your life decisions, when you know your family is safe, when you aren’t looking over your shoulders for the Feds, and when you know that what you are doing for money isn’t harming another person's life. At the end of this trilogy, I want my readers to think about these questions: Is being a drug dealer worth risking your life? Is it worth missing years of your children’s lives while you sit in a prison cell? Is it worth being away from your spouse or destroying your family and reputation? None of the time that people spend in prison can be brought back...it’s just gone. If you are fortunate enough to walk outside the gates again then you have to make the right decisions from that point on. We have one life to live; we have to do this right.

Urban Reviews: Can you tell us what inspired both of you to pen your first novel together?
Yusuf T. Woods: I couldn't think of anyone that I would rather have work with me then someone who is a part of me. Having my wife pen this novel with me, being the one person who has witnessed the storms and stood by me through it all, is a blessing. Zoë’s creativity and motivation throughout this process was excellent and it was what we both envisioned.

Zoë Woods: To add to that, it was so great to be able to put our heads together and give this story a view from many different sides. When you write, you can literally feel the emotions of your characters and if you have personally gone through those situations, it truly shows in your work. I commend my husband for his creation and also sharing some of his life with our readers. This collaboration was an enlightening experience.

Urban Reviews: What have you learned about the book industry being that you both are relatively new authors?
Zoë Woods: The importance of marketing and promoting. You really have to get out there and give it your all; you absolutely cannot do this halfway. I have met some people who think that it just automatically happens and all that you have to do is write and be done. That is the farthest thing from reality. It is hard work and it takes dedication and persistence. This is something that my husband and I are committed to completely so we know what needs to be done and we are willing to do it. We were fortunate to find an excellent publisher who has taught us some really valuable things to help us along the way. I think that having someone like that, who stands behind your work 110% is essential. Writing is more then just words on paper, it is your work of art, something that you have created. So if you take it seriously and really put forth the effort, believe with all your heart that you can be successful.

Urban Reviews: Are you working on any upcoming projects?
Yusuf T. Woods: Yes, we have many projects in the works. The projects that are to be released the soonest are the Blood of My Brother trilogy. The sequel should be released around the fall of 2008. We have quite a few novels and a few surprises to share with the world in due time and we will keep our readers posted on release dates and book titles on our website.

Urban Reviews: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Zoë Woods: Don't give up. I cannot count the number of people who have inquired about how to become an author and that asked for advice, but I know that the majority feel like it takes too long to find a publisher. I think that if you are really committed to making it as an author, please do your research on marketing and promoting, publishers, self-publishing, agents, and anything related. There seem to be many options that one can pursue. The key is to find what would be good for you. Continue to write no matter what and know that there may be a publisher just waiting to get your manuscript the day you decide to give up. So try not to let that discourage you.

Urban Reviews: Is there anything else you would like to add about yourselves or your book?
Zoë Woods: Yes, our first novel, Blood of My Brother is one that means more then anyone can imagine, not just because it is our first but because of what it represents. We are happy to have received such great feedback; we can't thank you enough! Our readers have really responded to this novel which lets us know that our work is appreciated and admired. We will continue to do what we love and create more hot urban literature. You can visit us online to read more about us and our books at www.ynzproductions.com.