Featured Interview With Penda L. James
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Dayton, Ohio, where funk music, poetry, and my family emphasized literacy. I am a film writer, podcaster, and author. I live in Cary, North Carolina, and I want to get another puppy one day.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been writing since sixth grade. My fascination with books started as a young child, reading Shel Silverstein poetry with my Grandma Dear. We used to siton her king-sized bed and she would act out the poems. I fell in love with words and started writing in fourth grade, because Grandma Dear would send me books and tell me to write book reports and send them to her in the mail. I would fill my journals with ruminations, poetry, and doodles. I still do.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am deeply inspired by Maya Angelou because her book, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” gave me a nudge to write my own story of resilience. I was sad that I couldn’t meet her in person. My other favorite authors are J. California Cooper, Victoria Christopher Murray, and Edwidge Danticat. I love to read memoirs, books about entrepreneurship, and poetry – Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou. Tupac is also one of my favorite poets.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
A woman must understand her mother’s life story in order to overcome her fear of being an unfit mother. Complicated relationships require understanding and forgiveness.
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