"The Interview with Lee Charles"

THE ROCK: Who is Lee Charles, tell us something about you?

Charles: I'm an African American female who has raised two sons on my own. Am I
bitter? Nahhhh. I enjoyed my children when they were young and even
more now that they are older. But although my children are older I stay in
touch with what other children are doing/going through and their
parents. Quite often I pray for these parents one on one.
My goal is to reach as many people possible with my novels which are
written openly. It is also my goal to help teach all of us about
ourselves and how we communicate with each other in relationships. And how
special our bodies are no matter what our gender. Believe it or not. As I
do my own personal surveys with or without my books. Men just as well as
women believe that whatever negative happens in a relationship is a
man's fault. This is a concept that I'm trying to somewhat dismiss. It
takes two people to stay in a bad relationship. And the same number to
remain in a good one. I also write stories about same sex, drug dealing,
and interacial relationships. I like to touch on all aspects of life. If
people can get involved in it. I write about it and I love to show
people positive ways to remove themselves from bad places although
sometimes I go through much harshness before I get them there. That's life.

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
Micheal: I am from Rochester NY and live in Rochester NY.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Charles: Yes, Trisha and Rashaad.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Charles: At the age of about seven or eight.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Charles: I'd say my communications and psychology skills.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Charles: My job might have been the biggest factor. But another was that I'd
been waiting for a man to write the type of books that I've written so
that I could read the messages that I'm trying to get through to others.
The other was that I'd written a really good story in about the 3rd or
4th grade. One of the male students who was the teacher's pets and also
a friend of mine told her not to read my story because it was just like
the sample story she'd given us and she listened to him. As I look back
on that incident I realize that our teacher was senile, and I can
actually laugh about it.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Charles: My biggest inspiration was visual. I work for an entity that is highly
involved in crime, drugs, prostitution, and drugs.
One day as I was riding the bus home from work with my son and cousin
my cousin pointed out a prostitute and said: These guys were really
lettin her have it the other day, and she wanted my son to respond. I
abruptly told him not to say anything. My cousin said: " Aw he can say
something about her " As if this female was nothing. I politely
told her in front of a bus filled with people, yet in a normal tone:
" We're all just one pay check away from walking the streets."
My heart really goes out to people now days. The churches really don't
get deep enough into what is really going on. But I've really noticed
that my written, visual perceptions have actually brought many out of
bad places.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is
the premise?
Charles: My newest creations are as follows:
Pimp Dugan The Whore
Jock
Carlette Pousant Island Girl
How Can Mr. Right Be Mr. Wrong So Many Times
Isabelle and Fanae
Sock Hop
Unforgivable - For General readers
Wicked Deeds Unseen - For Children
GROWTH & CHANGE - POETRY
WHAT IF WE - POETRY
Hussey Place and Katalina haven't been completed. But the premise of
all the books are: What is fact and what is fiction and how we see
negative things happening and ignore them until we're the victim How easy it
is to get hooked on something that seems pleasurable, and how we judge
what we think we see.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Charles: Actually. I sent some of my latter works out to publishers who found
them favorable, but I haven't heard anything else from them yet.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Charles: Yes. My ten books that are on line now are self-published

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Charles: Fluff and stories long enough to fit their production needs I guess.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Charles: Length nor fluff would matter with me. I read more books than the
library can hold. (No. They are not all stacked up around me) I look for
books with meaning no matter what the subject and it has to be
interesting. Something strong enough to make me remember it forever. Such as: The
Coldest Winter Ever, Please, Please, Please, Books by Carl Weber,
Waiting to exhale, Kimberla Lawson Roby's Books, Mary Monroe, Bernice L
McFadden, The gentleman who wrote Chasin' It and many others whom I cannot
think of at the time.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Charles: I would love to be able to stay at home and just write about subjects that touch today's society. People mean a lot to me, especially the
children.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Charles: My Professional achievment was getting ten books self-published and
being blessed with a position that takes me to reality everyday.
Personal achievements came when people began relating to my writing and
be actually told that my books changed them and that they wanted to
read more. This statement came from people from all walks of life. It has
been a great reward.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Charles: Ice Berg Slim, Donald Goines, Carl Weber, Renee' Swindle, Sister Soljuh
(don't really know how to spell her name) Mary Monroe, Kimberla Lawson
Roby, and Trista Russell

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Charles: I would like to be speaking to masses of people regarding the subjects
that so many find taboo, but not too taboo to indulge in.

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Charles: www.cushcity.com/leecharles.htm, Amazon.com and all major book stores
including Mood Makers here in Rochester in Village Gate Sqaure on
Goodman Street

THE ROCK: Thank you, Ms. Charles.
Charles: Thank you for your interest.

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