Hot Fun in the Summertime–Meet College Student, Ms. Mary
By APOOO • Aug 24th, 2008 • Category: APOOO Features, Hot Fun in the Summertime •
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Take 5 With new APOOO book club member, Mary Green, affectionately known as Ms. Mary.
APOOO–Name FIVE of your favorite urban fiction authors.
MS. Mary–My five favorite urban fiction authors are Jason Poole, T. Styles, Deja King, K’wan, and Quentin Carter.
APOOO–List the last FOUR urban fiction books you read.
Ms. Mary–The last four urban fiction books I read were Still Dirty by Vickie Stringer, Gangsta by K’wan, Pitbulls in a Skirt by Mikal Malone, and Convicts Candy by Jason Poole and Damin Meadows.
APOOO–Tell us what THREE elements are key to a good urban fiction tale.
Ms. Mary–The three elements that I look for in a good urban fiction tale are the drama behind the story; realistic characters. Characters that I can see in my mind doing these certain things. Lastly, the realistic view of the hood.
APOOO–What TWO upcoming urban fiction books are you looking forward to reading before the end of this year.
Ms. Mary–I’m looking forward to Black and Ugly as Ever by T. Styles as well as Midnight: A Gangster Love Story by Sister Souljah.
APOOO–If you could have dinner with only ONE urban fiction author, who would it be and why.
Ms. Mary– If I could have dinner with one urban fiction author it would have to be Jason Poole. In his book Convicts Candy he told of his experience in jail and I would like to know why he chose that concept.
APOOO–How did you discover urban fiction?
Ms. Mary–I discovered urban fiction one day in 8th grade when my best friend told me about the Coldest Winter Ever. After that I wasn’t the same. I was hooked to the drama and the glitz, glam, and downfall of some of the characters.
APOOO–What was the first urban fiction tale that you read?
Ms. Mary–The first urban fiction tale I read was Coldest Winter Ever in 8th grade.
APOOO–Why do you consider urban fiction one of your favorite genres?
Ms. Mary–I consider urban fiction one of my favorite genres because of the drama that is behind the story. Plenty of other books have the drama, but this particular drama pulls me in. I can see the characters and see different scenes in my head. These people are like me in every way.
APOOO– Do urban fiction tales reflect your life story? Why or why not?
Ms. Mary– Urban fiction tales did not reflect my life story in that I was not one of those girls who chased after that man with the money and street credibility. However, It was my life story when it came to some of their struggles and things they wanted in life. I have friends and people in my family who have actually lived some of those urban fiction tales.
APOOO–In closing, and in keeping with this month’s theme, what’s your definition of Hot Fun in the Summertime?
Ms. Mary–My definition of Hot Fun in the Summertime is no work and no school. Just sitting back and relaxing and vacationing.
Detroit native, Mary Green is a full-time college student, at Bowling Green State University, majoring in Psychology. Upon her graduation in December she would like to attend graduate school for social work.
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Ms. Mary–The three elements that I look for in a good urban fiction tale are the drama behind the story; realistic characters. Characters that I can see in my mind doing these certain things. Lastly, the realistic view of the hood.
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Well, I read Got and Cake by “D” back-to-back and it has all of these elements. I always said I could not relate to the street life and the grittiness and drama of it but with my city being besieged with take over robberies almost daily, it is becoming a reality I can envision. I must say all the action going on in these two books feels real and make me nervous.
Dera’s last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged
Great interview Ms. Mary! And I love Jason Poole, too.
Darnetta’s last blog post..Hot Fun in the Summertime
Great interview Ms. Mary. I want to read Black and Ugly as Ever also. I really liked the first one. I don’t read many UF books.