Urbania Magazine interview

Interview with Sellout Author Ebony Wilkins
July 22, 2011 by Editor
Interviewed by Dana Rettig -Urbania Magazine

Being a teenager is not easy at all, but trying to seek your identity by being a part of a crew is more difficult than usual. In Ebony Joy Wilkins’ book, Sellout; the main character, Natasha Jennings does not fit in with the white kids in her suburban hometown. When Natasha runs into trouble with her mean, ill-willed peers; she runs and hides from them as if she’s running from the law. Not knowing that drama exists everywhere, she moves to one of the most merciless, hard-core cities in the United States of America- Harlem, New York. After facing some serious quandary with the kids at school, her grandmother, Tilly, suggests that she works with her at a crisis center for girls in the Bronx, so she can a get a feel of what the troubled, city slickers face on a daily basis.

Natasha is afraid to mingle with the girls at the crisis center, but soon begins to take tips from the troubled teens on survive anywhere in this world by learning that with a little courage, you can face anything predicament that may come your way.

UM: What motivated you to write Sellout? Which character(s) is/are similar to you when you were coming up?

EW: Sellout is loosely based on my own experience of transitioning as a teenager. I was once told in a writing workshop that you write best when you write about what you know. I can relate to elements of all of the characters in the book, but NaTasha’s character and her struggles, trying to fit into her world rather than leaving her stamp on it, are closest to my own. Reliving my own feelings through NaTasha’s eyes was an intense process for me. At times I found it hard to step far enough back from my experience to let NaTasha’s voice come forward. But it was important for her to carve her own paths and I tried to remove myself in order to let her do so. I was motivated to share Sellout because it’s comforting and inspiring for me to hear of others who share similar life experiences. I’m hoping this story will provide that comfort and inspiration for someone else.

UM: When you wrote the book, Sellout; what kind of feedback did you receive? Were the feedbacks positive, negative, or both?

EW: Writing Sellout took about two years to ‘complete’ and I received helpful critiques, and even a few rejections along the way from agents, but helpful responses from workshop partners, classmates, and other writers about how to improve the story. The overall message of the book remains, but the structure is quite different now from its original version. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. NaTasha’s story is a unique one, but her character and circumstance anyone can relate to. I do realize that everything I put on the page will not resonate with every reader, but so far, the response for her story has been a positive one. The harsh critiques are welcomed so that I look at my work through different lenses. It helps to know how the story I intend to tell is resonating with my audience.

UM: In your hindsight, what kind of advice do you have for teenagers not to fall victim to peer pressure and other life situations?

EW: I wished I would have listened to those who told me that high school is not real life, and just the beginning! Teenage years are a time to explore, to search, to enjoy, and to make decisions that set you on the path to your future. I believe now I spent too much time trying to fit into a mold, that I sometimes feel like I missed the opportunity to shine during those years. I don’t live with many regrets, but in hindsight, I would have settled into ‘me’ a little earlier. Peer pressure is all around, sometimes into adulthood, but I think it’s important to remember that we all have different lives to lead. Don’t spend too much time deterring from your own path, because it may take a lifetime to find your way again.

UM: Your online bio states that you have traveled to London, Switzerland, and Africa. Describe those moments of traveling to different terrains and meeting new people. When you are traveling to different countries, do you become encouraged to write or do you become enthused to do something else?

EW: I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to travel around the world with my family and have also seen parts of Canada, South Africa, and United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), and every one of those trips changes me. Experiencing other cultures and traditions, meeting new people, listening to conversations in multi-languages, visiting schools abroad, and witnessing the day-to-day activities in another country are fascinating. Just recently, I met another teacher in Durban, South Africa who writes books for children as well. We talked about our students, our classrooms, our writing, and goals for the future – amazing to learn how different our worlds, but how similar our paths. Travel has been one of the most important parts of my education thus far. It inspires me to write, to volunteer, to share my photos, and to pass along new information that I learn. Although we travel far distances, learning can happen anywhere, even if you’re just experiencing a new part of your home city – Getting out of your comfort zone opens up new worlds, new opportunities, and new ideas.

UM: Describe the significance of the voices of AA/YA fiction as well as the diversity as a whole.

EW: There is significance in African American voices in literature, young adult voices in literature, and diversity in literature. Reading a variety of voices is a learning experience in itself. For so long many African American voices were absent from children’s literature. I believe there is a huge turn-around in the last decade to include more diversity in literature, and I’m glad to be a part of it. As many diverse readers as there are, the need and space for diverse voices in the stories that we read, write, and share is even greater. I’m a firm believer that every person has an interesting story to tell and readers respond to stories with characters present in the literature that are relatable and identifiable.

UM: What advice do you have for children as far as peer pressure is concerned?

EW: The advice I can give is to stay focused on who you are as a person because the peer pressure will come. Peer pressure is like exams in school – you know you will have to face them. You can prepare by deciding who to allow as an influence in your life and what you will allow to influence your life and sticking to those decisions no matter the situation. Of course, this sounds easier than it will be. But trust me it is a horrible feeling to look back on a situation wishing you had made different choices, so some of those choices you can control and prepare for now. One more piece of advice would be to not let someone else get in the way of your own destiny. Always be true to you!

UM: What are your present and future endeavors?

EW: I am working on a PhD in education at the University of Illinois Chicago. The focus of my research is African American children’s literature and creative writing. In addition to studying, I am writing another young adult novel and attempting a male point of view this time. The new story is centered on one group of friends, bullying from older kids, and surviving their final year of high school. So far I have enjoyed getting to know these new characters and the writing process. In the future I plan to revisit NaTasha (and the rest of the Sellout crew) to find out what is happening in their lives.

UM: How do you deal with the good and bad side of life’s situations and more?

EW: The only thing I can do is count my blessings and pray over my trials. My favorite Broadway show is In The Heights and the cast sings a song called, Patiencía y Fe (patience and faith), and I walk around humming that tune at times to remind myself that God is in control of my right now, my tomorrow, and my next week. When the bad comes, I take it, pray about it, and let it go. I’ve learned that the only things in life I can control are the words that come out of my mouth and how I react to what comes my way.

UM: Where can people reach you?

EW: I love getting emails from readers and I usually answer pretty quickly! Email me at ebonybooks@yahoo.com or check my website at www.ebonyjoywilkins.com to follow my blog and find more info about Sellout and other writing news.