Interview with Katrina Parker Williams

by C. Margery Kempe

Welcome Katrina Parker Williams to Nights of Passion! You can find Katrina on Facebook and Twitter, too. Katrina's got a new book out that sounds like great fun!

What inspired Trouble Down South and Other Stories? 

My short story collection Trouble Down South and Other Stories was inspired by my own personal experiences as well as my mother's recollections of her past.  The stories in the collection reflect our southern heritage and address issues that affect African-Americans.  This collection is very personal to me because so much of myself is contained in some of the stories.

What started you writing romance? 

"Miss Carmelia Faye Lafayette" is a romantic short story taken from the novel Bootlegger Haze that will be coming out soon from Trestle Press.  I wrote this romantic story because I wanted to explore the relationship of Miss Carmelia and her male suitor, Buford Tee.  They have an unconventional relationship for the time period in which the story is set (early 1900′s).  She loves Buford Tee, but because of an abusive marriage to her previous husband, she has vowed never to marry again.  She believes a piece of paper gives a man too much authority over her life.  Very forward thinking for that period in time.

That's for sure! She sounds like an extraordinary character. How did you develop your craft? 

I have been writing short stories and novels for over 15 years.  I love to focus on interesting, quirky characters that don't necessarily follow the beaten path.  I think they make for more exciting stories.  

Do you ever incorporate real people/events into your stories? 

Many of the characters that are portrayed in my short stories and novels are drawn from people I know.  I choose characteristics that I find interesting in people and create a new character centered around those particular characteristics.  I think this technique helps to make a more believable character in my stories.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life? 

That can be tough at times, trying to fit writing in around a hectic teaching schedule.  I write at nights and weekends when I can find the time.  When an idea hits me, I try to devote every free moment I can find to drafting the story before the inspiration leaves me.  

What ambitions do you have ahead of you? 

I am currently working on a novel about Native Americans and slavery.  It is  a work in progress, but I'm hoping to have it completed by the end of the year.

What's the best advice you ever received? 

Write what you enjoy.  The stories that are close to your heart tend to be the ones that ring most true.  

If money were no object, what would be your ideal vacation? 

I'd love to visit Dubai.  I think that is just a fascinating place.  I'd love to expore every inch of the place.  

What's next for you? 

Trestle Press will be releasing my latest novel Bootlegger Haze.  I am looking forward to a great working relationship with this publisher.

Here's an excerpt from  Grandpa's Courtship (A Short Story):

Later that afternoon, a few hours before the church picnic was to take place, Horace hurried to get dressed in his best Sunday clothes, a dark gray suit, a round hat, and black shoes. He walked down the stairs and stopped in front of the mirror to inspect himself. He felt reasonably comfortable with how he looked although he hated wearing suits. But for this occasion, he felt he needed a little extra ammunition to combat his angry adversary, Miss Margaret.

He got into his horse-drawn wagon and headed to Miss Margaret's home. When he arrived, he paused, sitting on the wagon, trying to muster up the courage to face her. Then

he got down and walked to her front door. Knocking firmly, he stepped back and adjusted his collar, preparing for another barrage of verbal attacks. Miss Margaret came to the front door and stood with her arms crossed, in irritation.

"Miss…Miss Margaret?" Horace stammered, taking off his hat and holding it nervously in his hands.

"Yes, Mr. Johnson," she replied tersely.

"Uh…I…Uh," Horace stuttered.

"What do you want, Mr. Johnson?" Miss Margaret snapped. "I ain't got all day."

Before Horace could stop himself, he let out how he truly felt in one breath, stating emphatically, "Well, if you'd shut your mouth for a dang minute, woman, you'd know I was here to apologize for not asking you to the church picnic and to say how beautiful you look right now and how beautiful I think you always look and how wonderful you can sing and how you drive me nuts with your crazy, foolish, feisty, moody, hollering ways!"

Miss Margaret was stunned at the revelation she had been praying for, for many months.

"Thank you, Lord," she whispered under her breath.

"What you say, woman?" Horace asked irritably, thinking she had again bad-mouthed him. "I just spilled my guts to you, and this is how you–."

"Oh, shut up, you ole fool, and come on inside," Miss Margaret said, tearing up and pushing open the screened door.

Taken aback, Horace stepped inside and was greeted with a soft peck on the cheek.

"What's that for?" Horace asked.

"For you being you," Miss Margaret said sweetly and escorted him to the parlor.

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Filed under: Author Interviews, C. Margery Kempe, Characters, erotic romance, historical romance, inspiration, Interview, Kit Marlowe, romance, romance novels, Romantic Places, What inspires you?, Writing Topics