Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sitting down with author Leslie Banks in a workshop at Robin’s Bookstore. She is the most down to earth, funny and real person you’d ever want to meet. I first met Ms. Banks at the 2007 Philadelphia Writers’ Conference. I was signed up for a completely different workshop and slipped into her workshop on day two of the conference (thanks Joey for the recommendation).
In case, you’ve had the misfortune of not hearing about her, here’s a brief bio from her website:
Ms. Banks has penned over 30 novels and 11 novellas in a wide range of genres and is the recipient of the 2008 Essence Magazine Storyteller of the Year Award. A native of Philadelphia, Banks is a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania Wharton undergraduate program, and alumnae of Temple University’s Master of Fine Arts in filmmaking program…
She writes under the pseudonyms; L.A. Banks, Leslie Esdaile, Leslie E. Banks, Leslie Banks, and Leslie Esdaile Banks. She has won several business as well as literary awards, and writes in genres as diverse as romance, women’s fiction, crime suspense, and paranormal. She has contributed to magazines, newspaper columns, and has written commercial fiction for a variety of major publishers: St. Martin’s Press (NYC), Simon and Schuster (NYC), Kensington Publishing (NYC), BET/Arabesque (NYC), Genesis Press (MS), Parker Publishing, Harper, and Tor. Her non-fiction work includes the riveting and motivational story of Bank’s life journey in her contribution to the Chicken Soup for the African American Soul anthology.
Book 11 of the Vampire Huntress series, The Shadows, was released this month and Robin’s Bookstore played host to a book signing and writing workshop. I was on the fence about going (driving into Center City during rush hour is maddening) and changed my mind by Tuesday. Wednesday I called hoping there was still a space left. There was and I was on my way to speak to one of the masters.
Arriving at the bookstore 15 minutes late, I hoped I hadn’t missed much and that I could slip in without interrupting. Well, no chance of that happening. I was the first person there and not many people signed up for the event. What!? I would have her all to myself?! I could ask the “dumb” questions without feeling like an amateur? After going through the star struck portion of the evening, one other person showed up and the workshop was underway.
Ms. Banks went through the whole framework, components and “secrets” of writing a great, believable and authentic story. One thing I will remember is never, ever, ever end a story the way Bridge to Terabithia ended without setting your readers up for it in the beginning. Never throw your readers off the ride they’re on with an ending that isn’t true to the story. Point taken.
How could I have possibly been on the fence about attending this event? I would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime. Having an award-winning author, that I love to read, all to myself for an hour. It was a very informative workshop and laughter was sprinkled throughout.
If you ever have the great fortune of meeting or taking a workshop with the great Leslie Banks, don’t hesitate to attend. The experience alone will be well worth the trip. In the meantime, pick up one of her books and hold on for the ride.
See you in February Ms. Banks!
