FEATURED AUTHOR: Cynthia Banks

Cynthia Banks is the owner and director of The Little Teapot Daycare Center, founded in Fort Worth, Texas in 1993; and is President of Banks Entertainment, LLC a Concert, Tour Booking and Management Company. She is also an Accreditation Validator for the National Association of Family Childcare and a board member of Agape, Kids, an organization that supports the needs and concerns of children of battered women. One of the most rewarding organizations that Cynthia has the privilege of being a part of is the Stop Aids Leadership Project. S.S.A.L.P. was conceived out of the concern for the growing number of AIDS/HIV infected African Americans in the community. Cynthia hosts and participates in events and HIV/AIDS testing sites throughout Texas to encourage the public to “Know Your Status”.

Cynthia is also the author of Prayers of the Innocent, a true story of fraud and exploitation. The crimes occurred from the late 1990s through 2003, at historically black colleges in the South. The story follows a young college student who unwittingly is caught-up in bank fraud that leads to racketeering, sexual exploitation and theft. Prayers of the Innocent is a story of fear, compassion and a need to protect. Banks is currently working on her third book, Broken Trust, another true story of corruption in a county governmental office in Florida. The story follows Charles, one of Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department’s most trusted employees for over sixteen years. Unbeknownst to the company, Charles found a way to embezzle over 4 million dollars over a 3 year span. Broken Trust is a story that proves that things and people are not always as they seem.

Public speaking is no stranger to Cynthia Banks. She has spoken at the United Negro College Fund conference, has been interviewed by several radio stations, including The Bob Gorley Show in Los Angeles. She has had several book signings in Public Libraries, schools and colleges, churches and expos, including Book Expo America in New York. Banks has also appeared on CCTV Channel 31 in Fort Worth, Texas and WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida.

What would you like readers to take away from your book?

That there is hope for anyone. If you trust and believe in God, He will send you the people and the resources you need to make it through any situation.

Why did you choose to write this book?

This was a powerful story of victory. A story of a woman who lived 27 years with alcoholism, went through heartache, pain, trauma and tragedy, came out HIV negative and lived to tell about it. Her story had to be told.

What did you learn while writing this book?

That there is always someone out there worse off than I am. When I even think about complaining about how bad “it” is, I need to remember Priscilla Gibson and how bad it could get.

What was your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

Chapter 21 - When Priscilla and her boyfriend showed up at her dead husband’s funeral late and drunk. I could just imagine the scene and visualize how people were acting towards her when she walked in.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

That, too much is given, much is required. You have to burn the midnight oil and the candle at both ends to have a successful product.

What is the best lesson you have learned from another writer?

If you are a non-fictional writer, get your legal stuff out the way first, so all you have to do is concentrate on writing the book.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

That people will “hate” on you no matter what.

What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry?

That self-publishing is the way to go.

The worst?

“Trust me” we can make it happen for you! Yeah right!!!!!!!!

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?

DO, write about something you love and can relate to – your passion for it will be released.

DON’T, write about something you will feel ashamed and embarrassed about later – like when the Pastor reads it.

I borrowed this question from Author Carleene Brice, What is your author fantasy?

To not write because I have to (for money), but because I want to, because I really love it. OR

To be stuck in the house, during a snow storm with the roads closed for weeks with Blair Underwood working on a hot new romance book – I mean Christian book.

What is something readers would be surprised you do?

Dress up like Foxy Brown at Halloween, like a turkey at Thanksgiving and like an elf at Christmas. (I also own a daycare center)

Five questions about books:

One book that you have read more than once.

Prayers of the Innocent

One book you would want on a desert island.

A MAPSCO - The book with the directions that tells me how to get back to Fort Worth, Texas.

One book that made you laugh.

Romance and the Stone

One book that made you cry.

Drunk for 27 years

One book you wish you'd written.

My life story

Our theme for this month is Time Management. Do you have any tips on making time for writing?

If you don’t make time to write the ideas and thoughts running through your mind about the book will drive you crazy and keep you up at night, so if you want a good night sleep, make time to write.

Monday-write, Tuesday-bible study, Wednesday-write, Thursday-watch CSI, Friday-free day, Saturday morning-write, run errand in the afternoon, Sunday morning-go to Church, after church clean house and wash clothes, Sunday night-write.

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

P.O. Box 331291, Fort Worth, Texas 76163, www.authorcynthiabanks.com,
http://www.thelittleteapot@sbcglobal.net/

Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?

My next book is titled, M.A.C. Daddy. M.A.C. is an acronym for marijuana, alcohol and cocaine. It’s the life story of Tyrese Gibson’s father.

Drunk for 27 years

The road of Priscilla’s life was paved by the people that made choices for her. Through heartache, pain, trauma and tragedy, Priscilla’s experiences became stepping stones that forced her to make a choice that ultimately changed the outcome of her life.

Drunk for 27 years, the compelling true story of Priscilla Gibson, mother of singer, actor and model Tyrese Gibson, suffered 27 years with alcoholicism. The book reveals the unconditional love that her children had for their mother, who despite all they had experienced remained just the strength she needed to make it through.

Suffering abuse at the hands of an alcoholic mother, Priscilla began drinking at a very young age, and continued into her adult years. Many factors manipulated the course of Priscilla’s life, causing her to make one bad choice after another until she finally made the choice to live and not die.