BRIANA COLE

Interview by King Brooks

I was first introduced to Briana Cole with her book ‘The Wives We Play’ published by Dafina, and I have been in love with her novels ever since. Whenever I read one of her books..I know that she is getting ready to take me on an emotional rollercoaster. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to interview her this month. So enjoy this interview and share with a friend.

King Brooks: Hi Briana, How are you?

Briana Cole: I’m doing great! Thanks so much for the interview!

KB: Tell the readers about your new book ‘The Marriage Pass’ from the Unconditional Series?

BC: The Marriage Pass centers around a couple who celebrate their one-year anniversary by giving each other a free pass to indulge in their deepest desires. For Dorian, the hall pass is a chance to spend the night with his wife’s sister, but the decision leads to a domino effect of dire consequences.

KB: Where did the idea for this book come from?

BC: The inspiration for this story originally came in the form of a book cover someone was selling on Facebook. The woman had her finger over her lips and it was something about that cover that stuck with me. My mind started working on a series of ‘what-if’ scenarios; trying to figure out what secret this woman was keeping and why. I’ve always been an author that writes about the unconventional and there is usually some element of infidelity. So with The Marriage Pass, I thought about a couple giving permission to cheat and all the scandal that can happen if one was to “cross the line.” Technically, is it wrong if they had permission? I knew that was something worth reading.

KB: How long did it take you to write ‘The Marriage Pass?’

BC: It took me about three months to write.

KB: It’s been said that this new series is a spin off from the first 3 books. How is this new book different from the first three books?

BC: I like to say The Marriage Pass is in the same ‘universe,’ if that makes sense. Like a Marvel movie. In fact, some characters you met in the Unconditional series do appear in this book. But you don’t have to read the Unconditional series to read this one because it’s written as its own, individual story with all the ingredients for my signature Cole cocktail: An unconventional story, scandalous suspense, crazy plots twists, and lots of drama!

KB: Why do you continue to push the boundaries of relationships/marriage?

Briana: I like to think (and write) outside of the box. It makes my stories unique, engaging, and quite the discussion topic.

KB: Can you relate to any of the characters in any way? How so?

BC: I had the most fun writing about Reagan but I feel I can identify a little closer with Shantae. She is more level-headed and strategic; thinking before she acts. Readers may feel she is dumb, but I don’t think so at all. She’s just a woman in love and struggling to get over the hurt. We’ve all been there.

KB: Please give the readers a brief bio about you?

BC: Known as The Literary Drama Queen, Briana Cole is a multi-talented entertainment mogul in both the book and film industries. She is the author of the nationally-acclaimed Unconditional series and has also penned several novels under an mother of three, and active member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated organization. alternate pseudonym. Briana is the co-Screenwriter and Associate Producer for the pulp urban noir film, Gutta Mamis: Money Bag Tales and is currently writing, producing, and starring in her own feature film, Pseudo. She has been recognized in a number of popular blogs and magazines, the most prominent being Sophisticate’s Hair Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, Popsugar, and Sheen. In addition to this, Briana is a motivational speaker, Atlanta native, mother of three, and active member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated organization.

KB: How do you balance motherhood, being a wife, and career?

BC: To be honest, I probably haven’t slept in four years, lol. Seriously, I have a phenomenal support system! Plus, I am a person that loves to plan so I try to organize my time and responsibilities on my calendar. My children are very understanding and ensure I make time to work with them on school projects or just sit and watch a movie together. It’s all about balance.

KB: Tell us about you venturing into film making?

BC: I am a writer under Friesian Script Services and we ‘flip scripts’ or write book-to-film adaptations. In fact, I am a co-Screenwriter and Associate Producer for the pulp urban noir film, Gutta Mamis: Money Bag Tales which was released in November 2020. Feeling inspired, I took the concept for one of my own stories and wrote a screenplay, executive produced, and starred in it. That is a psychological thriller called Pseudo, slated to be released sometime this year.

KB: What has the journey been like?

BC: It’s a lot to learn but so rewarding because it allows me to marry my two passions: writing and acting.

KB: Tell Us about your upcoming releases ‘Justified’ & ‘Couples Wanted’ later this year?

BC: My story in the Justified anthology is called Pseudoand is actually the concept for my movie of the same name. It’s about Kennedy, a con artist who has capitalized on stealing women’s identities. Now, the real people whose identities she took are being killed one by one and Kennedy emerges as the prime suspect. Couples Wanted is the follow-up to The Marriage Pass and is about a couple who decide to try an alternative lifestyle when they meet a pair of swingers. But exploring this unchartered territory is not without its consequences when they realize their new swinger friends have ulterior motives.

KB: When all is said and done, how do you want us to remember you?

BC: I want to be remembered for my unconventional plot twists. I hope these stories resonate with my readers long after they’ve closed the book and they walk away entertained, as well as educated in something new and different.

King Brooks is Editor In Chief/Publisher of Blackpageturners. com & Unleashed Lit Magazine.