Shades Of Romance Magazine:  Describe your current book in 50 words or less:

Kimberla Lawson Roby:  The story centers on three adult siblings.  Sydney is dealing with work and some marital issues, Gina is living with an extremely violent husband and Rick is having trouble committing to his fiancee.  At the same time, their mother, Delores suffers a stroke and needs to be taken care of.

SOR:  Tell us a bit about the characters.

ROBY:  Sydney is dealing with a stressful freelance writing career and is also trying to be a dedicated wife and mother.  Gina is extremely successful career-wise, has two beautiful twins, but she is dealing with domestic
violence on an almost daily basis.  Rick loves his fiancee and lives with
her, but doesn't understand why she keeps pressing him about setting a
wedding date.

SOR:  What made you decide to write a mainstream novel?

ROBY:  I love writing about real issues within a fiction story-line.  I wanted to write about situations and obstacles that readers could relate to their own lives currently.

SOR:  What is the hardest part of writing?

ROBY:  The hardest part is that there are not enough hours in the day to write all of the stories I have racing through my mind.

SOR:    In your opinion, what is the greatest thing that has happened to you  since deciding to become a writer?

ROBY:  A church in Southern Pines, NC created a play based on CASTING THE FIRST STONE which also just won an award for Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year 2001

SOR:  Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

ROBY:  I see myself continuing to write novels and I'd like to write in other areas as well.

SOR:  What is your favorite quote?

ROBY:  Lately, my favorite quote is "Life is too short not to enjoy it."

SOR:  Any advice for aspiring writers?

ROBY:  To write every single day---even if it's only in a personal journal.

SOR:  How can readers get in touch with you?

ROBY:  They can e-mail me at kim@kimroby.com

SOR:  Can you give us a sneak peek at your next book?

ROBY:  The title is A TASTE OF REALITY and will be released by new publishing house, Dutton in May 2002.  The story centers on discrimination in the workplace toward and African-American female and the trauma of being married to an alcoholic spouse.

Kimberla Lawson Roby
Author of
CASTING THE FIRST STONE
HERE AND NOW
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Please look for my new novel IT'S A THIN LINE in May 2001
and visit my web site at  http://www.kimroby.com

SHADES OF ROMANCE MAGAZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK MS. ROBY FOR DOING THIS INTERVIEW.  MUCH SUCCESS WITH YOUR CAREER.