Save the Ta-Tas!

We saw a woman wearing a pink, “Save the Ta-Ta’s” t-shirt. Hadn’t ever seen it put like that, but it sure got our attention. We know breast cancer is scary, but closing our eyes, covering our ears and hiding under the bed does not prevent it. In the last year Robin Roberts has shared her journey with us. Yesterday on The View she put it succinctly, “Feel the fear. Walk through it anyway.” Christina Applegate has also been open about her battle with the disease. We even wrote about breast cancer in a young woman in Better Than I Know Myself. Not the most pleasant thing to think about, but the good news is that knowing is powerful.

On October 18th check out award winning actress Regina King in the Lifetime movie Living Proof. It’s about women dealing with their diagnosis and treatment, and doctors determined to find a cure. Regina’s mom sent us this trailer so we’re spreading the word!
http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/living-proof/video/making-the-movie/1785357063/1819738187

We know mammograms are uncomfortable, but tell the truth—you’ve worn shoes that hurt worse. Donna is going for her annual squish next week—that’s a whole lotta meat between two plates of glass, but you get through it. So take care of your ta-tas. Your body will thank you.

We Can See Clearly Now

There is a point in any project we’ve done, where we look at it, or read it and we can sense—That’s it! All of the tinkering, tossing, turning, sweating and re-imagining have led us to the place where whatever dream we had when we started with a blank computer screen, is suddenly visible, tangible, real. That doesn’t mean we’re finished, and can kick back and congratulate ourselves on another completed caper. Usually, there is still a long march ‘til the end, but we can at least see where we’re headed and we know we’re going in the right direction.

We had that moment this week with the script for Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed You Made—The Movie. Our screenwriter, Desha Dauchan, has been working diligently to get the screenplay to a reasonable length (because this cannot be a movie marathon), while keeping the heart and soul of Pat, Gayle, Marcus and Ramsey. This is a Kilimanjaro-sized task. To play up one scene, you have to remove another. To strengthen one character’s dialogue you have to gyp another. It was a constant struggle to find the balance, make the most with the least, make every second count. A page a minute—the whole movie opening to closing credits has to be under two hours. From a 400 page book! Aargh!

But this week, when we sat down to read the latest draft, we could both feel it. We could see Regina King as Gayle, in that maid’s uniform, cleaning up Pat’s hotel room, or looking up and seeing Ramsey for the first time, standing beside her car after her ‘marry me or else’ showdown with Marcus. It gave us both shivers. There are several actors we have been talking about for the major parts, and we could hear them saying the lines, imagine how they would be with each other as Pat and Marcus in the basement, sharing that kiss, or as Ramsey sweating to convince Bessie he’ll come up with the money. There is still tweaking ahead of us, but we’re there, ready to proceed to the next steps, and all four of us who make up 4 Colored Girls Productions (that includes our partners, Tyrha Lindsey and Tracey Kemble) are very excited.

So, while we’re getting the script copied, bound and ready to go, let us know who you see in the parts of Pat, Marcus and Ramsey. We have our choices in mind and have made phone calls to let them know the screenplay is coming (that just gave us a shiver, too), but we’d like to hear who you imagined when you read the book. Maybe we can reach out to them too.

You Never Know What a Day Will Bring

When surprised by the visit of a long lost friend, Lucille, one of our characters in Far From the Tree says, “You never know what a day will bring.” It’s one of the lines we quote often (it has been a blog title before and will likely be again), and it sure was true this weekend.

We drove to Cincinnati to sign books at the Author’s Pavilion at the NAACP National Convention—nine hours each way, and yes we sang in the car. Literally as we were walking out the door on Thursday, Virginia remembered that Madeline Moxley, a friend we met in 2000 and with whom we have been in contact through the years, but haven’t seen in quite a while, lives in Cincinnati, and she emailed Madeline to say we’d be in town and hoped we’d be able to grab some time together. We knew it was last minute, and who doesn’t have plans for 16 more things than any one person can do on the weekend, but we figured it would at least bring a catch up email.

Well, Madeline called on Friday during our drive —not only would she be able to see us, but she wanted to know if we’d be up for a brunch—she was organizing it with the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, where she works. Who can make time for brunch on 24 hours notice? How about a room full of women, including the president and CEO Donna Jones Baker! We were stunned and honored and had a great conversation with all who attended. And the biggest surprise was two of the attendees—Gloria King Darby and Mrs. Forney, Regina King’s mother and grandmother. Talk about a small world—turns out Madeline and Gloria have been friends for years. We always credit family as a big reason why we are who we are in this world. We have met, or at least spoken to, most of the families of our producing partners and it feels good to know their support is with us as we go forward with our film ventures. So we thank Madeline for inviting them, and Regina, who is slated to play Gayle in Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed You Made, for sharing her Mom and Grandma with us. Those hugs sure felt good.

We had a wonderful time with our sister author friends—Victoria Christopher Murray and Marissa Monteilh and talking to the folks who attended the NAACP Authors Pavilion. We also got the chance to spend a little on-air time with WDBZ-AM's Jeri Tolliver -- another avowed book lover. Books are such an important part of the African-American experience. Kudos to Mocha Ochoa and her great team for her second year of putting it all together. We’ll have a video to share soon. This was the 99th convention. The NAACP will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year in New York. We look forward to being there.

This Thursday we’re back in the car shuffling off to Buffalo to host the first annual Buffalo Book Awards at the Buffalo Book Fair. We gotta remember to change the tunes in the CD player, so we can keep singing.

Our WDBZ Interview with Jeri Tolliver

With sister author, Marissa Monteilh

Us with Regina King's mom Gloria King Darby and her grandmother, Mrs. Forney.

Our Sunday Brunchers at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati. CEO Donna Jones Baker behind Virginia (in white) -our friend Madeline Moxley behind Donna (in white)

Calling all you Tryin' Lovers! We Need Your Help!!!

We had a great time last week in LA for Book Expo America. It was a chance to catch up with fellow authors and friends like Donna Hill, Terry McMillan, Victoria Christopher Murray (we’ll get to see each other again in Cincinnati this July where we’ll both be signing at the NAACP Convention), Kimberla Lawson Roby, Terrie Williams, Sandra Kitt, Gwynne Forster, ReShunda Tate Billingsley. . . We met author Carleen Brice, whose novel, Orange Mint and Honey was published in February—we read it last year in galleys. Niki Turner, Zane, Omar Tyree, TJ Butler, and many more were in attendance. Actors Diahann Carroll and Tim Reid also have books coming, as does Dionne Warwick.

Being on the left coast also gave us the opportunity to meet with our movie folks including the producers of Far From the Tree and the star of Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed You Made, Regina King. . It’s amazing to us that there are two of our books, heading toward “Action!” We’re excited about screenwriter Desha Dauchan’s work on adapting Tryin’ (we got to meet her Mom, Shirley, too). And all of you Tryin’ lovers—we (and Regina) have a question for you. What are the FIVE moments from the book you HAVE to see in the movie?

You know we can’t bring every scene, word for word from the book—that would be a mini-series. But we also want to try to bring your favorite moments to the screen. So please let us know by Wednesday, June 11th. From your responses, we’ll select one randomly chosen reader (we’ll be fair!) to receive a galley of our newest new book, What Doesn’t Kill You, which will be out in January ’09.

AND be on the lookout – next time we’ll be asking for your input on Far From the Tree!!!