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Interview with Adolphus A Ward

Published 2013-09-14.
Until recently you've chosen to publish and read printed books -- now you publish and read more ebooks, why?
I'm fascinated by the ease which ebooks can be electronically accessed and read.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. It was a ten minute play titled "The Festival." I was in a play writing class at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. It was about the use of the chemical Agent Orange in Viet Nam.
What is your writing process?
I generally begin with a circustance or event, some characters pop into existence right away -- others follow later. I put these ingredients into a historical broth, add some pepper-devils to the brew and turn up the heat. It ain't long before I begin to see, feel, taste, and smell my story.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
One just came to mind -- it may not have been the first since being the son of a Baptist Preacher I read many. But the novel "Pageant Lush" came to my preadolescent hands when I was struggling with my own sexual urges. It was a real crash course in human sexuallity.
How do you approach cover design?
I try to give the cover a voice as to what my book is about.
Do I give books I read a qualitative ranking?
No. I either find something that adds to my life experience or no.
What do you read for pleasure?
I don't chop reading into mood groups. A story well told is a pleasure to read.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I use a Kindle -- that will change to whatever is more convient.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I still wrestle with what is or might be most effective.
Describe your desk
A bit cluttered, but I know where stuff is.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I first knew the world in a predominantly black community, near down town, near the Milwaukee River, near a large farmers maket, near my grade school, near the church our family attended, near black owned businesses, near bars and clubs, near whore houses, near an ice cream parlor -- it was an exciting place to begin life.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing in the early 1970s. I had no idea of actually becoming a writer. I was just putting my thoughts on paper because no one else was saying what I wanted to hear.
What's the story behind The Tallman Family Trilogy?
As long as I can remember I've always be curious as to why people do what they do -- indeed, why I do what I do. Along the way I reframed that notion to examining how conflict shapes the behavior in an individual, in a family, and in descendants that follow. Something about conflict and resulting behavior in one family tends to influences behavior in successive generations.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I've held staff position in a number of organizations. The skills I picked up along the way shaped me to think like an entrepreneur. I refused work and create something for others to take the lion share of what I labored for. I went with a publishing service for my first book -- initially paid way too much money for the service and there was no end to my spending. Now as a indie author I take the lion's share.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords is and will continue to be an integral part of my success. Mark Coker created a process that inabled me to take complete charge of my writing business. He not only created a template for success but has made available an impecable and available staff to assist me every step of the way. Thanks Mark and Staff!!
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Capturing the story on pages and having others experience it -- enjoying it or no. I don't write for others to like me or what I write; but I do want others to experience what I've written.
What do your fans mean to you?
Without them I wouldn't exist as a writer.
What are you working on next?
I'm working on working that out -- have a couple strong ides, but haven't focussed on one to talk about yet. My next novel will deal with conflict and behavior in a family.
Who are your favorite authors?
As with books I don't rank authors -- but Contee Cullen and August Wilson stay in my mind.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I have to go to the toilet.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I spend time in coffee shops, sipping an espresso, art galleries, parks, jazz and blues clubs, plays, movies, watching birds, bugs, trees, leaves, rain, ocean, people, the stars
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Word of mouth, Facebook, email, ads on Kindle,
What are your five favorite books, and why?
I don't rank
What's the story behind your latest book?
I've answered that.
Write your own question here!
Can't think of one now.
Write your own question here!
I'll stop here
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Stand Upside Down by
Series: THE TALLMAN FAMILY TRILOGY, Book 3. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 50,170. Language: English. Published: October 18, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
This story was taken from my life and family and those who interacted with us. This is the third of African American Family fictions – following three successive generations of the same family. The time, mid-1980s. The place is Kenosha, Wisconsin, and the American Motors Corporation (AMC) based there. Affirmative Action was being contested by the President and many White American Workers.
Milk The Iron Cow by
Series: THE TALLMAN FAMILY TRILOGY, Book 2. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 38,420. Language: English. Published: October 18, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
(5.00 from 1 review)
This story was taken from the lives of my parents and those who interacted with them. This is the second of an African American Family trilogy–following three successive generation of the same family. This is Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the months leading up to and through the start of World War II. Black labor was moving North. Both unions and companies, with few exceptions, barred their employment.
Harvest The Dust by
Series: THE TALLMAN FAMILY TRILOGY, Book 1. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 49,720. Language: English. Published: October 18, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
This story is taken from the lives of my grandparents and those who interacted with them. HARVEST THE DUST is the first of African American Family fictions – following three successive generations of the same family. This is Colt, Arkansas the mid-1930s, a time when the Great Depression still held the nation in its grip, when president Roosevelt struggled to bring relief to the American People.