A #BeenSoLong Interview- Corey Sanders

In anticipation of the upcoming release of Been So Long 4 (CLICK HERE to pre-order), I'm posting a series of character interviews for your reading pleasure. First up is Corey Sanders. 

***WARNING: this interview contains major spoilers for those who haven't read the other books in the series!!!!***

Here goes!

Corey enters the room wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His clothes fit him well, maybe a little too well, because I find myself staring at him as he approaches me to shake my hand. I stand, and his huge hand engulfs mine. He's a hulking man with defined muscles that are clearly evident through his clothes. He is also very handsome. We take our seats and he smiles, revealing even white teeth.


Me: Well, Corey, how are you this morning?

Corey: Great, blessed to be here. How are you?

Me: I'm great. So good to see you. (Dang, he is fine!) So, let's get started. My readers have some interesting questions for you. Are you ready?

Corey: I'm always ready.

Me: (Somebody bring me a fan!) Okay, first question, How's your family?

Corey: (Relaxes in his chair) We're good. Living, loving, making it.

Me: Specifically, how's your wife, Mona-Lisa?

Corey: (Smiles) She's still Mona. She's hard to love, but I love her nonetheless.

Me: Inquiring minds want to know why you love her so much.

Corey: I honestly don't know myself. I just know I do. I love her with all my heart.

Me: Okay... here's a question from Arlisha Myrie: Are you still dealing with PTSD? If so, how are you coping with it?

Corey: (Straightens his posture and runs his hand over his neatly-cut hair) Well, yes... I'm still dealing with it. Um, I think it's something I'll always have to cope with, but with God's help I'm doing much better. I'm managing my anger. I'm proud of the progress I've made.

Me: I'm so glad to hear that! A lot of us were really worried about you.

Corey: Yeah... so was I. But God is good and faithful. He brought me through.

Me: Amen! How are you physically? Still recovering from your injury?

Corey: Oh, I'm healthy. Don't I look healthy to you?

Me: Hells, yeah! I mean, yes. You look great.

Corey: (Chuckles) Thanks.

Me: You are very welcome. Okay, Corey, here's another question from Ms. Myrie. How did you feel when you found out you actually fathered one of Mona's twins? Were you angry that it was kept from you for so long?

Corey: (Drops his head a bit, stares at his hands in his lap for a moment, then looks up at me.) To be honest, I was mad as hell. And at the same time, I was happy, grateful to know I had a child. I wanted to stomp a hole in Dr. Masood when Mona told me he knew all along, though, Shoot, I still want to beat him down for it. It was unfair as hell for him to do that to me! (Clenches fists) I almost missed out on Morgan's entire childhood. If he was here right now, I'd—

Me: Um, I see you're still angry.

Corey: Angry? Naw, I'm way past angry. I'm saved but God's still dealing with me on that one. That was foul. (He mumbles something I can't make out and then rather abruptly stands from his chair and leaves the room.)

Me: (I sit there and wonder if I should leave, too. Like, is the interview over? I'm nervously looking over my notes when he returns. This time, Mona is with him and takes a seat next to him.)

Corey: Um, sorry about that.

Me: It's okay. Are you-are you ready to move on?

Corey: (Grabs Mona's hand) Yes, I am.

Me: Okay. Hi, Mona. Thanks for joining us.

Mona: (Rubs her free hand over her and Corey's joined ones) No problem. I'm here to support Corey. (Leans over and kisses him)

Corey: (Smiles.)

Me: Okay. Here's another question: (I clear my throat) Is it hard playing a fatherly role to Wasif's sons knowing Mona still loves Wasif? (I drop my eyes and brace myself)

Mona: (Gasps softly) Mutters: Oh, hell.

Corey: I love kids, always have, I've also always wanted a family. Mona gave me that and I'm thankful. Is it hard to love Blair and Sahib? No, they're great kids, respectful. And they love me as much as I love them. They make fatherhood easy. Say what you want, but Mona is a good mother and she raised the twins to be good men.

Me: (I smile.) That's beautiful.

Corey: Thanks. As for the second part of that question, about Mona loving Wasif—

Me: You don't have to address that. (I don't want to witness another outburst)

Mona: (Looks like she wants to run from the room.) Thank God.

Corey: No, I'll address it. She loves me. I love her. That's all I'm concerned about.

Mona: (Seems to relax a bit)

Me: (Phew!) Thanks for sharing. So, Corey, can you tell the readers which of the books in the Been So Long series is your favorite?

Corey: I'd say the first one.

Me: Why?

Corey: Because that's when Mona and me reunited and became a family. I had been waiting for that for a long time.

Mona: (Leans in and whispers something in his ear)

Corey: (Flashes her a grin)

Me: All right, last question. What can readers expect from Been So Long 4?

Corey: Drama. What else?


Get caught up with the series before part 4 drops!!
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/adriennethompson
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/adrienne-thompson

Order of the Been So Long Series:
Rapture
If
Been So Long
Little Sister
Been So Long 2
Been So Long III
September

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#TBT - Been So Long

For Throwback Thursday, I thought I'd share an excerpt from what has been, and still is, my top selling book--Been So Long. Enjoy and feel free to grab a copy!

In Little Rock, I slowed as I passed the office of Cardiothoracic Associates of Central Arkansas. It was the office that Dr. Wasif Masood shared with Dr. Fahad Masood, his father. Both were successful cardiothoracic surgeons, well respected in Arkansas. I slowed even more when I saw Wasif’s shiny, midnight blue Range Rover. I ached a little. I wished I could walk in there and surprise him. I wished I was his wife. But I wasn’t his wife and wishing was a waste of time.

The blaring of car horns behind me snapped me out of my thoughts and made me realize that I’d come to a complete stop and was blocking traffic. I don’t know why, but I hit my turn signal and pulled into the parking lot at Wasif’s office. Maybe I just felt bold or maybe I’d lost my mind, but for whatever reason, I found myself parking in front of the office. I pulled on a pair of Fendi sunglasses, grabbed my Gucci purse, and headed into the office.

I smiled as I walked through the nearly packed waiting area and approached the receptionist’s window. A blond-headed young lady returned my smile and said, “Can I help you?” Her southern accent was thick, almost comical.

I nodded. “Yes, I don’t have an appointment or anything, but I was wondering if I could see Dr. Wasif Masood. He was my mother’s surgeon, and I need to ask him some questions.” It was a believable lie.

“Oh, well, what’s your mother’s name?”

“Just tell him that Mo Dandridge needs to speak with him. He’ll remember me.”

She shrugged and gave me a skeptical look. “Ok, but even if he agrees to see you, it may take awhile. He has a lot of appointments this morning.” Wanna bet?

I nodded. “I understand.”

I took the only vacant seat, which was right underneath the flat-screen TV that hung on the wall, and smiled at the rainbow of patients in the waiting area. I’d only been sitting and waiting for two minutes when she told me that he was ready to see me. I hadn’t even had time to flip through the magazine I’d picked up. I thanked her as she led me to his office.

“Thanks, Paula,” Wasif said to the receptionist. “Ms. Dandridge, how can I help you?”

The room smelled of the familiar scent of his cologne. I waited for him to close and lock the door, and then I smiled and whispered, “I really need your help, doctor. I missed you.”

With wide eyes, he said, “Mo, what in the world are you doing here? What if my father sees you here? I’ll never hear the end of it.”

I pointed to the huge window behind his cluttered desk. “Then you’d better close the blinds.”

He nodded. “You’re right.” As he turned and walked to the window, he said, “Mo, you’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.”

I looked around the office as I stepped out of my heels. Behind his huge mahogany desk sat an empty executive chair. There were framed diplomas on the ecru wall from The University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. I could see a picture frame lying flat on the bookcase beside me. Probably a picture of his wife and daughters. I laid my purse in the burgundy leather chair in front of his desk, and when he turned back around, I’d stripped out of my skinny jeans and blouse and was wearing nothing but my matching pink underwear. I tilted my head to the side and gave him an innocent look. “I should go?”

He bucked his eyes as I slowly walked towards him. “Um…Mo…”

I sat on top of the desk without bothering to move any of the papers. I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to me. He smiled. “W…what are you doing, babe?”

I kissed him softly. “I told you. I missed you, doctor,” I whined.

He nodded as I loosened his tie, unbuttoned his collar, and kissed his neck. “Uh…I missed you, too, but y…you can’t just show up like this, babe.”

I shrugged. “Ok, doctor. I’ll go then.” I tried to slide off of his desk, but he blocked me.

He leaned over and kissed me as he pulled his dress shirt out of his pants. “No, Ms. Dandridge. First, you’ve got to finish what you’ve started.”

“What about your patients, Dr. Masood?”

He smiled as he laid me back on his desk. “They can wait. This is an emergency.”

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#WriterWednesday - 5 Things That #ProjectRunway Has Taught Me About Writing

Photo by KayPat via freeimages.com

As a creative person, I love to watch other creative people at work. That’s why Project Runway is one of my all-time favorite shows. I don’t always agree with the judges—to the point that it actually upsets me sometimes—but the aggravation is worth the thrill of seeing the designers make something out of nothing. To me, there’s nothing better than that!

And while the show is about creating clothes, I've learned some things that have helped me with my literary journey. I’m a nice person, so I thought I’d share. Here goes:

1. You CAN be creative under pressure.

On Project Runway, the designers are tasked with creating entire dresses or outfits in mere hours. They are also responsible for the head-to-toe styling of their models. They can’t sit around and wait for inspiration to hit if they are going to meet the challenges set before them. If they want to stay in the game, if they want a chance to win the prize, they have to, as their mentor, Tim Gunn, would say, 

“Make it work.”

They’re in a crunch. They don’t have time to second guess, and while thoughts about whether or not the judges will like what they create do plague them, they have no time to stew on those concerns. They have to get it done. Some people seem to believe that one can’t create when under pressure, and this rings true for many people. But if you want it, I mean really want it, you’ll reach down deep inside of yourself and pull out your own inspiration. For some people, they do their best work while under pressure. That’s a great trait to possess, because life is, more often than not, full of pressure. And if you don’t possess that trait, craft it within yourself. Set your own deadlines and stick to them. Be accountable with your craft and to your audience. Treat writing as a career and watch it become one.

2. Your point of view (voice) matters.

Trends matter, what people like matters, what critics think matters, but nothing matters more than your point of view, your aesthetic, and your voice. A designer or writer who has something to say is someone who is very hard to silence and ignore. Time and time again, I've heard the illustrious Project Runway judges tell designers that they want to see more of them in their work. They are interested in seeing their point of view. Why? Because you are what breathes life into your work! Your stories would not and could not exist without you! Anyone can write a story, but no one can do it precisely the way you do.

Your voice is what separates you from everyone else, and ultimately, it is what can contribute to your longevity. Being different is a vital key to being successful. Just think about the successful authors of our time: James Patterson, Stephanie Meyer, Terry McMillan—they all have a strong point of view and a unique voice. These authors are successful for setting trends, not following them. Wouldn’t you just love to experience that?

3. Forget about your comfort zone.

On Project Runway, the designers are sometimes expected to construct garments using such items as candy, plants, paper, and so on and so forth. The unconventional challenges are always my favorite. I mean, talk about having to step outside of your comfort zone! But here’s the thing, not only are they expected to create garments from these materials, they are expected to create wearable garments. These challenges separate the men and women from the boys and girls. And in writing, if you are only willing to keep your work in a small little constricted space with no room for growth, all you can expect is for it to suffocate and die.

Try new things, learn about new subjects, think about things from a different point of view, and incorporate it all into your writing. My bestselling book to date (Been So Long) is about a love triangle between a Pakistani man, and an African American man and woman. The main character is not really that likable and she makes some horrible decisions, but I like her and I like the story, and so do quite a few readers. Don’t be afraid to challenge the norms, even if they are your norms.

4. You can’t predict what people will like. So don’t even try.

I can’t tell you how many times I've watched a designer confidently present their work to the judges, only to have it torn apart verbally. It’s a hard thing to watch, and it’s especially hard when you, as a viewer, actually liked what the designer created. Opinions are subjective. What you absolutely love and are 100% confident will sell tons of copies, might be panned by a majority of the reading public. There’s just no way to tell. What I do find is that the designers who create something from their soul, and are willing to stand by it no matter what, can face failure with their heads held high, because they stayed true to themselves. Even if they are sent home, they often state that it would've been worse to be sent home over something that they didn't love. So, if you love what you've created you've already won. Write the story you want to read. Trying to predict what others will want to read is not only impossible, but it’s a waste of time and energy—time and energy that could be better spent writing.

5. One day you’re in and the next day, you’re out. Auf Wiedersehen!

The title to number six is comprised of two of Project Runway host, Heidi Klum’s, signature phrases, and let me tell you, this super model knows what she’s talking about. The world of entertainment is fickle, people. Very fickle, and make no mistake, authors are entertainers. One day, everybody and their mama might be rushing out to buy your book. The next day, you might be forgotten, replaced by the next big thing. Also, let’s not forget that our time here on this planet is limited. My advice? Enjoy the ride while the wheels are still turning and the motor is still running. Nurture your craft, and write while the writing is good. But most of all, smile and have fun!

Thanks for dropping by! Until later... be blessed :)