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A Conversation with Voice Over Talent, Educator, and
Life-Skill Coach . . .
Veronica Blakely
Q: Who is Veronica Blakely and what do you do professionally?
Veronica: I am a Christian who attends church regularly and I am a High School Teacher. Currently, I am working on my doctorate in Education so that I can continue helping students in the inner city achieve academic excellence.
Q: Congratulations on your book, I Want What Most White Women Got: A Black Man. Your book of poetry is described as a tongue in cheek look at dating relationships in the African American community. So please tell us more about your book and what inspired you to write it.
Veronica: First and foremost, my book is not a male bashing nor racist book. It is a book of poetry which describes the current dating issues in the African American community. The book delves into why some Brothas prefer women who are "light" or white over their dark-skinned Sistahs.
I was compelled to write the book after people kept asking me why I ( a dark-skinned Sistah) was not dating anyone or why I was not married. I in turn would ask them if they noticed that Black men did not seemingly choose dark-skinned Sistahs as dates or mates. In addition, since Brothas would not answer the question, I decided to put my responses in a book which talks about Black business men, athletes, entertainers and the everyday Black man and their dating choices.
Q: Why did you write poetry versus just writing a non-fiction book to express your thoughts and observations about dating relationship in the African American community?
Veronica: I have written poetry since I was in Elementary School and when I put pen to paper on this book, the ideas flowed in poetry form. Also, poems are like short stories with a deeper meaning. Poems allow the reader to get to the point of the story without having to read numerous pages first. In this day and age, some people are busy and do not have time to read full novels and a book of poetry can fit into anyone's schedule.
Q: Share with us more about the structure and style of your poetry. How many poems make up your collection? Then for those serious poetry readers and writers, what are some of the poetic verse styles found in your book?
Veronica: I used all styles of poetry to construct my book. I used limericks, free verse, ballads, odes, and a combination of other styles in order tell my short stories in poetry form. There are 72 poems in this collection which shares humor, history, and humility in the lives of African Americans who are trying to find each other in this dating maze.
The book is written in a trilogy. The first section discusses the Issues at Hand which talks about the dating phases in relationships. The second section is titled, Words of Wisdom which gives advise to women on love, life and living. The third section is called B.M.W. - Black Men Wanted which celebrates Black men for just being who they are.
Q: The title of your book is an attention-getter for many people, but especially for black women. Who was your target audience when you wrote this book?
Veronica: My target audience was African American males and females because I wanted to start a dialogue on a topic many of us see as "taboo." The e-mails I have received from around the country from other females who state that I was able to say in my book what they were too afraid or ashamed to discuss lets me know that I touched an area that needed to be addressed.
Q: Do you believe most white women have what you want – a black man?
Veronica: No, I do not think that most white women have a Black man, but I do think that the trend towards Black men with white women is definitely increasing. Of course I was looking for a title that would get the attention needed so that others would read my book. Mission accomplished!
Q: What exactly do you hope to accomplish with this book and what do you hope readers will walk away with after reading your book?
Veronica: I hope to accomplish open and honest forums on how and why dating in our culture has changed and discuss ways to improve and renew relationships among Black males and females.
I want my readers to realize how we have allowed the media to determine for us what the standard of beauty should be and how that standard is creating a huge divide in our culture. In addition, I want the readers to acknowledge their beauty and be willing to share it with someone who looks like them.
Q: How well has your poetry been received by readers and reviewers so far?
Veronica: I have received positive reviews once individuals have read the book. After they realize that I am not bashing males or being racist, they are able to relate to the topics discussed.
Q: With National Poetry Month going on the whole month of April 2007, what poetry celebrations or poetry reading events are you involved in this month?
Veronica: My April schedule is still being confirmed; however, I plan to attend several Spoken Word events locally.
Q: Who and/or what have been your biggest influences with regard to your writing and why?
Veronica: My biggest influence has been my mother because she encouraged me from a young age to continue to write poems.
Q: So is there a new book of poetry on the horizon, or something more?
Veronica: I am working on two novels for release in 2008. One will be the novel version of my first book and the other one is about family.
Q: Do you have any final thoughts to share with us?
Veronica: I would like to thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you about my book. Any book club, media request, or book purchases can be made through my website: www.Vs-Voice.com .
Thank you Veronica Blakely for this interview and we wish you continued success with your writing and all personal endeavors!
