Where Did We Go Wrong?Series by Monica Mathis-Stowe
Welcome from Author Monica Mathis-Stowe! I grew up in Washington, D.C. and currently reside in Maryland with my brave, sexy firefighter husband and my loving, handsome son. In my free time, I travel as much as I can but when I'm at home, I'm surrounded by family and friends. I've wanted to be an author since I was a teenager. Always an avid reader, I enjoyed how a well written story can take you on a mini vacation while providing hours of entertainment. I started reading novels to study the art of writing. I wanted the power and ability to make people feel and experience life through my words and stories.
My novels describe the drama in relationships among families, lovers, friends, and colleagues. I like to take my readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that will make them laugh, cry, gasp, think, and question people and their actions. My first novel, Where Did We Go Wrong? was released April 2012, now part 2 is available. This won't be the last you've heard from me. I have a lot of stories inside of me and I'm just getting started. To learn more, you can visit me at: www.MonicaMathisStowe.com, follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/MMathisStowe or become my friend on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/authormonicamathisstowe.
True friends help you through the consequences
of poor judgment when no one else will.
In this newly released romantic suspense novel, best friends Gabby, Maxine and Joy protect each other at all costs, even if it means keeping secrets that turn their lives upside down.
Gabby has no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants. She pulls out every trick in the book to keep her daughter's married father out of their lives but keep his money in her bank account...
Maxine lives for her family but when her husband’s excessive spending lands them in more debt than they can handle, the stress takes a toll on their perfect marriage...
After Joy's loyalty to her controlling mother causes her to lose the only man she'’s ever loved, she marries a man she barely knows. After her wedding, she quickly realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life and it puts everybody she loves in danger. Unfortunately, someone will have to pay the ultimate price with their life.
What people are saying about Where Did We Go Wrong?
Where Did We Go Wrong? is set to be one of the year's best Urban Fiction e-books on Kindle. If you love Black Romance novels or Urban Fiction in general, then this one should be on your must read list!
A steamy, sexy and fun read with lots of page turning drama. ~K. Lowery Moore, Author of When I'm Loving You
Where Did We Go Wrong? keeps readers in suspense until the very last page and leaves you wanting more. ~Tiphani Montgomery, Author of the Millionaire Mistress Series
This book is amazing! I found it hard to put my laptop down to stop reading it! Surprise after surprise! I'm pretty sure I went through every human emotion while reading it! ~Shatorra Alexander, African-American Fiction Book Lover
Where Did We Go Wrong? is an honest portrait of modern relationships. It is part soap-opera, part daytime talk show and part late-night Cinemax movie. Brisk pacing, memorable players and snappy dialogue that will pique readers' interest as the characters struggle to balance their need for love and fulfillment with a desire to live an independent life. An enjoyable, lightweight read for anyone craving a mix of chick-lit drama and spicy romance. ~Kirkus Reviews
I've been an editor for more than 40 years and about 15 years of them were as a free-lancer. This story is excellent, one of the Top 2 I've encountered...great plotting, clearly drawn, sympathetic (or hateful) characters, crisp, realistic dialogue. I'm really impressed. I loved every minute of it. ~Noël Higgins, Editor, Durham, Connecticut
The bond between girlfriends, best friends, is unbreakable, Joy thought as she zigzagged and weaved through the Beltway traffic. She drove as fast and as calmly as she could with Gabby huffing and puffing through her labor pains in the passenger seat. Her normally light-skinned complexion turned a pale shade of red with each contraction, but she still managed to look beautiful through all her pain.
Joy glanced through her rear-view mirror at Maxine, who had decided to follow Joy and Gabby to the hospital in her minivan, in case she needed to leave to tend to her family. She had already let three cars jump between her minivan and Joy’s car. Since her friend didn’t know how to get to the hospital, Joy thought Maxine would have attempted to follow her more closely. Drivers were definitely taking advantage of her careful driving, with the many “Caution-Baby on Board” stickers plastered to her bumper. She was so far behind, Joy couldn't see her anymore.
When Joy arrived at the hospital’s emergency room entrance, she jumped out of her Toyota Corolla and ran inside the hospital to get help. Within seconds, she returned to the car with a nurse and an orderly pushing a wheelchair. She assisted Gabby into the hospital and left to find Maxine. Back in her car, Joy pulled out her cell phone, and called Maxine.
“Girl, where are you?” Joy asked, trying to sound calm. She didn't want to make timid Maxine more nervous than she already was.
“I’m lost. You were driving so fast, I couldn’t keep up,” Maxine whined.
Joy shook her head. “What exit are you near?”
“I see a hospital sign. Should I take that exit?” Maxine asked anxiously.
Joy sighed in frustration. “Yeah, follow the signs to the hospital. I’m gonna park my car in the garage and meet you in the lobby.”
“Okay. Bye.” Maxine hit the End Call button on her steering wheel as she took the exit.
Joy hung up and sped toward the parking garage. She turned into the first available spot and ran back to the hospital. She didn't want Gabby to be alone when she delivered.
Joy, Maxine, and Gabby had met at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Maxine and Joy were roommates. Gabby stayed alone in the dorm room across the hall because her roommate never showed up. Most nights, Gabby didn't like being in her room alone, so she bunked with Maxine and Joy. By the end of their first semester, Gabby's mattress, clothes, and personal belongings were stuffed in Maxine and Joy's already overcrowded dorm room. They got along well and became the best of friends. The following semester, they petitioned the Dean of Housing for a larger dorm room so they could stay together. They wouldn't have it any other way. They became the friends to each other that every woman should have in her life. No matter what they went through, they dealt with it together. They had no idea where they would be without each other.
Back in the hospital, after an exam revealed that Gabby had dilated nine centimeters, she was rushed into a delivery room. She grabbed the rails on the bed and squeezed her eyes shut during another contraction. “Ouch! Ouch! It hurts!” Gabby screamed between deep breaths.
After she was prepped for delivery, the private nurse assigned to her used a white cloth to dab at the sweat beads forming on Gabby's forehead. She smacked the nurse's hand away. The nurse stepped back and glared at Gabby as she crossed her arms over her chest. Gabby's obstetrician, Dr. Fields, entered the delivery room with a comforting smile on his handsome face. He looked like he was fresh out of medical school.
“Hello, Gabrielle.”
“Hi,” Gabby moaned.
After Dr. Fields examined her, he removed his gloves and went to her bedside. “It looks like you're ready to deliver. Are you ready to meet your beautiful daughter?”
“I'm ready to get this over with!” Gabby looked around the delivery room. “Where are my birth coaches?” She grabbed the doctor's arm and squeezed so hard, her nails went through his skin.
“Oh, God! Ouch!”
Dr. Fields removed Gabby's hand and frowned at the nail imprint she left on his arm. He motioned for the private nurse to come help Gabby while he sat on a stool and rolled himself between Gabby's open legs. He looked at the door when he heard Joy and Maxine walk in. “Looks like your coaches finally arrived.”
“Where have you been? It's time for me to push!” Gabby barked.
“I'm sorry. Maxine got lost, but we're here now so calm down,” Joy said as she walked to Gabby's bed side. “Have you been doing your breathing exercises?”
“Oh, no! I need to go to the bathroom,” Gabby cried.
Maxine brushed Gabby's long hair from her face before she took her place beside Gabby's leg. “Gabby, it just feels like that because it's time for you to deliver.”
“Gabrielle, your coach knows what she's talking about,” Dr. Fields said. “I need you to give me one good push.”
“C'mon, Gabby, push!” Joy put her hand behind Gabby's back the way she had learned in Lamaze class. Maxine pulled Gabby's left leg back while the nurse pulled the right leg. “Don't forget to breathe, Gabby,” Maxine said in a cheery tone.
Gabby fell back after one push. “How much longer? I'm exhausted! Can't you just pull her out!”
“Unfortunately, I can't, Gabrielle. Come on now. It's time for another push.” Dr. Fields looked up at Gabby from between her legs. “I need you to do your part.”
“No! I can't!” Gabby shook her head like a defiant child refusing to obey a parent.
Joy got as close to Gabby's face as she could and screamed, “Get it together, Gabby! Your daughter needs you to push her out! Sit your ass up and push! Now!” Gabby took a deep breath and pushed as hard and as long as she could.
“That was a good one, Gabby. Your daughter's head is almost crowning.” Dr. Fields looked at the monitor for another contraction. Maxine turned around to smile at Gabby. “See, Gabby. I knew you could do it.”
“Gabrielle, I need another good push from you,” Dr. Fields said.
Gabby used all her strength to push again. “It's burning! Why is my vajayjay burning?”
“That's normal, Gabrielle. Don't worry, she's almost out. One more good push and you can meet your daughter.” Joy helped Gabby push while Maxine and the nurse pulled Gabby's legs back as far as they could.
“Oh, my God! She's here!” Maxine exclaimed.
“Is she all right?” Gabby asked as she fell back exhausted.
The delivery room was so quiet. The sound of the nurses suctioning the baby's nose and mouth echoed in the room. Gabby grabbed Joy's hand and squeezed it. Maxine rushed to Gabby's side when she saw worried look on her friend's face. She took her other hand and brought it to her chest as she prayed silently.
“Why isn't she crying?” Gabby asked while trying to stretch her neck to see her baby.
“Give her a minute, Gabrielle,” Dr. Fields said in a calming voice as he pushed the nurses aside to work on the baby. Seconds later, they looked at each other with tears in their eyes when they heard Gabby's baby let out her first whimper. “That's my girl!” Gabby shouted.
An hour later, Gabby was resting comfortably in her private maternity suite. She pushed the button on the remote to raise her bed and adjusted her pillow behind her back. “I can't believe I'm a mother!”
“I can't believe you get a room like this after giving birth. I had to share a room when I delivered both my boys and it didn't look anything like this,” Maxine said. She walked around the room touching the draperies, flat-screen television, and fully stocked refrigerator to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. Joy was sitting in a chair near the door. She stared at Gabby with a straight face and asked, “Did you call him? Because I'm not calling him for you anymore.”
Gabby avoided Joy's gaze. She took a mirror, comb, and tube of lip gloss out of her purse and began combing through her shoulder-length, chestnut-brown hair. “We worked everything out through our lawyers. He doesn't want to be her father because of his wife and children. I respect that as long as he takes care of my little girl financially,” Gabby replied.
“What is William's role in all of this?” Maxine asked.
William had been Gabby's boyfriend until she broke up with him to start dating Rayshawn Robinson, a quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. He was better known as R&R in the NFL and to his fans. Gabby knew she hit the jackpot after R&R signed a $75 million-dollar contract with the Ravens. She had one obstacle standing between her and Rayshawn's millions: his family. She stopped using birth control the day R&R signed his new contract. Gabby knew that the best way to get part of his millions was to have his child. She seduced Rayshawn night and day. He didn't complain when she told him to stop using condoms because they felt uncomfortable. He enjoyed spending time with her because she was beautiful and she often left him in tears after they had sex. He enjoyed every bit of what she gave him, so now he needed to pay up.
Gabby looked at Joy and Maxine with a serious expression. “William will be her father. He believes she's his child and that's how we're going to keep it.” Gabby placed the mirror, comb, and lip gloss on the tray attached to her bed. She then shook her head in their direction, waiting for them to agree with her.
“This lie is going to come back and bite you in the ass,” Joy snapped and frowned.
“This is not a good idea, Gabby. This one lie can hurt so many people,” Maxine reasoned.
The nurse entered the room with Gabby's newborn baby girl in a white bassinet. She was tightly wrapped in a pink blanket with a pink cap over her head. After the nurse placed the baby in Gabby's arms and left, Maxine and Joy stood on each side of the bed to get a closer look at their new goddaughter.
“She's beautiful, Gabby,” Maxine whispered with tears in her eyes.
“Of course she is, Maxine. I wouldn't make an ugly child,” Gabby declared. “Thank God she takes after my side and not Rayshawn's. I wonder why I even slept with him.” Gabby let out a deep sigh and shook her head.
“Let's keep it real, Gabby. You slept with him for the money.” Joy looked across the bed at Maxine who was shaking her head and smiling in agreement.
Dr. Fields entered the room. Gabby quickly passed the baby to Maxine and sat straight up in the bed, giving the doctor her full attention. Maxine stood beside the bed gently rocking the baby in her arms. Joy stepped away from the bed and walked over to the large picture window so the doctor could have access to Gabby. Joy stared out the window overlooking the parking lot. A couple holding hands was walking across the lot kissing each other every few steps. It made her heart ache for Allen. She wasn't looking forward to calling him and cancelling their plans for the long Memorial Day weekend. She knew he wasn't going to be happy.
“Dr. Fields, are you listening to me?” Gabby shrilled as her light complexion turned an angry shade of red. Dr. Fields was staring at Joy's butt in a pair of tight Guess jeans. Her jet-black curly hair, inherited from her Puerto Rican father, fell down her back, stopping at her narrow waist. He was mesmerized by her caramel complexion and womanly curves. Joy turned around and caught him staring at her. She gave him a polite smile before she stepped out of the room to call Allen. Dr. Fields kept his eyes glued to Joy's butt until she was gone. “Sorry, Gabrielle… umm, is your friend single?” he asked.
Gabby rolled her eyes at the doctor and reached for the baby. “No! She's been with her boyfriend since they were teenagers.” She whined like a spoiled child who couldn't have her way. Maxine turned her head and giggled. When the doctor left the room, he saw Joy and smiled at her again. She was having an intense phone conversation so she turned her back to him.
Where Did We Go Wrong? by Monica Mathis-Stowe Buy now: http://www.theliterarypublishinggroup.com Literature & Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Women's Contemporary Fiction
Topics Discused: Relationships fo professional African-American women, domestic abuse, and suicide
Best friends Gabby, Maxine and Joy protect each other at all costs, even if it means keeping secrets that turn their lives upside down. Gabby has no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants. She pulls out every trick in the book to keep her daughter’s married father out of their lives but keep his money in her bank account...
Maxine lives for her family but when her husband’s excessive spending lands them in more debt than they can handle, the stress takes a toll on their perfect marriage...
After Joy’s loyalty to her controlling mother causes her to lose the only man she’s ever loved, she marries a man she barely knows. After her wedding, she quickly realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life and it puts everybody she loves in danger. Unfortunately, someone will have to pay the ultimate price with their life.
Behind the Pen with Monica Mathis-Stowe Hosted by Black Authors Network Radio
Monica Mathis-Stowe is a native of Washington, D.C. and lives in Maryland. She decided to become a writer because she wanted to entertain people with her stories. Monica’s novels portray the drama in relationships among families, lovers, friends, and colleagues. She likes to take her readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that will make them laugh, cry, gasp, think, and question people and their actions. Her debut novel, Where Did We Go Wrong? was released in early April 2012.
BAN: What books or authors made a difference in your life?
I’m a huge Jackie Collins fan. I have read every one of her books and buy her latest novel as soon as it’s available in bookstores. I love how she makes her female characters strong but flawed and her writing style is phenomenal. I also enjoy Terry McMillan’s novels. Years ago, I almost lost my job because I couldn’t stop reading Mama. Mary Higgins Clark and Carl Weber are a few other authors I enjoy.
BAN: How did you initially break into the publishing industry? What road did you travel? How do you feel about self-publishing?
I told everybody I was writing a book. One of the parents at my son’s school who is now a very close friend of mine introduced me to Tressa Smallwood of Life Changing Books. Tressa had one of her editors read my first draft and give me feedback so I credit her for helping me break into the publishing industry. Tressa was honest with me, answered my questions and pointed me in the right direction and for that, I’m thankful. As far as self-publishing goes, I’m all for it. I think it’s the best way for many authors, myself included. Writers need to decide what’s best for them. Whether they want to go the traditional route or self-publish, they need to give it their all. The publishing industry is changing every day. I think there are plenty of talented self-published authors make a decent living from their writing.
BAN: How has your writing style evolved over the years? What stimulated your growth the most?
I can tell you it has definitely improved. My first draft of Where Did We Go Wrong? was a hot mess. I look back at it every once in a while and wonder what was I thinking. But then I remember writing is a learning process and I’m still learning. When time permits, I take classes at my local community college or an online class offered through Writer’s Digest or Romance Writers of America. I’m a lifelong learner and will continue to take classes to improve my writing skills. Listening to editors, publishers and other authors who read my work and made suggestions on how I can improve also helped me. It hurt to hear an editor or published author tell me that a scene was boring or they wouldn’t buy my novel because it wasn’t interesting. I had to grow a thick skin and go back to my computer to fix what didn’t work and then go back to those same people for another opinion. Listening to feedback from those in the publishing field, my determination to get it right and my stubbornness to succeed has stimulated my growth the most.
BAN: What have you realized about yourself since becoming a published author?
The positive feedback and reviews from readers made me realize that I’m a good storyteller. Readers contact me through my website, Facebook and Twitter to tell me how once they started reading Where Did We Go Wrong? they couldn’t put it down. When my family and friends told me they enjoyed my novel and it was a good read, I always wondered if they were trying to spare my feelings. But when complete strangers and reviewers purchased my book on Amazon and sent emails praising it and posting 5-Star reviews, I couldn’t help but to smile and pat myself on the back because I accomplished what I set out to do. I wrote an entertaining story that held the readers’ interest and left them asking for more.
BAN: What is your definition of success?
When I think of success, I think of balance. A person who has balance in his or her life is a successful person to me. You can have more money than you’ll ever spend and a closet full of designer clothes, shoes and jewelry, or your dream job/career but if you don’t have balance, then you have nothing. My definition of success is balance in five areas: 1) Spiritual 2) Family 3) Career 4) Finances and 5) Health. Balance in these areas lead to confidence which leads to success.
BAN: Now, let’s talk about the industry. Will the digital age or social media usage change the face of publishing?
Oh, definitely. Everything is instant now. A reader can give an author instant feedback on social media. Writers no longer have to wait years to publish their books. There are so many opportunities to publish an eBook and because of this its changing the publishing industry every day. There is more competition for readers’ attention, prices are lower on eBooks and a great majority of them are free. But no matter what, readers, like myself, want a professional product that’s well put together.
BAN: How do feel about selling digital books vs. selling in a brick and mortar store? What impact do you think electronic book sales will have on black authors? On indie authors?
I enjoy the convenience of digital books but still like the feel of a book in my hand. It saddens me to see bookstores going out of business, but its technology. There are a few eBook authors who make a living from their novels but not many. Most eBook authors have another source of income. More black authors and indie authors will get their work published but there is a lot of competition. Books are uploaded daily, sometimes hourly, and authors have to create a marketing plan that will help their books stand out from the rest.
BAN: What has been your most difficult hurdle to leap? How can EDC Creations and our readers help you?
Getting Where Did We Go Wrong? in front of readers has been my most difficult challenge. After the first week it was released, about twenty readers contacted me through my website, Facebook and Twitter to let me know how much they enjoyed the book or how amazing it was, but only a few of them posted their reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. I love and welcome all feedback, good or bad, but I think it’ll help me more for readers to post their reviews for others to see. A lot of people read the reviews to help them decide whether or not to purchase. EDC Creations and readers can get the word out by telling other readers they come in contact with or people they know who would enjoy a good book.
BAN: What grassroots strategies have you used to spread the word about your book?
Word of mouth is extremely important. Some people read reviews while others rather hear from people they know and trust. I have family, friends and readers sharing the news about my novel and I’ve done a couple of blog interviews. I plan to have a few book signings at local bookstores and book launch events in the coming weeks .
BAN: Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
Decide whether you want to go the traditional route or to self-publish. Whatever path you chose, understand that it’s not going to happen overnight. Be patient. Keep a wish list of professionals in the field and ask them questions. Some will be happy to answer your questions, others won’t. Don’t give up. The last thing you want to do is publish your book without knowing something about the publishing industry and without having a marketing plan.
BAN: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers... ”
Monica Mathis-Stowe was an entertaining and engaging storyteller who wrote about strong, but flawed characters and left the reader wondering and wanting more.
BAN: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. How may our readers follow you online?
Thanks for the opportunity to shine the spotlight on my book. I’m in the process of completing the sequel to Where Did We Go Wrong? After readers compliment me on the novel, they ask when the sequel will be ready. Where Did We Go Wrong Again? is almost complete and should be ready by mid-summer. I’ve just completed an outline for my next novel, The Firefighters’ Wives. Readers can visit my website at www.MonicaMathisStowe.com for details. They can also follow me on twitter @MMathisStowe and become my friend on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormonicamathisstowe
BAN: Thank you, Monica, for sharing a little bit about yourself, your journey and your book with our readers!
Thank you Ella and EDC Creations for taking the time to interview me. I appreciate it.
Where Did We Go Wrong? by Monica Mathis-Stowe Buy now: http://www.theliterarypublishinggroup.com Literature & Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Women's Contemporary Fiction
Topics Discused: Relationships fo professional African-American women, domestic abuse, and suicide
Best friends Gabby, Maxine and Joy protect each other at all costs, even if it means keeping secrets that turn their lives upside down. Gabby has no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants. She pulls out every trick in the book to keep her daughter’s married father out of their lives but keep his money in her bank account...
Maxine lives for her family but when her husband’s excessive spending lands them in more debt than they can handle, the stress takes a toll on their perfect marriage...
After Joy’s loyalty to her controlling mother causes her to lose the only man she’s ever loved, she marries a man she barely knows. After her wedding, she quickly realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life and it puts everybody she loves in danger. Unfortunately, someone will have to pay the ultimate price with their life.
Intimate Conversation with Monica Mathis-Stowe Hosted by Black Pearls Magazine
Monica Mathis-Stowe is a native of Washington, D.C. and lives in Maryland. She decided to become a writer because she wanted to entertain people with her stories. Monica’s novels portray the drama in relationships among families, lovers, friends, and colleagues. She likes to take her readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that will make them laugh, cry, gasp, think, and question people and their actions. Her debut novel, Where Did We Go Wrong? was released in early April 2012.
BPM: Share with our readers the “behind-the-scenes” dish! Introduce us to your book and the main characters.
I try to write every day, but it doesn’t always happen. Sometimes life gets in the way. Before I start writing, I listen to music to arrange my thoughts for the scene. Sometimes I listen to the same song over and over until I can create the scene or feeling I’m trying to get across to the reader. Once I have it, I turn the music off and start pecking at the keyboard until the chapter is done or until my family needs me. It took me four months to write the first draft of Where Did We Go Wrong? and a year of rewrites and edits to complete it.
Where Did We Go Wrong? focuses on the relationship drama of three best friends who help each other through the consequences of poor judgment. Gabby, Maxine and Joy protect each other at all costs, even if it means keeping secrets that turn their lives upside down. Gabby is mean and self-centered. She uses people to get what she wants and doesn’t care who she hurts. Maxine is married with two children and a very caring person. Her life revolves around her family until she decides to make some changes that take a toll on her perfect marriage. Joy is smart, sexy and independent except when it comes to her controlling mother. After Joy marries a man she barely knows, she quickly realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life and it puts everybody she loves in danger. Unfortunately, someone will have to pay the ultimate price with their life.
BPM: Do you have any favorites? What genre is the book? On Kindle or Nook? I don’t have a favorite character. There is something I like and dislike about each of them. I like the way Gabby goes after what she wants, but I don’t like the way she hurts people. I like Maxine’s commitment to her family, but I don’t like how timid she is. I like how level-headed Joy is and how much she loves Allen, but I don’t like her mother’s control over her.
I hate to pigeon hole this novel into one category because it’s a blended genre. Where Did We Go Wrong? has action, romance, suspense and comedy. If I absolutely had to place it in one genre, it would be contemporary women’s fiction. Where Did We Go Wrong? is currently available in paperback and eBook on Amazon and will be available on Nook by mid-summer. Also, check your local bookstore for a copy.
BPM: What compelled or inspired you to write this book? Why now? Ever experience writers block?
I can listen to a song and create a whole story in my head. In November of 2010, I was sitting in D.C. traffic and Jeffrey Osborne’s song ‘Where Did We Go Wrong’ came on the radio. I listened to the lyrics and started creating this story in my head. The song went off and people were blowing their horns for me to drive, but I was distracted because I wanted to know what else happened in this story. I went home downloaded the song and listened to it all night. It was Thanksgiving week so instead of hitting the Black Friday sales like I normally do, I sat down and started writing the story. I didn’t start writing this story to publish it, I wrote it because I wanted to know how it ended.
Why now? As a teenager, I knew I wanted to write a book, but always let other responsibilities get in the way of my dream. So, I guess the time was right. It was a long holiday weekend, I was inspired and I was determined to get it out of my head onto paper. It was a matter of perfect timing.
I experience writer’s block more than I want and it’s usually when I take my characters in the wrong direction or take my story off course. Usually a day or two or sometimes a week or two away from it to clear my head puts me back on track.
BPM: Are any scenes from the book borrowed from your world or your experiences?
Well, like me, the three main characters live in Prince George’s County, Maryland and they all attended Morgan State University in Baltimore. Other than that, there is nothing borrowed from my world or experiences. It’s just my imagination at work.
BPM: In writing your novels, how do you develop the plot? Did you have difficulty keeping the story on point? How much research was required, if any?
When I start writing, I know what I want to happen with each character in the story. I create brief chapter outlines and make-up character backgrounds and descriptions, then I write the main points for the beginning, middle and end. When I have that worked out, I add turning point one and turning point two to take the story in a different direction. I always have a difficult time keeping the story on point and that’s when my test reader extraordinaire, Renee Latimore-Brown, tells me her concerns and its usually enough for me to go back and correct. Sometimes I have to write the same chapter over numerous times. Writing a novel is not easy work. My research consists of getting on the internet to use the dictionary, thesaurus, maps and anything else I need to look up. Having internet access makes writing easier for me because whatever information needed is just a few clicks away.
BPM: What particular scenes from the novel will grab readers and serve to stimulate spirited discussions?
It’s hard to say because every chapter in Where Did We Go Wrong? grabs the reader and serves to stimulate spirited discussions. Every chapter that involves Gabby makes you hate her even more. I had readers email me that they wanted to fight Gabby. Readers feel Maxine’s pain and it brings them to tears. Joy’s poor judgment takes her life in a direction that she didn’t plan and it makes readers angry, but they keeping reading because they’re connected to the characters.
BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message enclosed?
I want to reach readers who are tired of reading novels about weak women who are victims and dependent on men for their survival or women involved in illegal activity because they’re in love. There are a lot of strong, educated and career-minded men and women who go to work every day and still have to deal with conflict and drama in their lives. I want to write their stories for them to read and relate to. The message in Where Did We Go Wrong? focuses on the outcome of problems caused by poor judgment, secrets and lies.
BPM: What should readers DO after reading this book?
The first thing people should do after reading Where Did We Go Wrong? is post a review on Amazon, then tell everybody they know about the terrific book they just finished. LOL But seriously, I want readers to think about the choices these friends made and all the pain that could’ve been avoided if they had made better choices.
BPM: How do you avoid the temptation of interjecting your own morals, value system or ministry in your writing?
I don’t attempt to get on a morality pedestal or preach to anyone. My job while writing is to entertain. Everyone has different perceptions. Whereas one reader might hate a character, another reader will love the same character because of their life experiences.
BPM: What insight does the book give readers on relationships?
Relationships require work. Every relationship should have love, honesty, loyalty, communication, safety, security and intimacy. Relationship require each person to do his or her part and if they don’t, it can fall apart and someone will always end up hurt.
BPM: Share with us a quote or brief excerpt from one of the most powerful chapters. Here we go: When she came out of the bathroom, her eyes were swollen and her skin looked pale. Her eyes were bloodshot red from crying. She looked at him, waiting for him to change his mind.
"I'm not changing my mind, Joy," he said as if he was reading hers.
"What do you want me to do, Allen? I'll do it. I promise you. I'll do it. Just tell me," Joy pleaded.
"Get out. That's what I want you to do. Leave," Allen demanded.
Joy didn't say anything. She just stood and stared at Allen for what seemed like an eternity but was actually two minutes.
Allen didn't show any emotion. It hurt him to see Joy staring at him with pleading eyes. He felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest.
"Okay. If that's what you want, I'll leave. Allen, I'm coming over there because I want to give you a hug. I want to hug you one more time. Please don't push me away."
Allen didn't say a word. Joy walked slowly as if each step hurt her. She wrapped her arms around him. He didn't hug her back. He didn't respond at all. He stood as still as a cold statue and let her hug him as he used all his strength to fight the urge to hug her back. He knew he had to do this. One way or the other, she was going to be hurt, breaking up with her here or infidelity in China.
Owen walked out of his bedroom, saw the tension between them and turned around.
Joy squeezed Allen's hand and said, "Okay. I get it. I understand. I'll leave. Please be careful in China. If you ever want to talk..." Joy said, her words trailing off because she knew she was defeated. She knew Allen was serious and it was over. She just lost her soul-mate and there was nothing she could do about it.
"Just remember I still love you and always will, baby."
Joy grabbed her purse and carry-on and walked out the door. A cab was waiting outside for her. She got in crying and shaking. "Southwest Airlines," was all she could say.
Allen watched from his living room window as Joy got in the cab. He picked up one of the vases full of red roses and threw it across the room. The vase shattered into pieces before it fell to the floor with the roses and water falling on top of it.
Owen ran out of his bedroom to see what had happened. Allen sat on the couch with tears dripping down his face.
"You alright, man?" Owen couldn't believe they were over.
"No! I just lost a big part of me today," Allen said, turning to walk to his bedroom. With tears streaming, he slammed his bedroom door shut so hard it almost broke at the hinges.
###
BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
I want readers to relate to these character, understand their pain, feel their joy and learn from their mistakes. But most of all, I want everyone who reads Where Did We Go Wrong? to close the book and feel like they just watched a good movie and hated that it had to end.
BPM: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases. How may our readers follow you online?
Thanks for the opportunity to shine the spotlight on my book. I’m in the process of completing the sequel to Where Did We Go Wrong? After readers compliment me on the novel, they ask when the sequel will be ready. Where Did We Go Wrong Again? is almost complete and should be ready by mid-summer. I’ve just completed an outline for my next novel, The Firefighters’ Wives.
Readers can visit my website at www.MonicaMathisStowe.com for details. They can also follow me on twitter @MMathisStowe and become my friend on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormonicamathisstowe
BPM: Thank you, Monica, for sharing a little bit about yourself, your journey and your book with our readers!
Thank you Ella and EDC Creations for taking the time to interview me. I appreciate it.
This audio-postcard presentation was created by Ella Curry of EDC Creations Creations Media Group. We offer the best in book publishing publicity! Visit the main EDC Creations website today to reserve your slot today at: http://www.edc-creations.com/publicity.htm we have several packages that will take authors to the top! Looking for one of the most popular Internet radio shows in the industry? Check out The Black Authors Network Radio Show today!
