I have an unpublished book / script / the real version of the bible that Jesus gave to me when He came back to earth last night. Can you read it and tell me what you think of it?

No.  I hate even typing that, but now that I write for television I am simply not allowed to read people’s spec work. Yes, it’s that serious. I, uh, didn’t used to always be the best at reading all my contracts before I signed them and mentioned to my lawyer that I’d read a great sample chapter by a writer trying to get published. Oops. My lawyer made me sit down right there and look at the writing contracts I’d signed that forbid me from reading what I’d just told him I’d read.

Why do I have to follow this silly rule? The same reason there is that silly “may be hot” warning on the cup of coffee you just bought. Lawsuits. If I read your book / script and something that reminds you of your book / script shows up on a TV show I write for, you can sue some pretty major studios and networks. If you win, you’ll never have to write anything else in your life except your name on some pretty big checks. 

Seriously, you probably wouldn’t want me reading your stuff anyway.  I wouldn’t be as honest as you’d want me to be. I am not one of those people who think writing is a natural talent – I think it’s damn hard. I would feel horrible telling anyone, especially a stranger, that I disliked something she wrote.  And shoot, and who am I to tell you your flaws when my editor and TV boss think I have plenty of my own to worry about (like my tendency to ramble and not sum up a point succinctly and my tendency to overexplain myself?)

If you need help with your writing, check the bottom of the links section. I searched through a lot of websites and put only the most helpful, brutally honest ones on there. When and if I find other good ones, I’ll add them up there. I hope that helps you, my fellow writer! Good luck!

Who are your favorite authors? Your favorite TV shows?

I don’t have a favorite author. I don’t have a favorite food or a favorite color either. I have a favorite genre of books, though – memoirs! One of my favorite memoirs of all times is The Prisoners Wife by asha bandele.  The last two books I’ve picked up and couldn’t put down -  My Paper Life by Tatum O’Neal and Tiny Ladies in Shiny Pants by Jill Soloway.  My favorite genre of food is fruit.

I’m very picky about what I watch on TV. There’s nothing worse that wasting an hour of my life on a show that doesn’t make me laugh, think, or scare me. I love shows with complex and well-developed characters. Right now, I’m praying that The Wire comes back on HBO and I have my Tivo set to catch every episode of The Office (U.S. version). Living Single is my all-time favorite sitcom. I can’t front on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (oh, Carlton, I just scream when you drag yourself across the floor!), The Simpsons, and Newsradio either. And, of course, there is a little show called Scrubs…

 
My daughter is biracial. Can you recommend products and / or books to help her self-esteem? I also need some help with her hair!

For toys and books, check out DollsLikeMe.Com – They have just about every ethnicity and racial mix represented. Yes, they have half-Asian, half-Black. Yep, half-White half-Asian. Racism sold separately. Another good online store is Real-Kidz.com.

The biggest help for her self-esteem, of course, is you (cue: sweet music). Make sure you reinforce that all skin shades are beautiful and have answers ready for questions like, “Why aren’t there many dark-skinned African-American Asian Indian models?” For mothers of Black / White mixed children, prepare them for why some people may consider their European features more beautiful than their African ones.  Explain that there is no such thing as “good” hair or an “ugly” nose.

On hair: If your daughter has any type of curl, wave or texture to her hair, you must visit naturallycurly.com. The message boards are full of mixed girls who know how to make the most of multi-textured coils.  This pactadopt.org link is specifically for white parents who need help with their black or biracial child’s hair.  If you are in or near New York City, visit Curve Salon –it’s owned by two biracial sisters! If you’re nowhere near New York, visit the ethnic aisle of the drugstore and pick up any brand of “Protein Gel” (it’s brown hair gel.) It works wonders on wet, thick, curly hair. That’s all I use. I wash my hair and put a bunch of that stuff on from root to tip.

What does the E in Chuck E. Cheese stand for? 

Edwin.