Lee Meadows
Lee Meadows was born
in Detroit Michigan. He attended Michigan State University
where he earned a Bachelors in Telecommunication, a Masters in
Counseling and a Ph.D in Higher Education. Along the way, Lee
has worked as an administrator at Michigan State University,
a Supervisor of Training at General
Motors,
A professor of Business at Western Michigan University, a Manager
of Organizational Learning for the Kellogg Foundation, a senior
consultant for EDS and an Assistant Director of Executive Development
Programs at Michigan State University. He lives in Ann Arbor
Michigan with his wife Phyllis and their four year old son Garrison.
Currently Lee is working as an independent Management Consultant
which means he design training programs to improve managerial
competencies. Lee also says, "I read about 100 books a year
(mostly mysteries) and Silent Conspiracy is my first novel. I'm
on the second draft of the second novel. I do presentations on
the history of African American authors who write in the mystery
genre and someday I hope to be a full time writer." Lee
also has a radio show called BOOKBEAT on station WPON
1460AM in Detroit Monday's 4-5 pm est. Just recently, Page
ONE was a guest on Lee's show and we would like to thank
him very much for the air time.
Page ONE
"Has reading always been an important part of you life?
Who have been some of your favorite writers and why?"
Lee
"Reading has always been an important part of my life,
for as long as I can remember. I loved the magic of words and
the visual images words can create. Having been described as
someone with a 'vivid imagination' by my third grade teacher
Mrs. Robinson, I think I have managed to keep that with me throughout
all of my 
experiences. Fiction has always been
an attraction because it allows you to create your own universe
and draw people into its subtle entanglements.
It's only been in recent years that I can say I
have some favorite author. I read all of the Sherlock Holmes
and Agatha Christie Mysteries while growing through adolescence,
but I only came to like people like Sue Grafton, Walter Mosley,
Steven Greenleaf, Karen Kijewski and Eleanor Taylor Bland because
I love the way they draw me into the character they've created.
I know many of the literary critics hammer on an author about
plot development, flow and style, but to me, the characters have
to be endearing, but burdened by the same human foils."
Page ONE
"How long did it take you to write SILENT CONSPIRACY?
Did you have an editor to work with any time during the writing
of this book before its publication? What was that experience
like?"
Lee
"I started Silent Conspiracy in 1994, on a whim
that I could write a book. You see, I am an avid reader (averaging
about 100 books a year) and had the 'writer's bug' since the
early 80's. I kept talking myself out of it because I didn't
have the 'time' What a lousy excuse that turned out to be. I
had the time, what I didn't have was the sense of organization.
Once I understood what I had to do, I immersed myself in the
writing process. I learned as much as I could while I toiled
away at bringing Lincoln Keller to 'literary life'. I hired an
'editing consultant' to look over my manuscript and she was able
to help me sift through the maze of words to find the actual
story. I enjoyed the 'agonized pain' of having someone take my
precious words and give them a new life. It was a painfully wonderful
experience. The pain seems to lessen with each encounter. I think
anyone who writes anything that they want to see published had
better have a trained set of eyes to look over your material
and share some insights. I do mean a professional editor. Someone
who has your best interests at heart."
Page ONE
"Tell us a little about your main character Lincoln
Keller who is a former professional football player. You are
from Detroit --- why an ex-Raider and not an ex-Lion?"
Lee
"Lincoln Keller was born out of my genuine love for
the old AFL Oakland Raiders. They were my team because my first
actual beginning to end viewing of a football game was the Oakland
Raiders vs the Buffalo Bills. I fell in love with their colors
and their swagger. I always believed that I had gone beyond high
school football, I would have tried out for the Raiders. So Keller
fulfills that fantasy for me. Despite being born and raised in
Detroit, the Detroit Lions never quite did it for me. Keller
has elements of all of my brothers and just a hint of me. He's
everything I'd like to be, just minus the Nova. Keller saw a
lot as a football player and as an ex-cop. His return to Detroit
was his way of saying he's seen enough. However, fate has something
else in mind for Keller. It will be years before he finally realizes
what's going on."
Page ONE
"In SILENT CONSPIRACY, the story revolves around
the disappearance of a pre-Motown singing group called The Sentiments.
I thought this was a very original idea so why the entire group
and not just one of the members? Who are some of your favorite
groups from that era?"
Lee
"The idea of a five man R and B group disappearing was
my spin on the old adage 'I wonder what happened to', or 'where
are they now?' I'd read and heard a great deal about some of
those pre-Motown groups who struggled for success despite the
odds. Those groups were instrumental in shaping what we saw in
the 60's and 70's. So I wanted to pay homage to their legacy.
Since I am a product of the Motown era, I also wanted to avoid
comparisons and arguments from others about the
specific details and events that surrounded the Motown era. It
would be hard for me to not mention my love of the Temptations
(the original five, Eddie, Paul, David, Otis and Melvin) as well
as the Four Tops, the Impressions and the Dells. I love a singing
group because of the unique harmonies they bring to a song."
Page ONE
"Now that you are published and can look back at the
beginning. What was one of the most important things you learned
as a writer in your journey of writing your first novel?"
Lee
"I learned that writing, like skiing, mountain climbing,
or putting up a new building, is all a matter of time, diligence
and a commitment to seeing the vision to its completion. I learned
to take time and make time to write. I found my writing routine
(early in the morning between 5:00 am and 7:00 am). I learned
to read the works of others with an eye to plot development.
I learned to keep going in spite of what seemed like a never ending task. I also learned that I can
be an active promoter of my book since I didn't have the luxury
or help of a publicist. I also learned that I enjoy writing stories
even better than I thought I would."
Page ONE
"Is there another Lincoln Keller book on the horizon
and what can we expect? Is there a title yet?"
Lee
"I have just completed the second draft of Keller's second
adventure, tentatively titled 'Above Suspicion'.
I'd like to have it published this year. I am looking at a few
options. I would love for a major publisher to finally come around
and see the audience I've built and the following I have amassed.
After printing 5,000 copies, I'm down to my last 500, so I suspect
it means something. So if I can't generate the interest from
an agent or a publisher, I will have it done myself. I've come
to far now to turn back. Lincoln Keller has a following and it
will grow."
Page ONE
"Did you have any rejections from agents/publishers
before you became published? What advice can you offer novelists
who are ready for print but the mailbox is full of rejection
slips everyday?"
Lee
"To all my fellow novelists. A rejection letter is just
one more person saying 'they can't see your vision. Take those
letters, put them in a folder or paste them on a wall. Because
the day you land your book contract, those opinions will seem
very small. I have more rejections that I care to mention (14
in all), but I refused to have 15, because everyone who read
the manuscript of 'Silent Conspiracy' were convinced that I had
something. So I did it myself and I'm glad. There are hundreds
of writers just dreaming of a day when they actually do write
something, In the meantime, they're letting the dream slip away.
Don't worry about the numerous rejections, that comes with the
turf, rejoice on the one acceptance. In the long run, its the
one that really matters.
Visit Lee Meadows website at
http://www.aalbc.com/leee.htm
