A: No favorite authors, but The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee have to be at the top of the list. They're great pieces of writing that trigger deep thoughts about what goes on inside the human soul.

Q: You mesmerized millions of readers with the remarkable story of your mother and family in your bestseller The Color of Water. Even though the process of writing this book lasted 14 years, was this process of retelling your own personal experiences more difficult or easier than telling the story of fictional characters?

A: It's all difficult. At the time, writing The Color of Water seemed to be the most difficult thing to do in the world. Turns out that whatever I'm writing seems to be the most difficult thing to do in the world. Whether one is writing about oneself or about a fictional character, it's the same pain, laughter, joy… it's the movement of life. Fiction is simply following these characters and quelling the millions of tiny questions that percolate in your fictional character's head as he or she goes about their business. Non-fiction allows you to quell a lot of that buzzing because you're dealing with straight up and down facts, but you still have to get these people in and out of the room.

Q: It has been publicized that your novel Miracle at St. Anna is being made into a movie under the direction of Spike Lee with you writing the screenplay. How is writing a screenplay different from writing a novel? And what is it like to work with Spike Lee?

A: Films require economy of movement, dialogue, and lots of muscle to shove the heavy thing around the yard and hopefully fasten wings on it some kind of way so that when you fling it into the air, it somehow stays airborne. Books give you time to flex your muscles, build arteries and bypasses, and coronaries. It's a marathon (books) versus a hundred yard dash (film). Either way, you're a goner if you don't do your homework and research. Spike was great to work with. He was very demanding, on himself and those around him. He's the hardest working person I've ever met. Very reasonable. Very fair. Brilliant.

Q: Like Miracle at St. Anna, your newest novel Song Yet Sung is also drawn from historical events. What draws you to a particular period of history and why?

A: Who knows? It's just the muse. You're always looking to find a story that deals with the commonality of the human experience and how flawed folks (us) try to do the best they can.

Q: In addition to being a bestselling author, you are also an accomplished musician and songwriter. Do you feel that writing music is similar to writing prose? Or is one format more difficult than the other?

A: They are not similar at all. Writing is harder for me than music, but I do better at writing. These days, a lot of music is done by machine, which means the lame can walk, leaving those of use who believe in acoustic music at a disadvantage. There is cheap art in both worlds. You have to learn to live with it.

Q: You have worked often with memorable musicians and singers. Who would you name as your favorite(s) and why?

A: Purafe, a Native American singer, is my favorite. By far and away the most talented singer I've ever known. She's a Native American and an African American. She never gets the attention she deserves. The proof is in the pudding if you ever hear her music.

Q: If you were to give a fledging writer some advice, what would it be?

A: Most books are written between 5:00 and 7:00 in the morning, including mine.

Q: Is there something about yourself which is not commonly known that you can share with us?

A: I ride a motorcycle. Until recently, I owned a 1991 Volvo which I gave to a relative. I still miss that car. I drive a Subaru now, but am looking for another old Volvo.

Interview Date: May 2008
Profile and questions compiled by Kim W., University City Regional