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Meet the Author: Cheris Hodges
Novelist Cheris F. Hodges, a Bennettsville, SC native, started writing at an early age. She knew in high school she was going to be a writer and joined the school newspaper. While she was in college, she wrote fiction. She is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, where she majored in journalism. While she covered the police beat for the Covington News in Covington, Georgia, Hodges self-published her first novel, Searching for Paradise. She has since written several best-selling African-American romance novels and had them published by Genesis Press. Her novels include Revelations, Cautious Heart, A Love of Her Own and Second Chances at Love. The Business of Love will be out in September 2006 and Just Can’t Get Enough will be published in 2007. The books are set in North and South Carolina. “A lot of people write books about the south and don't capture the flavor of the Carolinas. I want to put South Carolina and North Carolina on the literary map” said Hodges. She is a journalist with the Charlotte Post.
Q&A with Cheris Hodges
Q: When did you begin writing fiction?
A: I started writing when I was 16. There were no books out that really spoke to me and my friends, so I tried to write about things that I liked. Professionally, I wrote my first novel in 2000.
Q: How has your writing changed? Who were your mentors along the way?
A: I think from the beginning to now my writing has gotten better. I’ve learned how to tell a story that draws readers in, use foreshadow, flashback and other methods that add to the story. Along the way, I drew from people like Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers and Donna Hill. They’re writing is so fluid and they are the trendsetters in African American romance.
Q: How did you get your debut novel published?
A: I self published my novel Searching For Paradise with Iuniverse.com. It was a lot of work and I vowed to never do it again.
Q: Will any of your characters develop into a series such as Caprice Johnson in Cautious Heart?
A: I am currently working on a series, which is about a football star and his less than famous brother.
Q: Do you plan to set your next novel in Charlotte?
A: My next novel is set in Atlanta, but I will be writing at least two novels with Charlotte ties.
Q: If you were to give a struggling writer some advice, what would it be?
A: Keep writing and develop a thick skin. Even after being published you still face rejection. Learn as much about the craft as you can, because your writing should always grow.
Q: Are there any literary characters and/or books which you can easily call your favorites?
A: Janie in Their Eyes Were Watching God, Savannah in Waiting To Exhale, Caprice Johnson from my novel Cautious Heart. I had so much fun writing her.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: There are so many, but the one that means the most to me is Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Q: What is your next favorite past-time other than reading and writing?
A: Riding my bike and listening to good Jazz.
Q: Is there something about yourself which is not commonly known that you can share with us?
A: I’m a Ford Mustang freak. I’ve wanted one since I was 16 and finally I have one. I really love the classics and I can’t wait until I can get a baby blue 1964 one.
Q: What upcoming projects do you see on the horizon for yourself in the coming months?
A: I just signed with Kensington Publications. It’s a two book deal The first title, “Can't Get Enough” will be released in August, 2007. In September, The Business of Love, will be released from Genesis.
Interview Date: August 2006
Profile and questions compiled by Megan M., Main Library
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