Author T. Wendy Williams is back with a new novel. I recently spoke with her about Lost in the Music.
Tell me about your latest book.
Lost in the Music is the story of Maddie Richardson. By age seventeen, she’s already an accomplished classically trained concert pianist who takes a “break” from performing to spend the summer with her extended family in California. She quickly discovers the “break” she was hoping for does not happen as planned. Between volunteering at her aunt’s youth center in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood to getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to unexpected love, by summer’s end, Maddie finds herself in a situation she never imagined.
What inspired you to write it?
My love for music was the inspiration. I love a variety of music from the classical sounds of Frédéric Chopin to the soulful sounds of Charlie Wilson. When I fleshed out Madeline’s character, I know I wanted her to play an instrument, and the piano, being one of my favorite instruments, was an instrument I chose for her.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I was in junior high when I fell in love with the written word, reading novels by Mildred Taylor, Alice Walker, and Virginia Hamilton. I love their use of prose, and I love how their words made me visualize the story as I read it.
What’s the best part of being an author?
Sharing my story with the world and getting feedback from my readers, listening to their interpretations of the words I wrote.
What’s the hardest part of being an author?
Promoting, especially if you are an independent author—all the duties fall on your shoulders. It’s hard, but done the right way, it can be rewarding.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I just read Lenny Kravitz’s autobiography, I enjoyed it tremendously from cover to cover.
What books are you most excited to read next?
I want to read more autobiographies and memoirs: Mariah Carey comes to mind, Brat by 1980’s pop icon Andrew McCarthy is another book that’s piqued my interest.
Who would you cast in a movie to play your main characters?
Maddie, JB, and Gregory would have to be played by three extremely talented, fresh-faced unknowns. Aunt Mary would be played by actress Tracee Ellis Ross.
What’s next for you?
A follow-up to Madeline’s life, starting from where book one ends and seeing Maddie’s life over the course of a year.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I wrote Lost in the Music with the visual of seeing it one day come to life on the screen, big or small.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Lost in the Music.
To learn more about T. Wendy Williams, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Website: twendytheauthor.com
Instagram: instagram.com/twendywilliams
Twitter: twitter.com/twendytheauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/twendy.williams1