'Her Story' Trailer

Been hearing about this new media series project that Jen Richards and Angelica Ross are involved and starring in along with Laura Zak for the last few months.

Now we finally get to see the trailer for this web series with a targeted Fall 2015 debut..

It's called Her Story and features Jen and Angelica playing two Los Angeles trans women who have given up on love until two chance encounters giver them hope.

Richards plays Violet, the new girl in town who is drawn to Allie, a reporter who has approached her for an interview.  Ross plays Paige, a career driven girl like us attorney who meets James, the first cis man she has considered opening up to in years.

Can both women get past their own issues in order to take a chance on letting someone love them for the beautifully human people they are?





One of the things I and other trans people have been saying for years is that since Hollywood isn't doing the job, we need to have transpeople telling our own stories so it gets done properly.  

This is a concrete example of what I have been talking about, and so looking forward to seeing it.,

Maya and Rick's Bold And Beautiful Wedding

While I was working on escaping from Casa de Slumlord, I didn't have cable during that time period, and I missed some of the groundbreaking episodes in the Rick and Maya trans story line on the Bold and the Beautiful leading up to their wedding.

While that was going on, Maya was trying to repair the relationship between herself and her father Julius Avant that had become contentious between them when she transitioned in her teen years .

First her younger sister Nicole, and now her mother Vivienne relationships with Maya have been improving to the point that Nicole accepts and loves her unconditionally as her big sister, and the relationship between her and her mother Vivienne was improving during that time period she was visiting her in LA.

But Julius is still transphobically unrepentant concerning his feelings for Maya, she overheard him during the run up to the wedding, and it came to a head as Maya was about to get married to Rick Forrester

This is a groundbreaking story line that not only features a major character who is trans, but that character also happens to be African-American.

This wedding may also be the first for a soap opera in terms of it involving a trans feminine character marrying a cisgender male.

It has also been groundbreaking (and emotional at times for me) to see how the issues surrounding Maya's transition have played out in an African-American family


Well, speaking of those episodes, here they are for your perusal TransGriot readers.

My Trans Images In Entertainment Expanded Commentary

Because of the global reach of my blog and I'm not 'scurred' to give my thoughts about many issues inside and outside of the trans community, I get my share of opportunities to comment on the issues of the day.  

Sometimes they even end up in print in places other than this blog.

Recently GLAAD and The Wrap asked me and 10 other personalities in the community that included Kye Allums, Isis King, Jamie Clayton, and Mia Ryan from Houston Beauty to comment on Trans Images in Entertainment. 

My comments for the article:

1. What transgender story or character has been particularly meaningful or impactful to you?

"The best trans characters so far have been Edie Stokes in a 1977 episode of  The Jeffersons and the Alexis Meade character on Ugly Betty."

2. What is a common stereotype or cliché in stories about transgender people that you never want to see again?

"Trans media representation has been a mixed bag. We still have media outlets that refuse to follow GLAAD and AP Stylebook standards. What I would like to see are trans actors and actresses actually playing trans people, trans writers writing those roles and stories."

***
Since I was limited in the amount of words I could say in this commentary, I wasn't able to expound on them as I would have liked or can do on these electronic pages. 

So let me get started with that process right now.

As for Question 1, as someone who was wrestling with gender identity issues at the time and wondering where the trans people were who looked like me, the Edith Stokes character was a revelation at the time.  I would see after that episode two years later the first of the JET stories about transpeople who shared my ethnic heritage.

The Alexis Meade character played by Rebecca Romijn, although it was in a dramedy, actually was groundbreaking in showing a glamorous trans woman in a professional work atmosphere and in a position of power and influence.  It also realistically at times touched upon the very real issues of discrimination, differing immediate family reactions to the transition and Alexis adjusting to life in her gender role.

To expand upon my answer in Question 2, one of the things that has bothered me when I ponder the issue of fictional trans media images, is that the Edith Stokes character has been one of the few African-American trans fictional characters that hasn't fit into a stereotype.

Ever since then it has been the loud drag queen, the street hooker, the escort or the over the top personality for comic relief especially when it involves a trans character of color.  Some don't even get to survive longer than the opening five to ten minutes in the program because they are a victim of a crime.  

Other times we don't get a trans woman to play a trans woman.  It's either a male actor in drag or a cis woman playing a trans woman.  Sometimes they even do so with the cis woman's voice electronically lowered as Pam Grier's was in the 1996 movie Escape From LA when she played the transfeminine character Hershe Las Palmas.

When we finally did get a trans woman to play a trans character on the ABC show Dirty Sexy Money, Carmelita Rainer, the trans girlfriend of Sen. Patrick Darling IV played by Candis Cayne was killed during the second season.  

When Kerry Washington played a trans woman in the 2009 movie Life Is Hot In Cracktown, she revealed during an interview that she almost didn't get the role of Marybeth because she was considered by the director 'too beautiful' to play a transwoman.

Excuse me?  And that's before we even start talking about trans men.  Fictional characters to represent them are pretty much non-existent for trans men of color. 

While that's starting to change a bit, we still have a long way to go in terms of getting some balance for the fictional media images of transpeople and especially non-white trans people

Bella Maddo was a film that featured an all-trans cast.  Jamie Clayton played trans woman Kyla for several episodes during the third season of the HBO show Hung and Laverne Cox currently has a groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix show Orange Is The New Black.

But one thing I would love to see is a fictional trans woman, and especially a transwoman of color play a professional character who happens to be a trans woman more often.  I'd like to see more trans men pop up in fiction  We do exist in the real world Hollywood, so get busy creating them. 

Or if you're too busy for the job, you hand me the cash and I'll be happy to come up with the script for one. 

We can only hope that happens sooner rather than later.     

The Wedding Reception

I haven't treated you TransGriot readers to my fiction writing talents in a while and I'm going to do so with an assist from the characters of the anime series You're Under Arrest.  

I've written about the show and one character in particular in the person of Sgt. Aoi Futaba, who despite what far too many cis people in anime world mislabel as a crossdresser and misgender her, is undeniably a girl like us.

Aoi in the You're Under Arrest series realistically experiences the issues and emotions we go through as she lives her life and does her job as a Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department officer.

This photo I stumbled across of Miyuki and Ken's wedding gave me an idea for a short story based on Aoi and the You're Under Arrest characters..

Hope you enjoy it.

***

"Congratulations,  Mr. and Mrs. Nakajima!"  
"Thank you, Chief," Ken and Miyuki said in unison as they sat at their bride and groom table in the redecorated Bokuto Station cafeteria where their wedding reception was being held.  
"Took them long enough," said Natsumi.
So when are you and Shoji tying the knot, Christmas Cake?"
"I got your Christmas Cake, tramp"
"That's Mrs. Tramp to you, Natsumi." Miyuki said with a mischievous smirk on her face. 
"Keep it up Miyuki and I'm taking my wedding gift back."
"That would make you look bad, Ms. Maid of Honor."
As everyone chuckled over the good natured ribbing best friends Miyuki and Natsumi were giving each other, Miyuki noticed Aoi sitting at one of the tables in her bridesmaid dress forlornly picking at her food and gazing at the other couples dancing.  Ken noticed the concern etched on his bride's face when he asked, "What's wrong with Aoi?"
"Yeah, she was fine this morning before the ceremony," said Saori.
I think I know what might be bothering her, thought Miyuki.

"I'll find out," said Yoriko as she turned on her heel with the bridal bouquet in hand and walked in the direction of Aoi's table. 
"Kenny, do you have your cell phone?"
"Yeah Miyuki. Why?" he asked as he pulled it out of his tuxedo jacket pocket and handed it over to his wife.
"I'll explain later," she said as she started dialing a number and watched Yoriko amble toward Aoi.. 
Moments later she was at Aoi's table and settling into a chair next to her. "You all right?"
"I'm fine,Yoriko."
"You don't look fine, Aoi. You look unhappy."
"Just thinking about something, that's all."
"About what?"
"About my chances of experiencing a day like this."
"Aww, it'll happen for you."
"More likely it'll happen for you since you caught the bouquet."
"I was just lucky as usual."
"Umm hmm.  And who shoved me and two other girls out of the way so you could catch it?"
"Well, all's fair in love, war and catching bridal bouquets."
"I'll keep that in mind the next time one of your boyfriends is hitting on me."
Yoriko's eyes widened in shock before Aoi allowed a grin to spread across her face. .
"I'm kidding." Aoi said in an earnest tone. "You're my partner, I love you and you know I'd never disrespect you like that."
Yoriko nodded as they watched Miyuki and Kenny continue to accept congratulations from fellow officers and the reception attendees as Aoi sighed again..
"Miyuki made a beautiful bride today didn't she?"
"Yes she did.  She looks so radiant."
"She should.  She's been waiting for this day to happen for years."
After a few more sighs from Aoi and silent pauses to watch the happy couple, Yoriko finally decided she'd had enough and it was time to get busy with her mission of finding out what was bothering her patrol partner.
"So what's really bothering you Aoi?"
'What do you mean?"
"Ever since I sat down at this table, you been looking at the other couples, Miyuki and Kenny and sighing.  They noticed how sad you looked."
"I didn't mean to worry her."
"Well, she is.  She's concerned about you and so am I.   So spill it.  What's wrong?"
Aoi paused a few moments to gather her thoughts before she turned in her seat and faced Yoriko.
"This wedding has caused me to review my romantic life and notice it sucks."
"It sucks? You're the one that has handsome guys falling all over you every time we go out or on patrol," Yoriko said.
"Don't even go there, Miss I-Had-a-Middle Eastern-Prince-Falling-All-Over-Me."
"And I guess you forgot about.Go Kitakoji proposing to you."
"No, I haven't."
"What do you mean?"
"I've been thinking a lot about him this week."
"Really?" said Yoriko with a raised eyebrow.
"Umm hmm.  We were a couple for about a year."
"Wait a minute.  How did you pull that off and not have me or the media find out?"
"It wasn't easy.  And neither was keeping you from finding out."
Yoriko chuckled as Aoi recounted the story. "Three years ago he asked me to meet him in Hong Kong for a movie he was shooting there."
"You went to Hong Kong, too?"
"Sure did."
'So what happened?"
"He sent me round trip first class tickets from Narita.  When I arrived in Hong Kong I was picked up in a white limo and taken to one of the best hotels in town.   When I arrived in my room there were several vases filled with my favorite red and white roses." Aoi said as she savored the memory. 
Yoriko nodded as she continued. "There was also a heart shaped box of chocolate with a note from Go, and when I opened it a debit card was inside."
"What did the note say?"
"It was so sweet.  Go mentioned how much he was looking forward to seeing me when he was finished shooting for the day. It also told me to use the card to go shopping and pick myself up something nice to wear for our date later that evening."
'Wow."
"I go into the bathroom to freshen up before I go shopping, and there's a basket with my favorite bubble bath, perfume and a dozen more red and white roses."
"Sounds like he went all out."
"Yeah, he did.  And when he finally arrived it was a waste of time for me to get dressed that evening because we never left the hotel room."   
"Why?"
"Neither one of us wanted to leave," said Aoi. "Although he really wanted to, he was tired from the shoot and I was tired from the travel day.  So we just ordered room service, talked and caught up on what had transpired in our lives since we last saw each other."
"And?"
"And then he kissed me"
"'I knew it!" said Yoriko. "Get to the juicy part.  What happened next?"
"We ended up going to bed with me wrapped up in his arms.". 
"Aww, that's it?"
"Like I said, we were tired.  He didn't have to shoot the next day, so we spent the day together."
"And?"
"And it was wonderful.  When we got back to my room as soon as the door closed he gave me a kiss that just rocked me to my core."  .
"See Aoi...you always get the good ones."
"Nothing happened further than us stripping down to underwear.  I still hadn't had my surgery yet and I was still very insecure and shy about my body."
'You know Go loves you and doesn't care about you being a transwoman."
"I know, but at that time I hadn't gotten past that in my own mind.  I had a hard time believing he really did love me for being the woman I am despite what was between my legs."
They observed Miyuki and Kenny taking their first dance as a couple before Aoi continued. "The weekend came to an end and I headed back to Japan.   He invited me to come to his house two weeks later to talk, and it was that moment we decided to become a couple."
'Wow."
"He wanted to be honest and open about our relationship, and Sachiko and I wanted to keep it quiet out of concerns for his career.
"Who's Sachiko?"
"Go's publicist.  I also wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a repeat of what happened with the two jealous fans at Bokuto Station"
"That must have been hard on you, Aoi"
"It was, but Go made sure we spent quality time together.  He was there when I needed him to be, even when I had the surgery in Thailand."            
"I don't remember him being there with you.  I was at your bedside."
"Yes, you were Yoriko.   But not for the two days you went to Pattaya and the beach."
"Oops..forgot about that." 
"While I was with him he introduced me to several other trans women in Japan and from around Asia.  Two of us became great friends." 
She and Yoriko watched Miyuki hug Randy Hammond and his grandfather before she continued.
"I'll never forget one of the things Go said to me that weekend in Hong Kong."
"What was it?"
"It was just before we went to sleep.  I could feel his manhood pressing against me, he was planting kisses along my neck and caressing my body.  I felt so powerful and feminine until he reached his hand inside my panties and was about to touch me there."
"I tensed up and asked him to stop.  He complied, but said before he stopped stroking down there,'The genitals between your legs does not determine whether you are a man or woman.  What's between your ears and in your heart does." 
"He's right about that, Aoi."
Yoriko and Aoi were mildly startled to see Miyuki standing there before she sat down to join them at their table. "I've said for years you were more feminine than all of us at Bokuto Station.and joked that you were the daughter my mother wanted." 
They all laughed before Miyuki continued. "I wanted you as one of my bridesmaids and so did Kenny.  You're one of our dearest friends, you're one of the girls and you played a major role along with Yoriko and Natsumi in making this day happen."
"That was sweet of you to say.  You don't know how much I appreciate that."
"Kenny and I appreciate you agreeing to be part of our wedding.  Now can you do me a favor?"
"What is it, Miyuki?" 
"Can you put that beautiful smile back on your face for the rest of the reception?" asked Miyuki. "I won't be happy heading off to Hawaii for my honeymoon knowing that you were upset about whatever is bothering you."
"I think I can manage that for you."
"Good," Miyuki said as she hugged Aoi before getting up from her chair to head back to her table.
 The DJ stopped the music a few moments later and handed the mic to Ken for him to say a few words.
"Umm, Miyuki and I thank all of you for coming to our wedding, to this reception and for all the well wishes and gifts we've received as we start a new chapter in our lives together."
"We were wondering when you were going to wise up and marry her," someone shouted as the crowd chuckled. Ken let the laughter at his expense subside before he continued.
"We would like our bridesmaids and groomsmen to come to the front of the room.  We have gifts to thank them for participating in our special day."
It took a few minutes for them to make their way from their separate corners of the room to where Ken and Miyuki were standing and form the gender specific lines to receive their gifts.  First all the groomsmen received theirs, then the bridesmaids were next.  As Aoi approached and received hers, Miyuki was handed the microphone by Ken and she said "Aoi, wait a moment, we have another gift especially for you."
Aoi looked puzzled at first along with the other bridesmaids when she said that, and a low murmur went through the crowd speculating about what this gift could be.
"Aoi was one of the people along with Natsumi and Yoriko, responsible for getting me and Kenny to see how much we loved each other and belonged together.for the rest of our lives.  Now it's time for us to return the favor."
Miyuki paused for dramatic effect before saying, "You can come in now."
Some of the women in the room began to shriek when Go walked in to the opposite entrance to the room dressed in a black tux carrying a single white and red roses along with a stylishly dressed Sachiko flanked by two bodyguards.  Shock and then glee registered on Aoi's face as she spotted them, and she hugged both Sachiko and Go when they arrived at the spot near the DJ area where they were standing.
As Sachiko fished a small box out of her designer purse Go handed Aoi the two roses, smiled as he took the box from his publicist before dropping down to one knee.
"Aoi Futaba, I have loved you ever since the day I first laid eyes upon you many years ago.  That love for you has only grown over time and will not go away despite the many obstacles that have been placed in both our paths."
The tears were starting to flow down Aoi's face as Go continued. "Aoi Futaba, I cannot waste another minute of my life not having you in it.   Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Aoi said with excited glee as Go arose, placed the engagement ring on her finger and kissed her as  cameras flashed and people cheered .
When the excitement was over Yoriko nudged Aoi with her elbow to get her attention and then whispered into her ear, "Told you it would happen for you"
  
.

Fiction Writing-Take Me Away

In the mood to do some fiction writing this weekend.  Time to get reacquainted with some characters I created a few years ago and see what's transpired in their lives since the last time I wrote about them.

I also have the option of taking another path and taking the time to say hello to some new ones.  In addition to creating and getting to know them, I get the pleasure of figuring out their likes, dislikes and what exciting things are transpiring in the world that I can create and they'll interact in.

No matter which route I take, the bottom line is that it's been too long since I've done some fiction writing and I did promise myself I'd make more time to do so in 2011.   I just need to do some writing that unleashes some creative juices on a regular basis instead of the 'just the facts' and the editorial pieces I've been doing a lot lately.   

The news has been coming fast and furisously on many issues.  I'm happy to post it here at TransGriot with my analysis for your reading pleasure, and not  thank whose of you who drop by on a regular basis, I thank those of you in this Great Recession who have dropped your hard earned change in the tip jar as well.    

But inside me is a frustrated fiction writer yearning to breathe free....hold on a minute.

Lorynn, what do you mean I'm overdue with 'your' sequel to On The Wings of Love?   Damn, always the diva. 

As I was saying, there's a frustrated fiction writer yearning to breathe free.  Have some ideas for a few stories and they will include some positive trans characters of color since they are sorely needed in the fiction world.
. 
Just need to take some time and create them.

Call for Submissions: Transgender Literary Fiction Anthology

TransGriot Note:  Hmm.  may have to contribute something to this one.   More info about it here.   

Topside Press seeks short literary fiction for its debut title, to be published in late 2011. The collection will feature work by transgender authors and/or work featuring transgender protagonists. While there is no strict theme, the goal of this collection is to showcase fiction by and about transgender people and culture. The book hopes to reflect the diversity of trans experience; all people are encouraged to participate.

Deadline August 31, 2011

Interview With Moni's Fictional Ladies

"Hi, I'm Lanita Turner, ABC News journalist, weekend anchor and one of the characters in Moni's Capital Gains and Politically Correct novel manuscripts."

"Since The TransGriot has stepped away from her computer for a moment, we're going to take this opportunity to commandeer her blog and talk to her loyal readers.
I'm joined today by Lorynn Thibodeaux-Millard from On The Wings of Love, Erica Rideaux of Miss Thang, and my novel castmate Dr. Markita Johnson-Gant."

"As some of you readers know she does write fiction from time to time. She has shared some of her short stories and poetry on the blog. She has some manuscripts in various stages of completion she really needs to get busy finishing and getting published."

"Would you ladies agree or disagree with that assessment?"
"Yes, I agree, Lanita."
"And what leads you to give her work such a positive endorsement, Markita?"
"One thing I like about it is that some of them include positive trans characters of color doing more than just stereotypical stuff."
"You're so right about that."
"Erica, what are your thoughts?"
"I agree. I like the way she told my story. There are far too many negative stereotypes of African-American transwomen out there, and I love her for writing about the sections of our community that takes education and our feminine journeys seriously."
"I also like how she tries to keep it as realistic as possible when she writes her fiction."
"How so, Lorynn?" asked Lanita.
"I know she worked in the airline industry like I do, and consulted with airline industry friends when she began writing On The Wings of Love to make sure she was accurate in terms of post 9-11 procedures."
"She also likes weaving history and social commentary in it." said Erica.
"I like the fact she takes seriously the infotainment aspect of her writing, but I do have a problem with her mischaracterizing me last year on this blog as a diva."

"That's a nice segue into our next segment. Let's talk about you ladies individually. Lorynn and Markita, I know you're married, and Erica you're single like I am. Any chance you'll be walking down the aisle soon?"
"No Lanita, don't think so. I'm busy with my company and my blog. I'm at a point in my life right now where if it happens, it happens."
"It was a struggle for me just to get there." said Markita.
"Same here, sis," said Lorynn.
"But it was worth it in the end. Tommy and I are very happy and I got a wonderful stepdaughter out of it as well."
"Lorynn, any kids yet?"
"We haven't been blessed with any, but David and I are happily working on that while spoiling our niece and nephew. Hi, Jasmine! Hi, Trey!"
"I do the same thing with my sister's kids, and I'm the godmother to Senator Reynolds' twins," said Lanita.
"It's been a joy to see my stepdaughter grow up to become a wonderful and intelligent young lady."

"Now, ladies, let get to the juicy parts of your various stories. Erica, I know you were dating a guy at the start of your transition. Are you and Allen still together?"
"Sadly, no. We had some issues that broke up our relationship, but we're still friends."
"And Markita, girl, your drama was all over Capital Gains and Politically Correct. You got outed in the most publically humiliating way in the middle of a contentious political campaign, and you had to fight for the love of your man against a former lover wielding a child as her trump card."
"And as Sister Maya would say,'And still I rise'."

"Lorynn, you had an equally rocky road to travel as well in terms of overcoming the reservations of your now hubby in addition to a scheming ex."
"Well, there's no love lost between me and Marland Evangeline Devereaux that's for sure, but class does win out in the end..."
"Let me go...I've heard enough of this BS.." Marland said as she burst from backstage, past security and got within inches of Lorynn's face
'Ladies and gentleman, our other guest in this interview, Marland Deveraux!"
"What do you mean 'class wins out in the end'? You're still scavenging my sloppy seconds just like you did in Marrero."
"Shouldn't you be hanging out at the Texans training camp trying to snag you a new husband?"
"I got a man."
"And I got the man and the ring, Miss Thing. Isn't it pretty?" Lorynn said as security stepped between them.

'Well, that's all the time we have for this show, so tune in next time when we'll be talking to the men of Moni's fictional universe. I'm Lanita Turner saying so long until next time. We'll now return you back to your regularly scheduled TransGriot posts."

Fictional Gender Transformation

A staple of fiction is the theme of gender transformations, body morphing and gender swaps. It crosses all forms of media from books to films to television, and the examples are numerous.

I thought it would be interesting to post them on the blog from time to time so here's the first installment of fictional gender transformations.

A 'Fantasy Island' episode



A 'Gilligan's Island' episode



A 'Death Stalker' episode



An episode of a French TV show



A 'Homeboys From Outer Space' Episode

Feeling Fictional Today

Today I'm going to spend some time hanging out with Lorynn Thibodeaux, Nia Shakur, Marland Devereaux, David Millard, Niki Banks, Michael Lee and the rest of the gang back in H-town and I won't be hopping a flight home to do it.

All it will take for me to accomplish that is sitting down at my computer and using my imagination to visit the world I created for them in the novel I'm working on called On The Wings Of Love.

I love reading romance novels by author Kayla Perrin in my non blogging spare time along with novels by my other fave authors Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, E. Lynn Harris and Marcus Major.

While I'm garnering an increased profile in the blogosphere as a non-fiction writer (and thanks to all you peeps who do stop by TransGriot on a regular basis and even leave comments from time to time, hint, hint) I also love unleashing my creative side and writing fiction as well.

Wings is actually the third novel I've composed, but it's the first in which I didn't have a main transgender character in it. I'm actually working on another one that's centered in 1980's Montrose that focuses on the Black transgender/SGL community there. It's centered on a transgender character named Ebony from my first two novels whose story just begged to be expanded from minor character status. Wings is one in which I drew on my 14 years in the airline industry and all those stories and myriad incidents I've witnessed that beg to be told.

And yes, the names and physical descriptions of the guilty will be changed to protect them.

I've also surprisingly discovered you have to do just as much research or even more for a fictional story than I have to do for some of my blog posts. If you have it set for a certain time period, nothing spoils a story more than for an out of place reference that a savvy reader picks up on.

Wings is set at a fictional Houston based airline and focuses on the romantic travails of New Orleans born Lorynn, who doesn't like Black men. After a nasty breakup with a pilot she caught cheating on her, she meets David Millard, a ramp agent with a mysterious background who is non-revving on a San Francisco-Houston flight she's working on and is attracted to him.

David has issues with light skinned sisters since one broke his heart back during his Southern University college days. That sister, Marland Evangeline Devereaux is newly divorced from her pro ball playing ex, now living in Houston and wants him back.

Then there's gate agent Niki Banks, who's looking for her perfect man, but has yet to realize he's a lot closer than she assumed. There's also Lorynn's roommate and best friend Nia Shakur, who not only dispenses sisterly advice, she's trying to make a love connection with a handsome divorced gate agent who doesn't want to be diverted to Heartbreak City again. At the same time she's being pursued by her ex Quinton, the HPD cop.

The fun thing about writing fiction is that after you create the characters and set up the basic premise of the story, then you go from there. Sometimes the characters...hold up peeps.

Lorynn, what do you mean you have a problem with how I described you in the initial paragraph. Did you not say that the only thing a Black man could do for you was wash your car and shine your shoes? And wasn't the pilot you were dating married?

That's what I thought. Stop rolling your eyes at me, diva. You'll get your chance to prove 'errbody' wrong. So chill, have a beignet and a smile and trust me on this.

Now where was I? Oh yeah, sometimes the characters take you places you didn't expect to go once you start writing and they start interacting with each other.

It's fun to watch it happen as well.