The second author in the Haute Lit series is Denver-native Carleen Brice. I fell in love with Carleen’s work through her magical debut novel, Orange Mint and Honey. Carleen recently released her second novel, Children of the Waters, which follows two half sisters as they uncover family secrets and struggle to piece together relationship with each other. The novel is moving, timely, and shows no signs of Sophomore jinx.
About a month ago, Carleen took some time out of working on her third novel to chat with me about her latest book, her writing process, and why she’s made it her mission to introduce white readers to African-American Authors.
TPW: In the acknowledgements section of Children of the Waters you gave a shout-out to your half-sister whom you’re getting to know. Did your new relationship with your half-sister influence the idea for this novel?
CB: No, it didn’t, but I realized that I was attracted to this story in part because I have a half-sister who I’ve never met (which is also a theme in Orange Mint and Honey).
TPW: Each of the characters in this book is so believable, and I found myself rooting for each of them to just get it right. Did you base your characters on real people or did you create them on your own? How did you manage to avoid turning them into one-dimensional people?
CB: Nobody is really based on anyone, but they all include aspects of my personality and people I know or observed out and about. I think the best way to avoid one-dimensional people is to give thought and time to each character. To give each character something they love or something they believe, like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding who believes Windex will cure anything. And to care about all your characters and see them as real as you, the writer, can.
TPW: Both of your novels, Orange Mint & Honey and Children of the Waters, deal with familial issues. Why do you like writing about families? Do you use your own family for inspiration?
CB: I write about emotions and reconciliation, forgiveness and dealing with the consequences of choices and actions. These issues seem best to be set within family dynamics.
My family is an inspiration for good things and not-so-good things in my work, but I try not to cast blame on anybody or make anybody in my family a villain (in real life and in my stories).
TPW: In the latest book, Children of the Waters, you tackle issues of race and class. Why did you decided to take on these topics in a Post-Obama era when so many people have deemed our country, “Post-Racial”?
CB: Well, I started the story before we were Post-Obama and “post-racial” so it’s just good timing that I get to talk about issues at the same time the rest of the country is. I think with the “birthers” and such it’s clear that we have a ways to go in this country before race is no longer an issue.
TPW: Speaking of race, your blog “White Readers Meet Black Authors” aims to introduce Black authors to a wider audience. Why do you think our books are marginalized by the mainstream? How do you think this can be changed?
CB: There’s so much about this that I truly don’t know or understand. I think some of it is baldly racist and some of it is ignorance or poor management. But so much of marketing books seems to be mysterious that it’s hard to lay blame any one place. And really I don’t suggest that I have all the answers. I’m just raising the awareness about the issue and trying to contribute to the dialogue. And that’s what I hope to inspire others to do.
TPW: Describe your writing process. How do you come up with the ideas for your novels? Do you keep a writing schedule or do you just write when the mood hits you?
CB: My writing process is very messy and kind of whatever it needs to be at the time. I research, make notes, outline and write pretty much at the same times, or as I need to do those things. It’s not very organized.
When I’m really in the groove of writing, I write first thing in the morning and/or late in the evening when the house is quiet. I try to have some kind of a goal, like 500 or 1,000 words a day and just try to keep myself interested and engaged in my story.
TPW: There’s a lot of dismal info coming out about the death of journalism and the publishing industry as a whole. Newspapers are dying, magazines are folding, and publishing houses have been going through some major shake-ups. What advice would you give new writers who are wondering if they’ll ever be able to break into the industry and have a book published?
CB: I’m in the same boat as everyone else. I don’t know what’s going to happen, so I really can’t offer any advice. Except that people have been telling stories since the beginning of time and I can’t imagine that we will stop doing that anytime soon. The technology changes and we all have to adapt, but we still need stories.
TPW: Lifetime bought the rights to turn your novel, Orange Mint and Honey, into a movie. How did that come about? If you had your pick, who would you like to see cast as Shay and Nona?
CB: My agent and film agent worked on selling the rights to Lifetime. Since I have no say in who Lifetime will cast (and they’re probably working on that as we speak!), I’ll keep my thoughts to myself and eagerly wait to see who they choose.
TPW: Your work is inspiring a whole new generation of readers and writes. Who inspires you?
CB: Bebe Moore Campbell is a big inspiration to me. Her work was accessible and entertaining, yet also about meaningful issues.
TPW: So after two exceptional novels, a bestseller, and countless awards, what are you working on next?
CB: I’m working on a third novel. The working title is Calling Every Good Wish Home, and actually need to get back to it. So I’d better say adios!
TPW: Thanks so much for agreeing to speak to me about your work Carleen!
CB: Thanks for the opportunity!
Editors Note: On September 11th, Carleen posted a note on Twitter announcing that Grammy-award winning singer Jill Scott will star in the film adaptation of Orange Mint and Honey. According to Variety’s website, the telepic, currently titled “Sins of the Mother,” will air on the Lifetime Movie Network sometime in 2010.
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Have you read Carleen Brice’s work?
Who else would you like to see in the film adaptation of Orange Mint and Honey?
What author(s) would you like to see featured in the Haute Lit series? (gimme a name & I’ll stalk them!)
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