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Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now Author Dana L. Davis on Acting, Black Representation, and Writing Her First YA Book
Happy book birthday to Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now, the debut novel from actress Dana L. Davis. Tiffany Sly is a black teen who must move in with the father she never met—and the four sisters she never knew she had—after her mother’s death from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Tiffany’s father, Anthony Stone, is a strict Jehovah’s Witness, and the last thing he’ll accept is someone questioning faith the way Tiffany does. She finds solace in her neighbor Marcus, but he and his family are not accepted by the Stones because his moms are gay. And all the while, Tiffany can’t get comfortable, because another man from her mother’s past is looming, and he’s certain he’s actually Tiffany’s biological father. The novel deals with questions of what makes a family, how to define boundaries, and who has authority over other people’s lives. Davis is an actress who lives in Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to have the chance to ask her a few questions.
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Where did you find the inspiration for Tiffany?
I think Tiffany came from my ability to see that all people have many versions of themselves. We have our online persona, our persona as a parent or a partner to someone. Our persona when we’re with out friends. And I think it’s okay! So often we have self-hate because we think we have to “keep it real” as the old saying goes. But what does that even mean? We can be sad one moment and on the floor with laughter the next. All of our moments are real. I love that Tiffany is broken but also incredibly funny. And honest! And wise. And also foolish and…and…I mean, I could go on and on. She represents my journey to find self-love with all the different versions of myself and to love all the different versions of the people in my life as well.
Tiffany is struggling with whether one man is her father or another. Why that storyline? Why not just write a book about Tiffany meeting her family and clashing with them?
I think often in YA the main character can come off as a little bratty and quite frankly…unlikable. I didn’t want that with Tiffany. With the paternity test looming, I think it allows the reader to have continued empathy for Tiffany so that she doesn’t come off as someone who is entitled or not appreciating the things she’s been given. Who cares about a multimillion dollar home and a fancy private school when…this might not be the place where you belong?
One of the things I appreciate about this book is that not only is it diverse, but it deals with wealthy black Americans, and we don’t often see that in YA. Why was it important to you to show this socioeconomic diversity?
Because let’s face it, writers often have a go-to when writing people of color. I feel passionate about a new narrative for black characters. When black characters are involved, I don’t always want it to be about a black issue. Sometimes I want a black character to simply have…an experience. Where are the epic love stories with black characters? Where are our princesses and princes? Why are our characters being stuffed into a box? I wanted to show this socioeconomic diversity because it’s real! Rich black people exist. We need more stories about them, too.
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Marcus is a really fascinating character unlike any other I’ve read in a YA book. Tell me about his whiteface, and tell me about his background as an inspirational writer and medical marvel. Where did that inspiration come from?
I love Marcus. Ha! I hope that doesn’t make me the ultimate narcissist since I created him. He was actually birthed from a person I knew as a kid. Her name was Martha Davis and I thank her in my acknowledgments. She terrified me. And everyone in my town called her Clown Lady. She was a black woman who wore white makeup, red blush and a blonde wig every day. Whenever I saw her I would freak out and literally run. I even remember as a kid seeing her in stores and yelping and darting away. But as an adult I started to think about her a lot. What if Martha was just making a choice outside of the norm? What if she was perfectly content with her white makeup and we were the ones with the problem? She was a law-abiding citizen and never hurt a soul as far as I knew. And that was the beginning of creating Marcus McKinney. Here you have this boy who has a very legitimate reason for wearing white makeup and yet…let’s just be honest…it would be creepy to run into him on the street! We are a society of social rules. Made up social rules, mind you. But we need people to stick to them so that we can feel comfortable. I created Marcus to perhaps assist with the movement of stepping out of trying to behave and dress in away that makes others comfortable, rather than simply being…you. As long as who or what you are doesn’t hurt or harm another, why should it be considered bad or weird? Weird is the new normal. Ooooh…that would make a great saying on a T-shirt!
I think only a highly evolved soul would be able to step outside of social rules so easily. So I had to make him extraordinary. His terminal illness and his brush with death helps the reader suspend disbelief. He’s wise beyond his years. Anyone with his past and struggles would be.
This is your first YA book, though you have acted in many teen-centered movies and television shows. What do you love about YA media?
Good YA has this incredible way of taking a serious issue and breathing life and light into it. From a society gone so wild we need a death competition with kids as players, to creepy vampires, immortals, runaways, love stories, death, destruction, dystopia…you name it…YA can find a way to bring it to life.
What took you from acting to writing?
I saw a need. I’ve been complaining about the roles offered to me for years. Not enough leading ladies of color. Too many stereotypes or played out narratives. I decided I didn’t want to complain anymore. I wanted to be a part of the solution. And Tiffany Sly was born.
Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now is on shelves today.