Hi Kayla, how's your mom?

-Mom is doing very well! She's a proud grandmother to my new daughter. J

Congratulations on the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times! How was the convention?

-The convention was a blast, as always! Of course, I moved much more slowly this year, being 7 months pregnant. As for the award, it was a real honor to be nominated for Career Achievement at this stage in the game for me, so actually receiving the award was a real thrill.

The last book I read of yours was The Sisters of Phi Theta Kappa, which is very different from most of your other books, more Women's Lit than romance. Did you get a chance to experience the sorority life first hand while earning your degrees? Is there any particular reason for the shift in focus?

-I have always wanted to write a book about women friendships, because they are so complex. The dynamics amaze me, especially between women who seemingly have little in common, yet are great friends over the years. In Canada, there are no black sororities, but I always wanted to join one-so I did that vicariously through this novel. The four women in this story are quite different, but the sorority brings them together, and they've had a friendship that has lasted for years and will go on lasting-despite the many trials and tests this friendship has had to endure.

Actually, The Sisters Of Phi Theta Kappa wasn't your first switch from the romance genre. You also released a kid's mystery in 2000? Is that a genre you intend to explore further at any point?

-I would LOVE to continue exploring this genre! Because I started writing as a child, I was naturally writing children's fiction, so novels for young readers have a special place in my heart. Maybe all the books that spurred my interest in reading and writing when I was a child are what make me want to continue to write for children. When I was young, escaping into a book was pure magic.

Do you have ideas for children's stories that you are currently developing, and is there a release of a story in that genre planned for the near future?

Thanks for asking this! I meant to say that I left THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALLISON JONES off with the children heading off to solve another mystery. I'd really like to do a series with these characters, if at all possible.

What can we expect from you in the future? And how has your success as a writer impacted your career as an actress, director, and producer?

-You can expect more romances (with a suspense twist/subplot) from me in the future, as I continue to write for HarperCollins and BET Books. Also, I will be doing more mainstream novels for St. Martin's Press. This fall, my next hardcover for them will be released. It's called THE DELTA SISTERS. This February, I have a new release from Harper called TELL ME YOU LOVE ME. This is the first of a series featuring the Calhoun sisters. Also in February, I have a novella in the St. Martin's anthology, THE BEST MAN. My story is called, "Kidnapped". In April, the BET sequel to IN AN INSTANT comes out. This book is called IN A HEARTBEAT and features Diamond Montgomery, who you met in the first book. She is Tara's cousin, and at the end of Tara's story, she was on the run from a deranged stalker.
Because I'm spending so much time writing, my career in film has been put on hold. However, I would like to do some acting again in the near future. Also, my dream is to one day produce and direct one of my own stories.

If you had to choose between the two careers, which would you, choose?

-If I had to choose between acting and writing, I'd choose writing. I've been a writer since I could hold a pencil. It is my first love, even though I have done practically everything creative. And at least when I'm writing, I'm completely in control of what I create.

Most if not all of your published work features African American characters, have you written or would you consider writing something based on characters of another ethnic background?

-I would consider this. What I'd really like to do in the near future is write an interracial romance. Readers are looking for more of these! Of course, it doesn't have to be only black/white. There are other races as well.

Do you read romance as well as write it? And whom do you read?

-Yes, I read romance as well as write it. It's a wonderful genre, and unlike some writers, I'm not jaded by the experience of reading what my peers write. I don't read with a critical eye-I read to enjoy, and I'm glad that hasn't changed since I was published. It's so hard to name specific authors-I read such a wide variety! I try to read books by my friends, such as Brenda Mott. She's a new author who writes wonderful emotional stories, as well as romantic suspense-the same kinds of stories I like to write. Most recently, I've been reading humorous romances by my friends at Harper/Avon, such as books by Susan Andersen and Rachel Gibson. But, I'm getting a taste for a good romantic suspense novel, so I'm not sure what I'll pick off of my many shelves.

I've broached the subject briefly with you before, but what is the biggest difference between releasing a book with Arabesque and a more mainstreamed publisher like St. Martin's Press? Was the marketing strategy different? Were different communities targeted?

-The marketing strategy was definitely different. Arabesque strictly caters to the romance reader. St. Martin's Press pushed my hardcover as general fiction, appealing to women, period. With St. Martin's, my book was placed on end-caps in stores, so people could easily find the book. I know I gained a bunch of new readers-readers who had never heard of me-because of how St. Martin's marketed THE SISTERS OF THETA PHI KAPPA.

Of all your experiences as an actress and working in that field which stands out for you the most? Is it on stage or off?

-My most memorable experience is my starring role in a short film called MAKING CHANGE. This is the poignant story of a man who is working as a coal-miner, but has dreams of being a musician. His dream consumes him, to the point where he neglects his family-and fears losing them. But his wife (me) encourages him, and with that encouragement, he pursues his dream and makes it become a reality. This is actually a true story based on the life of the director's parents. This film premiered at The Toronto International Film Festival and received rave reviews.

Writing is a hard business to break into and your mom obviously supports your career choices, how much of a difference does that kind of support have on your career? Do you think you'd still be in a similar place without it?

-Support is a wonderful thing. It makes you feel like what you are doing is worthwhile, and like you're not alone. I'm stubborn and determined, so I know I would still be published without my mother's support. However, it's a much nicer feeling to be able to share great news with her, to have her at conferences and booksignings with me, etc. For example, she was thrilled when I got the call last week that my novel, SAY YOU NEED ME, was voted one of RWA's Top Ten Favorite Books of 2002.

Where do you see publishers who focus on multicultural romances 20 years from now? Diversified? Mainstreamed?

-Good question. I'm not really sure. I'd like to see them diversified and mainstreamed. Many people are missing some great stories because they think multicultural romances are only for certain ethnic groups.

Do you have any appearances coming up in the near future?

-I will be at the Romance Slam Jam convention in Atlanta from March 6-9th. I'll be bringing my mother with me-as well as my new baby girl! Then, in the summer, I will be at the RWA conference in New York City. And in the fall, I'll be at the Romantic Times convention in Kansas City.

And last but by no means least, what would you suggest someone trying to break into the writing industry do?

-I think the best thing I ever did was join a writers' group. Once I learned about RWA, I went to the national conference and made contacts that directly led to the sale of my first book. Writers' groups are invaluable in terms of their wealth of information and much needed support.

Interviewed by JaToya Love