Abide with Me (Invisible Life Series #3)

Interviews & Essays

On Wednesday, March 17th, barnesandnoble.com welcomed E. Lynn Harris to discuss ABIDE WITH ME.

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Moderator: Welcome, E. Lynn Harris! Thank you for taking the time to join us online this evening to discuss ABIDE WITH ME. How are you doing tonight?

E Lynn Harris: I am doing great.

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Wanda from New York City: Can somebody pick this book up and start reading, or would they be lost? Also, which book do you recommend a new E. Lynn Harris fan start with?

E Lynn Harris: This novel does stand alone even though it is the end of a trilogy, but if you are to start out of sequence I would recommend IF THIS WORLD WERE MINE.

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Thumper from African-American Literature Bookclub: Hello. I love your books. I do have a question about Basil. My friends and I have noticed that Basil is in all of your books. At first, we couldn't stand him, but our opinion of him changed by the end of IF THIS WORLD WERE MINE. Our opinion went from, "I can't stand him" to "He's half-way human after all." Will Basil ever be the main feature in a novel of his own?

E Lynn Harris: The next novel.

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pac87@aol.com from xx: How close to Raymond Tyler do you think E. Lynn Harris is, and vice versa?

E Lynn Harris: Well, in the first two books I depended on him a lot in terms of telling me what to do and telling me to use a lot of my own life. But with this novel I told it from a third-person point of view because I think Raymond, like E. Lynn, will tell readers what they want to know. By telling it from the third person I had some separation, therefore I told it from that point of view.

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Beverly from New Jersey: I am an avid reader and have enjoyed your books. As a mother who tries to watch expenses I tend to borrow books from the library rather than buying. Am I hurting the industry for our wonderful black authors out there trying to make it? Thanks.

E Lynn Harris: Of course, we wish that people would purchase the books, not only out of selfish reasons but also because by owning books you enjoy one of the treasures in life. I have an extensive library of fiction and nonfiction. I love buying books, and even when things were tight it was still one of my joys. We are glad you are reading, but we also wish you had a personal library like a lot of the other fans.

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Sheila from Spring Valley, NY: How has your writing style changed from your very first book to the very last book you've written? And what authors would you say you've most shadowed?

E Lynn Harris: Good question. I am a little bit more secure in my writing now. I am more secure in my storytelling style. I really thought my first novel was a fluke, but my editors and writing experts told me to hold on to my unique voice, and even though I wanted each succeeding novel to be technically different, I was told to keep my voice. I don't really shadow any writer, but I guess my style is very similar to Terry McMillan's -- we tell stories as if we were telling the story one-on-one.

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Reginald from Home: Will there be any movies made from your books? A miniseries, perhaps?

E Lynn Harris: INVISIBLE LIFE and JUST AS I AM are both in preproduction right now, and INVISIBLE LIFE will be an off-Broadway play.

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Crystal from Reston, VA: Do you base many of your recurring characters on any of your friends and acquaintances? Are Peaches, John, Raymond taken from E. Lynn Harris's life?

E Lynn Harris: Most of my characters come from characters that I meet very briefly; then I imagine how they would be. I base these characters on one or two meetings -- then my imagination takes over.

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Monique from Fayetteville, AR: I read somewhere that you are a big University of Arkansas fan. Is that true? What do you think of Nolan's past year? Also, who do you like in the Final Four? Thanks! I can't wait to read ABIDE WITH ME....

E Lynn Harris: I was a Razorback cheerleader, and I just got back from the SEC tournament. I live and breathe the Hogs, and Nolan had a good year, but I would have liked to see us go farther in the tournament. And I am saying Kentucky and Duke in the finals.

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Paul from Pcrichton@yahoo.com: What advice would you give to aspiring authors? I know you had a rather nontraditional route to getting published....

E Lynn Harris: Stop calling yourself "aspiring" -- it is just "writer." I did have a nontraditional route in that I self-published my first novel, which a lot of people say is a kiss of death, but it turned out to be a godsend for me.

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Timmothy McCann from Florida: I did not read your first two books of the trilogy, but I am reading ABIDE WITH ME, and so far it is incredible. You have a way of writing that makes it feel as if you are actually listening to a conversation. What do you do to make your dialogue seem so realistic?

E Lynn Harris: I listen to the ear -- when I am writing I can actually hear the voices. As a writer you just start to hear the voices -- people walking down the street and conversations.

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Yolanda from Shreveport, LA: Mr. Harris, I am so excited to have this opportunity! What does E. Lynn Harris read when he's not writing? Although there might be a rather long list, what about someone at present? I like to see who authors admire.

E Lynn Harris: THE HARRIS MEN by R. M. Johnson -- it is not out yet. WAITING IN VAIN by Colin Channer. STIGMATA by Phyllis Perry.

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Tyra Russell from Mobile, AL: I love your books, they seem so true-to-life. My question is, What exactly is the Better Days Foundation?

E Lynn Harris: Better Days Foundation is an organization to help emerging writers. I am going to do this by grant, and I also want to bring authors to cities like Mobile -- current African-American writers who don't get to visit nonreading cities. I want to bring readers and writers closer together for dialogue. The name came from the idea that when writers start out it is so hard for them, and I want people to know there are better days ahead. You can support Better Days by buying hardcover copies of INVISIBLE LIFE -- the proceeds go to the foundation.

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Shakira from Shak@aol.com: Do you think the city of Atlanta is still the "hot" place for young African-American professionals that it was a couple years ago? Do you still live in Atlanta?

E Lynn Harris: I think Atlanta definitely is, but I live in Chicago now, and I still have family in Atlanta -- it is a great place for young black professionals to start.

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Hilly from New Orleans, LA: Who are those people on the jacket? Are they supposed to be Raymond, John, and Trent? Also, don't you think it is sometimes better for the reader to come up with an image in their heads, forcing them to use their imagination?

E Lynn Harris: Those are just people. Good point: They can be whoever you want them to be. I just want handsome men and women on the cover of my book.

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Patrice from Sadie's Corner: Hello, E. Lynn Harris. What does the E. stand for? Also, I would like to know if you will miss this cast of characters now that the series has ended. Will you?

E Lynn Harris: The E. will be revealed in a memoir, and yes, I will miss them; it is kind of sad letting them go but they are gone.

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Jeanette from Philadelphia, PA: I am curious to know a little bit about how you come up with your characters and stories? For instance, did you know what ABIDE WITH ME was going to be about even before you started writing, or do you find your writing more just kind of takes off on it's own?

E Lynn Harris: The writing takes off on its own. I usually start with the names and then take it where the characters lead me. Since I knew these characters I knew their background, but I didn't know what was happening with them now.

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Nicki Hand from Greenville, SC: Of all the character you have created, which is your favorite?

E Lynn Harris: I have several that I like -- Raymond, and even though he is complex I love Basil. I love Nicole, and even though I don't like her I loved creating the character of Yancey in the new novel.

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Fancy from Florida: I believe Terry McMillan also self-published her first book, and that also turned out terrific. Maybe that's the way to go when other people don't have the confidence you have in yourself. Comment, please.

E Lynn Harris: You have to have confidence in yourself, but Terry's first book was published by a major publisher. But she went out on her own to promote her book. I learned from Terry that promotion is very important.

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Steve from Bellingham, WA: What, to E. Lynn Harris, are the most important elements to good fiction?

E Lynn Harris: Great characters, fast-moving plot, and humor.

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Neena from Columbia, SC: What is your favorite part of being a successful, well-read author? Do you have a favorite part?

E Lynn Harris: The way people respond to you; it is really heartwarming.

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Tommy from Virginia Beach, VA: Will you ever make it to Virginia for a book signing?

E Lynn Harris: Actually, it just missed being on the tour. I am getting an award in Richmond this Saturday for my contributions to African-American writers, though I will not be able to accept it because I will be at a book signing in Fayetteville. I have recently spoken at Virginia Tech, and I did signings at Hampton and Richmond.

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Jessie from Chicago, IL: Hello, E. Lynn Harris. I read on the back of the book that you are writing a memoir. When can we expect to see it at barnesandnoble.com? Are you finding it more difficult to write than a novel?

E Lynn Harris: Yeah, it is more difficult. Right now it is due in August 2000. I keep rewriting it, trying to figure out what to tell and what not to tell. I've had a very interesting life.

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ML from St. Louis, MO: First you made all your readers hate Basil, and then in your last novel, in so many words, you explained why Basil is the way he is by letting the readers see what kind of family life Basil had. In what direction will you take Basil in your next novel? Kyle was one of my favorite characters. I know you can't bring Kyle back, but will you ever bring Peaches or any of his family members back?

E Lynn Harris: Peaches is in the new novel, and I am learning Basil as I write him, and as I learn more about him as a character I hope readers will become more accepting of him. But it still doesn't explain or excuse some of his behavior.

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Elke from New York: I know it's early, but what are your plans for New Year's Eve, 1999? Have you made any plans to end the '90s with?

E Lynn Harris: I want to be writing in my new home. I am staying off the road.

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Donna from Atlanta, GA: Are you touring for this book? Where?

E Lynn Harris: Yeah, I will be in Atlanta the last week of the tour. Check my web site -- www.elynnharris.com -- to get more specifics.

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Megan from New York City: If the Y2K bug wreaks its havoc, what books do you think you'd take along to read by the light of your home generator?

E Lynn Harris: I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou, GIOVANNI'S ROOM by James Baldwin, and INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison.

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Eric from St. Petersburg, FL: Can you give us a preview of your new book in context of the characters being straight, gay, etc.

E Lynn Harris: A combination of both. I always try to write novels indicative of the world I live in, which includes gay/straight, black/white -- that is what I love about my world: It includes a little bit about everybody.

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Lonnie from Boston, MA: As an African-American writer, how difficult did you find it to break out of that classification to be just a writer? I love your books.

E Lynn Harris: Unfortunately, Lonnie, we live in a world where people are more comfortable with labels then individuals. I have gone through two categories, as I was once categorized as a gay writer and as a black writer. At some point in my career I hope I will be just seen as a writer. I am moving up, I guess.

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Ed from New Jersey: We need more specifics. Who's working on the movie version of INVISIBLE LIFE? When will it be out, etc. We're big fans!

E Lynn Harris: It is still under wraps. Please be patient. But it is in good hands.

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Yolanda from Shreveport, LA: Mr. Harris, it's interesting to hear that some cities are, as you called it, "nonreading cities." Is that why we seem to never have any notable black authors in my area? By chance, are you coming anywhere near Shreveport?

E Lynn Harris: I just got a call from a store in New Orleans that helped me out when I just started, and they just opened a store in Shreveport, and even though they didn't make the tour, I will go out on my own. And when I say nonreading cities, it means cities that don't get good crowds, not cities where people don't read. I think they ignore these cities unjustly. On this tour I am doing Savannah because they said it would be an event, not just a book signing. I try to encourage my publisher to send me to nontraditional cities.

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LJC from Florida: It was mentioned to myself and a few others that you, along with some other African Americans, will be doing a cruise in the near future. Can you give a little information on the matter?

E Lynn Harris: I don't know the dates, but I am doing it. I am not doing the whole tour, but I am doing part of it, and I am looking forward to it.

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Moderator: We've enjoyed hosting you this evening, E. Lynn Harris, and hope you'll come back and let us all know what the E. stands for! Do you have any parting words for your online fans?

E Lynn Harris: I am most appreciative to my fan base. You guys have made me a literary superstar by telling your mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, boyfriends, and girlfriends about my novels. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart, and I hope that you will leave the session and call a friend to tell them that the book is in stores, online, it is everywhere. I didn't depend on the critics, I depend on you, and I am thankful.

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