| "The
Interview with Minnie E Miller"
THE
ROCK: Who is Minnie E Miller, tell us something about
you?
Miller: I've been writing for twelve years.
My last full time job was with the Office of the Mayor of the city of
San Francisco as special assistant to his press secretary. I retired
in 1999; however, inactivity drove me back to work part-time at NBC5
Chicago, WMAQ TV. I retired again in May 2004. My life has been devoted
to writing.
THE
ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
Miller: I'm from Chicago, IL, have traveled
and lived to many states but ultimately returned to Chicago in 2000.
THE
ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Miller: There are no other writers in my
family
THE
ROCK:When did you start writing?
Miller: I started writing as a teenager
but became serious in 1991.
THE
ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Miller: I took classes at various universities
and colleges--wherever I could afford. Working in public relations offices
and in the mayor's press office in San Francisco taught me composition
and storytelling. You'd probably call it spinning. *smiles*
THE
ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Miller: I was inspired to write as a young
girl hiding in books. Had a class in high school (can't remember which,
I went to several) called social science. We had to bring newspapers
to class and discuss articles. I was hooked. I first thought I'd be
a columnist but later dropped that idea and started keeping a journal.
I still have them.
THE
ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Miller: I was inspired to write a book
after watching the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings. I exploded and
wrote to every politician I could find complaining about what I felt
was an interrogation of Ms. Hill. I saw stories in those letters and
have continued to write my opinion in story form since. If there's an
underdog, I'll find him/her and write about them.
THE
ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the
premise?
Miller: My newest creation is "The
Seduction of Mr. Bradley." He's bisexual, struggling from the
unpopular lifestyle; however, a debt is his heaviest burden. He is in
love with Jina, a straight female writer and Ted Grassley, his bisexual
mentor. He learns variations on the subject of love, and that they all
carry emotional commitment. Bill finds that he can no longer live in
both worlds. He must choose. Searching for a solution to his dilemma,
he reveals his duel sexuality to Jina, thinking, hoping, she offers
some clarity and stability to his life. In doing so he turns their world
upside down and paints himself into a corner. Mr. Bradley tells the
story. There have been some interesting developments since I started
writing Mr. Bradley. For instance, the film by Eng Lee, Brokeback Mountain,
and recently it was reported that DePaul University, the country's largest
Catholic university, is offering an introductory course in queer studies--the
history of same-sex desire, the biology of gender identity, and government
reactions to homosexual behavior (Chicago Tribune, Online Edition, February
20, 2006).
THE
ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Miller: I don't have any publishing contracts
in the works. But I'm not unhappy of about that. I will get my work
out, that's for sure.
THE
ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Miller: I self-published "Catharsis."
in 2003. It's a book of three short fiction stories and still available
on my web site.
THE
ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking
for?
Miller: In my opinion, traditional publishers
are looking for African American street, urban lit, sex and more sex.
Those are the hot tickets today. I don't write in any of them, however.
THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would
be your niche? Why?
Miller: If given the opportunity to be
a publisher (I am by way of being self-published), my niche would be
commercial adult fiction, paranormal and vampires--I love 'em and have
written about them in "Catharsis."
THE
ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with
a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Miller: Having a publishing contract with
a traditional publisher is important professionally for some writers.
Sometimes it gets them on the best seller list. They think it brings
in the money. Truth, it doesn't always work out that way. I write for
the love of it and for my and my family's legacy.
THE
ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal
achievements?
Miller: Letter-to-editors of various newspapers
in Chicago, Richmond, VA, and San Francisco were actually published.
I co-authored " The San Francisco Mayor’s Summit for
Women, Summit Report 1998." Been featured in RAWSISTAZ's Author
spotlight; reviewed by Delores Thornton for Bahiyah Woman Magazine as
well as Blackrefer.com.; Delores interviewed me on her Internet Radio
Show, Around2it; and Idrissa Uqdah interviewed me for Blackexpressions.
My
personal achievement is growing old with dignity and living to tell
it. LOL
THE
ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Miller: My list of favorite authors is
long. Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, James Baldwin, Leslie
Esdaile Banks (L.A. Banks), Tony Lindsey, Deatri King-Bey, and Brandon
Massey. I have many more but don't want to overload you.
THE
ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Miller: I want to be alive and writing
in 5 years. And living independently. I'm an old lady. *smiles*
THE
ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Miller: Readers can find me on my web site
at www.millerscribs.com.
Please visit, I'd love to hear from them. E-mail me at minnie247@sbcblobal.net.
I
would like to say that I was invited by Mr. Sampson of The Rock to interview.
I'd like to preach a bit, if you don't mind. I looked in on your web
site and read with interest all of the editor-in-chief’s remarks.
I believe in writing--in story form--to enlighten, support, and assist
in finding solutions. I try to end my novels on a redemptive note. In
my opinion a writer has a responsibility to promote the positive. African
Americans have been given an excellent opportunity (in this new world)
to carry out the dreams of our forefathers and foresisters, and improve
our condition, now and in the future. To do less is letting them down.
THE
ROCK: Thank you very much, Ms. Miller.
The Seduction of Mr. Bradley
A Novel. Due Mid-2006
ISBN 0-972203-2-7
To
the topside Bill Bradley is a public relations agent—lifestyle
assumed straight. To the down-under he is bisexual. Without a doubt,
he learns variations on the subject of love, and that they all carry
emotional obligations
Ted
Grassley, Bill’s partner and mentor, has had a strong hold on
Bill since he was a teenager. Grassley’s New York public relations
agency has granted him deep pockets, which allows Ted to give generously
to his secret lover, keeping him involved for many years. That is until
he meets Jina Cook, a writer. A spontaneous and deeply gratifying tryst
throws Bill off balance. Jina starts to demand more than his representation
as her public relations agent. Determined to find a solution to his
dilemma, Bill reveals his duel sexuality to Jina hoping she will give
clarity and stability to his life, which results in a heartburn Jina
struggles to heal. Their lives turn upside down.
Samara
(Sam) Kincaid, Bill’s shelter in any storm, a friend since college,
and former roommate, suffers from an unconfessed, unrequited love that
is her private prison.
Bill
Bradley finds that he can no longer live in both worlds. The pressure
is on. He must choose. Keep your ear to the ground for The Seduction
of Mr. Bradley.
When
published, the novel will be available on my web site and on Barnes
& Noble.
Minnie
E Miller
Author & Publisher
www.millerscribs.com
The
Author's Page
http://www.rockpublications.com
http://www.the-rock-newsmagazine.com
Virtual Shopping is here! ~The Crystal Palace Mall
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