Interview with Dwayne Murray, Mr.
Author of “The Mouse That Roared” (ISBN 0976985500)
Hi Dwayne. It is a pleasure to have you with us. Dwayne Murray, Sr. is the author of “The Mouse That Roared,” a novel that is a captivating drama about a young woman who defied her.
the wishes of her religious father and participated in a beauty pageant in her hometown.
Irene: What inspired you to write a fictional drama about a young woman who defies her religious father’s wishes and enters a beauty pageant?
Dwayne: I just wanted to break the mold on the theme of an African-American woman. Instead of having her in a common situation starting to live the harsh urban life, I wanted to show the effects of bad decisions on a young woman who was surrounded by a peaceful environment in a country life “down from home” and what could Going through her bad decisions took her out of her comfort zone.
Irene: Are you saying that most books about African-American women stereotype them as living a tough urban life? If so, why do you think this?
Dwayne: Not at all, I’m just saying that the story of African American women living a tough urban life has been touched on before in other novels and I wanted to start Sandra’s life in a different setting. I know firsthand many women who lived and accomplished many positive things in a rugged urban environment, including my wife, my mother, and my late grandmother.
Irene: This is the first time you’ve written a book. How long have you been thinking about writing this novel?
Dwayne: I’ve been thinking about this novel for the past year since it was first created as a screenplay. Since the competition to get this play off the ground was so tough, I found it necessary to make 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 let go and not hold back because they all had a story to tell.
Irene: How did you come up with the characters and their nuances?
Dwayne: All the characters came from my imagination. For example, when creating the character of Sandra Lyte, I knew I wanted a beautiful African-American woman who was naive but a very kind person. A woman who has no idea of the mysteries and dangers of the urban city, but because she is forced into a corner, she only has two options: learn fast or become a statistic. Upon meeting the antagonist Doug Gunner, Sandra is taken into 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 the main character instead of an Asian or Caucasian woman?
Dwayne: Because I lived through and experienced her struggle being raised and raised by African American women. Her struggle is one I know and can confidently put on paper, as I can relate to it and experience it firsthand. I’m not saying women of other nationalities haven’t faced their own struggles, it’s easier for me to identify with African American women as they were an intricate part of shaping the man I am today.
Irene: What research did you do for the characters or the plot setting?
Dwayne: When creating my characters, as I said before, they all came from my imagination. I basically sat down and applied a personality trait to all the characters in the novel. We as individuals fit a different mold. Some of us are brave, conceited, leaders, followers, ambitious and devious. It was just a process where I sat down and decided which characters would fit which traits.
Irene: Is there any part of the book that reflects on your personal life?
Dwayne: As far as events affecting Sandra and her friends, I have to say no. I will say having to dig deep within myself in different situations in my life to continue to fight for the things that I believe in, that I can relate to when it comes to Sandra.
Irene: And those are?
Dwayne: My childhood friendships mirrored the friendship Sandra, Pamela, and Rose shared. There was also Officer Williams from the 46th Precinct Community Affairs Office, who was very involved with children and families in the community. My character, Ms. Carla, even though she is a woman, her dedication and commitment to the less fortunate in the book reminds me of Officer Williams in the past, who inspired me and asked for my help in giving back to others in the community. When I really think about it, there are many aspects of my book that reflect my life.
Irene: When I look at the title and read your story, it just doesn’t seem to fit. Tell us about the choice of title.
Dwayne: There’s always a short, skinny kid in an army platoon that nobody pays any attention to. The person everyone feels is weak and should not worry, but when this person is cornered, he will rise to the occasion. He surprises not only the average person, but the very person who judges them weak and not too bright. This is Sandra, the mouse among the cats who will eventually get up and roar louder. That’s why I was so intrigued by the title, because it fits perfectly with Sandra’s personality and story.
Irene: What do you think makes people perceive that the “short skinny kid” is really weak?
Dwayne: The truth is, we live in a prejudiced society and we all make the mistake of “judging a book by its cover.” Most people will see a short skinny person and think he is weak. Very few can judge until they really know a person. In my book, The Mouse That Roared, Doug Gunner made the mistake of believing that Sandra was weak, and for a while she believed that about herself. Often it takes tragedy or very unfortunate circumstances to get the mite out of a person. Do you remember the saying: “Never corner a mouse, they will come out fighting?” This is true of my character Sandra, hence the title of the book The Mouse That Roared.
Irene: In most books, whether they are fiction or nonfiction, there is some kind of underlying message. What is the main message of your story?
Dwayne: Life is defined by the choices we make. These decisions affect not only us as individuals, but many times those we love and care for as well. With life sometimes bad decisions are made that will, in essence, determine our fate and destiny. Other messages that my book transmits is the importance of friendship and solidarity, which was magnified in the relationship of Sandra, Pamela and Rose. Finally, at least once in life, as individuals, we will lose something we care about and love deeply and be forced to make a choice to either crumble in the face of adversity or find the strength, courage, and determination to rise eight times over. . get shot down seven and fight for what you think is 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’t do anything without the power of God, and recognizing that my destiny is what I do. Sometimes you have to put your hand in the fire to get what you want in life. I always take advantage of the day as if it were the last and try to achieve what I set out to do.
Irene: I’m told she’s being interviewed on WTLC AM1310, Indianapolis, Indiana on the “Around 2 It Talk Show” on February 7th. Tell us more about the program and what time you can listen to it.
Dwayne: Yes, the live radio interview will be hosted by Ms. Dolores Thorn at 6pm EST. Ms. Thorn is a columnist for the Indiana Herald newspaper and hosts two radio shows, “Around 2 It & Book Nook,” which introduces new authors and gives them the opportunity to discuss their new novels. Mrs. Thorn will ask me several questions about me and the novel “The Mouse That Roared.” I’m really looking forward to it and I hope many people across the country will be able to hear it.
Irene: What are your hopes for the future of “The Mouse That Roared”?
Dwayne: The most important thing is to put it in the hands of all readers who enjoy a good book. It’s hard to put into words the good feeling I get when I get emails about how much someone enjoyed The Mouse That Roared. I met many people who had already read the book and they told me how much they loved reading it. It’s such a good feeling to hear readers tell me “I couldn’t put it down” or “I almost missed my stop on the train because I was so into his book.” Another aspiration I have for “The Mouse That Roared” is to see it one day on the big screen, because I really feel like the book has that kind of feeling. The book is action packed and reads like you are watching a movie.
Irene: Is there anything else you would like your reading public to know about you and your book?
Dwayne: It’s just that from the first word I wrote inside my basement to this day it’s been one of the most exuberant wrinkles of my life that has impacted me in so many positive ways. “The Mouse That Roared” comes from my heart and soul, to anyone who spends their hard earned money to buy it, please understand that I really appreciate you and feel free to tell me how it made you feel. For the readers, everyone will be hearing from Dwayne Murray, Sr. soon!
