Interview with CHERYL ROBINSON

THE ROCK: Who is Cheryl Robinson?
Robinson: I'm a person filled with questions. My mind is constantly thinking and asking "what if". I'm a scenario builder, which is great in the literary world, but it can seem somewhat overboard in the real world, which is why I'm glad I have my writing as an outlet.

THE ROCK: Where are you from and currently residing?
Robinson: I'm from Detroit, Michigan, and I currently reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Robinson: My sister is an aspiring author.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Robinson: I've been writing for as long as I can remember, but I think one turning point for me was when I was a junior in college and took a fiction writing course as an elective. It was then that I realized how much I truly loved the creative process.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Robinson: Life and all of its twists and turns. It took me several years to discover my voice and now that I've found it, I have plenty of stories I'm anxious to create with it.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Robinson: I realized that it was my passion in 2001 when I sat down and decided to seriously dedicate the time it would take to write a novel. Writing was my only past time, and I felt a great peace when doing it; I still do.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Robinson: Not one thing in particular. I just wanted to complete a story, and I wanted it to be a story that had plenty of twists. I wanted the main characters to have a lot they needed to overcome.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Robinson: My newest creation is If It Ain't One Thing, which is a contemporary story with love as the backdrop. It involves trying to move on from a troubled past. And it is very hard to put in one sentence what the book is about. I know I may be biased, but I would say it is definitely worth the read.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Robinson: I signed a two-book deal with The Penguin Group/NAL division for If It Ain't One Thing and the sequel, It's Like That. You can expect to see It's Like That in stores in January 2006. If It Ain't One Thing was realized in February 2005. I am currently working on my next two books and praying that they also are picked up.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Robinson: Yes, I self published two novels, Memories of Yesterday and When I Get Free. I did so because I wanted to see my book published, and I wanted to demonstrate to publishing companies how serious I am about my writing. My goal had always been to one day get picked up by a major publisher. Self-publishing was a lot of hard work, but it was well worth it.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Robinson: I really don't feel qualified to speak for traditional publishers, but I'm sure it's safe and pretty obvious to say they want books that sell well. It's a business like any other.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche and why?
Robinson: I love contemporary fiction. I want to hear about what is going on now, and I think contemporary fiction is extremely popular.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally?
Robinson: In my opinion that depends on the goal of the author. If money is your motivator, I know of many self-published authors who make more than those with traditional publishers. It just all depends on the author and what they are trying to achieve and what they feel is the best way to achieve their goals. For me, my goal was to get with a traditional publisher so that I could get better distribution.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Robinson: First and foremost, I have to say my biggest personal achievement was finishing something that I started. I was very excited when I completed my first novel. A big professional achievement was when I signed with a literary agent and then with Penguin.

I was recently awarded A Rising Star Award by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Dallas Alumnae Chapter, which I am extremely proud of and excited about. Memories of Yesterday (now named, If It Ain't One Thing) was an Essence Bestseller and Dallas News best seller. Memories of Yesterday was also selected by Cedar Valley College as part of their required reading.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robinson: There are far too many to name. I buy many books and with the exception of Terry McMillan, I select my book based on the story and not the author.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in five years?
Robinson: I want to be in my writing room creating novels and screenplays as my full-time job.

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Robinson: Readers should be able to find me wherever books are sold. In the Dallas area, Black Images Book Bazaar and Jokae's Books. Nationally, my book can be purchased at Borders Bookstore, Barnes and Nobles, Waldenbooks and most other bookstores. If they are online shoppers then of course they can go to amazon.com, cushcity.com, blackexpressions.com.

www.thegrits.com
 

THE ROCK: Thank you Ms. Robinson, and best wishes in all of your future endeavors.
Robinson: Thank you Rock Publications for this feature!

http://www.rockpublications.com
http://www.the-rock-newsmagazine.com
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