What does it take to overcome the deaths of two brothers, attempted rape, and a sudden, unexpected pregnancy with a man you're not head over heels for? Tara Walker, the protagonist in Black Child to Black Woman can tell you in no uncertain terms, exactly what it's like. 

In roughly 180 pages, author Cheryl Bannerman tells the story of young Tara from the time she is nine to the day the man of her dreams finally gets down on one knee. A work of fiction in diary format, Bannerman takes us on a journey of surprising highs and extraordinary lows. Her portrayal of Tara's ascension into the world from child to woman is felt with each impasse, and by the end it's as if we were there beside her, witnessing it all first hand. 

Bannerman answered a few questions via email about the book, and divulged how much her real life experiences contributed to the book. 

LB Examiner: Given this is your first published novel, what inspired you to write in diary format?

CB: Since I have always written in a journal throughout my life, to present my first novel
in this format and have Tara tell her story in her own words, was even more inspirational
for me as I told the many stories within the book. I wanted the reader to feel as if Tara
were speaking directly to them as a friend; so that they would be more inclined to listen,
be involved, and care about her welfare and what she was going through.

LB Examiner: You have an extensive background in business and project management. What
made you decide to write a book?

CB: I've actually always enjoyed writing short stories, songs, and poems as a child
and young person and my industry is actually Instructional Design. So writing training
materials and courses, creating characters in my e-Learning modules to teach and 'tell a
story', is not that far of a stretch.

LB Examiner: In Black Child to Black Woman, Tara experiences more as a child than most people
do their whole lives. How difficult was it for you to maintain that "child's" voice while
writing about things like attempted rape and alcohol abuse?

CB: No, it was not difficult at all. Again, this is a work of fiction, with just bits of pieces
of experiences from my childhood and adult life, my family members and friends
experiences, and stories I've heard in passing. I'm a 'storyteller' in my real job and in my
spare time writing songs and poems, so I am used to writing in different 'voices' so to
speak.

LB Examiner: Rojer's character was probably the most difficult to stomach. Did you know someone
like that in real life, or did you draw on characteristics from different people?

CB: It was a mixture of different characteristics from various persons, fictional and real.

LB Examiner: Reading Black Child to Black Woman is almost like stumbling upon your friend's
diary and sneaking a peek when she's not looking. The transition from child to adult is
very real. How long did it take you to write?

CB: It was decades of documenting and then one day in 2010 I said to myself, "I have
to get this story out now." 5 months of putting the pieces together (some of the content
was actually on Floppy Disk!), editing, creating graphics for the cover, one photo shoot
and 3 months of publishing with Authorhouse later, the end product was in my hands.
Ahhhhhhhh.

LB Examiner: How many of your own life experiences did you have to draw on in order to write this
book?

CB: Alot. I took the top tragedies from my life, such as the loss of siblings and family members, and converted that emotion into every fictional word of my book, whether it was real, from my life, or someone else's.

LB Examiner: At the beginning of your book, there's a section dedicated to those who doubted,
judged, abandoned, and mocked you, feelings I'm sure many writers want to express
when they've reached the success that comes along with publishing their first novel.
What obstacles did you overcome in order to get to where you are today?

CB: I've overcome and dealt with alot to get where I am today. Many do not understand
people with my personality; happy all the time, overly kind-hearted, a bit naive at
times (*grin*). I am thankful for my parents and my faith in the Lord. In addition there
are so many challenges still today for African-Americans trying to get ahead. And
challenges within our culture and even just being a woman. Ha! We would be here all
day discussing this topic. Maybe another time. ;-)

LB Examiner: Can we expect any other books from you any time soon?

CB: Yes, I want to finish my 2nd book by Feb. of 2011 if possible. I think everyone will be
pleasantly surprised on the 2nd one as well; it's more of a thriller.

LB Examiner: Thank you so much for interviewing with me, Cheryl. I read your book on a flight from
Kentucky to Los Angeles and couldn't put it down!

CB: Thank you so much. That means alot.

Cheryl Bannerman is currently touring the virtual world with Pump Up Your Book promotions. You can check out her tour info here, and you can purchase Black Child to Black Woman on Amazon. Feel free to connect with her on Facebook and check out her website at Bannerman Books.