Daughter Denied
Release date: May 2008
"The story of loss, shame and ultimately compassion... "
About the book
An unflinching study of urban decay revealed through the end-days of a make shift family. The story is told through the eyes of 7-year-old Tina and her mother Earnestine. Tina, the third of five children, is a sensitive girl victimized by a stepfather addicted to cruelty and neglected by a mother addicted to heroin. Earnestine is a tortured soul who in spite of her drug addiction and poor taste in men, fights to keep her family together. The story of loss, shame and ultimately compassion is written in terse prose, reflecting the fragmented era in which the story is set - the late 1960's.
Daughter Denied, inspired by Alretha Thomas's own tumultuous upbringing, follows Tina from pre-adolescent to young adulthood. Wrought from a lifetime of self-discovery, Thomas has poured into Tina, the most vulnerable character, the self-examination and recrimination that victims often feel. This is an urban drama that reflects the soul of the female survivor who emerges whole.
An Enlightened Interview with Daughter Denied author Alretha Thomas
How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
Tenacious, determined, funny, compassionate, conscious
What was the last book you read?
Love and Lies
If I were to walk into your home right now, what book would I see on your nightstand? The autobiography of Miles Davies, Miles
How long did it take to write your book?
First draft took 6 months
What are the top 3 things the reader can take away from it to apply to their life?
1) Perseverance pays off
2) forgiveness is the key to emotional and spiritual freedom
3) God will not put more on us than we can bear
What are your top three authors? Terry McMillan, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Wally Lamb And name an author not living you'd like to chat over dinner with? Bebe Moore Campbell
Is there a certain spot - cafe, room in house, in your car, etc. - that ignites your creative juices?
My prayer room
Hardback of Paperback?
Paperback
We're big on giving time and resources to those who can use the
boost up. What organizations, if any are close to your heart and
support?
FNC Community Development Corporation - my church's nonprofit community outreach arm
What is your favorite quote?
"I am not as good as I should be, I am not as good as I could be, but THANK GOD I'm better than I used to be."
What's the easiest way to get into the 'flow'?
Running
Whose life do you think will change because of your book?
Young and mature women who are on the verge of or who have lost all hope
What inspired this book?
My tumultuous childhood
Visit Daughter Denied website
----thank you Alretha ----
About the Author
An author, playwright, producer and director, Alretha Thomas is making her name through her pen. Award winning plays and wanting to help her community, Alretha's background is as diverse as her personality. She started at the age of ten, when her 5th grade teacher picked and read her short story assignment in front of the class - that simple, loving act empowered a new writer. Continuing in high school, her numerous original oratorical conquests on the Speech Team led her to a journalism concentration at the University of Southern California where she was a team player on the Daily Trojan & the KUSC Radio station.
Like most aspiring young women journalists, Alretha dreamed of being the next Barbara Walters. However, upon graduating, Alretha soon realized that her interest in journalism was not heartfelt. While at the taping of a live sitcom, the producer noticed her and encouraged her hand at modeling. Modeling didn't mean much to her, but it did lead her to acting and a NAACP Theatre Award Nomination (1993) for BEST ACTRESS. She feels that this acting stint gave her more fuel to write, and particularly, a better understanding of character development.
Alretha left acting and began to write full time. Her church gave her an outlet to fulfill her writing desires through their Liturgical Fine Arts Department writing theatre pieces - the community response was overwhelming. This led to full length plays outside of the church, NAACP Theatre Award winning play, Civil Rites (2004) and The Stella Adler Theater presented A Shrine to Junior (2002) nominated for an NAACP Theatre Award as well.
Alretha's play Grandpa's Truth (2006) ran at the Inglewood Playhouse in Inglewood, Ca, and was extended more than once by popular demand. Not only did radio station KJLH support by recommending this production to its listeners, but notables like the Mayor of Inglewood, Roosevelt Dorn and music legends like Freda Payne and Stevie Wonder had critical acclaim for Grandpa's Truth. This wonderful piece was featured on Channel 5 (KTLA News) by Entertainment Reporter, Sam Rubin.
Most recently, Alretha's play, Sacrificing Simone (2007) had a successful run at Stage 52 in Los Angeles and was called "an inspirational crowd pleaser" by the Los Angeles Times.
Daughter Denied, set in the 1960's is Alretha's first novel. She has also completed her first feature length screenplay, Reddie Maid Wife, a romantic dramady taking off on the fairy tale, Cinderella with a modern urban twist. We expect to hear more from Alretha.
