Simply Cheris. . .

When I write love stories, people always ask if it's based on things that I've gone through. Let me stop laughing. We all know that romance novels have a feel good happily ever after. Cheris Hodges relationships Do. Not. I thought this was something that had just happened, but I found an old mix-tape/CD I made in the late 90s after a break up with some dude. The songs include, A Dream by DeBarge, Kiss the Pain Away by Patti LaBelle, There's Never Be a Better Love by Switch, I Don't Ever Want To See You Again by Uncle Sam (remember him?). And I wasn't even drinking back then. What's funny is when my love life is in a drought, like right now, I get so inspired to write about "Prince Charming." I remember when I thought I met Prince Charming in 2006. But he ended up cheating on me with a chick who looks like Ursula the Sea Witch from the Little Mermaid. I made a CD that reminded me of him. I thought I'd lost it (or smashed it to bits like I d...

I knew there was going to be something different about 2016. When the clock struck midnight on December 31st, 2015, I knew January 1, 2016 was going to be different. I'm no clairvoyant or a woman with sight beyond sight, but I'd been having crazy dreams and weird thoughts. I'd just started a new job at yet another car dealership. I know the money is good in selling cars, but it does damage your soul if you work for the wrong people. Yes, I'd taken a job with the wrong people. But it was a Christmas present that I'd given to someone that had set the tone for 2016. A pair of Timberland boots. My mother always said that if you give some one shoes, they will walk out of your life. She left out the part about the parade and second line that they do across your heart. When I give a gift, I actually want one in return. I know, it's better to give than to receive, but I can be petty and selfish. Trying to work on that in the New Year. I got a kiss on the cheek a...

All I wanted for Christmas that year was the Purple Rain Soundtrack and a Barbie doll. Every morning as we woke up to get ready for school, Z-103 played Let's Go Crazy. Growing up in Bennettsville, SC, concerts never came close enough for me to go see Prince when I was a kid. But I heard his music every day. And then we got cable! I saw his videos. When Doves Cry made me cry. Christmas came and I was happier to see my little cassette tape than Barbie. I was seven years old when I fell in love with Prince. I wanted to and still want to dress like Prince, rock boots like Prince. But I knew I'd never play or sing like Prince. Nobody would. Prince was always cool. Besides my Daddy, Prince is the only man I will punch you in the face over. When I made my first online purchase, it was Prince's New Power Soul CD. And it didn't stop there. In college, I bought everything that said Prince. Work study check came in and I headed to Willie's Records off Freedom Driv...

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know I celebrated Prince Day by playing all of his music, watching Purple Rain, Under The Cherry Moon and even Graffiti Bridge. As the Purple One's birthday winds down, I thought I'd share the songs that inspired me to write certain books --more specifically-- some scenes in certain books. See, I can't write without music. And since I can't sing or play instruments, I'm glad I fell in love with Prince in 1984 when I had no idea what Nikki was doing with that magazine. :) 1. His Sexy Bad Habi t -- Do Me Baby ( Controversy, 1981) 2. Revelations -- I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man (Sign O' The Times , 1987)    3. Recipe For Desire -- Housequake, Adore ( Sign O' The Times , 1987) 4. Let's Get It On -- Eye Hate U , ( The Gold Experience , 1995), Letitgo ( Come , 1994), Joy In Repetition ( Graffiti Bridge , 1990), The Greatest Romance That's Ev...