Essence bestselling author Victor McGlothin is a former bank vice-president who nearly forfeited an athletic scholarship due to poor reading skills. Ultimately, he overcame that obstacle and later completed a Masters degree in Human Relations & Business. Victor is currently working on future two movie projects.
How did you start out your writing career?
I started a writing career after reading my first African American novel. I was almost thirty and reluctant to read anything other than financial reports pertaining to my banking career. Upon fininshing "Brothers and Sisters" I was convinced I could also write an interesting story worth the price of purchase. 18 months later, it was finished and so was I. Or, so I thought. It was harder than I imagined but I was addicted.
What did you learn while writing this book?
What did I learn while writing "The Secrets of Newberry"? Through researching New Orleans and its rich culture, I realized that Voodoo, Black Magic, faith, hope and determination can co-exist in a riveting story created to be savored and shared liberally... like gumbo.
What did you hope to accomplish with this book?
With this novel, I hope to inspire my readers to grasp a handful of history when enjoying the story. Eventhough this is a fictional depiction of old New Orleans and the surrounding areas, the flavor is as authentic as home made Etouffee'. Okay, now I'm getting hungry.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
The toughest test I've faced as a writer is staying true to my original story concepts. With each new book proposal, there is always a possibility of allowing the story to dictate the pace and prospective. Remaining focused on the outline, written aforehand, is so difficult once the characters have their say. Especially those with the steepest bravado.
If you had the opportunity to talk with three writers, who would you choose and why?
If I had the opportunity to sit down with three authors, I'd invite Walter Mosley, John Grisham, and Valerie Wilson Wesley. I've been a huge fan their work and feel a certain kinship to their gritty and descriptive writing styles. Every time I crease the spine on one of their titles, it's like listening to a well told story on the back porch. I love it.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
Actually, I don't have any regrets or things that I wished I'd discovered earlier in my writing career. I honestly believe that trials and experiences have a purpose and a perfect place in the lives of writers. If any one of them are taken out of place or deleted, it could negatively effect everything that follows it. Because I'm a take it as it comes kind of guy, I never look back and wince. Never.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Do's and Don't for aspiring writers: Do write what you believe will make a great story. Don't write anything else.
I borrowed this question from Author Carleene Brice, What is your author fantasy?
How did you start out your writing career?
I started a writing career after reading my first African American novel. I was almost thirty and reluctant to read anything other than financial reports pertaining to my banking career. Upon fininshing "Brothers and Sisters" I was convinced I could also write an interesting story worth the price of purchase. 18 months later, it was finished and so was I. Or, so I thought. It was harder than I imagined but I was addicted.
What did you learn while writing this book?
What did I learn while writing "The Secrets of Newberry"? Through researching New Orleans and its rich culture, I realized that Voodoo, Black Magic, faith, hope and determination can co-exist in a riveting story created to be savored and shared liberally... like gumbo.
What did you hope to accomplish with this book?
With this novel, I hope to inspire my readers to grasp a handful of history when enjoying the story. Eventhough this is a fictional depiction of old New Orleans and the surrounding areas, the flavor is as authentic as home made Etouffee'. Okay, now I'm getting hungry.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
The toughest test I've faced as a writer is staying true to my original story concepts. With each new book proposal, there is always a possibility of allowing the story to dictate the pace and prospective. Remaining focused on the outline, written aforehand, is so difficult once the characters have their say. Especially those with the steepest bravado.
If you had the opportunity to talk with three writers, who would you choose and why?
If I had the opportunity to sit down with three authors, I'd invite Walter Mosley, John Grisham, and Valerie Wilson Wesley. I've been a huge fan their work and feel a certain kinship to their gritty and descriptive writing styles. Every time I crease the spine on one of their titles, it's like listening to a well told story on the back porch. I love it.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
Actually, I don't have any regrets or things that I wished I'd discovered earlier in my writing career. I honestly believe that trials and experiences have a purpose and a perfect place in the lives of writers. If any one of them are taken out of place or deleted, it could negatively effect everything that follows it. Because I'm a take it as it comes kind of guy, I never look back and wince. Never.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Do's and Don't for aspiring writers: Do write what you believe will make a great story. Don't write anything else.
I borrowed this question from Author Carleene Brice, What is your author fantasy?
My author fantasy? I dream of working with Ice Cube, Mekhi Phifer and Jamie Foxx on a romantic comedy that spins off into a television sitcom. Does that count?
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
I would like non-writers to understand that writers expose ourselves in every story we share, including the depths of our souls.
What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?
The best and worst advice I've received as an author were both from E. Lynn Harris. He told me to grasp the idea of a franchise character that readers look forward to loving or loving to hate, time and time again. What I would consider the worst, "to stay published". Although I agree wholeheartedly with the advice, I also believe it provides excuses for authors to do and/or say anything to stay published; including writing junk with hopes of remaining relavant.
If you could visit any place in the world where would you travel to?
I would travel back in time to New Orleans during the mid 50's and take all of my friends with me. That's why I wrote "The Secrets of Newberry."
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
Readers might be surprised that I cook dinner for my family at least 3 times a week. Nobody died yet.
Our theme for this month is Reaching Your Goals? How did it feel to reach your publishing goal?
After landing my first book deal, I dreamed of having three books on the shelf. Then, I imagined ten titles with my name on them and my very own shelf at the local store. 13 books later, I'm comfortable with putting my literary career on the shelf altogether. My new goals reflect feature films for the big screen. It should always be about moving forward.
Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?
What I know for sure: I was meant to write thought-provoking novels. Now, I'm meant to do something else.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
No "next novel" sneak preview. This is it. Get a copy!
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
Readers can contact me via my website: http://www.victormcglothin.com/ or email me personally at Thewritebrother@hotmail.com
"The Secrets of Newberry"
For Ivory Bones Arcineaux and Julian Bynote, life in 1950s New Orleans couldn't be sweeter. Friends since they met in an illegal gambling house in Newberry, Louisiana, they have their pick of all the fine women, good food, and hot nights they can handle. They seem to have it made-especially Julian who begins to make a new life for himself after meeting the beautiful, classy Magnolia Garbo at a social. But both men are about to find out that letting the good times roll can be deadly when a simple robbery goes wrong and Julian witnesses Bones murdering a man in cold blood. The victim was a white city councilman with all the right connections-and if the two are discovered, it will mean the end to everything they've built together. With the New Orleans police hot on their trail, Julian must decide whether rolling in the fast lane is worth losing his freedom and his life.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider becoming a member of SORMAG's community - Join Today
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
I would like non-writers to understand that writers expose ourselves in every story we share, including the depths of our souls.
What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?
The best and worst advice I've received as an author were both from E. Lynn Harris. He told me to grasp the idea of a franchise character that readers look forward to loving or loving to hate, time and time again. What I would consider the worst, "to stay published". Although I agree wholeheartedly with the advice, I also believe it provides excuses for authors to do and/or say anything to stay published; including writing junk with hopes of remaining relavant.
If you could visit any place in the world where would you travel to?
I would travel back in time to New Orleans during the mid 50's and take all of my friends with me. That's why I wrote "The Secrets of Newberry."
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
Readers might be surprised that I cook dinner for my family at least 3 times a week. Nobody died yet.
Our theme for this month is Reaching Your Goals? How did it feel to reach your publishing goal?
After landing my first book deal, I dreamed of having three books on the shelf. Then, I imagined ten titles with my name on them and my very own shelf at the local store. 13 books later, I'm comfortable with putting my literary career on the shelf altogether. My new goals reflect feature films for the big screen. It should always be about moving forward.
Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?
What I know for sure: I was meant to write thought-provoking novels. Now, I'm meant to do something else.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
No "next novel" sneak preview. This is it. Get a copy!
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
Readers can contact me via my website: http://www.victormcglothin.com/ or email me personally at Thewritebrother@hotmail.com
"The Secrets of Newberry"
For Ivory Bones Arcineaux and Julian Bynote, life in 1950s New Orleans couldn't be sweeter. Friends since they met in an illegal gambling house in Newberry, Louisiana, they have their pick of all the fine women, good food, and hot nights they can handle. They seem to have it made-especially Julian who begins to make a new life for himself after meeting the beautiful, classy Magnolia Garbo at a social. But both men are about to find out that letting the good times roll can be deadly when a simple robbery goes wrong and Julian witnesses Bones murdering a man in cold blood. The victim was a white city councilman with all the right connections-and if the two are discovered, it will mean the end to everything they've built together. With the New Orleans police hot on their trail, Julian must decide whether rolling in the fast lane is worth losing his freedom and his life.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider becoming a member of SORMAG's community - Join Today
1 comment:
Hi LaShaunda & Victor,
I have to say this was a fantastic interview. The questions asked gave me more insight into the author and his writing style. I can see how you begin to develop your characters and the storyline. Thank you for staying true to you and your readers.
Missy
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