It’s been a year and some change since an Essence Bestselling Author has hooked up with the legendary Martha Stewart for a chat. Especially since Ms. Stewart sought her out. Well for Wahida Clark, she has more than that to look forward to in the upcoming year. 2007, Lord willing will see not only the release of her highly anticipated fourth novel, Thug Matrimony, a release from the Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia where she is serving 125 months for conspiracy/money laundering, mail and wire fraud. Her accomplishments in spite of her situation merit the standing ovation, some white roses and a legion of fans on the magical day when she walks out of prison. Wahida chose Jarold Imes for her interview to address her fans, literary critics and to show that there is love behind these bars.
Jarold: Wahida, tell me about your upbringing? What was life like before the sentence? Wahida Clark: What’s average? I came up in the hood and you know how that is. Survival of the fittest. Welfare, food stamps, government cheese, weed, boosting, partying. I had the average dysfunctional family, (smile). I always had a roof over my head and clothes on my back. Single parent home in the projects, Donnelly Homes, until I was about 9 or 10 then we moved to the West Side of Trenton with my Aunt Ann and Uncle John. May he rest in peace. That was all love. Before I was incarcerated, I was running my businesses and working a 9 to 5. Ironically, working the 9 to 5 is how I caught my case.
Jarold: So I take it that you went to trial? Wahida Clark: I took my case to trial and loss. That’s right. This sista here lives by the code: Death before Dishonor. However, I lost two appeals so I don't hit the bricks until 07.
Jarold: Hmm, Death before Dishonor. So you don't have any love for those who snitch? Wahida Clark: Not at all. When everything is going good, they eating, balling, and getting paid, taking care of their families, it's all gravy and they are happy to play their part. But as soon as the shit hits the fan their weakness and hypocrisy gets put on blast. The sad thing is without snitches the government 98% of the time doesn't have a case. Snitches tell the things that the government wasn't even aware of. If everyone on my case would have stood tall we all would have walked.
Jarold: So how has prison affected your views on life? Wahida Clark: I appreciate being with and having a family that much more. I no longer take the simple things in life for granted. Freedom. My physical freedom is truly valued. If you have been locked down, or did time with a loved one you understand what I’m saying.
Jarold: How are you being treated by guards and inmates? Wahida Clark: My fellow inmates show me lots of love and support. The guards, I stay out of their way and treat them with respect, so they can only do the same for me.
Jarold: Everyone is fascinated with the fact that you got to roll with Martha Stewart. Tell us what she was like? Wahida Clark: I didn’t hang out with her. I met with her on several occasions. She put together a Business Seminar, with us allowing the guests to pick her brain. And I met with her to go over my business plan for my publishing company. She gave me some very valuable feedback. Martha is cool. She did her little five months like a trooper and was always willing to help you out if she could. Plus my agent used to date her niece and told her to look me up when she got here. Which she did. The first day she hit the compound she was asking who knows Wahida Clark. By that evening I had got the message and I went to meet her. I thought she was going to be standoffish. But she was the total opposite, to my surprise.
Jarold: So how did the inmates treat her? Wahida Clark: Whenever I got with her it was always on a business tip. So I didnít always see how the rest of the population was treating her. You always gonna have your haters and I would hear different comments. But me? I'm not a hater. I’m a congratulator. I’m trying to get where she is. She is big time. Certified Gangster for real. Whenever you can do time and turn on the preview channel and see your TV show getting ready to air: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and your magazines are coming out every month: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and two major retail chains that carry your products merge and you make a billion: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and your stock from your company is steadily rising: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and when you set your foot out the gate and a TV show is waiting for you: Thatís Big! Whenever you can do time and bounce on your own private jet: That's Big! You get my point? I think she’s a brilliant businesswoman.
Jarold: Speaking of business, tell us about your upcoming projects and Thug Matrimony. Wahida Clark: Well, I have an anthology coming out called, What is Really Hood? Vol. I. It is an Anthology of five blazing hood stories, by Victor Martin (A Hood Legend), Shawn “Jihad” Trump, Bonta, myself and introducing Mo Foxx. Everyone is on lock. Then in April '07, the highly anticipated, Thug Matrimony drops. Ninety-eight percent of my readers, hit me up and say, “Wahida, we love Payback is a Mutha, but…whats up with Snake? Angel's Wedding? Is Trae dead? Please don’t leave us hanging like that.” Well, all of the answers are in the highly anticipated Thug Matrimony.
Jarold: How do you keep your ear to the streets that is in literary business? How do you know what is going on with your books? Wahida Clark: I read, I watch, I learn, I study. My team at home is whats really good: my husband, my sisters-in-law and my daughters, Hasana and Wahida.
For more information on Wahida Clark, visit www.wahidaclarkpresents.com and/or myspace.com/wadhidaclark. Write to:P.O. Box 8250, Newark, NJ 071
Comments page 2 of 8:
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Tia :
Posted 957 days ago
Is the next book name Thug matrimony 2 or Pay back with your life? I have read every book you have written and I want to know what I should be looking out for. I even went to Barnes and Nobles trying to find out but they did not know................
Erica Jenell :
Posted 961 days ago
I love every book and i can wait for thug matrimony 2...wahida your hot mama!! stay up
chynelle :
Posted 972 days ago
hey girl, just sending a shout out to one of the best african-american writers. after i read your first two novels i just had to have "thug matrimony-girl you put it down,even while on lockdown!!
jOANNE t :
Posted 973 days ago
I LOVE YOU WAHIDA AND U R THE BEST AUTHOR ALIVE !!! nO ONE CAN EVER B U AND IM WAITIN ON THE 4TH SEQUEL!!
ms.hall :
Posted 983 days ago
hey girl just wanted to let you know that your books are so good i have read all three parts to thugs and the women who love them and i have read every thug needs a lady about 5 times i love that book so please write a second part to thug matrimony your books help me get through somethings in my life and i want to say thank you for sharing your talent with us because you never know what a person is going through and sometimes all it takes is for someone like you to come along with the books that you write to help them through and you did that so thank you. i waiting on thug matrimony part 2.
Tangy :
Posted 985 days ago
Dang ma......u doin it BIG i'm lovin all of ur books i even got my friends reading them....girl keep doin the damn thang thanxx for writing such realistic stories on life and many other things....4real ur doin mighty well with ur writing career oh and again......thanxx you've incouraged me to write alot more..... love "TANGY"
Diamond :
Posted 985 days ago
I'm lovin ur books my favorite so far is "Payback Is A Mutha" and no i havent read all of the but i'm gettin there so plz keep up the good work, keep more books coming and keep doin ur thang.
Sandra :
Posted 988 days ago
I have read almost all of your books and i love all of them!!!! I hope there is going to be a Thug Matrimony part 2!!! When I start reading one of your books I just can't seem to put it down, so I am really ready for the next one I will be the first i line to get it!!!1
Faith :
Posted 996 days ago
I've read all of your books and I loved every one of the. I was wondering if you were going to make a part 2 to Thug Matrimony?
kiera :
Posted 1001 days ago
I love ur books i just read Thugs and the women who love them and all i want is for u to send me Every Thug Needs A Lady Please its all i want
kiesha moore :
Posted 1033 days ago
Chick your books are da bomb and I am happy that you is doing yo thang well you is in prison.Its not everyday that a person can do them well in prison.I think your work and effort have just about paid off for all the stuff them HATERS! said to them folks about you cause girlfriend you is paid with or without them. I am happy for you and keep up the good work and keep the good books coming.God Bless!!!!!!
mary bishop :
Posted 1045 days ago
WOW LOVE YOUR BOOKS, CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THUG MATRIMONY 2 COMES OUT, THUG MATRIMONY FOR OFF THE HOOK. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WHAT GOING ON WITH TRAE, AND HIS WIFE, TASHA, IN YOUR SECOND BOOK. I BELONG TO A BOOK CLUB, AT THE LIBRARY CALL URBAN CLUB, WE MEET ON EVERY FIRST THURSDAY IN A MONTH. NEXT MONTH WE WILL BE READING AND DISCUSSION ALL YOUR BOOKS. WISH YOU LOT OF LUCK WITH YOUR NEXT BOOKS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS. ONELOVE-PEACE
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It’s been a year and some change since an Essence Bestselling Author has hooked up with the legendary Martha Stewart for a chat. Especially since Ms. Stewart sought her out. Well for Wahida Clark, she has more than that to look forward to in the upcoming year. 2007, Lord willing will see not only the release of her highly anticipated fourth novel, Thug Matrimony, a release from the Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia where she is serving 125 months for conspiracy/money laundering, mail and wire fraud. Her accomplishments in spite of her situation merit the standing ovation, some white roses and a legion of fans on the magical day when she walks out of prison. Wahida chose Jarold Imes for her interview to address her fans, literary critics and to show that there is love behind these bars.
love "TANGY"
COMES OUT, THUG MATRIMONY FOR OFF THE HOOK. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WHAT GOING ON WITH TRAE, AND HIS WIFE, TASHA, IN YOUR SECOND BOOK. I BELONG TO A BOOK CLUB, AT THE LIBRARY CALL URBAN CLUB, WE MEET ON EVERY FIRST THURSDAY IN A MONTH. NEXT MONTH WE WILL BE READING AND DISCUSSION ALL YOUR BOOKS. WISH YOU LOT OF LUCK WITH YOUR NEXT BOOKS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS. ONELOVE-PEACE