What was your inspiration for writing My Husband's Girlfriend?
Years ago there were quite a few real life situations being featured in the media about polygamy. There were men that had secret wives, secret babies. The wives didn't find out about each other until after the husband passed away. So I wanted to do a book about women that did know about each other. I wanted to get inside the head of a wife whose husband got another woman pregnant and see how she handled things. The twist about MHG is the marital contract. The wife allows her hubby to have a mistress but things don't go as planned.
How did you develop the idea into a full length story?
Basically I start with the main characters and then try to find their voice. I just start writing away, sometimes using an outline, and I let the characters dictate the story. I don't know, it's hard to explain. But I love the process, love how those characters take over and say tripped out stuff and do crazy things. I read my books like I am a reader, not always like a writer. I keep writing until the book comes to an end, and then I breathe a sigh of relief for finishing the project.
Tell us how long you've been writing and what made you get into the literary field. I started writing the second I finished reading Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan. This was in the early 90's. But I didn't seriously complete novels until 10 years later. I write MDB from 1999-2000. Reading books by Terry, Connie Briscoe, Bebe Moore Campbell, Sandra Kitt, etc., made me want to be an author. They were my example and I wanted to be like them.
How do you, as a writer, find your way into the story? Do you use an outline or let the story unfold naturally?
In the early days before I was under contract to write, the story would unfold naturally. And even though these days I use an outline, the story still unfolds naturally. An outline operates as a good guideline but I've discovered that characters tend to dictate the story. I'm looking at them, listening to them talk, etc., and trying to let them have their way. It makes for a much more interesting journey but during the editing phase, editors will take over (smile) and we have to work the story so that it makes sense and so that motivations are properly explained.
How does a novel begin for you?
For me it starts with characters and their dilemma. I think of conflict right away and then start wondering about the people involved in the story and start writing down their age, name, occupation, family, etc., Then I connect to the characters' voice pretty much from the beginning. So far, all the books have been written in first person and I enjoy getting to know characters through their own unique voice and perspective.
How many hours a week do you devote to writing, including research?
In the early days I'd write every day but now I don't write frequently unless under deadline. More than anything I have a goal to write X number of pages per week. So if that happens on the weekend only, I can live with that. Research is ongoing. Ideas are always popping inside my head and I mostly use the Internet to do research and also conduct interviews with friends and associates.
How do you keep a balance between family, work and writing?
It's very difficult. I really enjoy writing but know I can't spend all my time doing it because bills have to be paid, gotta go to the 9 to 5, gotta go to doctor appointments, and take care of other business. I guess it's a matter of trying to prioritize and doing what is most important on any given day.
What literary organizations or writers groups would you recommend to writers in your genre?
Sign up with a couple of online writing groups via Yahoogroups but don't go nuts. Don't be on every online group telling everyone about your book. That gets old. Pick and choose which organizations are a good fit for you and don't get in the game only because you want to be famous and rich. Be humble. Also try and subscribe to literary magazines or check them out from the library. Just stay informed and get well connected if at all possible.
From your experience, what key ingredients do new writers need to succeed in the book industry?
Respect the industry, respect the process, respect your fellow writers. Listen to those that have gone before you. Watch out for sharks. Don't be lazy meaning do the work that is required to promote yourself. Don't use lack of money as an excuse. Use what resources you have and start where you are. Be reasonable (don't expect to sell 500,000 of your first book within a few months. That is so rare and unrealistic). Know that it takes time to build a successful writing career. Just be a good planner of all your literary activities and you should be fine. Don't get in a funk if a famous author ignores your emails. There are plenty of others that will take time to answer. The famous authors' advice won't be that much different from the non-famous authors.
Have you written other books? If so, tell us about them.
My debut novel is My Daughter's Boyfriend, the story of a 34-year-old single mom that becomes attracted to her teenaged daughter's boyfriend. This is the book that started my career so it holds a special place in my heart. Because of the subject matter, people either love it or hate it. Most readers are so very opinionated about my books, and that's fine with me, because as long as they know the books exist and are talking about them good or bad, it's going to help me.
I've learned a lot in the short time in this industry. First of all, it is so much more competitive then it was, say, five years ago. So as a writer you really have to do something special, something different, to carve out your niche. So far my relationship taboo novels have worked and the readers are really responding so that makes me very happy.
Also, I am so excited about my third novel MY BEST FRIEND AND MY MAN, which will be released on June 3, 2008. It is a juicy, funny, fast-paced book that explores women, friendships, and how you shouldn't cross the line when it comes to your best friend's man. However, I caution people to never totally judge books simply by the title; there will always be unexpected surprises that make the book worthwhile. I just hope readers support this book the way they supported the first two.
Have you ever experienced writer's block, and if so, how did you deal with it so you could begin to write again?
Ha! That's an understatement. While working on My Best Friend and My Man I got writer's block for a few months. It was very frightening because you think what if I never finish the book on time. You think the most morbid thoughts. It's nothing to play with. But thank God eventually the story comes to you and you begin to write like a fiend, just writing and not really thinking deeply about what your fingers are typing. There's just no time. But to answer your question one thing that helps with writers block is to think about who is in the scene, where are they at, and what just happened. That visual helps me to get back on track.
Are you devoted to your genre or do you see yourself writing in another genre at some point in the future?
Great question. So many different ideas come to me for stories but I always have to question whether the stories are marketable. And at this point in my career, I try to consider what my publisher is going to want. They are always thinking about marketability and are so very good at what they do. For example, they know that my titles are what draw my audience. So they make sure my titles are something that readers will identify with me. Most importantly, the publisher knows that it takes several books before an author finds her audience, so it is critical that we stick to what works because timing is everything. You don't want to abandon your faithful readers and do something totally different that they may not like at the height of your success. It's like crossing over and not being able to cross back so you have to be strategic and think clearly before switching gears.
At this point I really do adore my genre and I would love to try other types of stories; yet it is important to stick with writing the type of stories that people will want to read, the juicy plot lines, the things that perhaps readers come to expect. I think I can accomplish my desire to write other kinds of stories by incorporating what I do best by adding a fresh twist that no one expects.
Are you working on new material? If so, please tell us about what you are currently working on and when we can expect to see it on the market?
June 2008 will bring book number three. The title is My Best Friend and My Man. Woo baby, just get ready for this one. Put it on your wish list and put all the other books down to read this one when it hits the shelves next summer.
Most of us who know you and your successful novels are aware that you've been published by a big publishing house for years and we're so proud of you for that accomplishment. Can you share the essential steps you took to make that happen for you?
I just got to the point where I knew I wanted to be an author. I was so serious about it that I started sacrificing - time, money, everything. I'd read about how other authors broke into the business and I started doing what they did (Sheneska Jackson for example). I'd wake up early in the morning before going to work and began to write. Turned off the TV, stopped going to the movies, and wrote. Went to the library and looked up info on how to write a story, how to break into the publishing industry, how to self-publish. You name, I was reading it. And so long story short, I finished the manuscript and did the query letter and tried to find an agent.
Well, lo and behold one day in May 2001, Claudia Menza (literary agent extraordinaire) left a voice mail message saying she loved My Daughter's Boyfriend. I was so excited, so happy. One year later Random House made an offer. I don't want it to sound like it was easy because it wasn't. I got four rejection letters (one publisher sent it to me two times). I was scared too, that it wasn't going to happen, but something came to my mind in early 2002 and asked if I could be happy even if I didn't get published. I thought about it and said yes, and that's when the blessings poured in.
So aspiring authors, don't say things like I will never be happy until I'm published, or I will never be happy until I make the New York Times Bestseller list. Be happy now, regardless if the dream has happened, because what if it never happens? You'll never be happy because you've made that proclamation and personally, I didn't want to curse my life like that. And my faith in God helped me through the times when I would doubt and fear the worst.
Getting a book published is the start. To have a long career as a full time writer, you need to move your books. Tell us about 2-3 effective ways you have found to get the word out about your book.
I find that every avenue of promotion counts. From the wonderful grass roots book promoters like RAWSISTAZ, The GRITS, Urban-Reviews, Disilgold, etc. to mainstream magazines (Jewel, Ebony, Today's Black Woman, Essence), and especially Black Expressions Book Club, all of them bring an important element to the table as far as marketing and spreading the word about your books.
Author interviews are critical because the readers may want to know about you as well as your books. Once in a while I do chats and those can be quite interesting. I am fortunate enough to have great publicists at Three Rivers Press and that has helped tremendously. Also you cannot take word of mouth for granted. It is very powerful. It is the reader whose name you don't know, the lady who buys your book because she saw it while standing in line at Wal-Mart and sends you an email telling you what she thought of the book. It's the places like MySpace which is where I have found so many fans it is just incredible. I enjoy discovering that many older teens and young adult women like my books.
And there are even some guys out there (to my surprise) that have enjoyed My Husband's Girlfriend. The teens also are addicted to My Daughter's Boyfriend.
Do you have any appearances planned?
In 2008 there are plans to visit Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and probably one other cities. Of course, Houston, my residence, is on the event schedule.
What are you currently working on?
It's almost time to come up with an idea for a fourth book so that's next on the agenda. Several ideas are swirling inside my head so hopefully I can pick a solid winner that my publisher likes.
How can others reach you?
Email me at Cydney@booksbycydney.com. And if you're on MySpace I'd love to connect with you (www.myspace.com/cydneyrax). I enjoy hearing from readers, providing advice to aspiring authors, etc.
What last words of encouragement or advice would you like to leave with our subscribers?
If you are a reader, thank you for taking time to read my books and the books of my colleagues. Thank you for spreading the word if you enjoy the books. Thanks for checking out books from the library (you wouldn't believe how important that is), and thank you to the book clubs for selecting our books to read.
If you are an aspiring author, be prepared to work hard, listen to the good advice that other writers give to you, and remember it takes a long time to break into the publishing industry. Be patient, never give up, keep the faith, and stay away from negative people that try to destroy your dreams.
Thanks Margie, great interview. You've always been so supportive and I think you're an absolute gem. J
Book Reviews
Rax manages the fallout…with insight, zip and wit, and airs multiple conflicts within black middle-class life in compelling detail. - Publishers Weekly
Even if you haven't dived into My Daughter's Boyfriend, her previous page-turner, you'll find yourself drawn to Rax's juicy tale of out-of-order Buppies in love and lust.
- Essence Magazine
Cydney Rax has put together an unbelievable yet engaging tale.
- Shanibooks.com
Meet Cydney Rax
