Interview with Dwayne Murray, Sr.
Author of "The Mouse That Roared"
Hello Dwayne. It's a pleasure to have you with us. Dwayne Murray, Sr. is the author of "The Mouse That Roared," novel that is a compelling drama about a young woman who defied her religious father's wishes and entered a beauty contest in her home town.
Irene: What inspired you to write a fictional drama about a young woman defying her religious father’s wishes and entering a beauty contest?
Dwayne: I just wanted to break the mold on the subject matter concerning an African American woman. Instead of having her inside a common situation starting off living the rough urban life, I wanted to show the effects of bad decisions by a young woman who was surrounded by a peaceful environment in a “down-home” country life and what could happen by her bad choices causing her to be thrown out of her comfort zone.
Irene: Are you saying that most books about African American women stereotype them as living a rough urban life? If so, why do you believe this?
Dwayne: No not at all, I am just stating that the storyline of African American women living a rough urban lives, has been touched before in other novels and I wanted to start Sandra’s life in a different setting. I know first hand many women who lived and accomplished many positive things in a rough urban atmosphere including my wife, mother and late grandmother.
Irene: This is your first time to write a book. How long have you been thinking of writing this novel?
Dwayne: I have been thinking about this novel for the past year since it’s creation as a screen play first. With the competition of getting this screen play off the ground being very difficult, I found it necessary to turn it into a novel simply because I felt it was a story that needed to be read by the general reading public. My closeness with all the characters, it was imperative that they be released and not held back because they all had a story to tell.
Irene: How did you come up with the characters and their nuances?
Dwayne: The characters all came from my imagination. For example in creating the character Sandra Lyte I knew I wanted a beautiful African American woman who is naïve but a very kind person. A woman who has no insight on the mysteries and dangers of the urban city, but because she is forced in a corner she only has two choices: learn fast or become a statistic. In meeting the antagonist Doug Gunner, Sandra is taken to deep-dark waters where she has never been before, and because of her personality I allowed her to make life defying decisions.
Irene: Why did you choose an African American woman as your main character rather than an Asian or Caucasian woman?
Dwayne: Because I lived and experienced their struggle being raised and reared by the African American women. Their struggle is one I know of and can confidently put on paper as I can identify with it and lived it first hand. Not saying that women of other nationalities have not faced their own struggles, it’s easier for me to identify with African American women as they were an intricate part of molding the man I am today.
Irene: What research did you do for the characters or setting of the plot?
Dwayne: In creating my characters as I stated before they all came from my imagination. Basically I sat down and applied a personality trait to all characters in the novel. We as individuals fit different mold. Some of us are brave, conceited, leaders, followers, go-getters, and devious. It was just a process with me sitting down and deciding what characters would fit which traits.
Irene: Is there any part of the book that reflects on your personal life?
Dwayne: As far as the events that affect Sandra and her friends, I would have to say no. I will say having to dig deep inside myself in different situations in my life to continue to strive for the things I believe in, that I can relate to when it comes down to Sandra.
Irene: And those are?
Dwayne: My childhood friendships were reflective of the friendship that Sandra, Pamela and Rose shared. Also there was Officer Williams of the Community Affairs Office at the 46th Precinct who was very involved with kids and families in the community. My character Ms. Carla, all though female, her dedication and commitment to those less fortunate in the book, reminds me of Officer Williams back in the day who inspired me and solicit my help to give back to others in the community. When I really think about it, there are many aspects of my book that are reflective of my life.
Irene: When I look at the title, and read your story line, it just doesn’t seem to fit. Tell us about choosing the title.
Dwayne: There’s always the short skinny kid in an Army platoon that nobody ever pays attention to. The person that everybody feels is weak and not to be concerned about, but when this person is pushed into a corner he or she will rise to the occasion. Not only surprise the average person, but the same person who judged them to be weak and not too bright. That is who Sandra is, the mouse amongst the cats that in the end will stand up and roar the loudest. That is why I was so intrigued with the title because it fits Sandra’s personality and story perfectly.
Irene: What do you believe causes people perceive that the “short skinny kid” is actually weak?
Dwayne: Truthfully we live in a society that is prejudice and we all make the mistake of “judging a book by its cover.” Most people will see a short skinny person and believe they are weak. Very few can hold judgment until they actually get to know a person. In my book, The Mouse that Roared Doug Gunner made the mistake of believing Sandra was weak, and for a time she believed that about herself. Often it takes a tragedy or very unfortunate circumstances to bring out the mite of a person. Remember the saying, “Never corner a mouse, they will come out fighting?” This holds true to my character Sandra so derived the title of the book The Mouse That Roared.
Irene: In most books, whether they are fiction or nonfiction, there is some type of underlying message. What is the main message in your story?
Dwayne: Life is defined by the decisions we make. These decisions not only affect us as individuals but many times those that we care and love also. With life bad decisions are sometimes made that will, in essence, determine our destiny and fate. Other messages my book conveys is the importance of friendship and solidarity, that was magnified in the relationship of Sandra, Pamela and Rose. Finally, in life at least once we as individuals will lose something we care for and love deeply and will be forced to make a choice to either crumble in the face of adversity or find the strength, courage, and determination to stand up eight times after being knocked down seven and fight for what you believe to be right.
Irene: Would you share with your reading audience how some of the decisions you made defined your personal life.
Dwayne: Deciding never to blame anyone for my mistakes. Realizing that I can do nothing without the power of God, and recognizing that my destiny is what I make it. Sometimes you have to stick your hand in the fire to get what you want in life. I always seize the day as if it was my last and try to accomplish what I set forth to do.
Irene: I’m told that you are being interviewed on WTLC AM1310, Indianapolis, Indiana on the “Around 2 It Talk Show” on February 7th. Please tell us more about the show and what time they will be able to hear you.
Dwayne: Yes, the live radio interview is going to be anchored by Ms. Delores Thorn at 6PM EST. Ms. Thorn is a columnist of the Indiana Herald Newspaper and hosts two radio talk shows, “Around 2 It & Book Nook”, that features up and coming new authors by giving them the opportunity to talk about their new novels. Ms. Thorn will ask me various questions about myself and the novel “The Mouse That Roared.” I am really looking forward to it and hoping many people throughout the country will be able to listen in.
Irene: What are your hopes for the future of “The Mouse That Roared?”
Dwayne: Most importantly is getting it inside the hands of all the readers who enjoy a good book. It’s difficult to put in words the good feeling I get when I get emails about how much a person enjoyed The Mouse That Roared. I met many people who have already read the book and told me how much they loved reading it. It is such a good feeling to hear readers told me “I couldn’t put it down” or “I almost missed my stop on the train because I was so into your book” Another aspiration I have for “The Mouse That Roared” is to someday see it on the big screen, because I really feel the book has that kind of feel. The book is action packed and reads like you are watching a movie.
Irene: Is there anything else that you would like your reading audience to know about your and your book?
Dwayne: Just that from the first word I typed inside my basement until this day has been one of the most exuberant rides of my life that has impacted me in so many positive ways. “The Mouse That Roared” comes from my heart and soul, for anyone who spends their hard earned money to purchase it please understand I truly thank you and please don’t hesitate to tell me how it made you feel. To the readers, you all will hear from Dwayne Murray, Sr. soon!
