1. Tell me a bit about yourself?
Well, I'm BlaccTopp the author of The Hustle Chronicles Trilogy... I am a husband and father of three small children and a grown daughter that is a junior in college. I work at one of the most prestigious engineering firms in the state of Florida and I love to write.
2. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I've been writing my whole life so I've always been a writer. Istarted out journaling and then from journaing I went into writing music so I have always had a love for writing.
3. What inspired you to write your first book?
My mother inspired me to write my first book. She had a title out and it did ok before she died and I suppose some small part of me needed that constant connection, you know? Like I didn't want to lose that part of her.
4. What books have influenced your life most?
Donald Goines Whoreson and Nathan McCall's Makes me wanna Holler are two books that really dug deep into me.
5. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Treasure Blue I would say, because when I was preparing to drop my first novel I would call him and vent and dig into his knowledge box and he never turned me away. He was always willing to walk me thru this maze of confusion step by step.
6. Describe your writing in three words.
Three words....Prolific, Vivid, and Real.
7. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I'm not writing I like to chill with my family...And I try to give my wife and kids as much time as I can but, If I'm not writing then I am more than likely out in the streets selling books.
8. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
My life has always been pages torn from your favorite horror stories or from your favorite urban novel. I pull my novels from either personal experience or things that Ihave witnessed first hand.
9. What new author has grasped your interest?
I'm still fairly new so that's a hard question but I DO however have some favorite new authors..Vanna B is amazing, Kenneddee Devoe is a sweetheart, Racquel Williams is a hustler.....
10. If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
I would probably be a preacher lol, I mean I'm a communicator so it would have to be a career where my experiences in life could help other people.
11. What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
I know it may sound somewhat strange but Idon't have a favorite chapter. I actually enjoyed writing the whole thing.
12. Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
It was therapeutic for me. When I lost my mom, I needed some sort of outlet and I can remember talking to my mother about a lot of my exploits and she would tell me, "yea I know son, I read your journals while you were away." She was very encouraging, pushing me by telling me that I had an amazing story. It wasn't until she died that I found the courage to dive in head first.
13. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
My upcoming book is called TAINTED. It follows a rookie DEA agent undercover to take down a drug lord. But she may just dive in to deep.
14. How do you think self-publishing has opened or closed doors for creative people?
I think it has opened doors by taking the power from the major publishing houses. Now a days you have business men and women that are taking their destiny's into their own hands. They are also helping to pull others into publishing by helping authors that may not necessarily have the business acumen to drop their own product. I think its closed doors to an extent because outside of our community, many people in publishing, especially the decisionmakers don't necessarily take us seriously. I don't think that they recognize the hard work that many of my peers put in, trying to not only write quality material but, trying to run their small publishing houses effectively.
15. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
My advice would be to study and research continuously. Also to keep it 100 with yourself...If you expect people to spend their hard earned money with you, be considerate enough to have your work properly edited. With the rush of new authors popping up everyday it is essential that your work stand out. Don't be afraid to take chances. ABW....Always Be Writing....ABR... Always Be Researching....And whatever you do, STAY HUMBLE...This is a small community believe it or not and your brand is only as strong as the relationships that you build!!
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