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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Tracie Angela Greene, author of Enisi, The Bleu Realm

Author’s Bio:  After a lot of life happening, Tracie Angela Greene finally started writing the novel she yearned to read. Upon completion of her debut novel—Enisi, The Bleu Realm—she delighted in realizing how aspects of her authentic life inspired elements of her novel, like growing up in a Georgia suburb playing fearlessly in her backyard forest. Like when as a student at Pratt Institute, she worked in the library where she regularly hid in the “stacks” flipping through the pages of vintage Ebony magazines, and one day flipping to photos of her father, discovering an article about him that no one in her family knew existed. Like her beautiful eclectic gardens where magic springs! Like her grandmother, who didn’t think twice about raising someone else’s child if needed. Like her other ancestors, a blend of blood and "love" relatives who were determined southern black folks educated in schools, and the streets. Like realizing her creativity is God in action. 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Tracie Angela Greene: I yearned for a big, beautiful, fleshy, fantasy in which women of color were the chosen ones to… thrive in an enchanted forest, evoke supreme love, normalize the surreal, empower each other and persevere beyond heinousness!  

DL: What do you think makes a good story?

TAG: Less passages crowded with descriptions and more dialogue. 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

TAG: Editing out the unnecessary parts and determining when to end the story. 

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?

TAG: Octavia Butler, Maya Angelou, and Tony Morrison, so I could just sit there and listen to them talk about societal issues and everyday living. 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

TAG: Firstly—take your writing seriously, whether you’re working on your book, a proposal for work, a school paper, emails, memos, letters, lists—all of it. Secondly—you must get the ideas out of your head on to the paper/screen even if you start by writing descriptions of your characters, ideas about your story’s environment or your research. 

DL: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

TAG: Garden, distant walk, yoga, cook, hang with my family, travel, and create through other genres. 

DL: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

TAG: Creative, Introverted and Extroverted. 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Enisi, The Bleu Realm?

TAG: Sure! Here you go: 

PART  II Entrenched

Kella stayed up all night reading the memoir. She finished it early the next morning and laid in bed befuddled. What was that? My family’s secret life encrypted in this book. Who else has read it? Thank God it sounds too weird to be true, especially the part about the ‘plant’ girl. That’s completely and totally impossible. Mmm… Enisi… Is he capable of that?

PART VI Break Through

Late that night, after everyone was asleep, Kella crept out to the deck to speak with Enisi. “Can you hear me?” she spoke into his canopy. He rattled the leaves of a nearby limb to confirm he could. “I have good news…” She struggled to keep her voice low. “I discovered what a pereanima is… and your scientific name… But… I’m not telling you until we figure out a way for us to have reciprocal communication,” she professed, then scurried back into the house. It’s his turn to feel what it’s like to be blocked out, she smugly surmised.

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

TAG: I’ve already started the next novel in The Bleu Realm trilogy. 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book?

TAG: They can find out more here: 

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

TAG: My pleasure!





 

 

  

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