Fab Friday Features, Marvelous Marv...

Authors try to give as authentic a voice as we can to our characters. I  sit down and read my books to my husband as I write them. He points out to me when I'm off character and need to take a moment to breathe, versus if I'm flowing like water.

His perspective was extremely important to me in The House of BeJeweled series. I wanted a man's point-of-view on the situations my characters faced.

I would read a scene to him and ask him his opinion. Quite often he would tell me I was on point. Other times, not so much. The basketball scene in book 3, BeJeweled: A Beautiful Blend was written completely from his perspective.

Although he refuses to take credit, he's the other side of this writing duo. He doesn't sit and write, but he definitely "pants" and brainstorms with me. Therefore, today's Fab Friday Feature is none other than my Marvelous husband, Mr. Marvin "Marvelous" Ramsey. 

CHELLE: When you provide input on projects that we work on, would you say that you're a plotter or Pantser? 

MARV: It’s different with me, because you do these plots and when you do them I can do so much with it. I get creative ideas based on the way you're flowing. Then I’ll share an idea with you, and it takes off from there.

CHELLE: Tell our readers a little about yourself? Who is Marvin the man?

MARV: I really don’t have a bead on myself. I don’t know what will affect me any particular way. I just focus on being the best that I can be. I’m just that person. Sometimes, I think my reactions are based on a mood or emotion I’m in at that given time. Sometimes, I’m unsure how I do what I do. I wonder how others can’t see things, because I see it clear as day. It makes me reflect on how I got to where I am in life. Where I come from, what I went through and so forth.

CHELLE: There's a certain insight that you have on life and people that I would say is your gift. I believe what you've described is a part of that gift. How do you create balance in life?

MARV: I fight a good fight and don’t put myself above anyone, or anyone above myself. I’m far from being perfect, but I’m not planning on being the worst one. Just like everyone else, I will expire and leave here unworthy and come up short. Balance and attempting to find a peace of mind in this world is a daily battle. If I can find a peace of mind with who I am, then I’m balanced.

CHELLE: And we know that you don't have a peace of mind with me and the kids around. Especially when I'm working on a project that I need your attention on. LOL!!!  

MARV: Yeah, you know?

CHELLE: Pandora or iHeart?

MARV: Pandora, I guess. You keep it tuned in to that. I don’t have a clue what iHeart is.

CHELLE: What genre do you write and why?

MARV: You do all of the writing, but my favorite is urban-spiritual. They don’t have that genre, but I like urban because there are a lot of stories to tell there and as time goes on, urban is where reality lies.

CHELLE: If you could pair up with another author to write, who would you choose and why?

MARV: Chelle Ramsey. Because I believe we somehow share a spiritual connection. Otherwise, I’m not sure there would be a door open or a connection that someone would understand my flow the way you do.

CHELLE: I'm so glad you got that answer right. (I wink an eye at him, and smile cunningly). Mountains or the beach?

MARV: I think all of that is starting to be scary. All kind of things are happening and nothing is safe anywhere. But…I would have to say the mountains, because I love nature.

CHELLE: Okay, babe. We're not going to travel down that road today, because this interview could turn into a two-hour interview. I'm just saying...On another note, if there was one thing you would want your readers to know after reading your works, what would it be?

MARV: Enjoy.

CHELLE: Describe your idea of the perfect “me-time.”

MARV: When I look around and I’m by myself. Headspace is the perfect way I can describe it.

CHELLE: Kobe or LeBron?

MARV: Well, there was one time I would pick, but out of respect for all that they have done and being different people, I equally appreciate them. I don’t think I can say one or the other anymore; I appreciate what they do in the game of basketball.

CHELLE: We live life beautifully inspired here, at The Beautifully Inspired Blog. Leave us with an inspirational post, comprised of three words.

MARV: Live, Love, Learn.


Well, that was a peek at my husband, Professor X. That basketball scene I mentioned? Here's his words and actions in play from a man's perspective:

 ****

Whoosh…the ball gracefully swished through the net as Wesley knocked an opposing player onto his back.

He grabbed his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face, which was pouring into his eyes. Turning around to face the other team, he looked at the player who had tried to guard him. “Uggh, what now, nigga…nothing but net!” he called, mean mugging the opposing player who was being helped up by a teammate.

“So, wassup? You got something on your chest you wanna get off? We can go right here, right now…” the other player said, coming at Wesley with his arms spread out at his sides. The other two men from his team ran up and grabbed the man’s arms, attempting to calm him down and not allow a fight to break out. But they, too, were looking Wesley up and down as if he had clearly lost his mind.

“Man, what’s up with your game?” Wesley’s friend, Ali, asked, hands out in front of him, eyebrows lifted. He was stunned by Wesley’s aggressive nature on the court.

“Yeah, man, you coming hard as hell,” Eric, his best friend, said as he slapped Wesley on the shoulder, pushing him back. They took a time-out after Wesley’s flagrant foul to calm things down a bit before a fight broke out. He was playing with a more aggressive nature than normal, and the fellows couldn’t figure out what it was all about.

Wesley played hard to push thoughts of Nikki out of his head. The only way to achieve that was with a game of ball; his love of the sport was always his cure all for everything that ailed him in life. And this evening was no exception. He took his frustrations with the situation and his anger at her husband out on his opponents on the court.

“I’m a’ight, man…I didn’t mean dude no harm, I’m just bringing it today,” Wesley replied.

Eric was hunched over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “I feel you, man, but that ain’t the only thing you bringing. You need to squash that bullshit and let’s play ball,” Eric advised.

“I’m cool, I’m cool…come on, let’s do this,” he said, walking back onto the court where the other players stood.

“Yo’ boy a’ight, man?” one of the other players asked Eric.

“Yeah, man, it’s all good. Y’all a’ight?” Eric questioned, standing with his hands on his hips.

“Yeah, man, we good,” the other player replied, looking around at his own teammates.

“A’ight, come on, let’s do this,” Eric said.

Wesley walked up to the other player. “My bad, man. My bad,” he apologized.

“It’s cool, man,” the previously offended player replied.

They played another half an hour, with Wesley and his friends finally winning the game with a score of fifteen to eleven, before playing against another team.

Wesley, Eric, and Ali walked out of the gym into the cool night air. Heading for their cars, they made small talk until they could get out of earshot from other people on the court.

“Aye, man, what was all that about on the court?” Eric asked.

“Man, I was cool. They was just losing and dude couldn’t take it,” Wesley explained.

“Nah, bruh…you was tripping. We was winning, but you came hard at ol’ dude,” Ali interjected.

“Yeah, man, you were playing kinda wild today, and that ain’t you. So, what gives?” Eric asked, holding his hands out in front of him, and staring at his best friend. That was his way of letting Wesley know he wanted the truth, no holds barred.

“Man, I don’t know. I got some things to work out that’s been bothering me,” Wesley stated as he opened the back door of his Camaro and threw his ball inside along with his towel.

“I know it ain’t that married chick,” Eric said, shaking his head and looking at Wesley out the corner of his eye.

Wesley stood up, slammed the car door closed, and turned around to face his friends. Leaning against his car, he crossed his arms over his broad chest and grinned at Eric.

“See, now why you gotta go there? Why you think my game messed up over some broad?” Wesley asked.

“Look, Wes, I didn’t say your game was messed up. But your attitude is,” Eric explained, “and if it’s because of her, I’m telling you, you need to check out man. A married broad ain’t nothing but trouble.”

“Yeah, man, that’s the last thing you wanna do. My sister, Nafeesa, has a friend who was cheating on her husband. When her husband found out, he went ballistic on both of them. He beat her so bad, she was in the hospital for two weeks, and he killed the dude. Man, you don’t wanna play with that kind of fire,” Ali warned.

“Man, I am not messing with that chick. I’m sayin’, she just need to leave her dude alone. He already putting his hands on her, and she always coming to work sad and depressed. She’s a good girl, and she don’t deserve that. That’s all I’m saying. She just need someone to be there for her, and that’s all I’m
tryna’ do.”

“Oh, a’ight. So, you ain’t tryna’ get with her, you just tryna’ be capn’ save one. That’s what you tellin’ us? Man, don’t say you weren’t warned,” Eric pronounced.

“Well, nigga, that’s how you got here, ain’t it?” Wesley teased.

“A’ight man, do it how you do it. I ain’t hatin’. Just want you to be careful. Nothing but love, man,” Eric said, giving Wesley pound on the back.

“Yeah, man, cuz I don’t wanna be in your cut when some crazed maniac come up in there squeezing off rounds and making Swiss cheese outta y’all. Or, cutting y’all heads off and serving ‘em on platters,” Ali declared.

Eric and Wesley laughed at Ali’s declaration, and shook their heads.

“Mannn, you crazy. Where you get that bullshit from? You better quit watching them stupid ass movies,” Eric laughed, teasing Ali.

“I’m out,” Wesley announced and gave his partners dap before jumping into his ride and pulling off.

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