Interview with Angeline Bandon-Bibum

Interview with Angeline Bandon-Bibum
by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney

What is your name?
Angeline Bandon-Bibum

Tell me something about yourself.
I am originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, I live in Silver Spring, Maryland. I am a Help Desk Analyst by day, and I am a writer by night. I am a wife and mother of three children. I graduated from Howard University in 1988, with a Bachelor of Arts. I am a poet and author of Sojourner’s Dream (a romantic story of Sojourner Brown, a shy grad student, and Joseph Kalisa, a debonair DC lawyer). I am currently working on the sequel to Sojourner’s Dream which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior.

What inspired you to write your sequel to Sojourner’s Dream which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior?
Joseph Kalisa, the protagonist in Sojourner's Dream, inspired me to write the sequel. Jospeh was inspired my childhood vision of an African warrior, whom I modernized. Joseph's story does not end in Sojourner's Dream.

Sample Excerpt from Lamentations of a Warrior

PROLOGUE of Lamentations of a Warrior

As a boy, Joseph was playing hide and go seek with his younger cousin, Theodetta. He hide in one of the many corridors of the palace inhabited by his uncle and aunt, the King and Queen of Rwanda. Joseph heard footsteps of his little cousin as she searched for him. He heard her voice echoing through the hallways, as she called out for him. He said nothing, but he ran through the seemingly endless corridor of the palace. He then suddenly bumped into the legs of an extremely tall man, the king of Rwanda. The king was called Mwami. He wore an elaborate headdress, and draped over his elegant French suit, was a toga-like, white cloth. In his hand was a golden scepter that reached the floor. Joseph was terrified. Would he be beaten, or thrown out of the palace? He looked up at the Mwami, and the Mwami’s face was serious. Joseph kneeled and bowed down in front of the Mwami. He looked at the shiny black European shoes of the king. Then Joseph dared to look up again. To his surprise, he saw that the Mwami was smiling at him.
Copyright © 2007 by Angeline Bandon-Bibum

Do you have a specific target audience for your sequel to Sojourner’s Dream which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior?
I am hoping that African history buffs, as well as literary fiction bibliophiles will enjoy it. I actually don't have a target in mind though.

How did you come up with your title?
It is inspired by some of the experiences of the characters in the novel.

Do you have any role models?
I have many literary role models, whose works have inspired me. Among them include Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, William Faulkner, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Wright, etc. This list can go on and on.

Do you have any comments for the readers?
If you are interested in learning more about my sequel to my first novel, Sojourner’s Dream which is entitled: Lamentations of a Warrior, then, I invite you to check out my blog designated for my sequel. It can be viewed at
http://sojournersdreamlamentationsofawarrior.blogspot.com

They should also check out my other sites, which can be viewed at the following links listed below:
http://www.authorsden.com/msangelinebandonbibum
http://angelinebandonbibum.blogspot.com
http://sojournersdreamanovel.blogspot.com

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has offered comments about my first novel, Sojourner’s Dream. I also would like to say thank you for all of those who have supported me in putting such an intriguing novel together. In addition, thank you to all of those that have purchased my first novel, Sojourner’s Dream.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Cordially,
Angeline Bandon-Bibum

Copyright © 2007 by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney