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 Name, gender and birthplace:
My name is Michael Holmes and I was born and raised in the Garden: Savannah Georgia, a small quaint southern town. Savannah is the home and location of the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Current or most recent project:
My most recent project is Black Butterfly: A true story about Jonathan Williams who was Savannah Georgia’s most talented female impersonator from the early 80’s to date. Jonathan, under the name of Miss Tiffany Ross, performed in front of standing-room-only  crowds night after night. He couldn’t give the people enough; Miss Tiffany was one of the first gay African Americans to cross the color line in deep South Georgia. He was welcomed and liked by all who had the desire to be entertained.February 1963, and the place is Savannah, Georgia, a small southern town the people refer to as the Garden - a place where folklore and voodoo are still very much alive, where being openly gay can cause you major problems. It is into this world that Jonathan was born. Like most kids in the Savannah ghetto, Jonathan and his younger sibling, Michael, grew up without a father. Michael longs for Jonathan to spend time with him like his friend’s older brothers do. There seems to be no chance of that happening; Jonathan’s interests are more along the line of creating stained glass and nurturing an ever-growing butterfly collection. My motivation for undertaking this special project was very personal. Miss Tiffany taught me how to love unconditionally, despite what others may think about you, I learned to hold my head up high and walk with kings and never once lose the common touch. Once I was able to accept Miss Tiffany’s unconditional love, the finger pointing and silent whispering from others couldn’t taunt me any longer: Knowing this all my notable encountered challenges were pen to paper for the world to read about a little boy who grew up and transformed himself into a beautiful and flew somewhere over the rainbow.
Earliest memory of being a writer and first publication experience:
I never aspired to be a writer. I believe it was a gift bestowed upon me back in the fall of 1999. During this time, I found myself caught in the middle of the biggest FBI scandals that ever rocked the city of Savannah’s Police department, by far one of the oldest Southern police departments. I got out of bed one summer morning, only to find myself in the middle of a mine field without a map. This was the beginning of my troubles, which spawned the birth of my first non-fiction book, The Twelfth Man Standing. The circumstances were very much warranted and the public demanded that someone, somehow satisfy their curiosity. This outcry compelled me to pen this story to paper for the world to read.
How do you identify and nurture ideas for new projects?
I identify and nurture ideas for new project on a need-to-know basis and a must-be-told notion. The world is hungry for non-fiction stories; we all have the need to understand people. Who they are, their struggles, their messages, and most of all their contributions - because it changes our lives and helps us to understand ourselves. It lets us know that we are human, flesh and blood, and capable of making mistakes along the way.
| My Favorites | Color: Black Food: Seafood Gadget: Hourglass Drink: Louis XIII Cognac Movie: Imitation of Life Performer: Still to be discovered (I've yet to travel the world to know what's out there) |
Authors/writers/performers or others that have influenced your artistic style:
Rudyard Kipling, Maya Angelou, or music by Ms Tiffany Ross the performer out of Savannah Georgia, My brother: The Black Butterfly. Several books or CDs that everyone should own:
The first book would be the Bible. Why would this be my first choice? I see the Bible as a learning tool, a guide to life itself: It doesn’t discriminate against mankind nor does it discriminate against the different social culture classes. It allows the common man to be a man and the woman to be a woman while holding their head up high. Even if that person is rich or poor. The Bible teaches us to except everyone for whom and what they are. The Bible consists of thousands of books rolled into one, so with that in mind, books number two and three are just a metaphor.
My thoughts on LGBGT authors' obligation to the LGBT community:
I believe the answer is "yes" and "no". Please understand that I’m not straddling the fence on this idea nor am I afraid to take a stand. The truth of the matter is that LGBT authors do have an obligation to the LGBT community because the LGBT community can identify with the author’s writings. A large majority of LGBT authors write from experience and who better to understand that than the LGBT community: On the other side of the fence LGBT authors also have an obligation to those readers outside the LGBT community. They also need to understand that the LGBT community can’t stand alone because they too have mothers and fathers:, sisters and brothers, nephews and cousins that want to know and understand their loved ones social group better. Authors have the power to bring understanding and mend broken fences in any community whether it be heterosexual or homosexual community.
Advice for aspiring writers?
Always write from the heart and the world will be your ear. Follow your dreams because you never know what’s on the other side of the rainbow, until you get there. Nine times out of ten, you will find your pot of gold. Don’t worry it’s enough there for everyone. Just remember you can only carry the pot with your name on it and no ones else’s. Preview of my upcoming project(s):
I’m presently searching for information on screen writers and movie producers for Black Butterfly and Twelfth Man Standing any help would be appreciated. Visit MIchael Holme's web site at http://www.redbrickclub.com or contact him via email at
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