Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year.
The lights, decorations, holiday cheer, parties, joyful laughter, the anticipation of another year so close. The best part of the holiday season is watching everyone slow down and enjoy the memories about to be created. Anything holiday related, particularly Christmas, sign-me up.
So, when Anthony emailed me about his new book, Every Year, Every Christmas, you can imagine how excited I was.
Hearing this title, instantly put me in the mindset to curl up next to a fireplace, with my favorite wine, candles glistening next to the Christmas tree and snuggled up with a cozy blanket reading about Bryant and Cassie’s love story.
Every Year, Every Christmas, was inspired by Luther Vandross classic Christmas song Every Year, Every Christmas (shame on you if you haven’t heard this song). I was able to catch up with Anthony before the holiday madness to chat about his latest novel.
Congratulations on your new novel, Every Year, Every Christmas. How did you get inspired by Luther Vandross Christmas album to incorporate into this novel?
The first time I heard Luther Vandross’ Christmas song, “Every Year, Every Christmas,” I felt there was a story behind the song’s lyrics – a story that was heartfelt and moving. It instantly became one of my favorite holiday songs. That was in 1995 when the song was released. Three years ago, during the holiday season, I was listening to the song on the radio when I began imagining a story – much like the song, about a couple meeting, falling in love, and then parting and promising to meet again. But for some reason they don’t. The following year, when the holidays came around and I heard the song, I thought about the story again. That year, I gave the couple names—Bryant and Cassie. Last Christmas, I was in the car when “Every Year, Every Christmas” came on the radio, and I immediately thought about Bryant and Cassie. Right then, I knew it was time to put their story on paper.
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “cuffing season” which we are in now; what are your thoughts on this? Do you feel during the fall and winter season people are more prone to be in a relationship or want a relationship?
The first thing that came to mind when I was asked these questions, is being 10 years old and listening to my uncles and their friends talk about getting an ole lady to settle down with when the weather turned cold. I understood what they meant, but I think it’s more to it than just having someone to snuggle up with and stay warm. Cooler weather has a tendency to slow life down, which gives us time to be reflective and think about self. This makes for a more intimate time of year. When I was writing, Every Year, Every Christmas, one of the things I had to consider – being the skeptic I can be sometimes, is whether it’s possible for two strangers to meet and fall in love after spending a few hours talking, shopping, and talking. Because I tend to “wanna be loved” during the holidays, especially Christmas, I concluded that it was possible.
Does social media play a part in your writing process or inspiration to write new books?
Social media is important in promoting and marketing my work. Before I start to write, it helps me see what people are reading, what they are interested in, and their reactions to books, movies, televisions shows, and music.
Luther Vandross Every Year, Every Christmas is a serious classic with a feel-good warm vibe; does your novel give the reader the same energy?
Yes, it does. People know and love this song, which meant, the novel had to evoke the same emotions as the song. While writing the novel, I listened to the song and watched the music video before I wrote each chapter. This helped me ensure the tone of the novel matched the song. Also, I deliberately chose a corner café in Chicago, Pearlie Mae’s Café, for the couple to meet at and get to know each other. This is the café Bryant returns to every Christmas Eve hoping to see Cassie. The café and its staff add warmth and charm to an already magical romance between Bryant and Cassie.
Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
Bryant is my favorite character because his faith – his belief that what he shared with Cassie was real, makes us believe in the power of love and the wonder of Christmas.
With a musical inspiration for writing this novel, what was your writing process? Was it the same as before or how did it differ?
Unlike my other novels, Every Year, Every Christmas, had a source material – Luther’s classic song. I wanted to be sure the story consistently matched the tone of this beautiful and heartfelt song, so I listened to the song before I wrote each chapter of the novel. I even watched Luther’s music video of the song, so I could capture the flavor of the video in the novel.
What project(s) or book are you currently working on?
I have a tendency to work on more than one project at once. Right now, I’m writing my next novel, The Boy Who Walked on Air, the first in a coming-of-age adventure series. I’m also working on a new play, Why Do All My Wives Want to Kill Me, a raucous comedy about a man and his four wives. In 2020, my goal is to produce my first feature film, a Christmas dramedy based on my stage play, The Long Goodbye.
In this day and age, how do you market and promote your work?
I’m still learning to use social media, and I’m already seeing its impact. I’m a professional journalist, so I’ve used many of the resources and contacts I’ve acquired over the years to promote my work via print and broadcast media. My new novel, Every Year, Every Christmas, is inspired by one of radio’s most-played holiday songs, so we’re using radio to market and promote the novel.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
The best advice I can give was given to me by one of my journalism professors, Lloyd Benson, at the University of Florida. He said, “Write to be read.” Before you start writing, remember you’re writing for an audience – a reader, then tell your story.
Name three authors you would find in your library?
Toni Morrison, August Wilson (plays), and Ernest J. Gaines (I’m currently reading his work.)
Which one of your novels could you see as a movie and why? And who could you see playing the leading role(s)?
I can see each of my novels as movies. In fact, I’ve already written and I’m currently marketing the screenplays to Our First Love and The Pages We Forget. I plan to adapt my new novel, Every Year, Every Christmas, into a screenplay during the holidays. As for who I see playing Bryant and Cassie, I think Michael B. Jordan would be perfect as Bryant and Kat Graham would be spellbinding as Cassie. By the way, I’m looking forward to seeing the holiday film, Last Christmas, which was inspired by George Michael’s classic holiday song, “Last Christmas.”
a Curvy Virgo five questions to ask:
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I look at the clock to see if I have time to catch a few more minutes of zzzzz’s. If not, I have a cup of coffee and check my email, before I get started.
What would you tell your twenty-one-year old self?
To take a little more time to stop and smell the flowers along the way.
If you could invite any woman to dinner who would it be?
Oprah
Best advice you have received…
When I was around six, my mother told me, “You’re mine, and if anyone has a problem with anything about you, tell them I said you’re perfect and if they don’t like it, to come see me.”
Life motto you live by…
The game isn’t over until you stop playing.
Catch up with Anthony on-set, as Atlanta New African Grove Theater Company will be producing Anthony’s hit play, The Long Goodbye December 13-22nd, 2019.
Get your tickets today!
The Long Goodbye is a dramedy about love, hope, and letting go. For Mrs. Pet, disbelief is the easiest way to deal with the death of her only child, 28-year-old Amy. For Clarence, Mrs. Pet’s husband, and Terry, her son-in-law, time is the best medicine. It’s been nearly two years since Amy died on Christmas morning. And for two years Mrs. Pet has patiently waited for her to return, believing that Amy didn’t die, but went away until she was better. Mrs. Pet has been trapped in time since that morning, refusing to remove her Christmas tree or decor.