This month we have a very special treat here in the Interview column. Maxine Thompson is an author, radio talk show host, columnist, and literary entrepreneur.  Maxine Thompson
(July 2003 interview)

DT: Maxine, what do you write and tell us about your book(s)?
MT: I have written 2 novels, The Ebony Tree and No Pockets in a Shroud, and a short story collection called, A Place Called Home. I have written 2 ebooks, The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction that Sell, and How to Promote, Market and Sell Your Book Via e-Book Publishing. (2000) I recently published an anthology for my writers’ group, (Saturday Morning Literary Workshop) called Saturday Morning. I am in the process of completing my third novel.

The theme that runs through all my fictional books is family, and how this basic tribal unit affects our ability to connect with one another as human beings. Like you, Delores, I am a lover of historical fiction-particularly African American historical fiction. I like to do a lot of research into slavery and the impact it has had on modern African American families.

DT: What is the biggest obstacle to overcome for writers wanting to be published in 2003?
MT: Fear of the unknown. But be encouraged. More opportunities than ever in history for men and women to publish their books now exist through the Internet, ebooks, print on demand, and even traditional publishing. I have an ebook company, Black Butterfly Press, which I plan to publish more “how to” ebooks. (Maxine Thompson)

DT: What type of writing schedule do you have?
MT: I write at different times of the day or night, off and on all day. I work on other writer’s works as a story editor and ghostwriter under Maxine Thompson’s Literary Services. I write freelance articles. I write on my latest novel. I work on my web page. I return emails. I market my business through emails. I market for other writers through emails and posting reviews or on my Internet radio show. I have written reviews on the old www.Netnoir.com and on www.thebookreporter.com. I have written 3 self-publishing columns on www.careermag.com, www.theblackmarket.com and www.bwip.org. I recently started doing book reviews for www.africana.com. I’ll be doing a workshop at Curtis Bunn’s National Book Club Conference at www.nationalbookclubconference.com on August 1, 2003.

DT: Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and how do you overcome it?
MT: I work on several things at once. When I run out of steam on one project, I jump over to the next. This may not be every writer’s way of writing, but I found it has been helpful to keep me from stalling out. Sometime when I’m working on one article or book, ideas come to me for another piece of work that I’m working on. When I’m wrapping up someone’s book, I tend to only focus on that book for a few days until I finish.

DT: What might we find you doing when you're not writing stories?
MT: I live in Inglewood, California-twenty minutes away from the Pacific Ocean. I often go to the ocean to meditate/pray and have an artist date. I use this time to refuel and recharge my batteries. I also attend Toastmasters for speaking training, and I attend business seminars, conferences (recently attended the Book Expo here in Los Angeles), booksignings, speaking engagements. I try to get to the gym regularly or exercise through walking/meditation. Much of my inspiration comes while I’m at the ocean.

DT: Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received and what was it?
MT: The best advice came from a seventy-odd year old male I first met in my current writer’s group in 1992. He said you should not write where only you can understand it. He said, “Writing is not self-manipulation.” (That’s the nice word for what he actually said.) What he meant was that writing should not be an ego trip. Think of the reader and make it good for them, too. I think he also meant to keep it simple too.

DT: For you what is the best and worst part of writing your book?
MT: The best part is following the idea, which comes to you in a little kernel. You have to see what the idea is trying to tell you, which will later become your theme, your symbolism, your motifs, your motivation for your characters, your whole story. It’s like taking a journey without a map. Certain stories and characters pick you and they cry out, “Make me live. Breathe life into me.”

I like the research, but when a story comes to a standstill, it’s because my character is telling me that something isn’t working. Although I don’t like when this happens, this is a good thing. I think writing is a very spiritual endeavor and you have to be willing to get assistance/guidance from a Higher Source, God, Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, or whatever name you call your God.

DT: Where do you go from here with your writing?
MT: I am trying to learn how to write screen plays right now, so that’s a new genre I hope to master. I am also interested in independent films. I also am enjoying doing my Internet radio show on www.voiceamerica.com. The show was one year old on 3/5/03. The show is basically for writers, readers, publishers, book clubs and people who love the written word. I’d like to see the show expand. I am in the process of filing for my nonprofit status so that I can grow a learning/resource center for writers.

DT: Tell us about your publisher.
MT: Although I self-published The Ebony Tree in 1995, it was reissued under Milligan Books (www.milliganbooks.com) in 1999. Since 1998, the publisher, Dr. Rosie Milligan has been a mentor and a friend in this publishing business. I also have published No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home, and my ebooks under my company, Black Butterfly Press.

DT: What has being an author taught you both personally and professionally?
MT: Being an author has taught me to wait-that a seed will not grow before its time. Another thing I learned was that a self-published book never dies. It will not get remaindered. I just had an author on my radio show, whose book has been out 9 years and has sold consistently and is now in 3 other languages. He is proof that a self-published book never dies.

DT: Where can we find reviews of your book?
MT: You can find reviews of my books on Amazon.com and bn.com and on midwestbookreview.com and rawsistaz.com.

DT: Tell us about your personal life. Where you grew up and a little about your childhood.
MT: I grew up in a multi-cultural neighborhood called Delray, in Detroit, Michigan. One of the turning points in my writing career was when I was sixteen and lived with a white family as an exchange student in Traverse City, Michigan. The mother, Verna Bartnick, was/is a sculptress and she encouraged me to write when she saw my love of the written word.

After college, I was a former social worker of 23 years in Detroit, then Los Angeles, before embarking upon this writing and publishing business.

I’ve been in this business three years where I’ve story edited or ghost written for other writers. I’ve seen some of the writers I’ve worked with obtain New York book deals, go on bestsellers lists, and receive many accolades. I really enjoy this part of my writing-helping others achieve their dreams. This is like discovering a hidden skill. I recently began Maxine Thompson’s Literary Agency and I’m looking for writers.

DT: Where might fans and readers contact you?
MT: I can be reached at http://www.maxinethompson.com. I also host an internet radio show on www.voiceamerica.com called “On The Same Page,” where I interview authors and people with enlightening information. I do literary coaching of writers.

DT: When can we expect the next book? Will you give us a sneak preview?
MT: I don’t like to talk about works in progress, since it grows and changes. But my latest work does deal with the negative impact of violence/drugs in a family and in society in general.

DT: Leave us with some writing words of wisdom.
MT: If you have a dream to write, follow it. I think it is the saddest thing in the world not to write down your story before you leave this world. These stories will cry out from your grave-that is, if you don’t write them down. But if you do, this will be your legacy to your family.

DT: We here at Blackrefer.com thank you for your time with us. And we wish you all the best that life has to offer!