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I asked for it
Well, I didn't dream about high school last night.
This time I dreamed I was in The Wire.
In this season, I was an undercover cop infiltrating this gang. The gang was a lot more bold and more sloppy than the Barksdale crew. Apparently, they were paying off all the day care centers and churches and small businesses in the neighborhood in order to do whatever they wanted illegally. Also, they reopened a condemned housing project for all these homeless people who were displaced from another housing project. It was really funny because they were just walking down the street in this huge mob and then they started running when they saw this gang...the gang chased them to the abandoned projects but instead of shooting them up, the gang was like "Okay, we are tearing down this fence and fixing up these homes.
It was crazy.
A woman who looked very much like Mary Alice was a teacher in the neighborhood. I remember it was her birthday or something and all these gang members came out of this extra large van, singing her happy birthday. Half of them were wearing red and the other half blue. The really strange thing was that there was a casket in the van, too, with a bunch of flowers.
I found myself in the backseat of another can, alongside Omar, who had gone from stick-up kid to undercover cop. Well, we found ourselves in a shoot-out. He and I slid out the backseat as a guy who looked like Avon Barksdale was trying to shoot us up. I never did take a shot, but I had my weapon armed and ready.
It was great. Scary, but great. Then I woke up.
Posted by Rashid on July 31, 2005 at 8:09 AM | Comments (3)
There's got to be a reason...
I'm glad I finally have time to blog this morning. I had a lot of work to do, a lot of seeds to be planted for Lazarus. But now that's done and I can blog, then work some more on project #3.
Why is it that over fifty percent of my dreams utilize my old high school as a backdrop?
Last night, I dreamed that I was back at Coolidge High School as a student. I had a bookbag and everything. I can't remember the plot of the dream, but I do remember that the school was a lot sunnier and brighter than it usually is. I also remember seeing my old principal and giving him a hug, which was unusual because he wasn't the most warm or friendly person in the world.
In fact, I'm not sure, but I think he still scares me. :-| I wonder if he's heard about what I'm up to and if he's proud of me. I need to get his contact information so I can invite him to this reading that Kia Dupree and I are planning for the fall. I'll be contacting people at Coolidge in a few weeks to see if they're interested in having Kia and I do an alumni reading/reception/event. And I'm hoping I can get the Manor Park community association on board as well. The next day we'll be doing the Capital BookFest.
Anyway...that's a major tangent right there...
This dream was fairly benign. I've had Coolidge dreams before that were a lot more weird. There was one where this huge hurricane was coming and we had to batten down the proverbial hatches. I've dreamed about Coolidge teachers who have since passed away. And even when I'm not dreaming about Coolidge specifically, the physical building and grounds are frequently part of my dreams, too.
It's weird. I spent more time at Georgetown than Coolidge, but I don't feel like I dream about it as much. There's got to be some kind of correlation between the development of my subconscious mind and being in such an influential place from the age of 14 to 17.
I can't wait to get back to Coolidge, though. I think I would really love being an English teacher at Coolidge one day, while still writing books. How hot would it be if a published author was on the faculty of a high school? Much less his alma mater?
But I wait patiently for such opportunities. It would be nice if I got the level of influence where I could just verbalize a dream like that and somebody downtown makes it happen.
Anyway...I should write more now. It's a new day and I feel a lot more invigorated.
PEACE!
Posted by Rashid on July 30, 2005 at 11:26 AM | Comments (1)
though the roses bear thorns
seeing his
picture
was
like opening
a psychic bouquet
hurling my
mind backwards
through
time;
reliving
mistakes.
do you think about that hot night
in that magical year when
three nines became
zeroes
and
one became two
do you think about
movies
and
clichés
and
me getting lost
in college park
and finally see
ing you
and
sleeping
do you remem
ber not
calling
afterward?
do you
think
about
being the first
to do
that thing
to me?
that thing
that made
me climb
the walls?
do you remember
the dl before
jl and o?
do you
often
think of the
time that i
saw you
on the platform
at farragut north
and you pre
tended not to
know
me?
do you remember
ithaca.
when
phone
bonin’
was
in
vogue?
when you reminisce
about
him,
am i also
in that equation?
do you remember
the boy who
you loved
that lived
in the closet
and forget
the boy
who could
breathe freely
and
write you
poems?
and you.
with the brands.
both of you.
do you
remember me?
those men
i do not love.
those men
i
remember.
things are not
necessarily
made right
with
the simple
passage of time,
though i grow
through
remembrance.
those that i loved
i still love
though
the roses
that
perfume my
memory
still bear
thorns.
i bleed
for the
pieces of my
soul that
were pierced
by
lies
uncertainty
half-truths
and
the closet
and love.
of these,
the thorns
of the
red roses
were dipped
in
night
shade.
and i wonder
if i bleed
ever
ry
time
i love
again.
Posted by Rashid on July 28, 2005 at 3:23 PM | Comments (8)
Year 2
We are now in Year Two of this blog.
Woo hoo!
Posted by Rashid on July 27, 2005 at 11:14 AM | Comments (12)
Sequels
This post is a friendly response to Frederick Smith's blog entry about Sequels.
I must respectfully disagree with this:
Anyway, my take on sequels is this... I don't write a project with the intention of writing a sequel or continuation. To me, a project, novel, movie, etc... should be complete and self-contained within itself. The story should resolve and have a beginning, middle, and end. I think it's only fair for the consumer for a book to be complete and not with a deliberate cliff hanger.
Well, I only slightly disagree. I do not think a novel should EVER end in the middle of a story. I definitely think a novel should have a beginning, middle, and end....better yet, the five parts of a story: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and the resolution. (Yes, I am old school like that -- sorry.)
All of my novels have those basic parts, because well, my English teachers taught me well. But, because I was influenced by the age of the sequel and serial, I never once thought of Lazarus as a singular phenomenon. If you've gotten yours yet, you will see a teaser for the first sequel, Covenant.
Back story -- this whole project began as a play called Behind Closed Doors, later renamed Discretion. After lots of editing and revising, I had a solid piece of drama in my hands. But I spoke with my mentor, and the only character he didn't like was Savion.
Clutch the pearls! Who in their right mind wouldn't like Savion?
So, because I felt Savion was so integral to the story of Adrian Collins, I went back to the drawing board. Discretion was put on hold and the story of how Adrian met Savion and pledged Beta was told. And that's how we got Lazarus.
We got Covenant because it was actually the first story written, albeit in a different form. Of course, it got rewritten and revised until it became something that wasn't so similar to Discretion.
So my take on sequels as a whole....I think they can be powerful as long as the writing evolves and the themes are fresh. I like soap operas a lot -- Days of Our Lives and The Young and The Restless are my favorites. Days is suffering lately though, while Y&R thrives. This is directly related to the writing. Y&R keeps things fresh and exciting -- they killed Cassie, for God's sake! Days...well...Days is falling back on the same old plot devices: amnesia, kidnapping, and paternity games.
I, like Frederick, also liked VC Andrews novels while growing up. And before her, I read lots of teenage supernatural novels. I can't remember the names, but two of my favorites were about vampire twins and a coven of witches. (So sad I ended up giving them away.) So I guess this notion of novels as chapters of an epic is okay with me.
I wish I could share more about the direction of the Lazarus novels, but that would give too much away. Personally, I think that there are enough unique themes in their world to keep telling great stories. And honestly, I do think of my readers when writing-- and I think of myself as a reader. For whatever reason, most people I know just don't want the characters to which they've grown attached to just ride off in the sunset.
Hell, I want to know what happened to everyone in School Daze, too. But I digress.
What isn't very literary, in my opinion, is when a novel blatantly ends with no resolution, when it's point is to make you buy the next one to "finish" the story. It feels unfulfilling -- hell, it's cheating!
I am working on project #3 right now and I know how I want it to end. And every issue in it gets resolved -- but, there will be a project #4 and what I have to be careful about is how I set it up. I am tempted to do a shocking cliffhanger so my readers can say "oh hell naw!" But I don't want it to be hokey, either.
(Sidenote -- y'all are realllly gonna like #3)
So....sequels...I like them. The average human being has dozens of stories in them -- why not stretch my own limits as a writer and show growth, not only in the main protagonist, but in his antagonists, supporting characters, etc.
But hey....every writer has his own approach! If you like writing using the same characters in different situations, just make sure you're not falling into a literary rut. Don't have Jack and Jill go up a French hill, a Dutch hill, and then an Australian hill and wonder why your sales are decreasing...hee hee...
And conversely, don't think you're all that unique just because Jack and Jill went up a French hill and Leon and Starquashia went up a Brooklyn hill in a different novel... ;-)
Posted by Rashid on July 25, 2005 at 7:42 PM | Comments (4)
Gotta be careful....
I met Sheryl Underwood and gave her a copy of my novel!!!! My hand was shaking SOOOOO much that I could barely inscribe it. I gave her the "pitch" and she sounded excited, saying something like "Ooooooh this sounds like something I'm going to read in my hot tub!"
I was such a dork...I asked her for a hug like them people on Ricki Lake or Oprah might do, LOL.
Anyway, I gave her the book and asked her to email me when she'd finished. Soooooooo that would be REALLY nice if she did that. I know she's busy and all, but still. Just to know that she has it is awesome.
Can't say much about the rest of the weekend....but I am glad I went where I went and met who I did!
Posted by Rashid on July 24, 2005 at 6:34 PM | Comments (3)
SATURDAY! ALL DC FOLKS!
This is late notice…I apologize. This event will be SATURDAY, JULY 23 -- TODAY for most of you!
Dr. Gregory Parks will be signing his book African-American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and Vision at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, located at 2660 Woodley Road, NW in Washington, DC. (LESS THAN ONE BLOCK from the Woodley Park-Zoo metro station.) He will be there from 8am to 4pm. PLEASE come out and support this Alpha Author. The book is phenomenal and there are plenty on hand. There will be very limited opportunities to have a SIGNED copy of Legacy and Vision in the future as Dr. Parks will be starting law school in the fall and won’t have much travel time.
He will be located in the Delaware Room on the Lobby Level of the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel from 8am to 4pm.
This event is part of the Zeta Phi Beta 85th Anniversary Celebration. Please come out and support Dr. Parks on one of his last book signings!
--Rashid
Posted by Rashid on July 22, 2005 at 10:06 PM | Comments (2)
OMG this was so bizarre and hilarious to me
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/gijoe-reggae.mov
Posted by Rashid on July 21, 2005 at 7:26 PM | Comments (3)
The AIDS Entry
Ugh....I hate doing this....the obligatory "response to being called out" blog.
First, read this: Frank's post about HIV/AIDS stats.
I was basically listed among a bunch of gay black bloggers who are NOT discussing a recent statistic published by the CDC about the staggering amount of HIV cases among gay men of African descent in urban areas, or something of that nature.
I was going to write more, but y'all know I ramble. Here are my quick points:
1) Knowing stats doesn't prevent people from engaging in risky behavior.
2) My art/work is how I choose to address issues of AIDS. For everyone who read Lazarus, turn with me, if you will, to page 314. Now, everybody say "Ooooooooooh! NOW I get it!" FYI, it will be continued in Covenant.
3) If gay black men would stop thinking anal sex is "it" then we might be somewhere.
4) Although I am not too keen on the venom in this message, left in Frank's comments, I have bolded the parts that I think we as a community need to discuss:
Interesting how we can hypocritically rise up in arms as we contribute to the problem by encouraging mentalities and ways of being that encourage sex-saturated social environments and relationships. I don't know u but the blob alternates between keen intellectual incite and typical Village shade banter. Your positions not so much as change but are so much in opposition at times that it seems that, based on your blog writing, you are more than one person. It is ok to form an identity that operates from opposing spaces but that then causes another to believe that the uproar and sense of moral duty is just another duty excuted from one of your jobs. Authentic concearn or not though, the problem is a big one and one that common everyday brothers like myself has only to see a close friend or family member die from understand the seriousness of this disease. Numbers mean nothing to me, my outrage and sexual way of being was shaped and formed long ago by a single death. One death, not estimated percentages that use a grouping like 1 in 2 which literally does foster hopelessness. Stop hustling the figure Frank. These figures do not tell of the various practices that increase or decrease the risk. A full stop stamping down of 46% is not responsible unless all of the factors used to arrive at the estimate is disclosed. I know AIDS is real not because of rising numbers, but because a death touched me years ago. This use of statistics and numbers may be helpful for those whose sense of self comes from the academy and the various -isms that it encourages, but common sense folk know that the club scene encourages sex, the beach scene encourages sex (most"Pride" events encourage sex); all of the scences where you are a "star" FLR are spaces that should have been receiving your self-righteous critique way before the 46% estimate fell down from the heavens.
THAT, my friends, is where the dialogue begins.
And you niggas wonder why I don't go to the club or write raunchier sex scenes in my novels, LOL......
Posted by Rashid on at 8:56 AM | Comments (6)
Question
if i got
rich and
could fly to
you
every week
end
would you
be
my man
then?
Posted by Rashid on at 12:27 AM
Yay, us!
Guess what?
Old Gold Soul was listed as one of Keith Boykin's HOT BLOGS! Check out Keith Boykin.
I was also mentioned in his "Out in Left Field" Section because of the Wiggy Houston/Bobby Sha-Brown image, reposted here for your enjoyment:
Another cool link, that Frederick Smith found for me, is a review of Lazarus at Books to Watch Out For. Lazarus was reviewed by Richard Labonte, and I am overall pleased with his thoughts. Check out the site to read the review and reviews of Down For Whatever and other new gay fiction.
AND
Check out the lovely interview I had with Steven G. Fullwood! It's pretty neat!
Posted by Rashid on July 20, 2005 at 9:12 AM | Comments (0)
About the Random 12
The rules for "Random 12" are simple: list the 12 songs that play when you hit random or shuffle on your favorite MP3 player.
That's all.
Posted by Rashid on July 19, 2005 at 10:19 AM
The Hotties of Summer 2005
Maurice Greene:
The Getting Older, But I'd Still Smash Hottie
Actually, he's not that old. Just old in track years.
Lenny Kravitz: The Rock Star Hottie
(I'm still patiently waiting to become Zoe's other daddy.)
Michael K. Williams: The Dangerous Hottie
Most famous for playing the gay stick-up boy on The Wire, Michael was also a choreographer and appeared in Lackawanna Blues and Doing Hard Time.
Dr. Ian Smith: The Renaissance Hottie
Currently appearing as the doctor on Celebrity Fit Club 2, Dr. Smith wrote The Blackbird Papers as well as two health books. He's also a medical correspondent for NBC. He does it all!
Anthony Mackie: The Damn He Plays Gay So Well Hottie
Us gay folks know him from Brother to Brother. Everybody else knows him from 8 Mile, Million Dollar Baby, and She Hate Me. TOTALLY could be Adrian in a movie version of Lazarus, but alas, he's done his one gay role.
Brandon Fobbs:
The Is the Lazy Eye For Real or Just Acting? Hottie
Plays Fruit on The Wire (season three). Not sure if the sleepy-eye thing is a characteristic of Fruit or Brandon, but either way, it's hot. (To me.) You can't see it in this picture though, so I'm guessing it's an affectation.
Kristoff St. John: The We Need You on the Big Screen Hottie
Plays Neil Winters on The Young & The Restless. But don't we deserve to see him on the big screen? He really could be the next Denzel Washington, in my humble opinion.
Bryton: The Are You Sure You’re Legal? Hottie
You know this young one from Family Matters....yes, he played little Richie!
Currently plays Devon on The Young & The Restless. And can act his ass off, too.
Michael Ealy: The Hometown Hottie
You might know him as Tea Cake from Their Eyes Were Watching God or Ricky from The Barbershop Films. He hails from Silver Spring, MD aka The Urrrea.
Posted by Rashid on at 9:37 AM | Comments (4)
Random 12
Rebel Yell, Billy Idol
Track 49, Superman II Soundtrack
It's Just a Matter of Time, Sonny James
Danger! Ignotion!, R. Kelly vs Electric 6
Warszawa, David Bowie
ABC I Want You Back (Ultimix Remix), Jackson Five
Paradise, Nelly
Jump They Say, David Bowie
Wonkamobile/Wonkavision, Willy Wonka Soundtrack
If You Don't Know Me By Now, Simply Red
Helden, David Bowie
Siamese Candy, 50 Cent vs Lady & The Tramp Soundtrack
Posted by Rashid on July 18, 2005 at 10:10 AM | Comments (2)
Which Batman Character Are You?
Posted by Rashid on July 17, 2005 at 3:49 PM | Comments (1)
Happy
It's moving slowly, but that's how I know Project #3 will be even better than my first two novels. I am quite pleased with the first chapter.
I also realized something....and maybe this won't be true for all of my works...but no matter how much outlining and planning I do, the story always takes on a life of its own. I know now, having written the first chapter, that all the big plans I had for this novel will be thrown out of the window. The plot will be simple and the storytelling plainspoken (as I believe is my trademark).
I'm just REALLY happy with this so far. I am developing characters that I am enjoying immensely.
On a Lazarus note, I will be lingering around the Woodley neighborhood this weekend (well, starting on Thursday) doing some guerilla marketing at this conference thingy. I don't want to say too much about it since I am technically crashing it. But with a face like this, how can I be denied? lol. But seriously, I would have registered for this thing when my resources got freed up -- but by that time, they closed registration and aren't offering any on-site registration. *le sigh*
I have a couple of ideas brewing in my head for after my Lazarus related novels wrap up. I'm really interested in "mashing up" two different genres in ways that they aren't traditionally brought together. Octavia Butler does this by combining science fiction with multicultural themes. I love that about her. If I had unlimited resources, I could probably come out with a new novel a year for fifteen years. That's how much I love to write.
At any rate, it's going to be a slow Sunday, I think. Which is fine with me because I'll be "on" for three days at the end of this week, so I need to save my energy.
And I THINK I feel a poem coming on....I'll try to work that out...
Posted by Rashid on at 11:23 AM | Comments (1)
Introducing the Deadly Viper Literary Squad (The DeViLS)
The following entry is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to imply an alliance of any sort between the writers featured.
As you all probably know, I am obsessed with Kill Bill. I can recite the "as your leader" speech that O-Ren Ishii gives in part one. I can give you The Bride’s voice inflections on all her parts.
"I want him to know – I want him to know."
And yes, sometimes I think I know kung fu. So what if the only people who appreciate those skills are seven years old? But that’s beside the point.
Forget for a moment, if you will, the ending of Kill Bill. Forget the alliances and the enemies and who killed who. Imagine the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad when they were all co-workers -- friends at best.
Now imagine that they are all black.
And male.
And gay.
And write books.
I am very fond of three fellow gay black writers, but I don’t think I’ve adequately highlighted their work or their personalities in my diary yet. But instead of a regular, butt-kissing entry, I want to reintroduce you to all of "us" – the Deadly Viper Literary Squad (DeVILS). These are the four authors that you need to look out for in 2005. And hell yeah I included myself in that number! Shooot...I’m Cottonmouth, dammit.
Introducing Frederick Smith aka Copperhead
(Photo by Ibarionex Perello)
Frederick Smith is one of the most pleasant people I've come across this year. I really enjoy talking to him a lot because not only does he have great advice, he provides an example for me to aspire to. Sure, we're not that far apart in age. Yes, we're both on our first novels. But you know what? The man is traditionally published and I have loads of respect for that.
His blog is thorough. If you are interested in becoming a writer, READ HIS BLOG. I don't think he'd feel comfortable with me saying that his path is a blue print. But I can tell you that Fred is doing the vast majority of things the right way.
Go get 'em, Fred.
I have chosen Copperhead for Fred not because of a similar temperament, but because of that "lifestyle" that Vernita Green has. She's got the husband, the child, the house...yet she WORKED HARD for all of those things. She puts her bloody past behind her and is focusing on the present and the future. One of these days, maybe Fred will show me a more "ghetto" side like Copperhead has in her, but I doubt it. The man is very diplomatic and just really freaking nice.
Which brings me to me...
Introducing Rashid Darden aka Cottonmouth
Yeah, I know...I just HAD to put myself in the Deadly Vipers. What am I, Spike Lee or something?
I really identify with Cottonmouth from the Kill Bill films. She has an elegance about her that I really admire. All of her cohorts wear black while she wears white -- virgin white, which we know for both O-Ren Ishii and Rashid Darden is a huge joke. Like Cottonmouth, I look out for my friends and they look out for me. I am also sensitive as all hell, which leads to a mean streak. A really, really mean streak. Which is why it's best to just keep me happy. Not trying to be funny, just being honest.
Anyway, Cottonmouth is crazy as all hell and surrounds herself with loyal friends who are just as crazy. Case in point:
My close friend Nikki is Go Go Yubari. Nikki and I have known each other since 1997 and we used to embarrass each other in public all the time. (Like pretending to pass out on the floor of the student center.) That's the type of crazy I mean. Nikki is really and truly ride or die for me, and I respect that.
My man Dwayne is my Johnny Mo. He knows when to let me vent and when to tell me about myself. (But not too harshly, cuz I'm sensitive, lol) He is bold, strong, and kind, and really does look out for me. The man isn't afraid to wear his letters at a Pride event -- because he was, I did.
Go Go and Johnny Mo were the two people who helped me sell books if you were at DC Pride.
Who you didn't meet was my Sophie Fatale -- Shari. Sophie and Shari are both quiet, strong women who are intensely loyal, a value that Cottonmouth and I both demand. Sophie was always on the phone in the movies. Shari is always on the phone -- with me. We live for our "how tight would that be?" moments when we share our dreams and our hopes.
The Crazy 88...well, that's everybody else. I have so many people in my corner it don't make no sense. My Crazy 88 are my family, friends, coworkers, readers, frat brothers, sorors, anybody and everybody who loves Lazarus and wants to see me succeed.
But why "Crazy 88?" The people in my life aren't really crazy, are they?
Let's put it this way...Cottonmouth had her own set of issues in her childhood that created the person she was. She built her own empire by herself. She ran the Tokyo crime council in a way that was strict but fair....the Crazy 88 made sure that O-Ren didn't have to get her hands dirty. Oh yeah, she will slice your head off with a sword -- but the Crazy 88 ensured that she had to only sparingly.
Yes...those are the kinds of friends I have.
Introducing Brent Dorian Carpenter aka California Mountain Snake
Who better to play the role of Elle Driver than Brent Dorian Carpenter, a man whose laugh is both enchanting and sinister at the same time? I LOVE THIS MAN. As I've said elsewhere, meeting Brent at the 2004 DC Pride really inspired me to take the bull by the horns and get my own self-publishing thing together. Meeting him again this year really solidified my admiration of him.
I chose California Mountain Snake to represent Brent because, well.....they're both crazy as hell. But in a good way!
Brent thinks outside the box. He doesn't find a way, he makes a way. I respect his work ethic and his ability to talk with just about anyone. Brent gets the job done -- it doesn't matter who he has to piss off to get it done.
I love listening to him talk. He's so passionate about whatever news he is trying to hip me to. None of Brent's emotions are mild -- they are all on level ten of ten.
California Mountain Snake....yeah, that's him. Beautiful, honorable, and dangerous. ;-)
Introducing Alphonso Morgan aka Black Mamba
Last, but not least, I've got to introduce you to Alphonso Morgan, aka Black Mamba, the hardest working man in fiction. I've got to show deference where it is due. With him in this line of work, I could NEVER cast myself as Black Mamba.
I'm not going to go into a whole bunch of detail on who Black Mamba is...most people know the character had a lot of hardships, had been fucked over, and did what she had to do to get what she wanted. Well, like Black Mamba, there is a lot I can admire and identify with in Alphonso Morgan.
I love talking to him. It's like damn, can I be like you when I grow up? His work, of course, is on point, but his work ethic is even more on point.
The quintessential scene in Kill Bill that reminds me of Alphonso is this one:
Black Mamba is surrounded by the Crazy 88 and though to you and I, it may seem like a hopeless situation, Black Mamba handles each and every one of them. It is in that way that Alphonso can own a room as soon as he walks into it. Imagine hundreds of skeptical gay men in a room or a hotel lobby and see this one guy trying to sell a book nobody has heard of. Like Black Mamba, Alphonso will tackle each and every one of those people until he has conquered the lot of them.
I wish I had that level of charisma and charm. All I can do is look cute and virginal. lol
So, my hat is tipped to you, Alphonso. (Although I know you'll never read this.)
Well, that's my entry. I hope you purchase the work of these men, my favorites in the gay black writing world to date. Each one is different in their own way. You already know what sets me apart if you're reading this. Fred is traditionally published, but is no one's sell-out. His work brings something new and exciting to the mainstream. Brent is amazing as a human being and as a writer. The world of speculative fiction would be a boring place indeed without his presence. And Alphonso...the man who reinvented the blue print for self-published authors and for fiction itself.
These are my deadly vipers and I love them to death.
Frederick Smith, Author of Down For Whatever
Brent Dorian Carpenter, Author of four books, including Man of the Cloth
Alphonso Morgan, Author of Sons
Posted by Rashid on July 14, 2005 at 5:13 PM | Comments (2)
A New Review
Check out this great review of Lazarus by Alicia Banks, Public Intellectual, Educator, Scholar, Radio Producer & Host, Columnist, and Singer.
Says Alicia:
There are no down low predators wounding female coeds in the pages of Lazarus. These are brothers who are deeply entrenched in campus life as leaders, frat brothers, and star poets. These are men who are discreet and brave. These are real “big men on campus” who just happen to be gay. Their journeys to coming out are fascinating reads. You must read this book today.
So check out the review!
Posted by Rashid on at 9:08 AM | Comments (1)
Just me flexing my jaws on random entertainment topics
Random...
It's about Damian Marley aka Jr. Gong being SO HOT, yet looking SO DIRTY at the same time. I mean, I'm sure the man showers and washes his hair, but he just don't look like it. [Note to Diddy: I don't think he smells like incense. My guess is pee.] BUT, "Welcome to JamRock" is not only a hot to death song, it is a PHAT video. It's very 1980's in its feel...not complicated, yet very political in its portrayal of life in Jamaica.
The 70s House is a new unscripted game show on MTV. They picked something like 12 contestants who didn't know what they were signing up for exactly and sent them to this extra-gaudy house that Mike Brady would have designed back in the 70s. They have to eat, drink, speak, and think like someone from the 70s. It's actually a genuinely fun show -- corny, but purposefully so. If you like watching reality shows to peep the new hotties, then you need to check out Peter and Andrew. Couldn't get any pictures, sorry!
Before I hit my most recent bout with depression, I had a gay day. I damn near ODed on everything gay. I went to Lambda Rising Books in Dupont Circle and got three books: Infants of the Spring by Wallace Thurman, Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings of Bayard Rustin, and Freedom in this Village: Twenty-Five Years of Black Gay Men's Writing (Edited by E. Lynn Harris). From the music and movie place next door, I bought the movie Brother to Brother, which I had seen on PBS but wanted to own for myself. THEN I messed around and went to a used bookstore in Takoma Park and found In the Life (Edited by Joseph Beam) and Brother to Brother (edited by Essex Hemphill). I've been familiar with the last two works for years but had never really found my own copy. It wasn't imperative that I own them until now.
I really feel as though if you are a black gay writer, you need to love black gay writers. Not just your peers, but your ancestors. Not just the people in your own gender, but the other one, too. Please do not step to my craft -- my livelihood -- and not know your history. And please believe that my little "timeline" of black gay literature that I did in college -- that was just the tip of the iceberg. I had no idea back then; indeed, nowhere to start.
To say that contemporary black gay literature began with E. Lynn Harris is like saying black history begins with slavery. It's convenient to believe, but it's just not true.
[/rant]
What happened to BET Uncut? I've been staying up REALLY late these past few days and been thinking I'm going to catch some boobies and cooter on my favorite blaxploitation network. Alas, no boobies! What the deal, BET?
There is a new documentary out called The Life of Rayful Edmond. I heard about it on WHUR, I believe the morning show. It wasn't bad. Actually, if you grew up in DC in the 80s and 90s, this will help piece together a lot of things we heard about as we grew up. See, the Rayful Edmond drug kingpin trial was this horrible circus that lasted FOREVER. Witnesses were being murdered and intimidated. But this Rayful Edmond guy....we are talking a street millionaire. I kinda hate him for what he and others like him did to DC during the crack epidemic. And we were most definitely in an epidemic. Crazy times back then.
I have two main complaints with the documentary. Well, maybe three or four:
1. I didn't like the narrator at all. Osei Kweku seemed like he was trying too hard to be dramatic at times. At other times, the cadence of his voice didn't seem to match the scene he was narrating. This film would have been much better with minimal narrating. In fact, the strongest parts of the movie where the parts where the reporters from the time period were speaking.
2. I believe that the role of Alta Rae Zanville was horribly miscast. Don't get me wrong -- Erica Terpstra is a beautiful young lady. But Alta Rae was a middle aged white woman! Erica CAN'T be more than 30, and is probably much much younger.
3. Naked cocaine lady. That's all I have to say.
As independent films go, I think that Kirk Fraser does an excellent job bringing this story to light. I'd like to meet him one day and talk more about the project.
But I also have to say, one of the low lights of the documentary was the commentary of Curtis Chambers, aka "Curtbone" or something like that. I really, REALLY feel like he was glorifying his life back in those days. It made me uncomfortable. But, in all fairness, Kirk Fraser did a good job at being fair and balanced. He interviewed several cops in addition to friends and the former attorney of Rayful Edmond.
I'd recommend this to DC folks in their late 20s or older. People younger than this really won't feel as invested in the story and just might take the wrong message away.
I am reading a novel called The Era of My Youthful Ways (did I mention this in an earlier blog?) and it is pretty damn funny so far. It's a "college novel" if there is to be such a genre. Lori V. Lincoln is funny as hell, too. Her main character is sassy and bright and in several ways reminds me of Nina Bradley in Lazarus -- if Nina had pledged. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.
Later this week, I want to tell you all about the Deadly Viper Literary Squad (DeViLS), of which I am a member. It's a super secret group of gay black authors, but I'm gonna have to reveal myself soon....
Posted by Rashid on July 13, 2005 at 9:59 PM | Comments (7)
Great news all the way around....
First of all, I want to send a special thank you to a very special person who made SO MANY of my dreams come true today. THANK YOU....thank you...thank YOU. Seriously. You're getting a phone call as soon as my night time minutes kick in. :-)
Now for more good news:
Lazarus is now available at the Georgetown University Bookstore! Located right on the campus of Georgetown University, just go ask for Lazarus. It will be among the commercial books (not textbooks).
Lazarus has also been picked up on a non-exclusive basis by Culture Plus Books! Culture Plus is a distributor that focuses on African American books and has relationships with both national and independent stores. I will be sending them a smallish number of books to start with as a "test run." But I am confident that these books will sell quickly with a nice Old Gold Soul-style promotional campaign. ;-)
Although Charlotte won't be happening (*sigh*) I promise you...you will see me. SOON.
Thank you to ALL of you who have been reading this blog...seriously, prayer changes things and I appreciate your prayers and your comments. This whole thing is tough but I've known all along that I'm not in it by myself. From the grassroots up, so many people have been in my corner rooting for me.
All because I wrote a little book called Lazarus. I wrote this book to be a vehicle for change, and because of all of you, it's happening. Lazarus is not just entertainment...I want people to think, reflect, grow, and change.
Because of your help, that change is happening.
I've made so many friends along the way.... too many to name here, but please believe that you will hear from me, often and sincerely. I am so grateful.
Anyway....I think I am going to write a silly post next -- just because I can!
Posted by Rashid on at 4:36 PM | Comments (3)
This made me smile...
Check out No4Real4Real and read his whole entry. You may find something there that makes you smile as hard as it made me smile.
Posted by Rashid on July 12, 2005 at 10:20 AM | Comments (2)
And another...
Posted by Rashid on at 8:59 AM | Comments (0)
Wiggy Houston....Bobby Sha-brown
Posted by Rashid on July 11, 2005 at 10:17 AM | Comments (1)
sigh
I got stood up today.
It wasn't even a date. A frat brother was in from out of town for another purpose and said that he wanted to see me. I really wanted to see him, too. I asked him when he'd be free and he said he'd be available all day today.
Well, the designated time came and went. No call from him. When I called, I got the voicemail.
I just really wanted some one-on-one time with him before he left. I'm really disappointed.
Posted by Rashid on July 10, 2005 at 8:46 PM
Descent Into Madness...or something like it.
I'm "here" I guess.
I have been incredibly depressed lately, sometimes very sad and sometimes extremely irritable to the point of anger. My concentration has been shot -- I can't seem to focus on my tasks. To combat this, I took (and am still taking) a hiatus from blogging and being on instant messenger. Those of you who know the screen name(s) know that I basically am logged into IM any time that I am writing or researching or doing whatever I need to do when it comes to "business."
I'm losing my appetite (sometimes). But again, this irritability is crazy. I opened a carbonated drink yesterday and it exploded all over me. I damn near blew a gasket -- cussing and wanting to throw my fist through a window.
My temper is short. I had a confrontation with someone before the fourth. Now this, I don't regret, but I was very surprised to find that when I get REALLY angry, my ears burn.
So much has been going on that I really didn't know WHAT my problem was. Depression is nothing new to me but it can usually be pinpointed to something.....
I don't profess to know all the answers, but I have a good idea:
How about life itself is just really fucking hard?
That said, I think the stress of self-publishing and the realization that sales have stalled has gotten the better of me. I've come to a point in my promotional campaign where pressure is mounting on all sides. Sales are very slow and I don't have the resources to go to all the Prides that are happening this summer. I'm hesitant to launch another email/message board campaign to sell the book -- folks already think I'm a spammer.
So my only viable venue (until Atlanta during Labor Day weekend) is to get Lazarus into bookstores. Not a bad idea, considering lots of people know about the novel and are talking about it. (Do a search for +"Lazarus"+"Rashid Darden" on Google and you'll see.)
Now, the problem is that I am one person and bookstores are in the hundreds (for specialty stores) and thousands (for national chains). It would be GREAT if I could get a distributor. A distributor would get my books into stores on my behalf.
About two and a half weeks ago, I sent packages to four distributors who I felt would do Lazarus justice. Three specialized in African American books, one specialized in gay books. I've heard back from one so far. On paper, these guys seem great, but I am hesitant because of things I've heard from other authors about slow and non-existent payments. I followed-up with the other three today. Hopefully they'll call back.
Lambda Rising Bookstore in DC picked up Lazarus! I neglected to share that tidbit of information. The people at Lambda Rising have been absolutely great to me. It's a bookstore that I love visiting and I'm just tickled pink that a places I used to go to in secret when I was in high school now carries MY book! Yay Lambda Rising!
Lazarus is also being sold on Amazon.com. I didn't like how they would order like one or two books at a time -- that's wasted shipping costs on my part. But now they are ordering more, so it's not so bad. My ranking is horrible (lol) but I don't really focus on that part too much.
Now is as good a time as any to mention that I had a wonderful Fourth of July with my friend and frat brother. Rather than recount the entire day, please read his account of the day.
I was getting REALLY concerned these past few days about Project #3. I was having a hard time focusing, concentrating, and just getting the damn thing started. NOW, finally, as of this morning, I am feeling a lot more confident about it. Something broke and now I am in the groove. It's very difficult to describe, but now that I am "in the groove" it will be hard for me to NOT be in the groove. So as soon as I finish this entry, I think I will be able to write a few more pages.
I've been slightly paranoid when it comes to my "love life" or what may be perceived as my love life. I am single and happy to be that way for now. What worries me is the perceptions of the relationships that I do have. The blogosphere talks...that unnerves me. I don't like it. But, as my friend Storme told me, I run a tight ship so there's nothing to worry about. Communication is my strong point.
But speaking of blogs, some of them just plain piss me off. And having a lower tolerance for bullshit in the past week hasn't helped that. But, people will be people. That's all I have to say about that.
I am accepting donations for the "Send a Nigga to Fire and Ink" fund. Feel free to pay my registration and plane fare, LOL. Hey, like one of my prophytes once said, YOU GOTTA ASK! :-D
I am looking forward to my upcoming appearances. I won't be posting them until I am absolutely sure everything is paid up, though.
A long time ago, I promised that I would discuss how I would feel if I was approached about getting signed to a major publishing house. At the time, I wasn't sure if I would "sell out" or not. I mean, I LOVE the autonomy and creative freedom. But you know what?
Self-publishing is for the birds. I want a contract, dammit.
He he. It's not so much that I CAN'T do it, it's that I'm trying to do it with very little resources. If I were a couple of grand richer, it would be all good. But I'm not, so I just try to make a way as best I can. Soon (and very soon) I will take another stab at securing an agent. Right now, this doesn't change any plans I have for Lazarus or Covenant.
This entry is long as hell and I'm okay with that. But I think it's mostly over.
All in all, I am having a much better day today than I have in a while (not including July 4, which was great in itself). Hopefully this is a positive trend, but I am prepared for the downs as well.
Keep me in your prayers as I continue writing Project #3.
Posted by Rashid on July 7, 2005 at 2:13 PM | Comments (7)
Break
Hiatus...
Posted by Rashid on July 3, 2005 at 10:34 PM
Uh-huh
Y'all ain't ready.
Posted by Rashid on at 11:40 AM | Comments (2)
You don't say.
Haven't been myself lately.
Posted by Rashid on at 8:18 AM
...
Writing.
Posted by Rashid on July 1, 2005 at 9:55 AM