"Orange Mint and Honey" ... From then to Now

"Sins of the Mother" airs on Lifetime Movie Network on Sunday February 21st at 8pm.

At the beginning of the year I blogged and bragged about author Carleen Brice's novel "Orange Mint and Honey" (hyperlink takes you back to actual blog). This novel had me taken in by every word. I had my own scenes playing out in my head and almost missed my stop a few times on the train heading to and from work.

Then I heard word through Ms. Brice’s tweets that there’s a movie coming out… “say word”… I gasped and the light bulb went off in my head, I HAD to interview her. I’m thrilled about seeing the movie. Even more thrilled that Ms. Brice allowed me the opportunity to interview her…and here you have it. My official blog about the author, the novel, and now, about the upcoming movie.

But first make sure you watch the trailer!!!!…you’d see why I am in love with the novel and totally excited for the movie…

SO!!!! Did you catch the trailer? Of course! You couldn’t have missed it!

And as women and mothers, we all LOVE to curl up and watch a good movie, tear jerkers especially, on LIFETIME…so don’t miss this one. Carleen is close to home and a marvelous wordsmith that we need to support.

Read an excerpt of Carleen Brice’s debut novel “Orange Mint and Honey” here.

Carleen Brice's debut novel. From then to now, "Orange Mint & Honey" the novel turned into a highly anticipated Lifetime Movie Network movie, called "Sins of the Mother”.

It’s THE talk of the town, and I’m honored to have this interview with the lovely and gifted author.




Ms. Brice, Thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions. As a fan I'm totally grateful for this opportunity.

Onika Pascal: We are going to revisit this question, but I want to open the chat with your glow and burst of excitement on this accomplishment. I'm sure you've been asked over and over, but I want to hear it myself. Tell me, HOW does it feel, how are YOU feeling, about this entire journey?

Carleen Brice: Remember the phrase, “shock and awe”? That’s the beginning of how I feel! Amazed, grateful, excited, grateful, joyful, grateful, overwhelmed, and grateful! I know that I’m very, very fortunate that they actually made the movie. So many books get optioned and NEVER get made or if they do it usually takes years. That this happened with my very first novel and that it’s coming out as a movie only 2 years after being published is just unheard of. So…did I mention how grateful I am?

Now that my readers have gotten a peek of the mindset that you're in, my coming questions will give them the complete understanding as to why you feel this way.



OP: You stepped into the literary world with this marvelous compilation of words. Can you share with me what inspired you to write "Orange Mint & Honey"?

CB: My own relationship with my mother inspired the initial desire to write a mother-daughter story. My mother was 16 when she had me. But she wasn’t an alcoholic and the story in the book isn’t ours.

OP: "Orange Mint and Honey" ...an eye catching title. How did you come up with it?

CB: The title came from the story in the book about how the orange mint spreads. I liked what it symbolized.

OP: I've read the book and read it again, and with each read, I connected with the story. I've experienced life with an alcoholic and fin that I have the unwillingness to forgive due to memories. Memories that I won't, probably can't, let goof. And find it hard to foresee an outcome. Did you know what the ending to the novel would be, or did it come to you as you wrote the story?

CB: Thank you for every read! I knew that I wanted the mother and daughter to end up closer than when they started, but I didn’t know what would bring them to that place until I was wrote many drafts.

OP: I don’t want to give away too much about the plot, because I want my readers to go out there and get a copy. But in the novel, I felt both an anger and sadness toward Nona. Nona was the first character I think I’ve ever felt torn as to how I want to receive her. Its either you like a character or you don’t. For me it was both. Was it difficult to create such a contrast in a character?

CB: I’m so glad to hear that! It’s exactly what I was shooting for with both main characters. It’s so hard for me to remember the creative process. I keep a notebook as I’m writing a book and even with that ideas come in such unknowable ways that it’s really hard for me to answer questions about how I created something in the book. Was it difficult? I’d say the whole thing was somewhat difficult. It took me a good four drafts before I really had any idea how to even write a novel. What was key to Nona was that I didn’t judge her. And that’s not something I could have done when I was younger. I got the initial idea for the book in my late 20s. I didn’t try to write it until after I turned 40. The growing up I did in the meantime really helped the book!

OP: As an aspiring writer myself, I sometimes look at the possibility as unattainable. Did you ever think that when you started writing? Who or what kept you going?

CB: I still think that! There are still days as I’m working on my 3rd novel I wonder what the hell was I thinking to believe I could write this book. It’s important to keep encouraging yourself. Prayer helps. So does uplifting music. And surround yourself in person or online with other creative people who understand what the creative process is like. My husband is a musician, and he really keeps me going!

OP: Nina Simone. THE Nina Simone. Out of all the fairy godmothers to choose from, why Ms. Simone?

CB: She’s the one who came to me. See what I mean about sometimes it’s hard to describe the process? But it’s that simple.




Now we get back to the excitement shared from the opening question. THE MOVIE.

OP: A story so delicately written that the images and scenes that popped into my head, made me feel like I was watching a movie. And here it is, not JUST a movie, but a Lifetime Movie Network movie. Its a movie with a cast of talented actresses. The infamous and remarkable songbird Jill Scott as “Nona”, Nicole Beharie as “Shay” … how did this come about?

CB: Back to me being very fortunate and very grateful. I have a great film agent! And she sent the book around and Lifetime happened to be looking for content to appeal to their large African American audience and wanted it to be something that would also appeal to the rest of the women who watch their channel. Right place, right time? My mother in heaven helping out? Who knows how it really happened, but I’m very grateful to my film agent and to whatever power or force that is out there!

OP: You have woven a story that I believe so many young women can identify with. What, if any, advice can you give to my readers who may be out there on their own making things happen for themselves.

CB: Thank you for asking this question. It means a lot to me, as that is one of the things I really relate with Shay about. So much of life I had to teach myself. I had to find teachers and mentors. If you’re out there on your own, try to keep close the fact or memory of at least one person who is or has been on your side. Even if you have to make them up. And let that person who is on your side live in your heart and become a part of you. Ultimately, be on your own side. Be fiercely loyal to yourself. And be kind to yourself and others.

Ms. Brice (Carleen if I can), I wish you continued success, a well of words that overflows to continue bringing us these literary gems.

CB: Sure, please call me Carleen. Thank you and best wishes to you and your readers in all your endeavors!

Folks, remember that "Sins of the Mother" airs on Lifetime Movie Network on Sunday February 21st at 8pm.

But I also urge you to go out and get a copy of the book ... the read is as promising as the movie.

To purchase a copies of "Orange Mint and Honey" and Carleen's 2nd novel, "Children of the Waters", visit:

www.carleenbrice.com for links to all the purchase outlets or visit;

Amazon (www.amazon.com)

Barnes and Nobles (www.bn.com)

www.indiebound.org



Copyright © February 2009 Onika Pascal