Interview
with SNS Productions
Interview
with Community Central
Literary
Lifestyle Newsletter June 2006
Feature
at LBP Enterprises
Interview
with Chandra Adams
Interview
with Let's Talk Honestly
Delores
Thornton's Radio Interview
Interview
with Black Refer
Interview
at Black Expressions
Interview
at Novel Spot
Interview
at All Things Literary
Interview
at The Literary World
Newspaper
article from THE ALLEN AMERICAN
Newspaper
article in DALLAS OBSERVER
Featured
interview at The Romance Studio
Interview
with Dindy Robbinson, Critique Manuscript Club
MORE
THAN TALENTED Interview by Nicole Marie Stevenson
Allow
me to properly introduce author Kim Robinson who wrote a
roux In The Gumbo which tells the story of her history.
Can you tell us a little about your book?
It starts in the 1800’s in Louisiana
telling the story of people who helped my Great-Grandmothers
and Grandmother whose life story I tell through the migration
to California and goes through to 1997 to my grandmothers
funeral. Back in the day women had a lot of adversity to
overcome, but they also had the heart to help others. Every
person ads something to everyone they touch. This story
has slavery, reconstruction, prohibition, depression era
What
made you feel compelled to write The Roux In The Gumbo?
I was bedridden during the end of my pregnancy and my grandmother
came from California to help me out. One day we were watching
Oprah talk about her life and she said “Shoot I could
write a book, I had a lot of stuff happen to me.”
Shoot you should write one too.” She started telling
one them old stories, you know the kind you have heard a
few times growing up and since the computer was set right
next to the pull out couch in the den where I spent my days
“I said lets do it. I bet everybody in the family
would like to read it. When she went back home I bought
her a tape recorder so that when she thought of something
she could tape it and send it to me. Every few months I
sent her tickets and she would come and stay for awhile.
My grandmother suffered a stroke during a spinal cancer
surgery and went into a coma. I printed out what I had and
went to California, I would sit by her bed reading and the
family asked me what I was reading and when I told them
they said they wanted to read it, my mother made some copies
and gave them out. One day while I was reading to my grandmother
she said my name, though still in a coma. Everyone said
that I had to finish the book. She died a few days later.
When I went back home my family members would call me and
give me their memories and send tapes that I added to the
book, my grandmother’s sister and I would talk over
the phone and I sent her a ticket to come but sadly she
got sick and died before she could come but I did get everything
she wanted in. My mother came and started reading and giving
me her memories and here you have it. The title is because
everyone who has someone who influenced their lives just
as the Roux base or gravy in Gumbo influences every spoonful.
How
long have you been writing?
I used to write poetry as a kid, and have always been an
avid reader, I started this book in 1993. I didn’t
get serious until she died, because her spirit is always
around me encouraging me to finish.
Do
you feel that you told the story the way your family would
have wanted it or approved of it?
I left out a whole lot of stuff so that no one would get
upset. I believe that my ancestors all approve of this because
it is a way of carrying on their memories and they were
amazing people who persevered through a lot of tragedy.
I feel in my heart that what I am doing is god’s way
of using me to help others.
What
does it mean to be Capa Nominee?
Actually my email was blowing up with congratulations on
your capa and all I could say was thanks, but can you tell
me what a capa is? Romance Studio was one the first people
I queried about doing a review for my book. Most of the
reviewers on the list I was given accepted the book but
I only saw a review from them and In the library Reviews.
I was very pleased with what Diane Tugman wrote and she
even wrote to me before finishing the book to tell me how
much it made her think of her own grandmother. Capa is where
the reviewer picks the book they liked the most. Diane picked
me. I am very grateful.
When
is the release of the book?
February 1st.
Besides
writing is there anything else you like to do?
I love to cook. I spent a lot of time in my Grand mothers
café “Moms Soul Food,” in Los Angeles.
My grandmother always said that there is no greater gift
you can give someone than a plate of food. You feed the
body and you feed the soul, and always cook in good spirits
because that will go into the food. I also love to sew,
curtains, comforters, clothes, I have been sewing since
I was seven, my dad was a tailor and I loved hanging out
in his sewing room with him and it stuck. Spending time
with my family is also something I cannot get enough of
What
advice can you offer to others?
Don’t give up. I have over 200 rejections letters
and when my writing gets me to the point where I can build
a house I am going to wallpaper with them with my contracts
and book covers write in the center for incentive. If god
has put it on your heart to write something you should do
it, because you never know what your words can bring to
someone’ life
Do
you have Support from your family?
Yes, My kids read everything I write and my husband Pays!
My grandmother's sister helped and my parents pushed me
to complete it.
What
can we expect from you next?
Working on next book G Momma tells the story of exgang member/prostutite
who raised five kids. She feels Pentinary ain't nothing
but a college". It will be told in an 8 book series.
