Interview with Marvin Curtis Reid

Author of Caught By The Past

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born in East Harlem, and raised in the South Bronx. I currently live in the Greater Washington, DC Metro Area.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

In 1998, I was in my 13th year of teaching. I was employed at a middle school in the Bronx, NY, as an earth science teacher. My then supervisor sent me to a science seminar to learn from a team of educators from NASA from Washington, DC. By the time the seminar ended I was invited to lunch with the team, and subsequently offered a position on that team. One of the requirements was to move to the D.C. area; I first moved to Columbia, MD…that was in January of 1999. I would return home to New York and back to the D.C. area twice before finally settling here in 2011.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

That is a very good question…the easy answer is, I don’t really know; the more challenging answer will take a moment to explain. I didn’t set out to be an author. I was off for the summer from my school job and got really bored one day so I sat down at my computer and started writing down things I’d remembered from days gone by. Before I knew it I had a few hundred pages of text that I ultimately turned into a manuscript. That was actually my first book, but it ended up being the third one I published. My first published book was Caught By The Past.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My books are all simple dramas with multiple life lessons. The theme of each of my four published works is centered around redemption and forgiveness. I hope that’s not something I have to explain; if so, think of the worst thing you could ever do to a person, or that worst thing you’ve ever had done to you, then find a way to make amends, or forgive the person that wronged you…sounds simple, doesn’t it? It’s not. First time readers of my books should prepare themselves for raw and honest characters who don’t mince words, but are, at their core, decent, well-meaning people.

Each of the characters in my books are ordinary folk who managed to find themselves in some pretty precarious positions, and either had to absorb the hurt, or try to make up for it. While none of the stories are complex in scope, the aftermath of each circumstance will leave the reader reeling.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

I believe those people are those who believe in making the world better, one life at a time. I don’t want to get political, but if we look at what’s happening in our country and frankly, around the globe, we’re fragmenting, disconnecting and we seemed to have forgotten we are one people, one earth. Sadly, it often takes a tragedy (9/11, mass shootings, natural disasters) to get people to awaken from their earthly slumber, shake off their labels and rejoin the human race. I’ve since embarked on writing films, and the themes you’ll find in my books continues, only in visual form.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

One thing I learned was, and still am surprised by is the range of emotion I experience when writing. Most of my books have been fictional, but because I am so connected to the characters I’m writing, I hurt whenever they hurt, and when they reach a crossroads of sorts, I feel that too. I try really hard not to over-reach when it comes to developing the characters or the drama they’ll bring or face.

If you could, what advice would you give to past self yourself before embarking on this journey?

Don’t. (I’m laughing out loud)

Well, I won’t say that. As I mentioned a little earlier, I didn’t set out to become an author or screenwriter, so I guess my words to my past self would be, go for it. Writing has paid dividends far beyond any award or monetary satisfaction I could ever receive. Writing gives me confidence, it reminds me I am a living, breathing soul, it offers me comfort when I need it and even advice.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Those that need it. I wouldn’t dare attempt to put a numerical value on my craft. Obviously, that deal with Hollywood would be sweet! But realistically, without being pedantic or corny, if my words make one person smile, or think, or choose to be and do better, I have done my part; hopefully that person will be inspired to pay it forward.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Urrgghh!

I self-published my first book and did the running around from store to store and so on. Back in 2003, there were very few outlets that even wanted self-published books, so I often found myself doing my own promotion, book clubs and anything else to sell as many copies as I could. Turns out that writing the book was the easy part.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Easily the writing. I didn’t enjoy the publishing or marketing processes at all.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I wouldn’t call anything I can’t do or don’t do well a ‘weakness’. I have a weakness for butter pecan ice cream, pound cake, crispy fried chicken, any type or style of rice, but not regarding publishing. I just don’t like having to do it. Next time I’ll just get an agent. (laughing)

When do you think you will you write your next book?

I’ve already written it, but I don’t think I’ll publish just now. It’s autobiographical and raw, so it may be a bit much to share right now. I think I’ll do a Moses and wander the wilderness until a certain portion of this generation is consumed; then I’ll publish.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I have both self-published and hybrid published. I do not have a preference as both processes felt the same to me. I believe my next work will be with a traditional publisher as the subject matter is wildly controversial and may surprise (and upset) some people. A final word, I encourage anyone interested in writing to write. Tell your story. You may not win a Pulitzer or make the NY Times Bestseller List, but that’s not the goal and it should never be; tell your story because it’s your story and worth hearing. Who knows, you could inspire someone to do something great, and perhaps even save a life.

I wish you all good fortune, health and peace.