Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Gene-O, who discusses his new novel, Five Steps Black.
Release Date: 4/27/24
Where available: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1649535066
About Gene-O Five Steps Black:
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with a well-known truism about life on planet earth – that the only constant in life is change. Taking this to heart, with the hope that more enlightened attitudes and behaviors are possible, the concept of change is a driving force in the ever-evolving creative world of Gene-o, a veteran musical artist and first-time novelist who is currently expressing his heartfelt belief that we are all capable of doing much better via two projects showcasing different sides of his artistry.
“Time for Change,” the insightful and timely debut single from his new genre-busting musical venture Classic Twist, is a powerful call to action anthem that reflects on all we need to do to come together and achieve a better world. Over an infectious vibe that incorporates elements of pop, R&B, country and rock, Gene-o sings, “It’s time we leave our comfort zone/It’s time for you and I to rearrange things. . .It’s time we see the light. . .So much love/That’s what we all should be thinking of.”
Concurrent with the drop of this track, Gene-o is making high-impact commercial and critical waves with Five Steps Black, his provocatively titled, socially conscious first novel that, through a series of life and mind-altering events occurring to its main character, incisively drives home the reality that no matter how empathetic we may be towards another person’s plight, unless we have been in his or her shoes, dealing exactly with what he or she is dealing with, we simply can’t fully understand.
In the novel’s time frame of 2020, when the pandemic had us all on edge, the George Floyd inspired Black Lives Matter protests were raging in the streets and systemic racism once again reared its ugly head in the worst way, the political and racial divisions in our country were never more stark or terrifying. Those that couldn’t understand the BLM-driven outrage, or why there was such an outcry over the much-publicized crimes committed against the likes of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, simply had no idea what it was like to walk in the shoes of a Black person in America during this time – or maybe any time.
Review Fix: What makes this novel special?
GENE-O: While it is a work of fiction, it examines a reality of what life could look like if you were one day forced to become something or someone beyond your own understanding or belief. This theme is not commonly explored in novels quite in this way. When Charlie is compelled to live as his alter ego in real-time, it offers him a vivid perspective from what is perceived to be the other side of the world, endowing him with a comprehensive understanding of experiences he previously could not even fathom. The story unfolds in a way that is so unique and yet so real that the distinction between when one being begins and the other ends becomes almost imperceptible. In this process, Charlie also gains insights into who he has been and confronts the grave error that many of us commit: we judge without truly grasping the struggles or simply the different lifestyles that others face.
Review Fix: How was it written?
GENE-O: By letting it fall out of me. No really, it’s not something I ever set out to do but when 2020 hit and I was watching our WORLD begin to unravel in front of my eyes, it was like something hit me and it just flowed out.
Review Fix: What authors inspire you?
GENE-O: Nicholas Sparks, Shondra Rhimes and Kathryn Stockett. They tell stories in ways that you get pulled into the humanity of it.
Review Fix: How has your career in music helped you as a writer?
GENE-O: Throughout my career, I’ve always written and sung about love in all its forms—fast, mid-tempo or slow, country, jazz or R&B, it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, it’s all about love and learning to love better, whether that’s self-love or loving others. My songs are like movies in my head, and as I curate the lyrics that’s how I bring those movies to life. Writing this book was a chance to go deeper into the stories in those songs, to tell them in a way you can’t in a three-minute tune.
With this book, I got to stretch out the music into a longer story, to show the full picture of what I see in my head. It’s been challenging at times to be able to fully explain how I see it in full detail, but I’ve managed to put my thoughts down on paper in as much detail as I can. Some people might say these stories are just fiction. But for me, they’re real, even if they aren’t one explicit story you’ve seen on TV or read in the newspaper, it’s aspects of stories we’ve seen perpetuated in real life over and over again. The only part of “Five Steps Back” that’s purely fictional for me is how Charlie comes to live in a life as Charles—let’s just say, that while it’s not something I’ve witnessed in my lifetime, who’s to say that maybe one day, the way things are evolving, it might be possible in the future.
I’ve never enjoyed sitting down and writing at this level ever in my life. I am much too impatient for that… or so I thought. But now, I’ve fallen in love with finding yet another way to express what love, understanding and change can look like to me, from my point of view, full of possibility. You can think of this book as just an extended version of some of my best songs…
Review Fix: What was the hardest part of putting this all together?
GENE-O: For me, the toughest part was figuring out how to express things in a way that brought readers into the scenes playing in my mind without making it feel too far from what’s real. I’ve always been a bit stubborn and eager to get things done quickly, wanting readers to instantly get what I’m saying from my point of view. I’ve learned, though, that’s not always a fair expectation. Coming from someone who’s not used to reading a book every week or catching up on the daily news, it’s been a challenge to find the right words and the best way to put them down.
I’ve had a lot of help from editors and mentors. Believe me, getting them to see things from my perspective, and translating that perspective onto paper, hasn’t been easy. But, I had to let go a little and trust the experts I’ve hired to do their thing in putting together Five Steps Back. It’s important to me that readers from different backgrounds understand the story as deeply as I do, so I had to learn how to make that connection easier. Charlie, from the story, has been a big help in getting the message right.
I’m still getting the hang of writing—how to bring my thoughts to life on paper, how to convey feelings, and how to be authentically myself while learning this craft. And this is from someone who NEVER thought they would be writing a novel. Writing a book is a whole different game than writing a song. It’s harder, but as long as I find stories that I believe can make a difference, stories that the world needs to hear, I’ll keep on learning. I’ll keep trying to figure out the best way to communicate, to touch, to inspire and to love the readers as I grow through this journey.
Review Fix: How do you want this book to affect people?
GENE-O: More than anything, I want readers to experience the journey with Charlie—to live through the story with him. It’s important to step back—regardless of whether you believe every detail—and recognize that there are vital messages within the story that need to be heard, truly heard. Rather than concentrating on any unrealities or getting hung up on what’s fictional, it’s about grasping the underlying messages I’m trying to convey.
I want readers to pause, just for five minutes, before making a judgment about someone. Try to understand who they are, what they’ve been through. This might help us see that, at the core, we’re all going through the same things. We go through life’s ups and downs, face challenges, celebrate wins, encounter biases, and grapple with global issues. The difference lies in how we handle these experiences. But these differences in handling life’s trials don’t make us different at our core… we’re all human beings.
Review Fix: What are your goals for this year?
GENE-O: I’m excited to announce the release of my new album under the moniker Classic Twist called GREY coming this spring. I’m in the final stages of completing the last few songs and they’ll be ready soon. Additionally, I’ll be wrapping up the final book of a trilogy, Momma J, that hasn’t yet been released. I’ve started on a new book that I’ve had sitting for the past year, Judged By My Cover. I’ve also written my first children’s book, The Sandbox, that I’m looking forward to publishing this spring. I’ve set the goal of writing seven books in five years and am well on my way so I’m hopeful for a publishing deal on the books and, equally as hopeful to see some action in publishing my song library as well.
I’m also eager for the opportunity to bring my new music to life on television shows and hope to have some live performances such as Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. I aim to do more than just perform; I want to share the messages behind my songs with a wider audience. These platforms would be ideal for spreading my music’s message to the world.
And as things progress, I’m hoping to meet a few of the individuals who appear to share my commitment to spreading love—icons like Oprah, Taylor Swift, Shaquille O’Neal, Brenda Russell, Travis Kelce, Steph Curry, Coach Popovich and Coach Reid, just to name a few. It’s a lofty goal, I know, but these are people who have not only inspired me over the years but also have set an example through the way they live their lives, embodying the values they stand for, and that matters to me.
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
GENE-O: The best place is to head to our website www.geneocole.com to find the links to our social media presence and find the latest news on all our current projects.
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