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Gayle
Jackson Sloan is a native of Philadelphia, but has lived in Akron,
Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Washington, DC. Gayle has loved to read and
write since she was four years old. Growing up, she used to write
volumes and volumes of poetry that was inspired by the syncopated
rhythms of Maya Angelo and the freestyle of Nikki Giovanni. Life,
however, has a way of sometimes getting in the way and she put
aside her poetry to raise her daughter. When she picked up Disappearing
Acts by Terry McMillan, she said to herself, “I can do
this!” Encouraged by her mother and husband, she started two
books that were still languishing in the bottom of a drawer.
However, it wasn't until the passing of her beloved mother that
she finally finished her first novel, Saturday's Child,
which she first self-published.
Amid
personal tragedies, upheavals, and general chaos, she struggled
tenaciously to finish her second novel, Wednesday's Woes
, which is a follow up -- not a sequel -- to her first novel.
She attended Philadelphia University where she studied interior
design. She is currently a legal assistant at a prestigious law
firm. When she is not writing, reading or gardening, she is
teaching her grandchildren to say "Nana is a Diva!"
Visit her online at
http://www.gaylejacksonsloan.com/. |
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the author of Saturday's Child comes her much anticipated
follow-up!
"Wednesday's
Child is full of woe. "
Zoe Knight
certainly wouldn't argue with that. She's got more woes than the
law should allow. With an ex-husband that she despises and can no
longer trust, a rebellious teenage son with a hoochie-in-training
girlfriend, the death of a loved one, and sisters who have lost
their minds, can anything else go wrong?
Thankfully, she
has her young lover, Antonio, to lean on and help see her through
it all. Zoe's certain that they know everything about each other
and he is her only joy at the moment. But can one know everything
about another -- even the one you are living and sleeping with?
When she gets a very nasty surprise and a serious wake-up call,
things begin to spiral out of control.
Follow the twists
and turns of Zoe and the rest of the cast for a fast-paced read
that will leave you breathless!
Learn more about the book
HERE.
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You originally self-published your first novel, SATURDAY'S CHILD. What were the most and least rewarding aspects of
self-publishing?
The most rewarding thing about self-publishing was maintaining control and saying I did it myself. The least rewarding aspect, because I went with a print-on-demand company, was lack of distribution. Most stores work on the invoice system and do not like having to purchase books before they get them and not being able to return them. Especially your smaller, independent bookstores. So it was always a constant fight to get stores to order my books and to have book signings.
Your second novel, WEDNESDAY'S WOES is due to be released. In 25 words or less, explain the novel's concept.
Living and sleeping with someone does not mean that you know everything about that person and sometimes our best friends can be our worst enemies.
I read the excerpt of WW you have on your website. I was intrigued. Looks like some major drama is about to unfold. What are some of the themes that are introduced in the novel?
Younger man/older woman; sibling rivalry, even with grown-ass women; dealing with an ex-spouse (the good, the bad and the very ugly); ebony and ivory; the girlfriend code; and an unfit mother, to name a few!
With two books out and others on the way, it's obvious writing is a passion of yours. When did you realize that you wanted to become a published writer?
Around 1980, I attempted to start a book, the title of which I don't even remember. I started it in LONG HAND because personal computers were not out yet and buying a typewriter was an expense I could not afford. LOL I was really into historical romance then. I put it aside until 1989 when I started another book, Shadows of Ourselves. I worked on it off and on for years until my computer crashed and I lost 300 plus pages of work. Fast forward to 2000, and in trying to deal with my mother's death, I started Saturday's Child, and the rest, as they say, is history! And speaking of Shadows, some of the characters from that book refused to leave me alone and are making an appearance in Wednesday's Woes.
What has been the best part about being a writer?
Creating characters that people can identify with, fall in love with or can't stand! Makes me feel like a mad scientist. LOL Also, having people say that they laughed, cried, and thoroughly enjoyed what they read.
What has been the worst?
Not having the time to write like I want to and sometimes dealing with writer's block. That is the worst!! I call it brain constipation because no matter how hard you try, you just can't squeeze a thought or a sentence out.
Who or what inspires you as a writer?
My original inspirations were Nikki Giovanni, Terry McMillan and Eric Jerome Dickey. Now my inspirations come from family, friends, stories I hear, the news, or music. In other words, life inspires me.
Picture this, you're about to sit down to write...describe the setting that creates the perfect mood conducive to great writing for you.
I can't. It happens because it happens. Sometimes I'm on my desktop in my junky office. Sometimes I'm on my laptop in the living room and a movie is blaring on the home theater and I'm in a zone. If there is such a thing as a perfect setting, I guess it would be on my patio with some good music playing, the bugs aren't biting and there is a nice spring breeze blowing and I have a glass of my favorite white wine nearby.
Don't think, just respond:
- 3 favorite books?
All of the Harry Potter Books (I know that's more than three, but I'm counting as one because they are all by the same author);The Godfather; LA Banks' vampire huntress series.
- 3 guilty pleasures?
Shoe shopping; clothes shopping and ummmm, just shopping!
- 3 favorite authors?
Eric Jerome Dickey; LA Banks/Leslie Esdaile; J.K. Rowling
- 3 favorite musical artists?
Jill Scott; Donnie McClurkin; Earth, Wind & Fire
If you were not a writer, what would be your dream career?
An interior designer or antiquities/art dealer.
What projects are you working on now? Any conferences or book signings in the near future?
My publicist is in the process of setting me up for events as we speak. Check my website for more information and updates. |
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