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interviewed by Bonita Lee Penn
Jewell Parker Rhodes is Professor of Creative Writing and American Literature at Arizona State University.
She is also the author of one of my favorite books "Voodoo Dreams". Another little known fact, she is a native of Pittsburgh, PA. She has also been featured in Essence magazine.
SP Bonita Lee Penn: The "writing" bug: When did you first get bitten? Was writing something you've always wanted to do?
Jewell Parker Rhodes: I ve always been a reader and a writer. For this, I have to thank my grandmother who told stories, on our front steps in the evenings. She filled me with a love for the black oral tradition and really taught me incredible skills for telling stories. Next October, I have a book coming out called PORCH STORIES: A GRANDMOTHER'S GUIDE TO HAPPINESS. In this book, I retell and celebrate the storytelling tradition that Grandmother passed down to me.
SP Bonita: Personally when I m writing, am at my most happiest. At the end of a long evening of working on my manuscript, I sit back and read the words, a feeling of great pride, accomplishment and contentment overcomes me. As though I m standing on a sandy beach, with nothing but warm breezes surrounding me and not a thing in the world matters, at this, very moment it s great! Then, there are times when it s scary, the words are never right, I rewrite, do more research and check grammar, and rewrite again, guess what? It s still not good enough.
Thank goodness those times are far and in between.
Jewell, please share with our readers the scary part of being a writer.
Jewell: The blank page. It scares me to death. I have a great deal of anxiety about my work. I have to hear the voices of the characters inside my head. If I don't hear them, I can't write. It took me six months to get the young black man's voice in MAGIC CITY, my novel about the Tulsa race riot. Women are easier for me and Anna Murray from DOUGLASS' WOMEN was the easiest. Read the first page of that novel all those words came out in a rush. I knew then that Anna was guiding me.
SP Bonita: When I write a story, it comes to me as a small thought, I rush to the computer to write a short summary, later I ll type a more detailed outline, then the fun part I do a lot of research. Meanwhile, I develop my characters using a character sketch. When all is ready, I ll start writing.
What s your writing process for your books? Do you jump in with the writing, or do you create an outline and character sketches?
Jewell: I never create outlines or sketches. I think both can be very helpful and strategic for a writer. But I write more via "method acting." I studied drama at Carnegie-Mellon. Once I hear, feel, imagine that I am the character, I begin writing. I might know key plot points but most times, I am feeling my way along...a scene suggests the next and so on and so on. This means that I'm often surprised by my characters. I was surprised in DOUGLASS' WOMEN when Anna invites Ottlie, Frederick Douglass's white mistress to tea near the novel's end. I was surprised in my latest novel, VOODOO SEASON, by the appearance of the Guede (Haitian death spirits) and how they aided Marie in saving abused women.
SP Bonita: What was the inspiration that lead you to write of the Marie Laveau's family?
Jewell: I was a junior in college, and I was challenged to write a teacher. My teacher, David Walton, said "write what you know." I wanted to "write what I could imagine." So, I search through a Creole Time-Life cookbook and I stumbled across the legend of Marie Laveau, the atmosphere of the bayous, and the faith based on African spirituality. A story burst from me and I was hooked. Afterwards, it seemed no matter where I went, I heard the name, Marie Laveau. I felt I was called to write about her. When I finally started VOODOO DREAMS, I was in an artist colony trying to feel Marie Laveau and I succeeded--I also felt the tremendous power of my now dead Grandmother. Two black women were watching over me--encouraging me to get the story of women's empowerment-RIGHT.
SP Bonita: You described the Marie Laveau s descendants as growing stronger and more vulnerable. Some may think it s a contradiction. I personally feel this is an excellent trait which can be found among many African-American women. I ve used these words to describe myself. This is what makes a woman complete.
While reading Voodoo Dreams I found myself comparing my experiences to Marie, I felt kin to her. What did you mean by the use of the words strong and vulnerable?
Jewell: All beings are complex and as such, we can exhibit contradictory qualities--strength and vulnerability. In some sense, I'm trying to run away from the stereotypical image of black matriarchy and womanhood--I'm trying to run away from the notion that in order to be a heroine of your own life, you need to be like a perfect saint or goddess. EVERY DAY WOMEN ARE HEORIC EVERY DAY--they may cry-but they still survive. They may be afraid but they still do what they need to do. They are human--which means being imperfect and still striving to be better each and every day.
SP Bonita: Your interest in the African-American experience and history is evident in your books: Douglass s Women: [the lives of American hero, Frederick Douglass, and two women, his wife and his mistress? who loved him and lived in his shadow] Magic City: [an imaginative rendering of the Tulsa Riot. Characters struggling to define themselves and their responsibilities to their communities, characters whose spiritual awakening sustains them through great tragedy] and of course the Marie Laveau s family trilogy; share with our readers your interest in history.
Jewell: My goodness, I never meant to be such a student of history. But I do believe we can't know ourselves unless we know the past. My family kept secrets and I've tried to uncover them. History--and white oppression--have created "secrets" about African-American glory. I don't like secrets. I like to follow my interest and uncover pieces of tales that society--or whoever--doesn't want me to know about. Marie Laveau is a terrific example of a black woman who survived racism and sexism--yet, history books would have us believe she was a charlatan and not touched by the divine. To this day, folks are still writing me hate mail saying the Tulsa race riot that I wrote about in MAGIC CITY, didn't happen. And in Douglass' Women, it was important for me to rescue the contributions of two women who aided Frederick Douglass. Douglass was a great man--made greater by the contributions of his wife and mistress. So, I might offend various groups, but I'm just searching for a bit of the truth. Telling stories that I need to write about.
SP Bonita: Who inspires you as a writer?
Jewell: My daughter, Kelly McWilliams...she wrote the novel, DOORMAT, at the age of 16 and Random House published it. She was also chosen by TEEN PEOPLE as one of the Twenty TEENS WHO WILL CHANGE THE WORLD in 2005.
SP Bonita: Picture this, you're about to sit down to write...describe the setting that creates the perfect mood conducive to great writing for you.
Jewell: It is the middle of the night. My dog, Leia, is nearby, my kids and husband are asleep. I am at the computer.
SP Bonita: Voodoo is a trilogy, you have released Voodoo Dreams and Voodoo Season. The third book is Voodoo Jazz, when will this be released and can you give us a short tease?
Jewell: VOODOO DREAMS is an historical novel. VOODOO SEASON, VOODOO JAZZ, and HURRICANE LEVEE BLUES are a contemporary trilogy based upon a descendent of Marie Laveau. VOODOO SEASON was released the day the levees broke in New Orleans. Amazing. The third novel will deal with the aftermath of the storm--my main character is a doctor in Charity Hospital. VOODOO JAZZ-though deals with the soul-shaping power of music and how it has helped blacks survive and it also deals with an African vampire spirit. VOODOO JAZZ will be out next year.
SP Bonita: This interview would not be complete without me asking you to share with our readers the idea behind your book, Free within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors.
I feel this is one book all African-American writers should have on their home reference shelf. I know I m going to order it.
Jewell: Publishing has become more welcoming of works by black authors...but publishing is an industry. I wrote FREE to remind every writer that they are writing from an historical literary legacy and that they should write brilliantly as a member of that legacy passing along stories and craft to the next generation. It isn't all about the money and glory. It's ART and HERITAGE.
SP Bonita: Do you have time to read? If you do, what are some of your favorites?
Jewell: I read anything and everything.
SP Bonita: One more question, it wouldn t be fair to end this interview without sharing with our readers, you are a hometown girl. Tell us a little about your time in growing up in Pittsburgh.
Jewell: I went to Northside Elementary and Homewood for school. I LOVED Pittsburgh mainly because I had such a loving extended family. Grandmother cared for me...and helped me succeed in school. To this day, I miss the hills, the steel stacks, and the snow.
SP Bonita: Do you have any closing thoughts you would like to share with our readers who are writers and those thinking about dusting off those old forgotten manuscripts?
Jewell: Just write. Talking about writing does not a writer make. Be fearless. You only have one life. You might as well live your dreams.
THANKS!
To read more about Jewell and to find out where you may purchase her books click on to her website at:
http://www.pageturner.net/JewellParkerRhodes/
Her books may also be purchased at all major book stores.
   
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