Interview Kowanda Stroud

by

Belinda Palmer

1) Please tell us about your newest release, Too Small For A Gate

Too Small For A Gate is my second book about Janiece Addison. She is summoned to her small Oklahoma hometown, when her father suffers a heart attack. There are some personal issues and bridges to mend with her mother. This book has a neat historical fiction subplot. It was a challenge to mix truth and fiction and make all the pieces fit together. Even though this book is my third published, it was the first one written.

2) When did you know you were a writer?

I always had a story to tell, and I wrote short first-person stories. Then, I would tuck them inside cards of family members. As my confidence grew, I added them to friend’s cards also. Afterwards I became brave enough to submit to the Oklahoma City paper and, lo and behold, I won some contests. As far as realizing I was a writer, well, that was about seven years ago. I submitted a story to the Oklahoma City paper, about a local author in Chandler, which just happened to be a good friend. She wanted to read some of my 'stories' and then she started to encourage me to 'write a book'.

3) What inspired you to write this story?

Growing up in a small town in the 1950s was a wonderful experience. As I grow older my memories grow sweeter, and yet, I can also remember some of the problems and heartaches along the road to maturity. I wanted to share these experiences with others. In this book Janiece looks at those young memories from an adult point of view.

4) Who were your favorite authors when you were young?

I smiled when I read this question, because it brought back more memories. Once I discovered our school library, I couldn't read enough. Because Fletcher School was so small, we had a reading list for each grade. My neighbor and the high school principal, Miss Childs, made an exception in my case and let me read books on all grade lists even though I was just in the seventh grade. My first grown up author was Frank Yerby. I hated to return them to the library when I finished reading. Of course now that I'm older, I look at them with a different attitude. Still, I remember those heart flutterings his writing gave that innocent seventh grade girl. As an adult, I searched used books stores, and now, I have most of his old books in my personal library.

5) Did their stories or styles influence you as a writer?

Not really. I love To Kill A Mockingbird and all of Fannie Flaggs books. Those 'down home' type of books are what inspired me. I try to write about my hometown and its characters in that style.

6) What do you do in your spare time?

I've been an oil painter for about 33 years. When I hit a dry spell in writing, I get out the paints and think while I paint. The results have been two fold. I usually give my paintings away, and I 'share' my story with others. Also, and I really hate to admit this, but, here goes. I love to watch all these 'judge shows' on television. I think that must be a character flaw, but to me, it is life in fifteen minute segments.

7) What are some of your favorite movies?

The movies have never interested me that much. Now that I am older, I don't know the current movies, which makes watching the Oscar's almost impossible! Sometimes I'm influenced to 'rent' a movie on the basis of the Oscar winners. I'm always disappointed. I learned the hard way the book is always better than the movie. Now all this said, if some movie producer would like to make a movie out of one or all of my books, why, I'd love to sell it to him or her!!

8) What advice do you have for new writers?

Write--just write--and keep writing. Don't let criticism, or weird looks from family members, discourage you. Once you start to get the hang of it, try and write the sentence or paragraph from a different perspective. Also, once you've written something, read it aloud to make sure it 'sounds right'. If you think your effort stinks, let it rest and write something else. Then go back and revise your effort. I revised Too Small For A Gate four times. It was a struggle over six years. While editing, I saw more and more changes to make in the manuscript. Finally, just as with a painting, you come to a point where it's time to sign it and submit it. The more you write the better you will get at writing.

9) What's been your greatest challenge in writing?

Sentence structure! Can't you tell from these answers? I'm teasing in a way, but it is true. My mentor told me to tell the story and then work on correct sentence structure and grammar. I thought I was pretty good at grammar in high school. Now I realize, if I was, I have forgotten a lot!

10) What's next for Kowanda Stroud?

I've written a fourth novel, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it yet. My mentor is encouraging me to 'gamble' with this novel and try the print world. So, I've been thinking about doing that. Also, I've started a fifth novel and I'm looking forward to working on it. I'm very proud of my books, and thankful that God placed Lorraine Stephens in my life. The entire staff of Wings ePress have been so helpful. I think about that first book and the patience Dianne Hamilton had while editing, and I feel like crying and laughing at the same time. I'm still surprised at how much I've learned in seven years. I guess you can teach and old dog new tricks. I plan on continuing to learn and write, and you'll be hearing from me again! Meanwhile you can keep track of me on my website at www.kowandastroud.com.