An Interview with Author - Milton Davis
by Veronica Henry
Milton Davis is a chemist finally pursuing his dream to write. The author of Meji, an African based fantasy novel writes African based fantasy and science fiction, with a little historical fiction thrown in every now and then.
Meji Synopsis: On the continent of Uhuru, in the grasslands of the Sesu, Inkosi Dingane is granted his wish. His Great Wife Shani bears him a son, an heir to his growing empire. But the ancestors have plans of their own. Shani bears him twin boys, meji, an abomination among the Sesu, but a blessing to Shani’s people, the Mawena. Thus begins the story of two brothers destined to transform their world. One brother, Ndoro, fights for his place among the Sesu, hoping to shed the stigma of abomination. The other, Obaseki, grows to a man among the Mawena, struggling with a gift that alienates him from his family and eventually leads to his exile. Each brother sets out to find his destiny, revealing a prophecy that changes them and their world forever.
When did you begin writing?
Writing was always there. But coming up, it was something you did as a hobby, not a job. I didn't know any black writers making a living at writing. I even had a cousin who was an artist and had the same problem. We were encouraged to do it, but not as a living.
My goal was to get job in chemistry and write on the side. In college, I started reading sci-fi and fantasy and started getting more serious about writing. I even had English instructor try to encourage mt to change my major.
How did the idea for Meji develop?
It actually started years ago, back in 90's. I was reading a lot of fantasy but wasn't feeling passionate about writing it. But then, as I began researching African history, culture and religion, I found I wanted to write a fantasy, based on African history.
During my research, I learned of a Yoruba cult that pays homage to twins, but found there were also tribes that considered twins an abomination. I started thinking about a family with parents from different cultures and how that story would play out in the case of twins. I really wanted to show that Africa is not one place, it has different tribes and different cultures. Like other writers, I found that after I began, the story started writing itself.
You launched your publishing company MVmedia to publish Meji. Why did you decide to self publish?
Selfishness – I didn't want to wait. When I turned 45, decided I wanted to do this and understood that much traditional publishing has more to do with what you write versus the quality of your writing – it's about what the publishers think will sell. I went from receiving form letter rejections, to letters from editors saying they liked my work, but don't think it was for their audience.
So I decided to focus on my audience. Artists spend a lot of time waiting, and nothing is wrong with that, but I wanted to be more proactive. The only downside is inventory, but if you're willing to put in the work to promote your book, the inventory isn't that intimidating.
Would you ever pursue publishing and writing full time?
I'm kind of in the middle. I could be chemist rest of my life and be fine. Research and development is creative and I really enjoy it, but if writing became something I could make a living at it, I'd jump with no hesitation.
Describe your writing process.
First, I can't write a story until I have the ending. I usually write in evenings and have a rule that I must write a page a day. I also have a journal where I record ideas and just set them aside.
I don't really outline, but do jot down notes and eventually once I have good enough feel for the story, I start working. I write long hand and then type it into the computer and do my revisions. From beginning to end, including rewrites, it takes about a year to complete.
Who are your favorite authors?
David Anthony Durham, Charles Saunders and James Baldwin.
What books are you reading now?
I'm reading Wind Follower by Carole McDonnell, a manuscript by Charles Saunders and I'd like to write a historical fiction pieced based on Kush, so I'm doing some research there as well.
Milton's first novel Meji and some of his other work is available at: www.mvmediaatl.com. Meji - Book 2 will be released in December and Changa's Safari will be released next summer.