How would you describe Trice Hickman?

I'd describe myself as a fun-loving yet serious minded person. I'm passionate about what I do and my relationship with my friends and family is very important to me. I'm a southern girl down to the bone and proud of it!

When did the writing bug snip you (or was it a snarling bite)?

I've always loved reading, so writing was a natural progression for me.. The writing bug snipped me when I took an Advanced Women's Literature class while in undergrad. Up until that time I'd only read the Judy Bloom and Nancy Drew type of books, but that class introduced me to talented African-American women poets and writers. It let me know that I too could publish a work of art. However, it wasn't until four years ago that I was actually able to pen a complete novel. Everything happens in its proper place and in it's proper time, and God directed me at the right time.

Do you have a special time or space to write?

Lately I've been doing most of my writing at night. I try to write everyday, even if it's just a page or two, or if it's just revisions to what I've already written (a lot of writing involves re-writing!). Writing is a very solitary endeavor, so you really have to make sure that you carve out time to properly devote to it.

Tell your fans about Unexpected Interruptions. What or who was your inspiration for this work? Can you identify with any of your characters--if so, how?

Unexpected Interruptions is a complex story about a young sister who finds herself falling for two men--one black, one white, both determined in their pursuit for her affections. As her relationship heats up with both men, she resurrects a painful secret she thought she'd buried long ago, and finds herself doing things she never thought she'd do. It's a thought-provoking story about love, race, class, and where one woman fits in.

Initially, my inspiration or focus for the book was to write a story that we seldom see in contemporary fiction; the best-friend/platonic relationship between a young black man and a young black woman. But very quickly the characters began to take on a life of their own, so I went with it. The end result is the story readers are enjoying!

I identify largely with my heroine, Victoria Small. We are both self-directed sisters who pour ourselves into whatever we do. We have quite a few things in common, our love of all things domestic; entertaining, cooking, and decorating. And we both have a best friend who is a man, and who is instrumental in our life.

Your website is very royal and stunning--like you :)! In your bio, you mentioned that you were from North Carolina. Do your Carolinian roots influence your writing?

Oh, thank you! And yes, my southern roots have definitely influenced many of the topics I write about. I grew up in a small town on the eastern coast of North Carolina, and I saw examples of all types of prejudice based on race, skin-color, class, and gender. Those observations come out in Unexpected Interruptions. There's still a lot of ignorance that people carry with regard to race in America and the traditional role of what society thinks relationships between men and women should be, so I wanted to explore that in my writing. I write about hot-button topics that have sparked interesting conversation with readers, and I'm enjoying the discussion!

Who are your favorite authors? Are there any you'd love to work with?

I have so many, both established and new authors who include; Tananarive Due, the late great Octavia Butler, Tina McElroy Ansa, Trisha R. Thomas, Marissa Monteilh, the writing duo of Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant, Nathan Mcall, Pearl Cleage, and Toni Morrison. Some new writers that I've had the privilege of reading their wonderful stories include; T.P. Carter, DL Sparks, Tamara Grant, and Peron F. Long, these are folks to watch out for!


What advice can you give aspiring authors?

The two most important pieces of advise that I'd give to aspiring authors is to never give up and to learn all they can about their craft and the publishing industry. You've gotta have thick skin in this business. Writing, especially fiction writing, is very subjective. Not everyone is going to like your work, but don't give up and don't let ANYONE discourage you from the dream in your heart or the story you want to tell. Fine-tune your craft, establish your own unique style, and listen the characters you create. Allow them to take your story to heights that will engage the reader. The creative side of a writer is what allows us the develop a complete story that readers will love, but there is a business side to our craft that we must learn in order to take our work to where we want it to go! I learn new things everyday about how the publishing world works. Do your research, align yourself with a mentor and network your tail off to help promote your book!

What impact do you believe book clubs have in the world of literature? Have you ever been a member of a book club?

I believe that book clubs are the life-line of an author's career. Book clubs are powerful groups and have a great influence in determining what books become best-sellers. They spread the word, and word of mouth sells books, period!! Many book clubs are also active in their communities, promoting literacy and civic-oriented projects. Years ago, when I lived in Dallas, TX, two girlfriends and I formed a book club called The Black Letters. That club is now defunct, but it was an amazing experience to fellowship with a dynamic group of women. I'm not currently a member of a book club, but lucky for me I've had the privilege of visiting with quite a few to discuss my novel.

What can your readers expect from you in the future?

My second novel is planned for release in February 2009, and my third novel, which is a sequel to Unexpected Interruptions (and will pick up six years down the road in the lives of the main characters), will be released in 2010. I've also written story lines for two additional books

Tell us something interesting about yourself that you wouldn't normally expose when first meeting someone (we call this the sistah-confession to help break the ice between newbies and vet-sistahs :)

Hmmm...something interesting about myself would be that I'm a handywoman!! I have a tool belt and a power drill, and I'm good!