Maurice Pittman, Author

Shaneka Jones Cook: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

​

Maurice Pittman: I wanted to write once I realized I had a great memory. I mean I could remember the ages of three or four. I recall falling out of my mom and dad’s bed and them placing me back in bed but after the fall they placed me in the middle of them to prevent any future falling.

​

SJC: What inspired you to write? And write this story?

​

MP: Me understanding and knowing that I had an interesting lifestyle as a kid. Also, the fact that my dad was an awesome provider regardless of what he was into.

​

SJC: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

​

MP: The surprising thing I have learned about creating my book is that there are no rules in writing and creating. So let go and let your pen go into as much detail as possible.

​

SJC: Will there be a prequel to the book?

​

MP: My book is a memoir with a classic novel style that was written to be a trilogy.

​

SJC: Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

​

MP: My readers come from different backgrounds and I am always receiving great feedback on social media demanding Part 2 of "SON OF A STREET FIEND".

​

SJC: What is your writing process like?

​

MP: I have many strategies in my process of writing, but I will only share with you one. I keep it old school and original when approaching a new project, which is the pen to the paper no utilizing new technology to create a manuscript.

​

SJC: Who is your favorite author and why?

​

MP: Donald Goings is my favorite author! And will always be. His style of writing will have one in vision and feel story lines as if you were there.

​

SJC: What period of your life do you find you write about most often? (Childhood, teenager, young adult)

​

MP: Well, there are so many aspects of life as a child, teenager, and young adult that I really cannot place nor point out which phase of life receive the most exposure. I would just say that it is a balance scale.

​

SJC: What was your hardest scene to write?

​

MP: Well with me if it is not rough! It is not right. So therefore, there are no hard scenes for me. I love the challenge.

​

SJC: Tell us about your book? Why should we read it?

​

MP: My memoir is a classical piece of work. For one to read about a father that have an addiction but still loves his obligation to raise his son. The whole world would want to know where, what and how one manages. Plus, the fact that this story took place in Washington, D.C. a live traditional spot where all creeds and colors have to be.

​

SJC: How do you select the names of your characters? Are there therapeutic benefits to modeling a character after someone you know?

​

MP: The names of my characters derive from an environment filled with everyday people here in Washington DC. In my neighborhood when one receives a nick name, best believe it mirrors one’s character. So, I get creative when utilizing nick names to also create full names.

​

SJC: We grew up in the same neighborhood, 8th n H Street, NE, was anything in your book inspired from the neighborhood?

​

MP: True in word and true in deed that we are from the same area. Our neighborhood has everything to do with the trilogy "SON OF A STREET FIEND" book. Know that our neighborhood 8th and H ST. N.E. is the center of Washington, D.C. where people from every side of the city have to travel through at some point of their lives. So traditionally and socially WE are the Inspiration!!!!

​

SJC: What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

​

MP: The characters will always come first with me. Characters have so many elements that create the plot. Plots have no substance without the character.