Tracy Farnsworth

Tracy - First and foremost, I would like to thank the both of you so much for fitting TRRC into your schedules. You have no idea what an honor it is to get this opportunity! Now Billy Dee Williams is a well-recognized name for most, though I have run into a few who needed to see a picture to connect. Could you both tell readers a little more about yourselves and how you came to work on TWILIGHT together?

Billy Dee Williams - I've always wanted to do a romantic novel, so this was a natural progression for me. Elizabeth and I have the same literary agent, who introduced us, and our ideas meshed in such a wonderful way, it's been a very harmonious free-flow of ideas.

Elizabeth Atkins Bowman - Since I live in Detroit and Billy lives in Los Angeles, I flew out there to meet him two and a half years ago, for a lunch meeting. It turned into a 4-hour brainstorm session as we talked about plot, characters, themes, and enjoyed delicious Italian food and flourless chocolate cake! For the most part, I'm very business-oriented, but I did have some moments of "oh my goodness, I'm sitting here talking with Billy Dee Williams!" He's a very down-to-earth person, and our chemistry has blossomed into a wonderful friendship and working partnership.

Tracy - Mr. Williams, discovering that you have penned three mystery/thriller novels surprises me. Everyone knows your name through your movies, my eight-year-old son heard your name and yelled "STAR WARS", so even with the younger crowd you have quite a following. I also know you are a professional artist. I had the pleasure of viewing a number of your paintings online. (http://bdwworldart.com/) How did you come to write books? Did you find the transition challenging?

BDW - I've already written two science-fiction type books with Rob MacGregor, PSI/NET and JUST IN TIME, which deal with remote viewing, something that's always interested me. The goal in all of this is to transform the books into movies; we're working on a script for TWILIGHT right now. I'm involved in a lot of different creative projects, and writing books is just one of them that I enjoy. Working with Elizabeth has been very smooth, as we critique and revise the story, so it has not been challenging. We wanted, from the start, to create something new and different that can get us away from the same old tired discussion about black and white, onto a more global perspective about humanity.

Tracy - Ms. Bowman, you have penned four novels, TWILIGHT which is your collaboration with Billy Dee Williams, DARK SECRET and WHITE CHOCOLATE. I believe, you also have written Sean "Puffy" Combs biography, which is due out soon. The switch from fiction to biography could be difficult for some. Did you have a hard time switching to fact rather than fiction? Can you tell us about your previous books?

EAB - My training as a journalist -- starting when I was a reporter at my college paper at University of Michigan, getting master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York, then working as a reporter for four years at the Detroit News, and freelance articles at Essence, Ms. and Black Issues Book Review -- has given me the skills to segueway into a variety of different writing styles. The Sean Combs book, which I actually wrote a couple years ago right when his nightclub shooting incident was unfolding, and they've held off publishing it so far, was easy to write because it was all about research and reporting. I did not get to interview him, as his PR person said he was overexposed, on every magazine cover at that time. As for my other books, I wrote the first one, WHITE CHOCOLATE, while I was a reporter at the Detroit News, covering race relations. I had written my master's thesis at Columbia about the biracial experience and history in America, then set out to bust the "tragic mulatto" myth by creating a confident, mixed-race heroine name Taylor James. She's a TV reporter determined to use her dual heritage to make the world a better place, so she goes under cover in a hate group, does a huge TV expose, sends the hatemonger leader to prison, but he gets out, threatens her life while she's caught in a sizzling love triangle with a network executive and her biracial first love, a big-time entertainment TV reporter. Then I wrote DARK SECRET, which is about two biracial sisters from Detroit--one moves to New York, creates a new, glamorous life as a white woman, but her black mother is dying, and only Camille can save her by donating a kidney. Camille's sister Karen tracks her down after 10 years, threatening to expose the fact that Camille is passing to the family she's marrying into -- the family of a conservative senator who lives in a 300-year-old plantation house in Virginia! Needless to say, scandal explodes from there!

Tracy - The characters in TWILIGHT seem somewhat autobiographical. To what extent do the characters of Simone Thompson and Sonny Whittaker mirror each of you?

BDW - Sonny is a sort of ridiculous human being who's gotten himself into a whole lot of trouble with women. But he's trying to do the right thing. I opened up some of my experiences and my life to Elizabeth as we created this story full of melodrama and glamour, like Dynasty. Sonny is also my nickname in real life. So some of Sonny mirrors me, but a lot of it is melodrama.

EAB: My mother is a judge in Detroit, chief judge of 36th District Court-- but she's very serious and by-the-book when it comes to the rules, so she would never engage in such scandalous behavior as Simone Thompson! However, she did read the courtroom scenes to check for technical accuracy, just as I had a stockbroker review an embezzlement scheme in DARK SECRET, to make sure it was correct. Of course, as a woman, I pour the emotion and sensations of falling in love into the character, drawing on my own life experience. Reliving that through Simone is always a thrill! Also, the title TWILIGHT is symbolic of the blending of color and culture we're seeing in America and around the world. Just as day and night blend at dusk and dawn to create a kaleidoscope of colors, so too are people uniting in love to create babies and people of every hue and texture and perspective, as part of this wonderful melting pot of humanity.

Tracy - Mr. Williams, from my viewpoint, I can’t imagine the stress on the daily life of a celebrity – from paparazzi to autograph seeking fans, nor do I think I would want to. Sonny faces a lot of the day-to-day strife, but he strives to keep his children out of the turmoil and to keep his Hollywood life from wrecking his chances for custody. Is this a realistic view of the battle that stars face? How do you keep your children out of the limelight? I admit I had no idea you had children, so you have done a fantastic job!

BDW: Pick up any tabloid and you'll see, a lot of celebrities have their whole lives exposed for the world to see. I try to keep my privacy, and it's important to let your children discover who they are, and what they want to do in life. As a father, I've always let my children make their own decisions as individuals.

Tracy - When you both are not writing, what other hobbies do you have? Do you read? What is currently on your reading pile?

BDW - I read everything, from Eastern religion to Shakespeare. I'm also a painter, with some of my work on display at the National Gallery in Washington and the Schomburg Museum in New York. I keep in shape by going to the gym every day.

EAB: I'm a fitness enthusiast, and I work out every day, too, because it enhances every aspect of my life. I've lost 100 pounds and kept it off for 3 years, now strength training to really tone and feel strong. I've never felt better, and I preach the benefits of what I'm doing to everyone I meet like it's the gospel! So I run, strength train, bike ride. I also write poetry. Yes, I love to read -- everything!

Tracy - Ms. Bowman, you do a lot of public speaking. Where are you headed to in the near future? Will the two of your be doing a book tour together?

EAB - I love speaking to groups because I'm learning what an impact it has on people -- two years ago I spoke at a luncheon in Chicago -- sparking a standing ovation from 3rd graders and grandmothers alike. I was stunned, and realized I have a gift that inspires hope and happiness, that God gave me and I need to share... So, I don't know where I'm headed, exactly, but it's definitely in a direction that can open peoples minds and hearts and continue to share the message that we love with our hearts and minds, not our skin, that love is colorblind. And yes, Billy and I just toured around Detroit and Chicago, and you can check out my website for a listing of future booksignings and appearances: www. lavender-dream.com

Tracy - The legal, courtroom, aspect of TWILIGHT struck me as extremely true to life. Do either of you have training in law? How did you get the details down so perfectly?

EAB - As I said earlier, my mother is a judge, and my husband is a lawyer, so I live and breathe the details every day.

Tracy - Mr. Williams, you have had an impressive acting career (most popularly known as Lando Calrissian in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI). I also read that you studied with Sidney Poitier, one of my all-time favorite actors! That must have been such a thrill. Are you currently involved with any film/TV projects?

BDW - I'm in "Undercover Brother" right now, a hilarious movie. I play a Colin Powell type character. I'm also about to start filming "Constellation", a movie set in Alabama with the same filmmaker -- Jordan Walker Pearlman -- who did "The Visit", which I was in last year.

Tracy - Mr. Williams, I was surprised to see you spent a couple years on the daytime soaps (ANOTHER WORLD and THE GUIDING LIGHT). I have heard a lot of actors/actresses say soaps are the hardest job in acting – learning a new script daily. Were you able to use that experience while you were developing the romantic aspect of this story?

BDW - Of course, every role I've done has helped me evolve into who I am today. I love romance, the idea of two people having that spark that draws them together. We tried to explore just what that is, where it comes from, what it means to two people who fall in love.

Tracy - Reviews have been extremely positive. I have seen comments urging the two of you to work together in the future, as well as the hope that TWILIGHT may eventually make it to film. Do you have any plans to collaborate in the future? Have you had any interest from any of the movie companies? What is up next for the two of you?

BDW - Yes, we're talking about new ideas now, as well as fleshing out a script for TWILIGHT.

EAB: We're coming to realize how unique and successful our partnership is. At a book party in Detroit to celebrate the release of TWILIGHT, Billy and I autographed more than 600 books for friends and family in one evening! It was phenomenal and wonderful, to see that outpouring love and excitement over this project and this partnership.

Tracy - Thank you both so much for your time! It has been an honor! If there is anything either of you would like to mention, please feel free!

We hope people will read TWILIGHT and have fun, but also take something away from the story about what it means to be human, and how beautiful and mystical it is to fall in love when you find your soul mate. Thank you for your support... we appreciate your interest in TWILIGHT.