In a new feature on the blog called Urban Pop Conversations, now and then I plan to get beneath the surface with artists, designers, icons, writers and even regular folks like you to get a sense of what's PoPping" just below the surface of so-called pop culture. They'll be conversations with people you don't normally hear from or at the very least about things people don't normally speak about. Basically, Urban Pop Life is a celebration of American pop culture, sub-culture and all the spaces in between. Like my art I want to shed light on the soul within while celebrating the beauty we can all see.

Recently I had a little facebook chat with Lamar Ariel author of the soon to be best seller Ready To Male.

Lamar and I talked about his debut novel Ready To Male and a few other subjects as well.

Enjoy.

Lamar Arariel

Ricky
So where are you from?__How long have you been writing?_

Lamar
all my life but for different reasons during those times
over the past few years i became obsessed with letters
or perhaps intrigued is a better word...so they became a vessel for therapy, for reflection and self understding...I'm from Chicago

Ricky
what part of the city?

Lamar
south side

Ricky
I have some family roots there

what streets?

Lamar
an area called west chatham and hyde park for a bit while i was a child

Ricky
So what drives you to write?

Lamar
short answer..life..long answer the inability to process things by just letting them be. I have to write to make sense of things
and to clarify my experiences and thoughts and memories in my head

Ricky
i hear the latter explanation a lot from writers, have you determined what about writing seems to help?

Lamar
writing within itself is an act of organization
you have to figure out which words relay the proper emotions
how long a sentence should be before it runs away from the intended meaning
etc etc
so i believe that writing forces you to organize an experience, especially the retelling or the complication of an experience in a way that you normally just don't do

Ricky
What inspired you to write the Ready to Male?

Lamar
for the most part Ready to Male is a collection of letters that i had previously written and simply decided to curate in a book...I wanted to share some of my experiences and some of my thoughts with others who might have had similar experiences or shared similar response to set of events

Ricky
what has the response been thus far?

Lamar
response has been amazing!
most people find at least 4 or 5 letters that they can relate to

Ricky
that was the case for me man, there were a handful of letters that I had to chuckle bout and recognize myself in them...particularly the ones that relate to the subway and the adjustment one makes to live in the city when moving here from somewhere else

When was your first sexual experience?__Who was it with?_

Lamar
many moons ago, a really cute alien

Ricky
lol

was it in college, high school?

Lamar
the moon was full so probably in the summer

Ricky
What kind of effect do you think that first experience has had on your development as a mature gay man?

you are gay right?

Lamar
the first experience had no effect and yes im gay

Ricky
Writers are not known to be the most humble creatures, do you ever feel like you’re being too much of a smart ass in your writing?

Lamar
in ready to male not at all
there are high brow moments, low brow moments and wonderful thoughts that exist neatly in between, its a very human book

Ricky
You mention porn a lot in the book are you a big porn fan?

Lamar
its not mentioned alot
twice actually

Ricky
Felt like it to me...lol

maybe that's my issue

Lamar
LOL might be your lens
what you pay attention to
LOL
i've definitely seen, paid for, and invested in my fair share

Ricky
So is your best friend the same person it was in college?

Lamar
i actually have five people who make up my best friend as to not burden one poor gay soul with too much

but 1/5 is a guy that i've known since college, yes

Ricky
Do you have any close female friends with who you share your thoughts and fears and solicit for advice?

Lamar
yes, read "dear grace"

Ricky
I did and that's why I asked

Lamar
im joking with you

Ricky
lol...i got the joke

Lamar
lol a few very close, extremely intelligent, beautiful female friends

Ricky
Let's step back

Ricky
are these letters completely auto-biographical?

Lamar
ok...the letters are autobiographical fiction

Ricky
Do you think all gay men should have a close female friend?

Lamar
its important to keep the fiction in the phrase
no, i don't think there are any absolutes in life
but it doesn't hurt to have a friend or two who really loves the person you are sometimes ashamed of

Ricky
How do you feel about the need for female energy in a man’s world? Do you think that it is very important, somewhat important or not important at all and why?

Ricky
You can include your Mother in that answer...lol

Lamar
i have so many strong beautiful women in my life
from my mother, grandmother, and friends
I just avoid absolutes

Ricky
i hear ya

waz da deal with you and absolutes? what did absolute ever do to you?

Lamar
well she did get me drunk once

Ricky
lol

she'll do that

she got me too

now i know better

Lamar
THAT BITCH!
not u too

Ricky
lol...dude you're crazy...are you currently in a relationship?

Lamar
(absolute) that ole hussy
i am

Ricky
lol...yeah she got me

das alright...i taught her a#@ a lesson tho

u seeing anyone?

Lamar
yes

Ricky
well u know the readers wanna know da details...

spill it

who is he? how long u been dating or together

wait...it is a he right?

Lamar
it will all be in the next book
and yes it is a he
I already told you i was gay
keep up

Ricky
ok ok...

just checking

Lamar
lol

Ricky
you know folks like to change up on ya sometimes

Lamar
well baby i got a book out aint much changing without divine intervention at this point

Ricky
seriously tho...i ask because i am curious about the effects of a relationship on your art and career

Lamar
its great to have someone who is supportive of your work and who can be patient with some of the emotional ups and downs that come along the "sharing" of yourself
come along with

Ricky
yes yes, it's a rare but very nice thing to have

or so i hear anyway

...lol

Lamar
one last question and then gotta run mister
and thanks so much for taking the time to do this
it was fun!

Ricky

my pleasure sir

i enjoyed it as well

and it is truly time to go

Lamar
just make sure you spell check

Ricky
here' the last 2 questions

Lamar
cuz i wasnt really paying attention

Ricky
here's the last 2 questions

What are your plans with regards to promoting Ready to Male?__Are you working on a 2nd book yet?_

Lamar
I am, Ready to Male part Deux

Ricky
great...any plans for a book tour to promote ready to male?

Lamar
yes in 2009 i will be in various cities hoping to do a ten city tour which should be solidified by mid december or so
and will also be at various pride events

Ricky
I've got somethin potentially set up for you in Harlem at Hue-Man Bookstore by the way...we'll talk about that privately. Thanks for your time Lamar and have a great day bro.

Lamar
YAY! AWESOME!
THANKS SO MUCH!

Ricky
Your welcome

btw way...

I dunno if you actually read my blog...

but it's called Urban Pop Life

and my last question as usual is...Did you Pop today?

Lamar
not yet..lol

Ricky
make sure you do

I will

lata bro