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| Bio: Solease has used writing as an outlet since grade school. While at the University of Michigan she was forced to take literary classes and her love for writing increased even more. Solease graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors in Sociology. She then went on to graduate from Kaplan University with a Master’s in Criminal Justice. During her time in higher education, she continued to write with a deeper passion for writing. Her career passion is Criminal Justice, but her first love is writing poetry and short stories. This love lead her to write her first novel ‘The Sleeper’, the first book in the Secrets of the Ghosts trilogy. Welcome Author Solease M Barner to the first installment of the 131 Preview Review Interview. I am so glad we have been able to have this little chat.Q: We can see from your Author Profile that you have a background in Criminal Justice and Sociology, did this help when it came to the development of your characters
A: It had some effect but, mainly the characters came from my mind. Since my background is Criminal Justice and Sociology some of that had to come into play, I would think.
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Q: Do you feel that it gave you any particular incites as to the minds of such a diverse group of characters, especially given their particular "talents"?
A: Yes, I do agree with that. The groups are diverse. In Sociology you study all people and in Criminal Justice you meet all types of people rich, poor, black, white, educated, uneducated, the diverseness is endless.
Well you certainly manage to use that diversity to create characters that jump out and kick you in the face. Having created such a vast cast of characters, and family dynamics, it is a rather creative blend of action and drama. (Which is a very good thing.) Q: Aside from Holiday, your main protagonist, who of the sisters was the most fun to write?
A: Wow, I really enjoy these girls but, I really enjoy writing about Rebecca. She is honest on every level. I love her smart mouth and even her mean side but, then she has a loving side for her sisters and her niece which is only seen between them. So I love the two sides that are shown with her, outside of Holiday.
I have to say I did find her quite appealing, she comes off with an honesty you can't help but respect.
A: This is true.Q: Did any character prove to be more difficult to write than the others? I know I find writing children to be a task for me. (You do however seem to have no problem there.)
A: I did find it easy to write about Evey. I have a daughter and I have taught 2yrs old kids before. The character that gave me the most issue was Delores. Delores is complex and she hides under drinking so getting the reader to feel her under that shield I found challenging.
It seems that so far each sister has a shield, be it animals over people, spirituality, aggression, drinking, or men. It made them seem fallible, even as they each try to show a "just roll with it" point of view. Q: You make many mentions to Holiday’s penchant for food... I think she spends as much time in her kitchen as she does on missions, perhaps more. What made you decide on tasty treats as being her balance? By the way, I had to go and get snacks at 2am, so my waistline thanks you!
A: You are correct each sister does have a shield and I thought that since food is such a big part of people lives and it can also be someone's escape. It was fitting that Holiday would love to cook. She wants to be a good wife. And what do most women think a good wife is? Cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the kids. Tell your waistline it’s welcome. I too gained weight writing because some of the dishes made me hungry too.
That they did. That they did, maybe if she keeps cooking you can release a cookbook with all her recipes.
A: lol That is a good idea. She has great dishes
Aside from the food scenes making us hungry, you have many great interactions between characters. I love the dynamic between Holiday and Joe, and Leon is a great character for breaking those really tense scenes. That said... Q: What was your most difficult scene to write, and why?
A: The scene with everyone at the dinner table, including the in-laws, was difficult to write. There were many personalities at the table and they were all talking. I had to keep them in line and stay focused. That was a scene I had to rewrite a couple of times. I have to say I love Leon he is a breath of fresh air.
That was certainly a scene where you could really feel the tension; it was so thick even the baby was affected. Which I thought was really rather cool. I'd say the multiple writes did you good. Speaking of tension.... Q: So far, the tension has been building, especially within Holiday’s own mind. We see so much of what she thinks, was it difficult for you to use the first person point of view or did it just come naturally?
A: Writing in first person was a natural fit for this story. Holiday’s mind plays a big part in her actions. I wanted the reader to know her beyond what she did or said. I really was able to get in her mind and feel her and that made it easy to write it in her view alone.
I know I can't wait to pick it up on my tablet to see how it all pans out.
Q: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? What sets you apart from others in your genera? What do you consider your genera to be?
A: I am glad you will continue the journey with Holiday. I find that jokes are made in times and places that are not always the right time. I think what sets my apart from another genera is that it's not in one category. You can't say this book is suspense and that is it. This story gives you so many aspects into many genera and that will make me say I think "The Sleeper" could fit in so many places I could not just choose one.
I think that it is like that for many writers nowadays. The lines of genera have been blurred, but not quite broken. It is high time this happened; I agree that the humor helps, when things begin to get too serious there did seem to be someone nearby to help ease some of the tension. This helped me to see the human side of the characters, I know I often use humor as a defense mechanism, and it is always good to find things as a reader that I can identify with. Here you certainly succeeded where many tend to fail.
Thank you so much for that and yes, I agree the lines should be gray. I too use humor as many do to break tense situations or to ease hurt. That is how people like to deal with things. Comedy is good for the soul
I couldn't agree with you more.
Q: Without giving too much away, what's next for Holiday and the family? I understand this is to be a trilogy. Can you give us a little teaser as to what may be lurking around the corner?
A: Ohhh I like to give teasers. Yes Holiday well become more cold with her family being in danger. Holiday will do and say things that will shock readers. I was shocked myself. J She will also be faced with dealing with her feelings for David and she will embrace her new self with open arms. That is why the next book is called "AWAKENS" which will be out soon. The sisters well still be her help but, they thought they were alone on this journey they will get help in many places from people.
That is certainly a well played teaser. Q: Do you have a release date for "AWAKENS" that we can hold on to, as we slip off into dreamland?
A: It should be out that end of March So it is just around the corner.
I loved doing this Q &A with you it was fun and I always love talking about writing and my characters. I thank You for being kind and reading the first 131 pages and look forward to your response for the last part. I enjoyed the questions very different and you made me really think which I like
I aim to please. And The Next Chapter coming in March is great news, making this a perfect time to see where it all starts!Thank you so much for taking the time and going on this little adventure with me and my readers of the wee hours!
You are very welcome it was a pleasure and I can't wait to come back.
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