I Ain't Said Nothin' But A Word...

I love reading. I get excited when I discover a new author or find an outstanding story. I’m eager to leave reviews and share with others my new finds. When a book or story is lackluster, leaving me less than thrilled, I usually remain silent. I know the effort that an author has put into a story. I know how hurtful a bad review can be. It is not for me to dash anyone else’s dream because what I might not have liked, someone else may have loved. Recently I read books that left me disappointed, and angry. One was an award-winning title, the author gleefully claiming a coveted statue for her efforts. Clearly what I hated, others found award-worthy. And that actually scares me. The story was as well-written as any other in the genre. Its formulaic plot hit all the buttons that her publisher required. But as a woman of color, I found it as insulting and as distasteful as any story I have ever read. The story featured a Native American heroine. She had self-esteem issues, co...

Like many families this week, we were having a discussion about the two African-American men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile who were gunned down by police officers, the despicable acts captured on video and streaming over social media. And then the subsequent act of vigilantism where a young black man allegedly ambushed and shot ten police officers in Dallas, Texas in retaliation. Remembering back when I was a little girl and my father owned a business in the community where he often encountered black boys and young black men, many who had no father, I recalled how he would advise them on how to behave whenever encountering the police. I remember him telling them to always ensure their hands could be seen. To keep their fingers wrapped around the steering wheel if they were in a car. To hold them, palms open, high above their heads if they were on the street. I remember his admonishments to always be respectful, “Yes, sir! No, sir.” To comply with what...

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I am humbled and honored. Being acknowledged for what I love to do is a blessing. I am grateful!

Are you NOT able to make The Diamond's Literary Tea Party on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 12:00 - 3:00pm at the 21C Museum Hotel in Durham, NC? We're sure going to miss you! But we don't want you to miss out! Enter for your chance to WIN a DIAMOND TEA PARTY GIFT BOX! What's in a Diamond Tea Party Gift Box? All the gift bag swag from the Literary Tea Party event. A wonderful selection of books from all the participating authors! Fourteen authors means fourteen plus books. Maybe even an advanced read or two. You'll be delightfully surprised! A wonderful selection of books from non-participating authors! Too many books to list but we'll be giving you sneak peeks on Deborah Fletcher Mello's Facebook page throughout the week! Gift cards from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com to buy your own favorite books! A monogrammed throw with your name embroidered on it to wrap around you as you curl up with your favorite literary read. Tea! Yes, Tea! And...

I am sitting in the midst of greatness. Twenty-six female authors came together in Destin, Florida this weekend to celebrate their love of literature and their joy for writing. They came from all corners of the country, at varying levels in their writing careers. There are the seasoned professionals, the mid-list authors, and the newbies. They are all spirited, driven, and determined to transcend the perception of who they are as black women and as black women who write. They have gathered to share information and perfect their craft. What they each do is an art and not one takes the responsibility of being better at it lightly. The abundance of support and encouragement is monumental, each wanting the others to do their very best in an industry that often takes them and their talents for granted. Laughter has been abundant, resonating through every room of their rented beach house. There have even been a few tears of frustration as they shared the trials and tribulations th...

I’m angry. I’m a mother of black sons and I’m angry. 2015 was eye-opening for too many. Last year young black men were dropping like flies at the hands of those who lied about serving and protecting. Suddenly, the N-word that Jay-Z claimed he and his generation were taking and using to empower the black male has been taken back and reclaimed, its original connotation like a banner for racists who don’t bother to wear hoods anymore. Now, little white girls print the letters on tee shirts and use the word for photo ops. I sat and listened as a group of young men bemoaned the arrest of a fellow friend and college classmate. He’d been pulled over in his girlfriend’s car for a broken taillight. When asked if the officer could search the car, he gave consent, knowing that he had no reason to be concerned. Minutes later he was surrounded by two other patrol cars, the officer claiming dried, crushed leaves on the floor board had to be remnants of marijuana. After being handcuffed and ...

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Santa Baby, hello! I’ll make this short and sweet since you have your hands full right now. As I write this, Santa Tracker puts you somewhere in the vicinity of Frankfurt, Germany. You really have to love technology! With all eyes on you, there’s no hiding, so don’t think you can sneak off for a quick coffee break and we not know about it! Personally, I haven’t been feeling the magic this season, Santa. But I know it’s coming. At least I hope it kicks in when I get in that kitchen to knock out the pies I have to make for Christmas dinner tomorrow! If that fails, then I’ll just have to wait until I can see all my little munchkins tomorrow. Watching them open their presents will surely have me singing and swinging and getting merry! I actually don’t want anything for myself this year, Santa. It’s been a very good year and I have been abundantly blessed. I even got that “pony” you didn’t get me those many years ago. Named him Titus and he’s the prettiest, slickest ride you...

You are cordially invited to join award-winning, national best-selling author, Deborah Fletcher Mello and Deborah's Diamonds for a Literary Tea Party to celebrate a season of romance, literature, writing, and books! Deborah is excited to announce and welcome the following participating authors: Morgan Billingsley ReShonda Tate Billingsley Iris Bolling Cassandra Durham Renee Daniel Flagler Cheris Hodges Denise Jeffries Jackie Lee Lutishia Lovely Dana Sanders Railyn Stone Jacquelin Thomas Lisa Watson And our event MC is the indomitable, Lasheera Lee ! Impress in your Sunday best, show off that magnificent Kentucky Derby hat and join us for an afternoon of great story-telling, delightful conversation, and tons of laughter! Books will be available for sale and participating authors will be available for signing. Tickets: $25 includes lunch, participant gift bag and one-on-one interaction with participating authors.  Ticke...

I was recently reminded that every experience is, or can be, a life lesson. In a recent conversation with another author it quickly became apparent that our ideologies were at different ends of the spectrum. So much so that I found myself retreating away from the talk, knowing that if I said what was on my heart to say, it would surely have been a spectacle. I can just imagine the Twitter feeds about how I showed up and showed out! After ranting to Big Daddy I had to sit down and think about what I took away from the conversation. This person and I are at different levels in our careers. I don’t think she sees me as a peer because I don’t have the big movie deal and my books are only printed in paperback. And she clearly has issues with authors who are still finding their way in this business. Goodness knows you better not ask her for advice if you aren’t interested in being fodder for what she hates about aspiring writers! I found her jaded, her position regarding supportin...

Halloween use to be one of my favorite holidays. I loved creating costumes for my children. We use to take the art of dress up to new heights. But those days are long gone! I'm tempted to get dressed myself but it's only a very mild maybe, not an intense got to do it kind of thing. I am however enjoying the neighbors and their children and may take a trip to the mall later to see the kiddies do their trick or treat thing. So to everyone who sees the craft, and art, and simple joy in the holiday, have fun with it. There is so much negative in the world these days that to take a moment for the frivolous and nonsensical just makes all kinds of sense!

PLAYING FOR KEEPS Wanna play for KEEPS?  Click the link and order your copy of PLAYING FOR KEEPS today. Then tell TWO (2) friends to order their copies. Tell those friends to te ll TWO (2) more friends! How far and wide does your friend list go? How many friends can you get to come play? I say the sky's the limit! So, let's PLAY !

So, I’m watching one of my favorite ratchet reality TV shows. One of the story lines this season involves a young gay male who has just told his high school sweetheart that there is no future for the two of them because...well...he likes men more than he likes her. Of course, she is devastated, throwing herself to the ground and crying for her mommy. Now the mental health expert who was supposed to be facilitating this conversation lost complete control as cutie-patootie stormed into the bathroom to avoid the conflict and baby girl hurled herself out the front door. Later, Ms. Psych 101 told him that his best female friend was hurt but that his disclosure HAD NOT RUINED her. This has led to an interesting conversation in my home. I didn’t agree. I think Ms. Psych 101 might be wrong. How a woman handles heartbreak depends on the woman. And this woman may very well be ruined . Who’s to say she won’t be embittered for years to come? And clearly, she may have a multitude of tru...

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