On the ‘Net With Authors Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant
By APOOO • Feb 28th, 2010 • Category: Author of the Week •
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Greetings Virginia and Donna and welcome to APOOO!
In 140 words or less, tell us a little about you.
We are best friends who are as different as they come-Donna’s a married city dweller who loves camping and sports, Virginia is single in the suburbs and thinks roughing it is a hotel w/o 24 hour room service. But we embrace each other’s differences rather than try to change each other.
We love what we do and both see life as a great adventure and are always looking for what’s around the next corner.
In 140 words or less, tell readers why Uptown would make a great addition to our personal library.
Uptown is a BIG ol’ New York City story full of secrets, indiscretions, greed, lies, scandal, money, real estate, family, friends and enemies. Real estate seemed to be the aphrodisiac of the 2000′s, but will Dwight Dixon’s appetite for success as a luxury property developer deprive him of the one place that’s most important. . .home? Will his cousin, Avery Lyons, forced to return home to Harlem after years as a nomad, be able to face down her demons and find peace in a place she abandoned years ago?
How did you come up with the plot for Uptown?
Lately, we have been interested in stories that reflect what is going on around us. Not exactly “ripped from the headlines,” but we have been putting characters in situations that a lot of people are going through in their lives. Our last book, What Doesn’t Kill You, was about a woman who loses her job after 25 years with the same company. When we were writing we had no idea how timely it would be. Uptown continues that “in the news” thread and takes us into the world of real estate, right to the intersection of big money and the “American Dream.” It seemed like a juicy setting for a story. It was also a kick to revisit two characters, Dwight Dixon and his irascible father, King, who we first met in Better Than I Know Myself. They were so delicious as characters—the kind people love to hate. It felt to us that they had more story to tell, so we went for it.
Are you working on another book and, if so, can you share a brief summary with us?
We are working on a new novel–not exactly ready to talk about it yet, but we’re loving this idea-and hoping readers will too.
What was your favourite 2009 moment?
VDB: I have two actually–January 20, 2009-The Obama Inauguration and 11:59PM on December 31. 2009. While it began with promise and the audacity of hope,2009 turned out to be full of challenges–it was for me, and for many others a difficult year and I was especially happy to wave it goodbye!
DG: Inauguration Day was maybe the day of the decade! After that was the moment when we heard from our editor that she loved Uptown just the way we submitted it–no changes required. After all the worrying, fine tuning and sweat, that was sweet.
Which living person do you most admire?
VDB: This is always a difficult question, but I would have to respond the way so many others do and say my mother. Not because she endured any huge adversities, she was raised by two parents and her childhood wasn’t troubled. My dad was present, involved and loving both as a husband and father. My brother, sister and I turned out just swell and we all get along. So it’s not because of the hardships she handled, that I admire her, but because she is, and always has been the most upbeat, kind, fun loving, understanding, patient, silly, loving and supportive person I have ever known. She has qualities in abundance that I truly admire. Believe it or not she still gets birthday cards every year from students she taught 50 years ago! My mom is a great human being. Period.
DG: It is not possible to narrow this to one person. There are people I admire for their leadership, their wisdom, their creativity, their grace, their commitment, their wit. I don’t expect all of those qualities in the same person, and that fact doesn’t dim my admiration. Some of those people are world renowned, some are folks I have met along the way. I am inspired by them all–they make me aspire to do the best I can.
What are your most overused words or phrases?
VDB: “I”, “Me”, “My”–injecting my opinion into too many conversations–like anyone cares what I think!
DG: Cool–it’s my catch all for OK, great or ‘it’ll do,’ depending on the inflection. Very useful.
If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
VDB: Josephine Baker. Thank you for doing your life, YOUR WAY.
DG: It would be any or all of my relatives who survived middle passage and/or the atrocities of slavery. I am inspired by everyday greatness–the kind we are all called on to exhibit in our lives and those were great people.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
VDB: People who don’t think–they believe whatever they hear, read, see and don’t question things or even use their own ability to reason–it actually infuriates me.
DG: People who live in a bubble and act like the whole world revolves around them–like the ones who walk into traffic without looking because they are texting or talking on their phones. They are a danger to others and too themselves.
What is your most surprising talent or interest – the one that makes people say “I didn’t know you (did/liked/knew)…”?
VDB- I’m a great cook–and I don’t even have to say so myself–just ask Donna…be nice Donna!
DG: She is a wonderful cook. We eat really well while writing. I don’t think it’s a talent–though there are some that may think it is, but people are always surprised to hear that I really enjoy football. You know how I’ll spend Super Bowl Sunday.
What’s one song that people would be surprised to know is on your IPod (or in your music collection)?
VDB: I think people would be surprised to know that I don’t have an iPod! But would it be surprising that Sting is always in my music rotation?
DG: I have a lot of classical guitar on my iPod by artists like Christopher Parkening, Andre Segovia, and the Romeros. I also have a lot of contemporary acoustic guitar–Strutz and Farah, the Assad Brothers.
Name five things that make your world go round.
VDB: Family & friends, stories, food, wine, conversation. ( I know I cheated and made family & friends one item)
DG: Family & Friends (isn’t that where it all starts), my husband (he’s in a class by himself), music, the overwhelming beauty of nature, the surprising and ever changing manifestations of creativity
Donna and Virginia thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules and spending a few with APOOO.
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Great interview! I know from twitter that VDB can cook. She talked about soups with me. I say cool when I don’t know what else to say.
@ Jennifer cool is okay and what type of soup did she share?
We were talking about having soups on hand year round. She mentions a lot of creamed soups that she does. We both said we like hearty soups, nothing from the can.
@ Jennifer I’m off to talked to VDB about her soups.