Intimate Conversation with author Shelia M. Goss

Shelia M. Goss’ journey into the literary world began several years ago. She’s received recognition in Writer’s Digest and The New York Times. Her books have been on bestsellers lists such as the Dallas Morning News, Essence Magazine, and Black Expressions Book Club.


My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns (Violets are true), Paige’s Web, and Double Platinum are published under Kensington Books Urban Soul imprint. Be on the lookout for two new books in 2009 from Shelia – His Invisible Wife (July 2009) and her first teen book, The Ultimate Test (June 2009).

To read the rest of the interview, CLICK HERE.

That’s right Usher and Tameka have a new baby boy–baby makes two for Usher. Here’s my favorite picture of him with his first son:

The Raymond household got an early Christmas present as Usher and Tameka welcomed their new baby, Naviyd Ely Raymond, around 2:33 A.M. on Wednesday. The baby weighs in at 5 pounds and 13 ounces, according to Usher’s rep Simone Smalls of Simone Smalls Public Relations. To read more, go to Essence.com.

James Reynolds is best known as Abe Carver from the popular soap opera Days of Our Lives.  Reynolds talks about being an actor and a cause dear to his heart with national best-selling author Shelia M. Goss.

How hard was it to break into daytime television?
It is very difficult being a working actor whether it is daytime tv, nightime, film, or theater. The competition is talented and the roles are few. Whenever someone asks me how can they can get a role on daytime tv I tell them that they must become an actor because they love the craft not just one potential area of employment. I have been lucky enough to have starred in four network series: 2 nightime and 2 daytime.

What are the pros and cons to working on daytime television?
The pros far outwiegh the cons. At some point I get to play comedy, drama, action, dance, sing, and of course love scenes with beautiful women. How could I even think of the cons.

Do you find it harder to act or direct? Do you plan on directing or producing any films?
Acting and directing have their on peculiar set of challenges. I love doing both. I do plan on producing film. I am actively involved in the early stages of that.

Did being a Marine prepare you to be disciplined as an actor?
Being a Marine helped me in every aspect of my life. Discipline, yes, absolutely. But there are so many other positive areas of life that my Marine experience helps me with.

I recently found out you are the chairman of the Department of Veterans Affairs 2009 Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.

One of the strongest measures of a society is how they take care of those who have dedicated their youth to protecting that society. There have been those shameful moments in our nation’s history when we turned our back on our veterans. We took their gift of sacrifice and returned little. I truly believe the country will never repeat those mistakes. The greatest message we can give to our young men and women in service is that they will be not be forgotten. They will not be forgotten at 18 and not forgotten at 80.

Be sure to watch James Reynolds on Days of Our Lives and support our Veterans.

Interview by Shelia M. Goss – national best-selling author of Double Platinum, My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Paige’s Web and His Invisible Wife. For additional info, visit www.sheliagoss.com

Exclusive eSpot Interview with Tim Reid, Tom Dreesen and Ron Rapoport.
By Shelia M. Goss

I was intrigued by the only Black & White comedy duo in history – Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen.

Back when you started off as a comedy duo, race relations weren’t what they are now. Why did you think it was important to joke about race during a time when it wasn’t “cool” to talk about racial differences/issues?

Tim Reid: It wasn’t that we thought it was important…It would have been strange if a black man and white man walked out on stage and didn’t mention race. That being said, not all our material was about race.

Tom Dreesen: In those days all we wanted to do was make people laugh. As far as it being important it seems now that I look back it was very important but it wasn’t on our minds every night we went out there. As I said, all we wanted was for the audience to enjoy our humor and have a good time. That being said, even back then I thought as I do now that “If people can sit down and laugh together then perhaps we can live together.”

If you could go back in time, what would you change about how you dealt with an adversity during your earlier career?

Tom Dreesen: Nothing. It all happened for a reason. I learned and more important “grew” from each and every diversity and that’s why I’m a success today.

Tim Reid: I would have enjoyed the journey more.

More with TIM REID:

I have been a fan of Tim Reid’s since I first saw him portray “Venus Flytrap” on WKRP in Cincinnati. A new generation of children are able to see him in re-runs of Sister Sister. I was a regular watcher of Frank’s Place and was disappointed when it went off the air.

How did you deal with the racial slurs and not getting the respect that your white counterparts would have gotten in the same situation?

Tim Reid: The racial slurs came with the territory and wasn’t anything that I had not faced having grown up in the segregated south. Again remember this was America five years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
Our respect grew as we became more professional with our performances.

In your opinion, what are two factors that have changed considerably for AA behind the scenes over the years?

Tim Reid: In reading the book, one will see that I was blessed with the opportunity to be involved with the rise of Blacks in the productions side of television and film. We have come a long way. My only hope is that we don’t forget the lessons learned and assume that we have gone far enough.

What do you think AA writers and producers have to do to get projects green-lighted?

Tim Reid: Take control of our own destiny by financing, producing and distributing our own projects.

More with TOM DREESEN:

Tom has appeared on The Tonight Show and toured with Frank Sinatra. If you want a good laugh, you must listen to his comedy album.

Do you think being part of a comedy team helped or hurt your career?

Tom Dreesen: Without a doubt it helped. Stage presence, delivery, timing, discipline. Working on all these things gave me a foundation when I set out on my individual career.

What piece of advice would you give up and coming comics on the topic of diversity in their jokes?

Tom Dreesen: Try to write material that can make Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad and the kids laugh. That’s real diversity.

Ron Rapoport is a highly respected author and sports columnist.

You’re known for being a sport columnist. Why did you think it was important to share Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen’s story?

Ron Rapoport: I had two initial reactions when I first learned about Tim and Tom having been a comedy team. One was, “You guys did what?” and the other was, “Why don’t I know about this?” And as Tim and Tom began to tell me their story–not only of when they were a team but also of their lives before and afterwards–I thought it was funny, fascinating and very important. I think Tim and Tom have lived great American lives, filled with excitement and adventure on the one hand, and danger and heartache on the other. Theirs is a story both of the sacrifices people will make as they try to succeed in show business and of race in America through the prism of popular culture.

I would like to thank Tim, Tom and Ron for taking time out to answer my questions.

Tim & Tom share their detailed stories in the book: Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White. You will find the book intriguing. Reading about their story will help shed insight on those times and help open up dialogue with people of various races. The book is available now or you can also order it from online retailers like Amazon.com.

Interview by Shelia M. Goss entertainment writer and Essence bestselling author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum and His Invisible Wife. For detailed bio, visit www.sheliagoss.com.

Mondays on VH1 at 9 pm e.s.t., you’ll find PoPrah and several other candidates competing to be Diddy’s next personal assistant on I Want to Work for Diddy. If you’ve been following the show, you know PoPrah is holding her own in the competition.  She took a few minutes to answer some of my questions.

A lot of people don’t realize that you had a life in entertainment prior to being on the I Want to Work for Diddy show. Can you give them a brief overview of what you did prior to the show?
 
Wow, it’s really hard to sum it up and be brief but I’ll try my best.

Always keeping it real, your girl.
Poprah
 

Interview by Shelia M. Goss – entertainment writer and national best-selling author of Double Platinum, My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Violets are true and Paige’s Web. For additional info, visit www.sheliagoss.com.

I finally received my copy of the new Essence magazine in the mail. I just love the cover of Usher and his son. They both are adorable. Check out the interview he did with Hill Harper. You might be surprised at some of his answers. Oh and don’t forget to check out the Do Right Men in this issue too–Lamman Rucker if you’re out there, hit a sister up.

Updated 6/15/09: I’ve been busy writing books but from what I’ve read recently the Usher/Tameka break up is no longer a rumor.

Previous post: Usher has a new CD about to drop and ironically rumors are flying about his marriage being on the outs.

  Extremely reliable sources close to Mr. Raymond himself have confirmed to TheYBF.com that Usher has indeed filed for separation from his wife of only 9 months Tameka Raymond. To read the entire YBF.com article, click here.