A Lost World Revealed by Loretta Moore

The Write Way Café welcomes Loretta Moore, the talented author who reveals a different sort of fascinating lost world.

Tell us a little about Bottom Tales and Others. 
Imagine a community where neighbors all know and assist each other, where they never have to lock their doors. This once-vibrant African American community existed as part of Philadelphia, PA. It is through Bottom Tales and Others that this vanished community again lives. Like raising Lazarus from the dead, I tried to bring this once-thriving community back to life for readers. Other stories in Bottom Tales and Others about other places are just as fascinating.

Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book? 
I think it’s geared to readers who enjoy short story collections. I think they’ll enjoy all of the stories in the collection.

How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book? 
The title Bottom Tales and Others covers what the book is about. It’s about a section in Philadelphia called, ‘The Bottom,’ and the collection is on other places representing, ‘Others’.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why? 
I would have to say that in one of the stories entitled The Simple and the Good, Reverend Elijah Wilson is a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the relationship he and a young girl Shoney in the community had. The two interesting, odd people were keepers, preservers of everything within the poor, working class community.

How about your least favorite character? 
A dog in the story Billy the Boxer was my least favorite because the hundred-pound mongrel was really mean.  

What makes them less appealing to you? 
Unprovoked, he’d go after anyone he spotted.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. 
The cover represents the way Philadelphia might have looked during the period I was writing about. 

Who designed it? 
Marina S. Buryak designed the cover. 

Why did you go with that particular image/artwork? 
I concurred with the designer’s representation. I thought it was good.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 
There are many but Toni Morrison and Cormac McCarthy stand above them.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies? 
Music is a big part of me-singing, playing the piano, enjoying music in all forms.

Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published? 
Just keep sending out your work. And take cues from editors so you’ll know what publishers require from a writer.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful? 
Pass on the message about it. Express how much you enjoyed it.

What can we expect from you in the future? 
I’ve signed a contract for another novel, entitled The Way of Love. Plus, I’m hopeful I’ll receive contracts for two other books.

A LOST WORLD REVEALED: THE BOTTOM, AN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY THAT ONCE EXISTED IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

Imagine a community where neighbors all know and assist each other, where they never have to lock their doors. A myth, a pleasant dream? No, this once-vibrant African American community existed as part of Philadelphia. The Bottom, also known as Black Bottom, was located roughly between 33rd and 40th streets east and west and to Lancaster and University Boulevard in what Philadelphia city planners called Area 3. It was a place that transcended the physical infrastructure of the city. This community existed from the early 1900s until the mid-to-late 1950s before state and federal urban renewal displaced its residents. It was in 1984 that the first reunion of former Bottom residents was held, and later this lost community was honored by the City of Philadelphia. In 1999, the city declared the last Sunday in August as “Black Bottom Day,” as a tribute to the legacy and the history of this lost community. It is through Bottom Tales and Others that this vanished community of over 5000 residents again lives. Like raising Lazarus from the dead, author Loretta Moore brings this once-thriving community back to life for you to experience, along with the edifying journeys the Bottom inspires.

Leo Publishing       Amazon         Barnes & Noble

About Loretta:  I’m an African American female multi-published writer, residing in Dover, Delaware. Published works include: THE COLOR OF MURDER under contract with Black Opal Books, BOTTOM TALES AND OTHERS with Leo Publishing, THE LIGHT OF DAY and THE WAY OF LOVE both with Extasy Books. Other published works include poetry and essays, plus several plays published. Many of my ‘Plays’ have been stage productions-I’ve enjoyed a long-time association with the theatre. Ghostwriting is another area in which I work. I’ve also been published in several journals and magazines, and contribute to a church newsletter. I have a college degree in English, I have received literary and theatrical recognition, I belong to an honor society and other laudable organizations, and I volunteer in my community and my church. I frequently speak at venues doing readings of my work. I have LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and many other social contacts as well. My next writing project keeps me busy.

Email me: vlmprod@aol.com
LinkedIn: lorettamoore
Facebook: wwwlorettamoorefacebook.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MooViney

An Interview with Angela Adams

Today, The Write Way Café welcomes Crimson Romance author Angela Adams.  Angela talks about turning her love of reading happy-ever-afters into a writing career, despite the challenges.

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Thank you for inviting me to be a part of The Write Way Café today! I appreciate the opportunity to meet your readers and talk about Magic Moment.

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book? Was that first thought related to writing romance?
     Always being a fan of the “happy ever after” ending, I’ve been reading romance novels since high school. Like so many other authors, I have old manuscripts tucked away that were written and never went anywhere.  Persistence is part of an author’s nature. Whenever I got a new idea, I’d write the story, send it out and hope that sooner or later, something would click.

What was your path to getting this book written and published? What type of research did you do?
     I queried lots of publishers with Magic Moment. I was also entering parts of the manuscript in writing contests. One of the contest judges commented that my hero, Chase Donovan, wasn’t likeable when we first meet him. I rewrote the first chapter, sent the manuscript to Crimson Romance, and had a contract. I’m a big fan of writing contests and the feedback they give.
     I thought having the couple travel by boat, on the open sea, would be more interesting than a car. But, I know very little about boats and contacted the Philadelphia Yacht Club and Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May for information on sailing and boat terminology.  Both were very helpful, and now I know why a college friend of mine always used the phrase, “I have to hit the head” before going to the Mens’ room.  On a boat, a “head” is the bathroom.

Where did the idea for your story come from? 
     Magic Moment started about four years ago.  I had the idea for a hero who goes through life believing he has to be the type of person others want him to be, rather than the person he wants to be.  Chase Donovan is a man who grew up torn between a self-centered, unprincipled father and compassionate, selfless mother.
     Then, a colleague of mine said she wished that her family could live on just her husband’s income and that she didn’t have to work.  She was melancholy, feeling she hadn’t spent enough time with her children because she had to work.  She said she would be happy just being a volunteer lunch mom at her daughters’ school and going to PTA meetings.    
     That’s how I thought of the character of Laura Roberts, a woman who never aspired for a high-power career, but a simple, unpretentious life as a wife and mother.
     The idea of bringing the FBI into their lives, and sending the couple on the run, I needed some twists and turns. The most successful romances, the most interesting storylines, were the ones littered with suspense.

Why did you pick the setting you did?
     Every college English professor I had preached, “Write what you know.” I live in Philadelphia where Magic Moment starts out. Sea Tower, Maryland, where Chase and Laura eventually end up, is a combination of Cape May, where I’ve vacationed with my family, and Vermont, where I went to college.
     Several months ago I began drafting a new project. This book’s setting is also in Philadelphia. Every day I walk through Washington Square Park, and one day an idea popped into my mind. It only seems fair to set the story not only in Philadelphia, but in Washington Square.

Did you face any blocks while writing the book, and if so, how did you handle them? If not, what's your secret?
     There weren’t any blocks in writing Magic Moment. The road blocks came with finding a publisher. Every author goes through the process of rejection after rejection. I learned from the experience. With each rejection, I felt sorry for myself for a couple of minutes then queried the next person on my list. If I happened to be fortunate enough to get feedback, I listened. Some advice I took, and some I didn’t.

Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you.
     I need to have the radio on while I work. I can’t concentrate without it. I listen to a lot of Frank Sinatra, Classic Rock, and Oldies. And, I’m a huge baseball fan. During Baseball season, I’m listening to a Phillies’ game or someone discussing a Phillies game. I also have a bulletin board with sentimental tokens hanging over my desk – including a picture of the 2008 World Series Champion, Philadelphia Phillies.

What are some of your favorite books and why?
     My grandmother gave me a book, when I was maybe 12 or 13, titled Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith.  The book was published in the 1960s and set in pre-depression era New York.  The heroine, Annie McGairy Brown, comes to New York to be with her law student husband, Carl. They have little money, no friends, and are pretty much ostracized from their families for getting married so young.  She also gets pregnant.  Annie is a strong person who faces every challenge thrown her way with a positive disposition and confident outlook.
     Although this book was written over fifty years ago, Annie is exactly the type of heroine a writer wants to write and a reader wants to read no matter what the time period.
     I’m also a fan of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. Virgin River reminds me of the small town in Vermont where I went to college.

Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre?  Which one and why?
     In college I won an award for a young adult short story, and it was later published. I also had a children’s short (what we refer to now as “flash fiction”) published back in my college days, too.
     I hope to someday write and publish a children’s book. My favorite book as a child was The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. If I can write a story that’s one quarter as touching and as heartwarming as The Velveteen Rabbit, I’ll feel honored.

What aspect of writing gives you the most trouble?
     The initial draft – at times, I just stare at the computer screen, nothing comes to mind, and I feel as if I’ve wasted a writing day. It’s very frustrating.
     I’ve heard some writers say they don’t like revising, but I do. Once the initial draft is completed, I find it easy to just go back and rewrite to make it better.

Who is your favorite hero/heroine?
     Of course, Magic Moment’s Chase Donovan and Laura Roberts! That has to be my answer…or they’ll be angry with me! (smile!).


When the FBI brings Laura Roberts - a quiet, reserved bookkeeper - in for questioning regarding activities at the warehouse where she works, an uneasy Laura resigns her job - only to be attacked by thugs.

Chase Donovan intends to spend a few peaceful days on his boat getting his head together - and finds a woman being assaulted by two men who say his father told them to do it.

Chase doesn’t want to believe his father could hurt anyone. Laura doesn’t understand why she’s a target. Can they learn to work together to discover the truth - before someone dies?

Excerpt
     Caught up their new-found passion for each other, Chase and Laura almost forget that they are on the run from some dangerous characters.
    “Time for this later,” she breathed into his ear. “First, I want to see our new window.”
     He rolled off her and flipped over on his back. “You sure can kill a mood.”
     “I’ll be back.” She slid off the bed. “I want to see our window.”
     “No, too late.” He propped himself up on elbows and looked down at his pelvis. “You ruined it.”
     “I can fix that easily.” 
     She knelt on the window seat, staring out the casement. Chase loved hearing her say our window, jointly, together, like regular, sharing, married people. It felt right. Her divorce notion…He had gone along with her because it was the easiest thing to do. But Chase was convinced he and Laura were good for each other. He had at least nine long months to convince her.
     “Chase,” she said, her voice wary.
     “What? Did I forget a nut or bolt?” He swung off the bed and stood beside her.
     She whirled and looked at him, her previously amused green eyes now alarmingly wide. “Chase, there’s a man watching us.”

Where to find Angela Adams:
http://www.facebook.com/authorangela
http://authorangela.blogspot.com
http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Adams/e/B00D0R03A2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Magic Moment is available at:
Crimson Romance (for information on Crimson’s great book club and webstore opening in May)
Amazon
Books-A-Million
Barnes and Noble
Powell’s Books
iTunes
All Romance ebooks