Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author, musician and blogger who is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia. I have written several songs and a lot of poetry. However, “Tales from the Gutter” is the first book that I’ve written and published. I love animals, gardening and I am a bit of a cheapskate!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Tales from the Gutter” is the name of my latest book. I was inspired to write it after laughing over past life experiences with a friend. I am the type of person who can get along with anyone. But, I realized that some of my more ghetto experiences would have my upper middle class friends clutching their pearls! I decided to put it out there and see where it goes. Some of the book is funny, some of it is sad and some of it is plain weird.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a night owl. I do a lot of my writing late at night and in the early morning. I don’t think that is too strange though!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read Hugh Gregory Gallagher’s book “Black Bird Fly Away” when I was 19 years old and it really affected me. Gallagher was a 19 year old college student who was stricken with polio back in 1952. I was born at a time where people did not have to worry about this. But, his writing was just excellent and he explored every facet of his feelings about being left paralyzed without sugar coating anything. We live in a culture that tells us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and “make lemonade out of lemons”. Gallagher did not go along with this forced cheer. He told frankly of his on and off again depression, his relationships and his learning to live and contribute to society again in spite of his disability. Gallagher also drafted the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and was a lifelong disability advocate. I find his work and his life to be so inspiring.
What are you working on now?
Now, I am working on writing some songs and promoting “Tales from the Gutter”.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found the best success going at it on my own using my WordPress site (https://krystalbrownblog.wordpress.com/new-e-book-release-tales-from-the-gutter/).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is to be organized. Before you start writing, do a “rough draft” of what you want to write about. Outline your thoughts on a sheet of paper. Be organized in your writing so that your thoughts will flow and everything will fit together better.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My aunt always told me to “have your own”. You really cannot depend on any other human being to take care of you. You have to plan, make wise choices and take care of yourself. No one owes anyone anything.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading “The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More, and Live Better” by Chris Farrell. As I said earlier, I am very frugal.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to continue to promote this book and see this book through first. After that, I want to continue writing of course. But, I want to write something in a completely different genre. I don’t want to get pigeonholed as a person who can only write about the urban experience or the black experience.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. Dracula by Bram Stoker
2. Black Bird Fly Away by Hugh Gregory Gallagher
3. God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World–and Why Their Differences Matter by Stephen Prothero
Author Websites and Profiles
Krystal Brown Website
Krystal Brown’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile