Authors: Electa Rome Parks

The Ties That Bind (23 page)

BOOK: The Ties That Bind

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Additionally, contemporary writers were the first ones to inspire me to follow my dreams. I vividly remember the first time I read
Disappearing Acts
by Terry McMillan. I was in absolute, undeniable awe. I discovered characters that looked like me, talked like me, acted like me, and I savored each and every word like a fine gourmet dinner. I felt the characters’ pain, triumphs and joy because I could relate. I didn’t want that novel to end. It was with true sadness that I read the last page. From that point forward, it was on; I devoured any African-American fiction I could get my hands on; I was addicted. To this day, I’m still addicted.

If I want to be real deep and philosophical for a few days, I read Toni Morrison, Alice Walker or Gloria Naylor. They always elevate my spirit and mind to a higher plane.Their words soothe my soul with their wisdom and insight. I’ve enjoyed the classics as well with such writers as Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin.

Additionally, I adore Stephen King and Dean Koontz because I’m a big supernatural/horror fan.

Q. Describe your writing style.

A. (LOL) There is no name or definition to define my writing style; it’s pretty unorthodox. To put it simply, I go with the flow. I come up with a general storyline in my head, and then I simply sit down in front of my PC and start typing. I don’t believe in outlines, or at least, I can’t function in a writing environment with one.

When I’m writing, I have no idea what my beginning, middle or ending is. However, I know my characters like the back of my hand. I could tell you what they got for their twelfth birthday down to what they ate for lunch two weeks ago. In writing, I let my characters talk to me and dictate their story. Sometimes we fight about how a certain scene should play out, but in the long run, they win. Yes, it’s weird, but true.

Q. What type of atmosphere do you require to write?

A. When I really get into a writing project, it doesn’t matter what type of atmosphere I surround myself with. The words will flow naturally.

A lot of times, I mentally write my chapters when I’m driving. I can drive, zone out mentally (without causing an accident) and come up with great dialogue and an additional chapter or two. When I arrive home, I swiftly run to my PC and simply type it before I forget. So it’s like I’m writing down what I saw at a movie or play with great detail included.

If I had to name a preference, I prefer a somewhat quiet, relaxing, peaceful atmosphere.

Q. What has been the most gratifying part of being an author?

A. Hands down, the most gratifying part of being an author has been meeting and greeting new and interesting readers who embrace my stories and e-mail me and write me and meet me at signings and tell me how much they’ve enjoyed my books! We talk about my characters like they are old friends. No matter how many times I’ve experienced that, it always makes my day. Puts a big Kool-Aid smile on my face (LOL).

Their (the readers) feedback and reactions totally validate that my craft is a gift from God! If I can touch a number of people with my stories, or even if I only entertain them and they don’t walk away with a life lesson, then I’ve still done my job.

As you know, my stories are typically relationship based, very drama filled with an ounce of spice thrown in—well maybe a pound of spice thrown in—and they usually cover a topical issue that is prevalent in today’s society. Believe me, I have so many characters screaming inside my head, waiting to tell their story, that I feel like the lady from the movie
Sybil
(LOL). So, bottom line, I pray and claim that my readership base will continue to grow and I’ll have wonderful opportunities to meet many more fans.

Q. What inspired you to write
The Ties That Bind
?

A.
The Ties That Bind
is just one of the stories that I carried around in my head for many years. Whenever I had a quiet moment, I’d mentally add on another chapter. Mia was always my primary character because she reminded me of so many women who are looking for their Mr. Right. I asked myself some “what if ” questions such as, “What if Mia meets a man who she
thinks
is the one, only to find out once she has gotten caught up in the relationship that he has a lot of issues he needs to address?”

Once Mia, Brice and Christian started showing up in my dreams, I felt it was time to put them on paper.

Q.Why did you choose to write about spousal abuse?

A. I’m an avid reader, period, but I particularly enjoy relationship stories, and that’s probably why I prefer to write in that genre. However, for
The Ties That Bind,
I wanted a relationship story, but I also wanted to deal with some topical issues as well. I wanted to write about an issue that was very real and prevalent in today’s relationships. I wanted to write about a topic that may be pushed under the carpet because no one wants to get involved in family matters or matters of the heart. Spousal abuse came to the forefront.

Q. What messages would you like readers to receive from reading
The Ties That Bind
?

A. I’m a realist and I know that in real life, relationships do not always have a happily ever after ending. That seems to be a central theme in many relationship stories. In the end, the girl gets the boy, then they skip off, hand in hand, into oblivion and they live happily ever after. Not! That’s not always life. That’s Harlequin romance novels. (I hear some amens in the corner over there.)

I wanted to write realistically about the flip side of relationships where there may be some topical issues going on larger than
him
cheating on
her
or vice versa.

Mia represented a collage of women I’ve met during my lifetime who are looking for their soul mates in life. Unfortunately, a lot of times, they are looking for someone to make them happy and complete them, and they haven’t quite figured out you have to be happy with yourself first. Love yourself first and then you won’t be willing to put up with a lot of BS. In fact, you won’t allow yourself to be treated as anything less than a Nubian queen.

Q. How can readers get in contact with you?

A. My readers can keep abreast of my writing career through my Web site at
www.electaromeparks.com
. And please, readers, drop me a line, give me some feedback (remember I’m sensitive, now), just holla at a sista at [email protected].

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Do you believe that two people can date for a short period of time (thirty days) and fall in love? Is it possible to truly know someone and feel close to someone in such a short time frame?

2. Was Mia’s decision to marry Brice based on love or an attempt to escape an alcoholic mother? Was Mia too young and immature to marry Brice? Could Mia have ever been the type of wife Brice was looking for?

3. After Brice hit Mia the first time, should she have left him? Is it true, if he hits you once, he will hit you again? Were there earlier indications that Brice was capable of hitting Mia?

4. Did Brice love Mia in his own way? Do you feel that Brice’s upbringing, seeing his mother physically abused by his father, contributed to his own behavior? Did Brice feel his behavior towards Mia was justified?

5. What do you think of the age difference of eight years between Mia and Brice? Was Brice too old/mature/worldly for Mia? Was Mia looking for a father figure in Brice?

6. Can a man like Brice change his ways/behavior? At the end of the story, was Brice sorry for “the incident” or was he sorry that Mia left him? Were you surprised that Mia left Brice?

7. Was Christian a true friend/brother to Brice? Should Christian have intervened once he found out about the spousal abuse going on in Brice and Mia’s marriage?

8. What would you do if you were in a similar situation? Would you intervene or stay out of the situation? Is physical abuse still a taboo subject?

9. Was Christian in love with Mia or just infatuated? Should he have confessed his true feelings to Mia? To Brice?

10. If Christian hadn’t knocked on Mia’s door, what do you feel would have happened between Mia and Malcolm? Was Mia wrong in her actions or pushed into the situation with Malcolm because of her desire to be loved?