Welcome to the Neighborhood!
Thank you for visiting our community! Abstract Village was born of the concept to revive creativity in the world in which we live. This world, in which funding for music and art programs are being drastically reduced or even eliminated. A world in which big corporations and capitalism, are dictating the music that’s being heard on the radio...the shows being aired on television. The voices of independent artists are struggling to be heard. In our community, ALL are welcome. We celebrate unique talents from all artistic areas...design, fashion, music, photography,entertainment. Our goal: to serve as a platform for these voices to be heard. To shine a light on these hidden gems. To promote art in its truest form. To give life back to creative forces...Let the Revolution Begin!
Who is Brandon "BranKnu" Hopper?
Brandon "BranKnu" Hopper is a dynamic artist with an unpredictable style. Armed with a diverse musical background that includes a variety of styles and sounds, this artist is poised to make an impact. Are you ready?
To learn more about Branku, visit our PROFILES page to view the full context of our exclusive interview.
Good Intentions...Paperback and eBook Available Now!
Follow the link below to get your copy today...
Good Intentions, the first novel from author Lakinia Ramsey, is the first major project from AV.
Here's a Q & A with the author
1. What are some of the important themes/messages of “Good Intentions”?
This book is all about choices. Every day we make decisions and choices that impact our lives in major ways. It’s like the “domino effect”. Once essential piece can create waves. I also want people to walk away with the concept that life is not always black and white. It’s full of these gray areas where the lines of right and wrong…wants and needs, get blurred. People always think that they will do the “right” or the “moral” thing when confronted by tough situations, but sometimes there are just no easy answers.
2. Do you have a favorite character?
I would have to say Toni because she’s the character more like me. She’s independent, creative, emotional… free-spirited. And when she loves, she loves hard, with her heart wide-open.
3. The cover is very different from many covers out there. What was the inspiration behind this cover design?
Well I knew that I wanted the cover to be unique, not just your typical glossy looking photo. I wanted it to be a work of art and I think I accomplished that. Also, there are not many occasions when a natural, brown-skinned woman is the center of attention, especially in publications, so that was important to me…to promote that type of woman. You see her and she’s beautiful, she’s vulnerable, she’s sexy, she’s mysterious…all of those characteristics in one. Which are characteristics that the main character also exhibits.
4. What inspires you?
Life inspires me! I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller. I’ve met so many interesting people from complex backgrounds with inspirational stories to share. I’ve always wanted to tell those stories. I’m also inspired by the works and creativity of others.
5. How long have you been writing?
All of my life. Seriously, I wrote my first book at the age of 7 or 8. It was a small book that I wrote about my two pet parakeets, Amy and Andy. I illustrated it and bound it with staples. I remember showing it to my mom and some of her friends. She couldn’t believe that I had written it , especially in so much detail. As a child, I was always extremely shy. Writing became my outlet, specifically when dealing with tragedy.
6. What’s your creative environment?
Artists can be a “quirky” bunch. We often develop these traditions and habits in order to get the creative juices flowing. I have to have coffee! Whether I’m actually drinking it or not, I have to have it near me. I know that sounds weird, but just smelling it stimulates my brain. Usually I have music playing, India Arie, Maxwell, Bob Marley…I’m most inspired in café’s, coffee-shops.
7. Favorite Writers/Books?
My reading tastes are so diverse, that it’s difficult to pin-point a favorite author. Nikki Giovanni is hands-down my favorite poet. She is just so real, raw, and honest. Of course I love Maya Angelou…”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is still one of my favorite books and it was the first book I read as a young adult that I related to. A lot of my personal experiences mirror her own experiences. But I’m also a huge fan of Stephen King, John Grisham and Eric Jerome Dickey. “The Other Woman” by Dickey is one of my favorite books because of how he deals with the very raw human emotions.
8. How do you balance work and family?
It can be tough. Being in a creative mode can be a solitary process. At the mood can strike at any time. There are moments at home when I’m deep in a zone, my headphones are on, and it’s just me and my flow. When I’m in that zone, all I want to do is work. I HAVE to get it out…have to purge. So I’m not very social during those moments…thankfully I have a very supportive husband who gets my process.
9. Do you ever experience writer's block?
Absolutely! I think it happens to every artist. There are times when all of these creative ideas are flowing freely and then there are moments when there’s nothing. The well dries up. It could be stress…whatever. But I’ve learned though, that when this happens, it’s best to keep pushing, keep documenting all ideas good or bad, and be patient…the breakthrough is coming.
There are also moments when the exact opposite happens…when I have so many ideas that they become jumbled in my mind and it’s difficult to get them out. The best advice I was given was to toss it all up and let them fall where they may. To just “throw up” on the paper and make sense of it all later.
10. Why did you choose to self-publish?
I know that what I have is a great product. It’s a really good story, a really good “work”. Trying to get published by a major label is not an easy feat. It can sometimes take years to be accepted and even more years to get the product into the hands of the public. I didn’t want to waste those years. I didn’t want to sit on this manuscript. And with today’s advancement, you really don’t have to. The process is so much easier, especially with e-book formats and self-publishing companies that can assist you in finding your market. This allows you to have more control of the work and the marketing strategy. There was a story I watched, where a woman had sold enough e-books to be on the best-seller list, but she was still getting rejections from publishers.
I would still love to get picked up by a major publisher, for the financial benefits alone. But I’m excited about where I am in my process.
11. What advice do you have for young writers/artists?
Make your art your purpose. Let it be your voice. If you focus only on financial gain then you will probably get discouraged and frustrated. Art is about getting your voice heard…giving the world your perspective. That’s regardless of whether 10 people get it or 10,000.
Here's a Q & A with the author
1. What are some of the important themes/messages of “Good Intentions”?
This book is all about choices. Every day we make decisions and choices that impact our lives in major ways. It’s like the “domino effect”. Once essential piece can create waves. I also want people to walk away with the concept that life is not always black and white. It’s full of these gray areas where the lines of right and wrong…wants and needs, get blurred. People always think that they will do the “right” or the “moral” thing when confronted by tough situations, but sometimes there are just no easy answers.
2. Do you have a favorite character?
I would have to say Toni because she’s the character more like me. She’s independent, creative, emotional… free-spirited. And when she loves, she loves hard, with her heart wide-open.
3. The cover is very different from many covers out there. What was the inspiration behind this cover design?
Well I knew that I wanted the cover to be unique, not just your typical glossy looking photo. I wanted it to be a work of art and I think I accomplished that. Also, there are not many occasions when a natural, brown-skinned woman is the center of attention, especially in publications, so that was important to me…to promote that type of woman. You see her and she’s beautiful, she’s vulnerable, she’s sexy, she’s mysterious…all of those characteristics in one. Which are characteristics that the main character also exhibits.
4. What inspires you?
Life inspires me! I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller. I’ve met so many interesting people from complex backgrounds with inspirational stories to share. I’ve always wanted to tell those stories. I’m also inspired by the works and creativity of others.
5. How long have you been writing?
All of my life. Seriously, I wrote my first book at the age of 7 or 8. It was a small book that I wrote about my two pet parakeets, Amy and Andy. I illustrated it and bound it with staples. I remember showing it to my mom and some of her friends. She couldn’t believe that I had written it , especially in so much detail. As a child, I was always extremely shy. Writing became my outlet, specifically when dealing with tragedy.
6. What’s your creative environment?
Artists can be a “quirky” bunch. We often develop these traditions and habits in order to get the creative juices flowing. I have to have coffee! Whether I’m actually drinking it or not, I have to have it near me. I know that sounds weird, but just smelling it stimulates my brain. Usually I have music playing, India Arie, Maxwell, Bob Marley…I’m most inspired in café’s, coffee-shops.
7. Favorite Writers/Books?
My reading tastes are so diverse, that it’s difficult to pin-point a favorite author. Nikki Giovanni is hands-down my favorite poet. She is just so real, raw, and honest. Of course I love Maya Angelou…”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is still one of my favorite books and it was the first book I read as a young adult that I related to. A lot of my personal experiences mirror her own experiences. But I’m also a huge fan of Stephen King, John Grisham and Eric Jerome Dickey. “The Other Woman” by Dickey is one of my favorite books because of how he deals with the very raw human emotions.
8. How do you balance work and family?
It can be tough. Being in a creative mode can be a solitary process. At the mood can strike at any time. There are moments at home when I’m deep in a zone, my headphones are on, and it’s just me and my flow. When I’m in that zone, all I want to do is work. I HAVE to get it out…have to purge. So I’m not very social during those moments…thankfully I have a very supportive husband who gets my process.
9. Do you ever experience writer's block?
Absolutely! I think it happens to every artist. There are times when all of these creative ideas are flowing freely and then there are moments when there’s nothing. The well dries up. It could be stress…whatever. But I’ve learned though, that when this happens, it’s best to keep pushing, keep documenting all ideas good or bad, and be patient…the breakthrough is coming.
There are also moments when the exact opposite happens…when I have so many ideas that they become jumbled in my mind and it’s difficult to get them out. The best advice I was given was to toss it all up and let them fall where they may. To just “throw up” on the paper and make sense of it all later.
10. Why did you choose to self-publish?
I know that what I have is a great product. It’s a really good story, a really good “work”. Trying to get published by a major label is not an easy feat. It can sometimes take years to be accepted and even more years to get the product into the hands of the public. I didn’t want to waste those years. I didn’t want to sit on this manuscript. And with today’s advancement, you really don’t have to. The process is so much easier, especially with e-book formats and self-publishing companies that can assist you in finding your market. This allows you to have more control of the work and the marketing strategy. There was a story I watched, where a woman had sold enough e-books to be on the best-seller list, but she was still getting rejections from publishers.
I would still love to get picked up by a major publisher, for the financial benefits alone. But I’m excited about where I am in my process.
11. What advice do you have for young writers/artists?
Make your art your purpose. Let it be your voice. If you focus only on financial gain then you will probably get discouraged and frustrated. Art is about getting your voice heard…giving the world your perspective. That’s regardless of whether 10 people get it or 10,000.