Born and raised in Queens, New York, Lizzette Grayson Carter, has always had a passion for literature and started writing in her first year of high school. After high school, she left The Big Apple to attend Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia and majored in English Education with a minor in Spanish. Following college, Carter entered the workforce and with her passion still in her along with her keen interest in the complexities of race and interracial relationships, started The Color Line.
The Color Line, a contemporary romance novel about a black woman’s struggle with being in an interracial relationship – with her boss, nonetheless, was a fantastic debut for Carter. It was the June 2005 Black Expressions Book Editor’s Choice, published in exclusive hardback edition cover and sold out in a short period of time. It exceeded her expectations even further, by going into its second print in mass market paperback in November of 2007.
Now, as a full-time author, with the release of Across The Color Line, the much anticipated sequel to The Color Line, Carter brings the issues of race and the internal struggles of an interracial relationship to the forefront. Carter has launched her own audio book, book publishing and print on demand company, and is working on the screenplay for Across The Color Line. She continues to travel near and far for book events, lectures, speaking engagements, conferences and book club meetings.
She is a resident of Mathews County, Virginia and lives with her husband, Michael and daughter, Brienna. She continues to devote her time to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her church and many other Christian engagements.
Across The Color Line
Lacie, a black woman and Tony a white man are at the beginning of their interracial relationship. They’re happy and very much in love, but things sour once Lacie meets Tony’s mother, Abigail. Adding to the problem, is a black male co-worker, Trevor Weeks, who is constantly harassing Lacie for being with Tony while ironically trying to steal her away from him. But the real twist is when Lacie’s ex-fiancé, Joe returns with a deep secret…and he’s the same guy that she originally broke up with to be with Tony and he’s also Tony’s best friend!
So…with all of the problems at the cusp of their relationship, will Lacie and Tony’s relationship survive Across The Color Line?
What would you like readers to take away from your book?
“Across The Color Line” is an emotionally charged novel and I want readers to take their emotion and the message they’ll get from the novel and act on it positively.
Why did you choose to write this book?
I chose to write “Across The Color Line” because race, color and interracial relationships are still controversial issues - even in today’s time and this country has wounds from the past that have yet to heal.
What did you learn while writing this book?
I learned that nothing is impossible with God; I was faced with many challenges as a writer during the creation of “Across The Color Line” and I was constantly in prayer.
What was your favorite scene/chapter from the book?
My, there are so many scenes that I love in “Across The Color Line” , but I’ll pick Chapter 38 – The Wedding. There is a part in that chapter that is so funny - and very creative, I might add. I get so tickled every time I read it.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
I’d like for other non-writers to understand that writing is just as creative as any of the other arts – music, acting, dancing, sculpting, animation.
What is the best lesson you have learned from another writer?
The best lesson I’ve learned from another writer is that when writing fiction – anything goes when it’s in the mind of the writer. Although it might not be possible in reality.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
The toughest tests I faced would undoubtedly be overcoming rejection – especially when I first started out. But prayer, resilience and support from family and friends is what I used (and still use today), to combat it.
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
Readers might be surprised that I own my own publishing, and print-on-demand company. We actually make our own books.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
There are some things that I wish I’d have known, but the reality is that without those test and trials I could not have grown to where I am now.
How do you reach new readers?
I usually reach new readers from touring and attending events.
If you could have dinner with 3 authors to talk with about their writing (living or deceased) who would you invite and why?
I’d love to have dinner with James Baldwin because just as I did, he confronted race and prejudice in his works.
I’d love to have dinner with Langston Hughes, because he’s one of my most admired poets of the Harlem Renaissance. I read his poem “Mother to Son” for a contest in sixth grade and know how to recite it verbatim to this day.
I’d love to have dinner with Terry McMillan because she had an influence on me becoming a writer with her usage of ‘first person’ in her novels.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Do a lot of research into the writing business and don’t ever give up!
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
My mailing address is :
Lizzette G. Carter
P. O. Box 1
Hallieford, VA 23068
e-mail: lgcauthor@yahoo.com
website: http://www.lizzettegraysoncarter.com/
Our theme for this month is REACHING YOUR GOALS.
What steps should a writer take to reach their goals? 1) Pray 2) Write down their goal (s) on a piece of paper 3) Work hard to achieve their goal (s). 4) Contact my publishing company.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
As of now, I’m fully involved in writing the screenplay for “Across The Color Line” and once that’s done, there will be enough closure for me to fully focus on my next novel.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Across The Color Line.
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