I distinctly remember coming back to college after my freshman year (freshwoman, really). I still felt fresh. Being new to the school was part of my identity. And yet, I came back from my first summer vacation, I saw this new group of people I didn’t recognize. They were walking around with maps in their hands, looking lost. Seeing those dazed and anxious faces, I realized that I was indeed…

Last week, my debut novel UPTOWN THIEF was published. As I reflect on the experience, I recall that 2004 was the last time I launched a full-length project into the world. It was a solo show, Thieves in the Temple: The Reclaiming of Hip Hop. (Thus far, I seem destined to have the word Thief in my titles). Because the launch of my solo show is my only frame of reference,…

1. The original title of the book was The Manhattan Escort & Larceny Service. My editor Mercedes Fernandez didn’t like it. Too long. We brainstormed for a while, and my new favorite was Downtown Madam, Uptown Thief, which she shortened. At first I wasn’t totally sold on it, but It’s really grown on me and now I love it. 2. The book originally started with Marisol stuck in an air…

Second time around In some ways, I’m a second round debutante. In 2004, I did a solo show. It was my first full-length work that had been publicly produced. Of course, the producer was me. The writer, the actor, the dancer, the prop master, the production assistant, the graphic designer, and the makeup artist? Also me. Designing and printing the programs? Me again. I had a fabulous director, who also…

This week on The Debutante Ball, we’re looking back at our New Year’s Resolutions. I have made many resolutions in my life. They are mostly concerned with accomplishment: reaching goals, developing good habits, doing more exercise. This year, however, I resolved–on this very blog–to have more inner peace to go along with my external accomplishments. As part of being grounded, I also resolved to stop eating sugar. What good does…