Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Delores Thornton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Delores, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
I have always had enough! Coming from a family of 13 children it never seemed to me that we were poor. Because my father worked hard and he made sure that we always had enough. In the 1950s people came to our house daily to use the phone, use the clothes dryer, borrow a cup of sugar or flour. And even to watch television.
Our textbook rental was always paid on the first day of school. A proud man daddy never accepted charity and we never received free lunch.
My mother was very religious and taught us to share with each other and with neighbors. I grew up with the village attitude deeply ingrained in my heart. I felt it my duty to give back and I always had enough to do just that.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As a literary enthusiast I am deeply rooted in the arts. Some of my titles include; Author, Playwright, Filmmaker, Creative Writing Instructor, Spoken Word Artist and Storyteller.
I am the founder/president of two publishing companies, Marguerite Press, Inc. 501(c)(3), and Chess Press. Not only have I published and promoted my own works but also books by others.
I am currently working on two projects. One is sponsored by Centerwell Senior Primary Care in which I am teaching creative writing to Older Adults, once called Senior Citizens.
I’m also working on a short film based on a book I published for a client a few years ago. The film now in pre-production is titled, Jesus’ Love Brought Me Back. It’s based on a book by the same title by Pastor Juanita Bumphus.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I have always sought to improve my craft and to do so I enrolled in classes and seminars. I attended and later facilitated workshops. It was also beneficial for me to serve on literary boards and planning and steering committees. I gained invaluable knowledge through contacts in the literary world. I gained confidence to enter film festivals and playwriting contests.
My books, skits, plays and films have been enthusiastically received locally. Books have won awards and plays have been selected for festivals with one, BABE, being screened worldwide by Butler University at Indianapolis, Indiana. One of my short films, Ida Mae 2, was included in the first Fort Shorts at Arts for Lawrence Theater at Lawrence, Indiana.
My acquired skill as an aggressive promoter of my work opened many doors along the way.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The book that influenced me most was my debut novel Ida Mae which I penned in 1995. I started my first publishing company, Marguerite Press in 1996 to get my book to press. It was a tremendous undertaking but it gave me the courage to move forward after I experienced a cross country book tour. At some bookstores readers and fans had formed lines to purchase autographed copies.
I learned from book clubs and African American librarians in cities I visited. On lesson I gleaned was to read my book from cover to cover just before a discussion. People will be so deeply interested in an author’s work and will ask questions about individual characters. You never want to be caught off guard.
Another thing I learned the hard way was Never eat before a book event or any type of performance.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Nairobi910
- Facebook: Deloreslewisthornton
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