Lorenzo Buford is a playwright, poet, song writer, fiction writer, and performer.

"I feel I need to know death to know life. Therefore, I am fascinated with gender identification, sex, death and multi-dimensional existence. I like exploring these subjects within my writings and music. Some people find it to dark, others feel it opens them to an Awareness they do not want looking into them; and others think I should go further out there."

Born in 1954 in Alton, IL, Buford is the second of five sons. He is a solitary type who is fascinated with mythology, comic book characters, the Invisibles and has recently recovered from prostate cancer.

"Sometimes I've been off track with my writings when I have allowed too many dissenting voices urging me to be mainstream, sell out make the big bucks, water down what you're saying so it is acceptable. I've been criticized for my writings not being black enough or sometimes deemed to white or to weird for people to want to deal with."

There is no one particular writer he can say is his main influence as he has been inspired by many writers of fiction, plays and poetry who cross many cultural and racial boundaries.

"I'm not looking for my fifteen minutes of fame or to become part of the herd mentality. I like writing; whether it's good, bad, right or wrong, sexual, dark, disturbing, enlightening, angry, happy, - I like exploring a range of emotions."

His favorite TV characters are Delenn from "Babylon 5", Xena from "Xena, The Warrior Princess, "Willow" from Buffy and "Angel" from "Angel".

"Yes, I have seen dead people and they have seen me. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we just stare at each other, sometimes I just ignore them and go back to sleep. I was always curious about what goes bump in the night. Well, all I can say is when you turn the light on to see what it is, sometimes you want to turn it back off."

Favorite movies are "Somewhere In Time", "Akira", "Dark City" and "Lord of the Rings", "The Matrix" and he has soft spot for "Mothra."

"I have felt invisible most of my life, as if I was sent here to be hidden; but getting caught up in the mundane day-to-day struggle to survive, I know I am asleep and want to wake up out of the dream. I know I am observing me from another place."

Musically, his favorite artist of all times is "Diana Ross" and he likes the music of Randy Crawford, George Michael, Nancy Wilson, Minnie Riperton, Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Shirley Bassey, Sylvester and Labelle.

"I feel I am the Outsider looking in the window; sometimes I want to buy what the mannequin is wearing or maybe take home the mannequin (most relationships end that way) but I've learned what is in the window is not real."

Favorite comic book characters are "Storm" from the X-Men and "The Thing" from the Fantastic Four, the "Scarlet Witch" from the Avengers and "Dr. Strange."

"I was influenced by James Baldwin; I wanted to run off to Europe like he did but it didn't happen. I do not make a living at writing; hope to, but it's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen. There have been many times I've spent my last few dollars to get my writing out to agents, publishers, competitions and friends. I have had to stretch a chicken for a week, nurse that one beer at a bar all night, or wear the same look when it is out of season just so I can use my money for writing. Words are magical and I like making magic."

Lorenzo's current works in progress

For more Information? - please contact Lorenzo Buford.