Thank you for joining me today, N.S. Ugezene. Tell me a little about your latest release.


I have an upcoming release which will be The Beginnings of Urbaya. This novel is staged in Illinois, sometimes in Chicago and also in a city that I made up which is Urbaya. This work showcases tragedy, the ability to keep going in the face of tragedy, and also triumph and transition in life.

Why urban fiction? What's the draw?

Honestly, I don't just stay within the confines of urban fiction. I try to crossover. I feel it is important to try different things and to make my fiction accessible to all type of readers. Unfortunately, I know I can't entice an avid reader of romance but I just let my creative juices flow. I hope that I can grab readers of different genres. I put love, pain. my blood, sweat and tears into writing. I am very passionate about the craft of fiction writing. I seek to know it at every angle.

I would like to change people's tendency to associate urban fiction with stereotypical behaviors. There are actually sophisticated urbanites. Urban lifestyle is diverse to say the least and I feel that urban lifestyle isn't negative. Some people do take it and make it destructive or nonproductive but I am here to put it to good use.

Do you remember your first completed story, even if it wasn't published?

I actually had the story that became Shaun Pascal in 2006. Back then, it was called Pascal's Life. I still have the manuscript. I reworked the story in 2008 and part of 2009. I was even working on various short stories and I still write short stories from time to time.

What was it about and how old were you when you wrote it?

Pascal's Life chronicled things in my life. My life was storybook material. When I reworked it, I drew from some comedy material as well as some philosophical and psychological influence.

What is your writing process? Do plot and plan or just go for it?

I always outline the content. Now, I will do some improvisation and trash many ideas if I feel it doesn't fit. I also think of how to twist and turn the story without trying to go for total impact in certain areas. I try to mirror actual literature because I want there to be something concrete in my work. I don't want readers to say that all I want is to make money and be a Bestseller. I want them to label me as the "Most Creative" or "Outside the box."

Do you write full time or do you have to fit your writing around an evil day job?

I will say that I write close to full time. I am a student. More than likely, I will generate money through the sole ownership of my imprint Ugez Novels.

What does your family think about your writing?

My fiancee really loves to read my stories and my aunt, uncle and mother give me ideas all the time. My mother once said that my novels could be a source of therapy for teens or anyone isolated or reclusive. I guess I have crafted works that have a somber tone and help people to vent. Also, they can help people to think and analyze their life.

Tell me a little about your backlist.

Shaun Pascal, Real Thoughts and I Love Honeys, Not NY will be in my backlist once The Beginnings of Urbaya is released. Lol. All good works in one way or another. :)

Do you have a favorite book that you've written? A favorite character?

Real Thoughts is my favorite because of the variety. I really was able to do different things and it's a collection of stories which uses different types of writing...analytical writing, persuasion, narrative, etc.

When you read for pleasure, who's your favorite author?

I like LaTonya Y. Williams, Arthur Nersesian, K'Wan, Terry McMillan, Jesse Washington, Cecil Brown. There are others but I have to get through their books first before I can determine them as one of my favorites.

What do you do to relax and have fun?

To relax I sit in front of the TV. For fun, I like to play video games..oh. Sitting in front of the TV again. Lol. I do get out and about when I spend time with my fiancee. I enjoy spending time with her and I hope writing helps me take her places all over the world like Spain, Argentina, Australia, and Paris. I really want to travel to see the world and not just be stuck in one place.

Thank you. I've really enjoyed chatting with you!

Thanks, Rie. It's been a pleasure.