A Manuscript of Their Own.

When a book by a respected author fell short of their critical expectations, members of a Maryland reading group decided to write one themselves.

It was the summer of 1996 when members of The Book Club, a Riverdale, Maryland reading group, gathered in the home of Allita Irby to discuss the work of a celebrated author. Though the overall consensus was that the book was less than satisfactory, group members effectively dissected the novel's weak points and the pivotal beginnings of an ongoing writing relationship emerged.

The Discussion That Started It All

"The main character was both haunted and depressed," says Irby of the poorly-received novel whose title the group wishes to remain anonymous. "The theme was reminiscent of several other books we had read where the characters were downtrodden, depressed and oppressed or poorly written with stereotypic characterization of African Americans and women. The story was dark and unyielding and there was a lack of love, warmth and real closeness among the characters. As readers we were unable to identify and understand the source of the characters' conflicts and have found that the number of books that speak to our lives and portray our experiences are far too few. We wanted to develop a story that presented a more comprehensive and balanced picture of black women."

So Irby, a telecommunications project implementer--along with anesthesiologist Clarita Frazier, telecommunications manager Yolanda Yates-Humphries, health care consultant Francesca Cook, banking administrator Chyla Evans, and Donna Neale, an obstetrician-gynecologist (who started the reading group in 1995 while completing her residency at Georgetown University) formed a writer's group and developed a book project of their own.

"We wanted more," "says Neale of the group's thirst for quality literature after discussing over twenty-four books. "We thought `We can do this.'"

The Book Project

Since beginning the writing project in 1997, the writer's group has completed a 250-page manuscript tentatively titled The Book Club-Our Journey.

"It's a fictionalized account of the lives of seven women who are members of a Washington area book club," states Irby. "The women meet through their interest in books. Each woman has her own story to tell, but the characters remain linked through the book club." Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of black female relationships with both each other and the men in their lives, Irby is proud that the book project provides a positive and intellectual spin on the lives of professional black women.

"Our novel reflects multi-faceted, dynamic women who support and encourage each other, but deal with such real life situations as illness, divorce, and job transitions while building deep and lasting friendships. Our book is reminiscent of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan where all of the characters are interconnected, but each story is told separately."

The Collaboration

The women brainstormed as a group on an outline for the entire book, but each author was responsible for developing her own individual character.

"It would be interesting if our families could identify what character we wrote," says Humphries. "My husband hasn't read any of it and it would be interesting to see if he could figure out what character I had a part in."

The finished product is a culmination of over three years of starts and stops, conference calls, weekend retreats at hotel suites and Sunday afternoon meetings, not to mention the challenges of balancing the schedules, moods, roles and talents of six busy strong-minded women. Finding the time to meet and collaborate on the project was difficult, but finding the motivation to write independently and integrating the individual stories into a cohesive whole were equally laborious.

"When we began the project," says Irby, "I wouldn't classify us as `close' in the beginning of our club meetings. "Over time we grew close. Each of us has grown through this experience. We're not the same women we were when we started."

The completed manuscript has received feedback from one agent and the group is actively awaiting responses from others. Yet as group members continue to call a list of agent and publishing contacts, the most fulfilling rewards may actually be found in the development of friendships and the appreciation of what it takes to pen a novel. What's the next project for these readers-turned-writers? "A celebratory trip to an island" says Irby. "Someplace where we can be pampered."

Book Club Events

Meet your favorite author or join book discussions at the following literary events frequented by book clubs in a city near you.

In Durham, N.C.

Black Writers Emerge Conference - Book clubs are the focus of a seminar entitled "It Takes A Village to Raise a Book Club" moderated by the RAWSISTAZ Book Club, scheduled for July 6-8, 2001 at the Regal University Hotel in Durham, NC. The conference features author signings, seminars and panel discussions by authors Patricia Elam, Lee Meadows, Nichelle Tramble, Carl Webber, Francis Ray, Venise Berry among others. Contact [e-mail].

In Chicago, I.L.

Extra Special Women Book Club of Illinois will sponsor a literary luncheon on Saturday, August 25, 200] at the Hilton Oak Lawn Hotel featuring Patricia Haley-Brown, author of Nobody's Perfect. Reading groups attending with ten or more extra special women will receive a $5.00 per person discount off the $20 ticket price. Contact Monica Lloyd at 773-370-3338 or email [e-mail].

Mother/Daughter Cruise to Nassau

Mother/daughter book clubs, this one's for you! Sail with motivational author Jewel Diamond Taylor (see "From the Podium to the Dress to the People," page 70) from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas on Friday, August 17, 2001. This three-day cruise features book sessions and special mother/daughter activities catering to book clubs, family and friends. Call 800-845-9101.

The Book Club's Pick

From the Riverdale, MD club's log

Loved It! In Search of Satisfaction by J. California Cooper Kindred by Octavia Butler

Liked It! A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines My Soul To Keep by Tananarive Due 

It's OK. Maintenance Man by Michael Baisden Good Hair by Benilde Little