Intimate Conversation with D.J. McLaurin
Chicago native, DJ
McLaurin, is the author of the provocative new novel, What if it Feels Good?
A graduate of DePaul University and a Certified Public
Accountant, DJ has worked in various fields including banking, auditing,
a twenty-two year stint in radio, and, most recently, the Theatre
Industry. She resides in South Holland, Illinois, with her husband and
her two daughters, where she is working on Pretty Boy, a riveting follow
up to What If It Feels Good, Falling Up, and Metamorphosis, as well as a
new venture into the genre of the supernatural titled In The Company of
Ghosts.
BPM: What drove you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
BPM: What drove you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
I worked for the company that produced the Today’s Black Woman Expo in
Chicago, and author Naleighna Kai would appear as guest speaker
annually. I would sit in the back and watch her work that room. One
year, I gathered enough nerve to approach her and talk about a novel
idea I had been keeping in my heart. She was so appalled that I let fear
snatch my pen. She literally threatened that I’d better not attend
another one of her events without that manuscript in my hand. It was
completed by the next event and she guided me from there.
BPM: Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
BPM: Does your upbringing or life experiences inspire your writing?
Absolutely! I am 4th from the bottom of 11 children. Inside that brood,
I rarely got enough attention. I had my siblings to play with, but it
was mostly my imagination that I turned to for comfort. To help my
mother with the younger siblings and cousins, I would draw pictures and
tell them stories from the pictures. When I was older and able to write
coherently, I began reading to them, both from my own writings and from
books. I would read anything: food labels, dictionaries, encyclopedias,
weekly readers, Jet Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Readers Digest, Life
Magazine…anything I’d find laying around the house. When I read a story
and didn’t like the ending, I’d rewrite it.
BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?
BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot driven or character driven?
My books are mainly character driven. Characters form themselves in my
head and live out many lives for many months—years even—until the events
of their lives began to stitch themselves into novels worth sharing. I
like stepping into the shoes of folks who are completely unlike me.
BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book?
BPM: Introduce us to your current work. What genre do you consider your book?
I’m currently writing contemporary fiction, with an alternative flair;
but I can’t wait to delve into other genre’s—particularly fantasy and
paranormal. All books will be available via Kindle, and possibly Nook.
BPM: Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
Michael is a street savvy, homeless, young beauty who makes a living hustling alongside his stripper Mom, Sarah. His stunning brains and wealth of charisma does not reconcile with his lot, and Michael senses that he comes from something else, but he doesn’t press his mother. What he longs for most, besides life’s basic needs, is simply love. Because of his looks, he cannot escape the attentions of others, male and female. Life has hardened him to these affections, and he has to eat, so he uses what he can get…until someone special unlocks his passions and all his secrets…
Out of fear, Sarah withholds the truth of Michael’s birth and spirals into a life of self-abuse in an effort to outrun her past…and her guilt. When her beautiful son finds trouble, she risks everything to save him, revealing his true birth-right, and turning many lives head over feet.
Chachi is a juggernaut of a man, in stature, power and personality. With his tightly-bound group of friends, he has created an empire. With this life comes the spoil of the rich: money, houses, cars, women…he has it all. But he’s in his thirties and has never been in love…until…
BPM: Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs? Homelessness, street soliciting, forbidden romance, adultery, celebrity w/ paparazzi issues, are all current affairs explored in What If It Feels Good.
BPM: What would you like for readers to take away from your writing? How do you go about reaching new readers?
BPM: Give us an insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
Michael is a street savvy, homeless, young beauty who makes a living hustling alongside his stripper Mom, Sarah. His stunning brains and wealth of charisma does not reconcile with his lot, and Michael senses that he comes from something else, but he doesn’t press his mother. What he longs for most, besides life’s basic needs, is simply love. Because of his looks, he cannot escape the attentions of others, male and female. Life has hardened him to these affections, and he has to eat, so he uses what he can get…until someone special unlocks his passions and all his secrets…
Out of fear, Sarah withholds the truth of Michael’s birth and spirals into a life of self-abuse in an effort to outrun her past…and her guilt. When her beautiful son finds trouble, she risks everything to save him, revealing his true birth-right, and turning many lives head over feet.
Chachi is a juggernaut of a man, in stature, power and personality. With his tightly-bound group of friends, he has created an empire. With this life comes the spoil of the rich: money, houses, cars, women…he has it all. But he’s in his thirties and has never been in love…until…
BPM: Can you outline some areas where your characters dealt with issues that are in current affairs? Homelessness, street soliciting, forbidden romance, adultery, celebrity w/ paparazzi issues, are all current affairs explored in What If It Feels Good.
BPM: What would you like for readers to take away from your writing? How do you go about reaching new readers?
I want to give readers another perspective. I won’t them to reconsider
their lifelong opinions and viewpoints. I tend to use social media to
reach as many new readers as possible, but I’m hoping this books uses
those “legs” to carry it even farther. Word of mouth is an author’s best
friend.