9. Why do you think Miss Rachel is such a positive influence on the Good Girlz?
10. Why do you think the Good Girlz are so close? Do you think it is being part of the club that keeps them so bonded?
11. What do you think next year will be like for the Good Girlz now that they will all be going to A&M? Do you think college will be filled with even more drama, or will having the responsibility of being on their own make a difference?
12. Everyone has a favorite memory from her senior year of high school. If you could ask the Good Girlz what theirs were, what do you think they would say?
Enhance Your Book Club
Since this is the last we will hear from the Good Girlz, imagine them ten years later: Are they married? Do they have children? Are they still friends? Write a short story about the Good Girlz in the future and share their adventures with the club.
Who could forget when Angel first visits Rico’s family farm? Cook up your favorite down-home dish and have a barbeque potluck.
Good Girlz, the movie: The buzz is already on for the Good Girlz movie. Cast the characters! Who do you think could play each role?
Go back and read the beginning! Re-read Nothing But Drama—or read it for the first time—and discuss how far the girls have come.
Check out ReShonda’s other novels in the Good Girlz series along with her adult novels such as Holy Rollers and The Devil Is a Lie. If you like ReShonda’s work, pick up books by her contemporaries, such as Kimberla Lawson Roby and Victoria Christopher Murray. Learn more about the author at www.reshondatatebillingsley.com.
A Conversation with
Reshonda Tate Billingsley
As the eighth installment of the Good Girlz series, you must be pretty attached to the girls. Who is your favorite? Who do you relate to the most? Are any of them based on real-life people?
Who’s my favorite? That’s like saying, which of your kids do you like the best! I love all of the girls. Camille is the most like me (minus the boy-craziness). I had the most fun with Jasmine because she says and does whatever she feels. Each of my characters is fictional, but what I do is take a little bit of people I know and meet and sprinkle their traits into each of the Good Girlz.
The Good Girlz deal with issues such as teen pregnancy. What are some of the lessons you want readers to learn from Angel?
It’s so okay to say no. There’s an exercise I often do where I give a teen a hundred-dollar bill. I ask her what could Lil’ Johnny say to talk her out of that hundred dollars. Most of the time it’s “Nothing!” If you won’t let some guy sweet talk you out of a hundred dollars, why would you give him the most precious gift of all—yourself. So I want young people to recognize that. I also want them to see there are longtime consequences for temporary satisfaction. Angel had to miss parties and dates, and she struggled so much because of one bad decision.
The issue of the inappropriate videotape being leaked to the internet is something that is happening a lot with teens today. Is that why you included it in the novel? What do you think teens or parents can do to prevent something like this happening?
Most definitely. In this time of advanced technology and social networks, young adults need to be aware of everything they do. Acting recklessly and carelessly can have long-term consequences. Sending your boo some inappropriate pictures could cost you a job or a scholarship. Things you do now can be recorded to come back and haunt you later. I think a lot of teens simply don’t think about that. As Alexis said, “We were just goofing around.” But with YouTube, camera phones, and digital recorders, your one-act could last a lifetime.
Why do you think Miss Rachel is so important to the Good Girlz? Did you ever have someone who played a similar role in your life? If so, who and why?
Miss Rachel is not only the voice of reason for the Good Girlz, but she also speaks from experience. She comes from a place of “been there, done that,” so she can relate to what the girls are going through. She’s able to give them sound advice without standing in judgment of them. I never had a Miss Rachel in my life but always wished that I did.
You are the national bestselling author of twenty books. How do the ideas keep coming?
I am constantly out meeting people and that helps spur the creativity. There’s a joke among my family and friends: Don’t say anything around ReShonda, or it’ll end up in a book.
You write both young adult and adult books. Do you enjoy one more than the other?
I love doing both, but my young adult books are most rewarding because I love touching young people, including those who love to read and those who hate to read but are now finding themselves caught up in my books. It makes my day to hear from a young person who is excited about my books!
Let the Church Say Amen is being made into a movie, for which you are the executive producer. What is it like to see what you imagined in your mind be played out by actors? What is it like being the executive producer? What is your next book you would like to be made into a movie?
It is a phenomenal experience. I am a hands-on executive producer, and Regina King (the actress who is directing the movie) has allowed me to be in on all aspects of the movie production, which is rare for an author. I love seeing my words transformed onto the screen. The whole process of making the movie can get frustrating because it’s a case of “hurry up and wait.” But I’m learning to be patient and just thankful that I have a great team that believes in the story! I’d love to see I Know I’ve Been Changed on the big screen next and am so excited that the Good Girlz has been optioned as well. (High School Musical, watch out!)
Before you were a full-time writer, you were a television and radio news reporter. Did you always have dreams of becoming an author, or is this something that developed along the way? Was it a tough choice to give up your day job to write full-time?
When I was young, I told a counselor that I wanted to be an anchor, author, and actress. She told me I had to choose and my question was “why?” I’ve always wanted to do all of those things and am blessed to have fulfilled two goals. The third is coming when I get a role in one of my movies! I didn’t have much choice in giving up my job as an anchor. My literary career was really taking off, and I had to make a choice. I enjoyed TV, but it was time to close that chapter of my life and begin a new one.
You have won numerous awards for journalism, fiction, and your poetry. Are you ever amazed at your own success?
Every day, I’m like “wow, I’m blessed to be living my dream.” It’s still funny to have complete strangers come up and tell me my book changed their lives, or to have someone say how much she admires me. It humbles me and lets me know that I truly am pursuing my passion and doing what God put me on this earth to do.
Don’t miss the first book in this
inspiring teen series
Nothing But Drama
Available in paperback from
Pocket Books
Turn the page for a preview of
Nothing But Drama . . .
Camille
I stood outside the small meeting room and checked out the girls inside. There were four other girls there besides me and Angel. One of them, a high yellow girl with a Beyoncé weave, was busy primping in the mirror. Then there was the weird-looking chick dressed in all black sitting in the corner. She looked like a serial killer.
Another girl was looking around nervously like she was scared to death that someone was about to steal her lunch money. Maybe she was scared of Jasmine, who sat two seats down from her. Jasmine’s scowl was back and she looked like she would hit anybody who even looked at her the wrong way. She sat in a chair with her arms crossed and her legs gaped wide open like a guy. She looked like she really didn’t want to be here.
“I know that feeling,” I muttered.
“Did you say something?” Angel whispered. She was the only person who seemed halfway interested in being there.
I shook my head. “Nah, just ready to get this over with. Come on.”
I walked
into the room with Angel close on my heels.
“What’s up, y’all?” I was trying to be friendly to these losers as I sat down next to the scary girl.
Angel gave a meek wave and sat down next to me.
Jasmine didn’t reply. Neither did Goth girl. Scary girl looked away and Miss Prissy kept flinging her hair.
“I guess these stuck-up girls are too good to speak,” I told Angel loud enough for them to hear.
Jasmine sat up in her seat and dropped her arms like she was ready to rumble. “Who you calling stuck-up when you all up in other people’s business?”
Now, I know I had just witnessed this girl beat the crap out of a guy, but for some reason I wasn’t intimidated. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not a fighter, but I’m no punk, either. “If the shoe fits.”
Jasmine stood up and started walking toward me. I kept my game face on but I couldn’t help but think if she hit me, I was gon’ have to grab something and try and knock her out because no way could I win a fistfight with her.
“Now, I know you two are not about to fight up here in the Lord’s house.”
We all turned toward Rachel, who had just stepped into the meeting room. No one answered her.
“Jasmine, you promised no fighting,” Rachel said as she walked into the room. “I go into my office for one minute and walk back out here to find you all at each other’s throats before you even know one another’s names.” Rachel walked to the front of the room and set her Bible and a folder down on the podium. “Rule number one: There will be absolutely no fighting in this church.”
“Then you better tell this pint-size freak to leave me alone,” Jasmine said as she glared at me.
I had my nerve back now that Rachel was in the room to keep me from getting killed. “I guess everybody would be pint-size to you, you—”
“Enough!” Rachel snapped.
“You better tell her, Miss Rachel,” Jasmine said.
“I got this, Jasmine. Sit down.” Rachel turned toward me. “You have a seat, too.” She waited for both of us to sit back down. “Now, this is not the way I wanted us to get things started. We are in this for the long run, so we might as well all learn to get along.” Rachel took a deep breath, then flashed a bright smile. “Let’s start by introducing ourselves. I’ll go first. Welcome to the first meeting of the Good Girlz. For those of you who don’t know, I’m Rachel Adams. I’m the First Lady of Zion Hill and the founder of the Good Girlz. Don’t let the name fool you. We’re not trying to make you out to be Goody Two-shoes.”
I tried not to smile. She must’ve been reading my mind.
Rachel continued. “But we do want to get you to realize that you are entitled to the good things in life. None of us here are better than anyone else. We all have issues and our goal is to help each other work through them. We’ll also take part in some service activities and do our share of giving back to the community.”
Rachel clapped her hands together. She was obviously excited about this program. “We will deal with your issues and discuss ways we can live more godly lives.”
I couldn’t help but let out a disgusted sigh. Here we go with the preaching.
“But first, let’s start by just having everyone give their names. Then we’ll come back and let you tell a little about yourself,” Rachel continued.
Angel introduced herself first. Then me, then everybody else. The scary-looking girl was Sasha. Tameka was the girl dressed all in black like she was going to a funeral or something. And the diva over there was Alexis.
“Now, let’s move on and talk about ourselves.” Rachel smiled at us, but I wasn’t taking the bait. “When I say we all have issues, I just want you to know that includes me. While I’m a proud First Lady now, and the daughter of a preacher, I ain’t always been holy.” She stopped and laughed, piquing my interest.
“Even now, it takes a lot of effort for me to walk the straight and narrow. I’m a preacher’s kid . . . and you know what they say about preacher’s kids.”
“Y’all the worst ones,” I offered. The other girls laughed along with me. Except for Jasmine. She still had a scowl.
“I don’t know about all preachers’ kids, but I can tell you this preacher’s kid was pretty bad,” Rachel said. “Any crazy thing you’ve done behind a boy, I’ve already done it. Any disappointment you might have given your parents, been there, done that. So I’m hoping you all will get to the point where you will feel comfortable opening up.” Rachel turned toward me. “Your turn. What’s your name?”
“Camille Harris.”
“Okay, Camille Harris. Where are you from and what made you come here?”
The smile left my face. I didn’t want to sit up in church and lie but I still wasn’t feeling letting these girls all up in my business. “I’m from the southwest part of Houston. I go to Madison High School and I’m here, umm, because my mom thought it would be good for me.”
Rachel looked at me like she knew there was more to the story. “Okay, I’m sure we’ll get more in depth later.”
I was grateful that she didn’t push it and instead moved on to the scary-looking girl.
“And you would be?” Rachel asked.
The girl didn’t respond.
“You don’t have to be nervous,” Rachel said.
She still didn’t say anything.
“How about we come back to you?” The girl nodded and Rachel gave her a reassuring smile.
“Tameka, why don’t you come out of the corner and come up here and introduce herself.”
Goth girl looked like she wanted to crawl up in a hole and die. She reluctantly moved toward the front of the room.
“My name is Tameka. I go to Hightower High School,” she all but whispered.
“Tameka is my niece,” Rachel said proudly. “She lives in Missouri City, but she’s here because I’m trying to expose her to different things, right?”
Tameka groaned, but didn’t say anything.
“She’s a little shy,” Rachel said. “But we’re going to work on that in this group. Right, Tameka?”
Tameka shrugged. Rachel sighed before turning her attention to Angel. “Your turn,” Rachel said.
“Hi, I’m Angel. I attend Westbury High School, at least for now, anyway. I don’t know if I’m going to stay there, because . . . things aren’t going too good for me right now.”
Rachel pressed on. “And why aren’t things going well?”
Angel sighed. “I, um, I had to move away from my neighborhood.”
“Where are your parents?” Alexis asked. I didn’t even know she knew how to talk in complete sentences, since she hadn’t bothered to say anything more than her name.
Angel looked real uncomfortable. “Me and my mom, well, it’s just me.” Angel puckered her lips together like she wanted to say more but she kept quiet.
“Oh, snap. I bet she’s a runaway,” Jasmine said.
“I am not a runaway,” Angel protested. She shot Jasmine a mean look. “I’m staying with my sister right now.”
“Whatever.” Jasmine shrugged. “I just think you need to stop lying, that’s all, especially all up in a church.”
Angel glared at Jasmine like she couldn’t stand her. “My mom didn’t want me there. Does that make you feel better?” she snapped.
For once, Jasmine looked apologetic. “Dang, I’m sorry.”
“I came here because stuff is tight with my sister and . . .”
Angel dropped her hands in her lap and turned toward Rachel. “I was just hoping to win the drawing you were gon’ have tonight because I really need the money.” She looked like she was trying not to cry.
Rachel walked over to Angel and took her hands as she sat down next to her. “Angel, God doesn’t do anything by chance. You are here tonight for a reason. He put that flyer in your hand. He led you here because He knew you need what this group can offer.”
I tried not to turn up my nose. What could this group possibly offer besides wasting my time? Stop with al
l the negativity, this little voice in my head seemed to say. I turned my attention back to Rachel.
“Whatever demons you are wrestling with, we want to help you work them out.” Rachel squeezed Angel’s hand before standing up and walking back to the front of the room. “Part of our problem in trying to live a Godly life is that we don’t know we’re being attacked. Drugs, alcohol, whatever drives you away from a Godly life is a tool that the Devil uses to attack you.”
I really was not trying to hear a sermon. I was tired and ready to get home. Rachel must’ve read the look on my face because she said, “And the Devil also messes with our mind so that we can’t receive the Word when it’s being fed to us.” She smiled at me and I immediately felt embarrassed.
“Amen to that.”
We all turned toward my mother, who stood in the meeting room doorway. She was wearing a gigantic smile.
“Can you tell them that again?” my mother said.
I couldn’t help but groan as my mother walked into the room. She stuck her hand out toward Rachel. “I’m Mrs. Harris, Camille’s mother.”
Rachel shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but Mrs. Washington said you’d be finished by seven,” my mother said.
Rachel looked down at her watch. “Wow, I can’t believe time has flown by that quickly.” She looked at all of us. “We will wrap up for today but think on these two things. I want us to create a bond here and that means you all will communicate outside of the group. I want everyone to make sure your numbers are correct on this paper.” Rachel handed a piece of paper to me. I reluctantly took it.
“I’ll make copies for everyone and have them at the next meeting. I also need to give away that door prize I advertised,” Rachel said.
Angel perked up.
“Normally, I would do a drawing,” Rachel said. “But I want our first lesson of our group to be one of selflessness. How about we all agree to give it to Angel?”
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