Author: Tracy Price-Thompson   
Title: 1-900-ANYTIME
Web site: www.tracypricethompson.com
Email: tracythomp@aol.com

Disilgold: What can you tell the Disilgold community about yourself that will explain why Disilgold has sought you for a perSOULnalized interview?

Tracy: My name is Tracy Price-Thompson and I’m the author of the novels Black Coffee, Chocolate Sangria, A Woman’s Worth, Knockin Boots, Gather Together in My Name, and 1-900 ANYTIME. I’m also the co-editor of the anthologies Proverbs for the People, Other People’s Skin, and My Blue Suede Shoes. My work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the African-American Soul, Children of the Dream: Our Stories of Growing up Black in America, and Fortitude: Our Stories of True Grit. I was awarded a 2005 Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Award in Contemporary Fiction for my novel, A Woman’s Worth. My husband and I are both retired Army engineers and we have six talented and amazing children. We live peaceful, balanced lives on the island of Oahu, in the state of Hawaii.

Disilgold: What is your latest book about?

Tracy: My latest work entitled, 1-900-ANYTIME is the story of Bliss Sampson, a reclusive young woman who is severely physically disabled, yet brims with erotic fantasies. Bliss runs a 1-900 phone sex line where she morphs into “every woman” and tantalizes her clients with her silky voice and the sensuous portraits she paints in their minds. But Bliss gets hit with a dose of the real world when two of her clients become obsessed with meeting her in the flesh. One wants to love her—and the other wants to kill her.

Disilgold: How long did it take you to complete your book?

Tracy: I’m generally a pretty fast writer, and I’m known to retreat into my “writing cave” and crank out a novel in a matter of weeks when I need to.

Disilgold: What were the happiest moments you have experienced while writing your latest book?

Tracy: I don’t usually enjoy the writing process until after I’ve written between 50 and 100 pages. After that, I’m engrossed in the story telling aspects, and knitting the threads together is a very satisfying process. I was happiest during the last 50 pages of my current novel, and even happier during the rewriting process.

Disilgold: Describe your writing style?

Tracy: I’m a freestyle writer. I get in a groove very late at night, and I like to write undisturbed and undistracted. I typically choose a great title first, then build a story around it. I never write sex scenes just for the sake of having sex in a book. I tend to delve more into issues that affect some aspect of the population and expand on it.

Disilgold: How did you develop your writing style?

Tracy: I believe I developed my writing style by being receptive to my muse. As I mentioned, most of my works have involved a social issue that either interested me or that I felt was important in the world at large. I like to explore those important social issues from various perspectives in my writing, and because I’m consistently being true to myself, my writing style and my voice remains authentic.

Disilgold: Do you have a favorite author of all time or someone who inspired you to achieve your goals as a writer?

Tracy: Well, I’m inspired by many authors, especially authors who actually demonstrate that reaching out to other writers is far more important than selling books. I am particularly attracted to and inspired by writers like Gloria Mallette, Mary B. Morrison, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Victoria Christopher Murray, Karen E. Quinones Miller, the late E. Lynn Harris and the late Mel Taylor, my friend Evelyn Palfrey, and Reshonda Tate Billingsley. My favorite author of all time is hands down, Gloria Naylor. Her novels, Mama Day and Bailey’s Café, are written on a level that many authors should aspire to emulate.

Disilgold: Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?

Tracy: I see myself doing exactly what I’m doing now. Writing stories that please me, that are compelling and socially pertinent, listening to my muse and utilizing my creativity on a multitude of platforms. Also, mentoring new authors and making them feel truly welcome in the literary industry, and counting my blessings and thanking my God.

Disilgold: What marketing tips can you provide to new authors?

Tracy: Stay visible in the market, but stay above the fray. Resist becoming entrenched with the usual suspects just because you think they can help push your books. It’s one thing to write a great novel and have it sell thousands of copies, but the spirits of new authors can be zapped if they aren’t careful about their literary associations. Expect to pay for a great publicist, and expect to get what you pay for. Be tireless in your own self-promotion, but don’t become overbearing. Be strategic with your advertising. All press is not wide-reaching press, so be discerning about where you spend your dollars. Form genuine relationships with great people and they will hand sell your books and provide you with word of mouth publicity.

Disilgold: What other projects are you working on?

Tracy: I’m working on several short stories, an anthology, and a fantastic saga with two of my children.

Disilgold: What are your top ten favorite books right now?

Tracy: Gosh, only ten?? I’m going to decline to answer this one as I am a very selective reader and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out!

Disilgold:When do you write and for how long?

Tracy: I write in spurts. I wish I had a more consistent writing schedule, but I am on the muse’s clock and not on my own. I can write for 18 hours a day, when necessary, and sometimes weeks go by and I don’t write a single word.

Disilgold: Do you have a favorite location for writing?

Tracy: Yes, I have a home office that overlooks a beautiful garden with banana trees and colorful flowers that were planted by my neighbor. I also sit outside and gaze at the mountains and marvel in the beauty of nature, which is very rejuvenating to my spirit.

Disilgold: What method did you use to write or organize your book?

Tracy: None. The only novel that I’ve ever written in an organized fashion is Chocolate Sangria. All my other works were written strictly from the muse to my fingertips, with no character sketches or other formal structural tools to intercede on my behalf.

Disilgold: What three words best describe your writing style?

Tracy: Flavorful, compelling, deep.

Disilgold: What other hobbies do you pursue when you aren’t writing ?

Tracy: I’m a very active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and I perform lots of public service on behalf of my chapter. I love to workout, and I’m a basketball and boxing nut. (I watch basketball and boxing, I don’t actually participate in them

Disilgold: Are there any hidden jewels or talents that you possess that many of your readers may not know?

Tracy: Ha! None that I want to share!

Disilgold: Where can folks buy your latest book?

Tracy: They can purchase my works at their local bookstore, or at my website www.tracypricethompson.com. They can also purchase at online outlets like amazon.com and bn.com.

Disilgold: Where can folks meet you?

Tracy: In the beautiful Aloha State of Hawaii on the island of Oahu! They should feel free to come on over! I love to show my guests around the island!

Disilgold: What have been some of your toughest obstacles as a writer?

Tracy: Some of my toughest obstacles as a writer have been my lessons learned from other writers. After becoming embroiled in the bitterness that can erupt when the competition gets tough, I distanced myself from many other writers because I felt the pettiness was beneath me as a woman. None of the processes of finding an agent or a publisher compared to the negativity that can run abound in online reading and writing groups, so while I viewed many of my challenges as lessons learned, I also removed the obstacles to my enduring creativity by taking myself out of the crab barrel and purposely living above the fray.

Disilgold: This section of our interview requires brief responses.

Are you ready to” Get PerSOULnal” Interview?

The “Get PerSOULnal” Interview with Tracy Price Thompson

Disilgold: What time do you awake normally every morning?

Tracy: Between 4:45am and 5am, here in Hawaii. That’s close to lunchtime on the east coast.

Disilgold: What is your writing fuel in the morning?

Tracy: It’s all mental. I use the early morning hours to get my mind right. I do a mental run down of what I need to accomplish that day, and access where I am with my characters, their motivations, and the pacing of my stories.

Disilgold: What early morning rituals have followed for many years?

Tracy: Prayer. Kisses and conversations with my husband and children. Exercise, light breakfast, and then I get down to business.

Disilgold: What are your favorite foods to snack on while writing?

Tracy: Grapes, almonds, and lately—I’m ashamed to admit, Carr’s Ginger Lemon Crème cookies!

Disilgold: Do you watch television or listen to the radio when you’re writing, and if so, what do you watch or listen too mostly?

Tracy: I typically listen to the news. I hardly ever watch television shows, unless it’s Cold Case Files or 48 Hours, and if the radio or a CD is playing in the background I like to stop writing and sing along.

Disilgold: What is your favorite book of all time?

Tracy: A Novel? That would be Mama Day, by Gloria Naylor.

Disilgold: What music are you listening to? Right now I’m listening to the Mighty Mighty Dells!!

Tracy:  I’m old school and stuck in that era!

Disilgold: Do you have an exercise regimen to suggest for busy writers?

Tracy:  Writers are so sedentary during the day that I suggest working out in the early morning before sitting down to write. That way, you will continue to burn calories at a higher rate during the day while working. Eat lots of clean protein and fresh fruits, vegetables, and try to stick with whole foods!

Disilgold: What is your everyday outfit?

Tracy: Ummm…sweats and a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority t-shirt!

Disilgold: What is your  greatest joy?

Tracy: The sound of my childrens’ voices. Anytime, day or night, their voices bring me the ultimate joy.

Disilgold: If you could inspire a child, what would you say?

Tracy: The same things I tell my own children: You are destined for greatness. You are powerful. You are Godly. You are responsible. Think good thoughts. Do good work. Be peaceful. Think for yourself. Work hard, and remember who you are!
 
Disilgold: What is your favorite motto?

Tracy: “Want for your sister (or mother, or father, or brother, or fellow writer) what you want for yourself.”

Disilgold: What is your favorite time to put your writing pen down and rest?

Tracy: LOL! If you ask my husband, he’d say that time doesn’t come until I keel over from exhaustion! I generally like to stop writing very late at night, or in the wee hours of the morning.

Disilgold: Have you traveled anywhere besides your hometown and if so, where?

Tracy: LOL!!! As a retired miltiary officer I have lived and traveled all over the world. Germany, England, Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Johns, Korea, and many, many different cities and states here in America.  

Disilgold: Where is your dream vacation?

Tracy: Right here in the Aloha State of Hawaii!

Disilgold: What do you particularly like about the literary world today?

Tracy: The diversity in the literature. I know many writers who say that one genre or another has either been the boon or the bane of the literary world lately, but I tend to believe that there is plenty enough room around the literary table for all kinds of writing. As long as it is GOOD writing!

Disilgold: If you could leave one word of advice to people in general, what would it be?

Tracy: Peace! Seek peace! And balance. Oops! That’s more than one word. Seek peace and balance.

Reflections from Heather “The Literary HEAT” Covington:

“1-900-ANYTIME BY TRACY PRICE THOMPSON IS ONE DELICIOUS BOOK! PUT IT ON YOUR LITERARY DISH AND EAT IT NOW!” THE STEAMIEST BOOK OF THE YEAR IS BRINGING THE LITERARY HEAT”