Toni Lee had an eighth grade teacher, Ms. J.G. Brown, who thought her she had writing talent.  At that time though, the only careers open to writers, that she knew of, were in journalism.  Since she was not, and am still not a fan of the news, she could not figure out how to utilize thoughts about being a professional writer.  She moved on to other career choices.  It is one of the reasons that she is a strong supporter and participant in career day opportunities.  Kids need to see that they have viable
alternatives.

She became a flight attendant during the mid 1970's, and remained there for 15 years.  Restless with the repetitive job description, in conjunction with other health related issues, she was forced into making different career choices.  So she went to a local University and took classes in literature and writing so that she could move in a different direction.  She learned screenwriting, film and video production and found a whole new life . . . one that was interesting, fun and fulfilling.  She became a screenwriter, then documentary filmmaker.  The years of meeting a thousand people a day, with all their interesting attitudes, issues, problems, highs and lows gave fuel to the characters she portrayed in her work.  She knew she had found her love - writing.

Duplicity began as a screenplay, liken to the James Bond Series.  The hero, Clinton Creech is African American, and suave, but not perfect.  He is not as much a superman, as a man who is driven by family issues and concerns, and a work in progress with strong, positive attributes.  She enjoyed writing the character and carrying him through emotional and physical obstacles.  The villain is a Moroccan woman named Saa'iqa Mastoora, who is strong, powerful and unlike the Bond series, does not start out brilliant, and then turns stupid about midway through the story.  She feel's that the hero is only as strong as his or her foil.  If the villain turns absurd, what does that say about Clinton?  Not much I'm afraid, and Clinton has much to say.  "DUPLICITY" is the first in a series of at least seven stories, which will take place all over the world.  Clinton will have much to say.

She thanks Ms. Brown for having confidence in me at that tender age.  She might not have returned to something she loved so much, were it not for her words of encouragement.  Toni Lee has been a freelance writer/researcher and independent filmmaker since the late 1980's. She has produced and researched for Turner Broadcasting, ABC affiliates, PBS affiliates, small companies, municipalities, non-profit organizations, universities and major corporations. She has conducted, and continues to conduct screenwriting workshops for several southeastern universities and art schools including Spelman College, Georgia State University, Milsaps University, Callanwolde Arts Center and others.

She has written for UPSCALE Magazine, served as Assistant Managing Editor for EPOCH Magazine, freelances for other publications, and has completed her first novel "Duplicity", which sells through an e-book publishing company, Powerhousepress.com. She has also served as project manager or production manager for sales presentations, independent films, historical presentations, children's programs and other diverse entities, and served as Line Producer for the nationally released, independent feature film "Trois". She has begun work on her second novel, "The American Crawl".

President of a film technician's organization called Filmmakers and Actors of Color, Inc for five years, Lee has also served on the board of Atlanta African Film Society for eight years, and was recently appointed by Governor Roy Barnes to the Georgia Film and Video Commission's Advisory Board for a two-year term.