Intimate Conversation with author d. E. Rogers

d. E. Rogers has written five great novels  (White Lie, Color Line, Just Like Your Daddy, I Know She Didn’t, and Counterfeit Friends). His books have had increasing and incredible sales records. On every project, Rogers has taken his writing skills to the next level where few have gone. His stories are rich in reality and tell of real life love and drama that all can relate to. The characters jump from the pages and into your life as though they were long time friends. After reading one of his books, you will want to read another.

Book spotlight: Crossing Color Lines

Is your America separate, but not equal?

Segregation of races can have a powerful impact that defeats the will to fight if you’re on the wrong side. But what if YOU had a chance to choose your race? Would you stay in your own skin, or choose the race with the best benefits?

In Crossing Color Lines, Chase Cain chooses which side to live on. After seeing the brutal hanging of his father as a child and having features and skin light enough to ‘pass’, Chase Cain decides to create his own fate: Leading the life of a white man. With just a small ‘white lie’, Chase gambles with his family, friends and love, while claiming wealth, fame and fortune. Not understanding the game or knowing the players, his choice becomes a living hell and his world begins to crumble. But, just as he attempts to rebuild his life, enemies from his past resurface to remind him that certain lines should never be crossed!

BPM: Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
Some of my characters personality traits are on point with people I know. In Crossing Color Lines most of my characters face some harsh realities that many of my friends and family members have been through. The inner workings of how families interact, fight and come together is read throughout my book. In all of my stories I carry with me the people who have shaped my mind and helped me grow. So in my writings they are seen but through the eyes of how I see them. Which may differ from how they might see themselves.

BPM: What inspired you to write this story?
My true inspiration to write this story comes from my love for people and how we need to strive to become equal on all things. At the heart of this story is the Civil Rights Movement. Reading about those times and knowing about the struggle that many black people had is disheartening and a terrible tragedy. Those times and years before shows the strength of a people through the hardest times in this country’s history. I kind of wanted to pay homage to that time period with a story that engulf the movement and show the affects that an unequal society has on the development of black child. With racism and integration at the core of this story I posed a question of whether or not a person would choose to stay in their race in which he/she was born or choose a race that had the best benefits.

BPM: What issues in today's society have you addressed in the book?
A lot. This story touches upon the civil rights movement, racism, slavery, equal opportunity employment, affirmative action, stereotypes, rape and a cast of others issues that make this story a very compelling and great read.

BPM: Why did you decide to pick the African-American Fiction (Drama) genre for your book?
The story lead to me this genre. I love a story with depth in the characters. I present many obstacles for my characters that keep them on the run and the reader guessing what's going to happen next. The challenging part for me is keeping the story fresh so that my readers appreciate my artistry.

BPM: What is your most valuable lesson about the publishing industry?
The publishing industry is just like any other industry. It's a difficult nut to crack but the market is wide open for people to publish there books a number of ways. You just have to be smart and diligent about your work ethics and know what you want.

BPM: What writers inspire you and why?
James Baldwin – because he was such a literary genius who was able to tap into the social issues of his time and write some of the most brilliant stories that helped changed minds and social behaviors.

Zora Neale Hurston – because of her style of writing and for remaining true to what she knew. Her stories were a depiction of how race relationship were and how people interacted during those periods in time, and

Marcus Garvey – because of his spirit and belief that black people could achieve greatness with unity and self-empowerment. His vision of black Americans rising above their plight and achieving equality is still alive today by standing up for what’s right.

BPM: What did you hope to accomplish by writing this particular story?
Outside of making it to the Best seller lists, my main goal is to open up eyes to racism and begin a positive constructive discussion. I hope those discussions could lead to developments of more equality amongst races and a better understand of us all.

BPM: How can readers reach you online? Share with us your latest news.
d. E. Rogers author of Crossing Color Lines
http://www.theworldofdavid.com/
http://www.theworldofdavid.wordpress.com/ (blog)
http://www.facebook.com/crossingcolorlines

Latest News:
Crossing Color Lines is now available on Amazon, through our website, Borders, and Baker & Taylor. We also have a new network available to any and all d. E. Rogers fans. The d. E. Rogers Book Network is for fans to network, discuss issues the book identifies, and engage with one another as avid readers. Fans can join the network through our Facebook page or our website.


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