Moved by a personal tragedy, a South Philadelphia native picked up a pen and turned her real-life drama into compelling fiction.
Oddess Blocker found time to write her first novel while taking college classes, working two part-time jobs and raising four kids. (staff photo by greg bezanis)
Sometimes it's hard to separate fact from fiction. For Oddess Blocker, the two go hand in hand.
"A lot of people are looking to read the real, actual story. Some people are taking parts of it personal when it's not, looking to read the true story when it's not the true story. It's a fictional novel," the new author said of her first book, "My Brothers 3."
Set on the streets of South Philadelphia at the turn of the new millennium, the book creates a fictional tale of three brothers murdered at the hands of the same individual.
Unfortunately, the story is not far from the truth, as the account is based on the real-life -- though still unsolved -- drama suffered by Blocker's long-time friend, Nakiyah Jackson.
"I thought the story was crazy. It was so unreal and one day I just went home and started writing," Blocker, who grew up at 19th and McKean streets and was a close friend of the brothers, said.
Though chronicling the saga that began in 1999 with the final murder in 2004 was cathartic, Blocker felt combining fact with fiction was the best way to convey the events -- and perhaps give some closure to a situation that never had an actual arrest.
"I exaggerated about 50 percent and I used about 50 percent of what was rumored on the streets," the 35-year-old said.
Blocker attempted a difficult task throughout the 15-chapter novel, working to strike the right balance between honoring the victims' stories and infusing enough embellishment to avoid purporting itself as a factual account.
"The response has been very positive," the Southwest Philadelphia resident said. "I actually went through the writing process with [the family] and they gave me a lot of the information. The sister [Nakiyah] is the model on the cover of the book.
"I had a lot of help from people from South Philadelphia. The majority of the people."
Striking a good balance is something Blocker is adept at doing. The student at Peirce College and mother of four works two part-time jobs. Fiction writing is just a hobby.
Looking to further her education, Monday and Tuesday nights are spent working toward her degree in business administration with a concentration in business law at the Center City campus.
During the day she travels to North Broad Street to work in tenant support services for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, helping those who have issues with the PHA.
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1. nijah said... on Mar 26, 2009 at 08:33AM
“THAT'S MY SISTER AND THE BOOK WAS GREAT AND KEEP THEM COMING!!! I must say myself that i cant believe that this is you!!!!”
2. Nakiyah said... on Mar 26, 2009 at 10:24AM
“OMG I love this article and I am Nakiyah the person who inspired the FICTIONAL story. Oddess I love you and I can't thank you enough for writing this story about what happended to my brothers. You are a great friend and a very talented person. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to read My Sisters 4. Love you!!!”
3. Albe said... on Mar 26, 2009 at 11:00AM
“That's my MOM. I read the book and it popped. Keep up the good work ol'head”
4. Kia said... on Mar 26, 2009 at 05:08PM
“wow mookie you go gurl you in papers now and everything bout to Blow Uppp.... Just don't forget about us little people who had you all lookin good back n da day with those fresh out of kimball street pumps on top of your head lol. Dont front you remember sike lol. but fa real. keep it goin girl. love ya ”
5. darknlovely68 said... on Mar 27, 2009 at 04:46AM
“the book was alright.....could have been better........ a lot of mistakes........can't wait 4 my sisters 4”
6. Ebony said... on Mar 27, 2009 at 05:01AM
“That's my Friend. Mookie you are a very smart and talented person. Keep up the GOOD WORK! Love ya! ”
7. john john janito said... on Mar 27, 2009 at 05:20AM
“Ms. Blockers book My Brothers 3 was very good and i cant wait till My Sisters 4.”
8. 1 of the talented TRENDSETTERS said... on Mar 27, 2009 at 08:27AM
“You write a book and lets see how good it turns out. Stop Hatin on my girl. The book was great and you know it. Mookie don't let haters like this discourage you. You know there's gonna be a few haters but that'll only make you more famous. As long as they're talking then you know you're doing a good job, when they stop talking then and ONLY then you should be worried. ”
9. Deneen/ Nikki said... on Mar 27, 2009 at 09:48AM
“Congratulations Mook ,you are one intelligent and independent female and i'm so proud of you keep up the good work.”
10. monique said... on Mar 28, 2009 at 03:30AM
“GREAT BOOK!!!! Keep up the good work. Love, Monique”
11. Tae (Octavia) said... on Mar 28, 2009 at 01:05PM
“This is a very nice article, very well said and the book was good.... I always new you were something special. :-)”
12. darknlovely68 said... on Mar 31, 2009 at 05:55AM
“to trendsetter.....i was not dissing her read my comment i'm entitled to voice my opinion like u did yours.....so u stop hatin ”
13. oddessbl said... on Mar 31, 2009 at 08:28AM
“Hi this is Oddess, Thank all of you for your wonderful comments...I accept all critique (negative and positive)...I appreciate your feedback, it'll help make "My Sister Four" an even better novel. There were some mistakes in the book that were corrected with the second batch of books...as for Trendsetter, thanks for having my back, but we can't expect everyone to love the book. Everyone's opinion matters to me...Thanks again Dark n Lovely for reading the book and look out for "My Sisters 4" sometime this summer, Oddess. ”