Vocal Expressions

This is a story about two people who are unhappy in their marriages who for one night give into the temptation of being with each other. They believe they are soulmates but they have to decide whether the connection they feel for each other is strong enough to leave their partners. Angelique and Blu met playing Words with Friends , a word game on an app. Angelique is married to Preston, a consummate workaholic more interested in the financial state of his marriage than its emotional state. Blu is a faithful husband and father of two children but can’t seem to connect with his wife Monica who has been suffering from depression since the birth of their second child. Playing the game was innocent enough until Blu messaged Angelique then they met for coffee, then drinks, then dinner, then finally culminating into a night of passion after Preston didn’t show up at Angelique’s Black Girls Magic (a major foundation in Houston, Texas) gala at the Westin hotel. For the most part, I liked ...

Author’s Bio: Born in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, R. Lanier Clemons spent her early years moving from one Air Force base to another. It was her father, a career Air Force Sergeant, who instilled in her the love of books. In college, she majored in Journalism and received her B.A. from Howard University. That degree helped her land a job as Managing Editor of an employee newspaper for the largest telecommunications company in the Washington DC area. As a horse owner and competitor for 30 years, she finds writing and riding very similar activities. Both require skill, perseverance and practice in order to continue to grow and excel at each craft. One day, she decided to sit down and write the kind of book she wanted to read. While admiring female amateur sleuths like Kinsey Millhone and Tamara Hayle, she felt the mystery world needed someone else. The world needed a Jonelle Sweet. DL: What inspired you to write your book? RLC: As an avid reader I realized early on that the...

I recently saw Men on Boats , the third play of the 2019/2020 season at Baltimore Center Stage. This play is written by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by Jenny Koons.   It is a satire based on the one-armed explorer, John Wesley Powell’s expedition and “discovery” of the Grand Canyon and his relationship with his fellow boat mates.   What I enjoyed about this play was the fresh take of having an all-female cast – ten of them portraying an explorer.   Although the story takes place in 1869, I loved how the playwright sought to give it a more hip and twentieth century flavor. It was all in the attitude and quips mostly given by some of my favorite characters: John Wesley Powell played by Ceci Fernandez, Old Shady played by Haruna Lee, John Colton Sumner played by Patrena Murray, and William Dunn played by Jessica Ranville. Watching the interaction of the explorers going through rough seas showed the closeness of them as a team supporting and helping and at times savin...

Author’s Bio: Shalanda Campbell is a full-time mom. She works as a nurse and graduated from Sojourner-Douglas College in 2008. She has always had a passion for writing and started journaling in high school. Strong Hands was born out of of her son Christian who encouraged her to write the book. In, her free time, she enjoys helping children and traveling. She lives in Maryland with her family. Strong Hand s is her first children’s book. DL: What inspired you to write your book? SC: My son inspired me to write the book. I want to be the best role model for my child. DL: Describe your writing process? Do you use an outline or let it flow organically? SC: I don’t use an outline. I write and just let the pen lead the way. I believe it’s in this process of free writing you create your best work. DL: What do you think makes a good story? SC: I believe true life experiences make a good story, along with getting in touch with your inner child. This is especially important when...