The Black Rose is an author and photographer--born in Chicago, currently residing in New York. When sitting down for a one-on-one with a friend, and fan of her stories, she answered the following questions.
F: What is the genre of your writing?
TBR: The genre of my writing is simply categorized as interpersonal relationships: people 's feelings, thoughts, emotions, and the intimacies between two people that truly love each other despite the circumstances surrounding them. I write about love, honor, and doing the right thing, even when it seems disadvantageous, even when it's not the popular path to take.
F: Why?
TBR: Because, sometimes you truly have to do what you have to do without blaming others and especially without blaming God.
F: Speaking of God, you quote the Bible in your stories and usually have a Bible quote in the opening pages of your books. Is there a reason for that?
TBR: Yes. I live my life by God's principles, not by my own preferences. If I quote God's word, it has significance to me and to the story.
F: How do you pick the subjects you write about? Let's face it, you write about the FBI, war...men in general seem to be your main characters.
TBR: I don't pick my subjects, they pick me. Men aren't the only main characters. Don't most stories have a hero and a heroine? I'm traditional, even archaic. I believe in chivalry and honor, and I like to see more men and women pattern themselves after those virtues.
F: How much of your stories are real?
TBR: (Laughs) That's thin ice...let's not go there.
F: You write what you call the "Non-Fiction, Fiction." You push the envelope a bit at times. Fiction may not be the best description for your writing.
TBR: (Shrugs) What can I say? My stories choose me, not the other way around. People are intrigued by sensationalism. I'm intrigued by complexities and puzzles.
F: One last question: You write, design your books: interiors and covers, and then get them to the public. What is the hardest part of all of that?
TBR: Getting Readers to buy and read my books. Readers choose books for different reasons: reviews, popularity, advertising, recommendations, but in the end, they go back to the same authors because they understand and like the characters. That's trust. I sincerely hope that they trust me as an author and choose my books.
