GO INSIDE: Who is Gladys Belle Jennings?

Who is Gladys Belle Jennings? If you read Zion’s Road, she was the soft-spoken wife of the Pastor that was simply known as “Misses”. In Zion’s Road I wanted her to remain a mystery; yet still had a compelling role that sheltered Harold and Thomas for the night. Also, this is where the storyline thickens with the misdeeds of the main character’s past and how he has to face them.

Since the novelette is a forty-eight page drama, I didn’t want to give the Pastor and the Misses names, because if I did, I had to delve further into their backgrounds. I wanted to stay true to the storyline with Harold narration. More importantly, this was also an introduction to these secondary-characters for the novel with identities of, George and Gladys Jennings. When you read The Journey of Ruthie Belle (TJRB), you’ll read more in-depth of whom they are, and the vital roles they take part in Zion’s Road.

Gladys is what I called a “sleeper character” – her demure spirit will resonate through the story; yet the voice of reason in this family saga. The oldest daughter of Ruthie Belle and the best friend of Mary Beth Smith (Harold’s mother), Gladys proved living in a dysfunctional family does not and should not define anyone as a person. I hope when you read both stories, that it’ll leave a lasting impression about love and friendship with this character – and see how a beautiful soul never dies.

To read excerpt to The Journey of Ruthie Belle http://www.imaniwisdom.com/Ruthie_Belle_Excerpt.html

GO INSIDE: Who is Harold Smith?

Who is Harold Smith? He’s what I called, the non-perfect character to be the perfect character. Seven years ago as I was writing this novelette, I knew I wanted an emotionally flawed person to tell a socio-forbidden love story. I wanted to convey a point-of-view that goes into an individual prejudice mind. The what’s, how’s, and why’s, were so important for this character of Zion’s Road – what racism can do to the innocent? How a child’s negative environment can be detrimental to their growing psyche? And, why is it so easy to hate people that don’t look like you, worship like you, or carry political beliefs like you? Harold Smith is the epitome of all of these questions; yet that is why he’s the perfect character to tell this story.

I’ve been told by a few readers that Zion’s Road was difficult to read because of the racial epithets. Remember, he was a former Mississippian Klansman. What he had been taught as a child, and the environment he had been a part of, was all he knew. I’m not saying his beliefs were right, or excusing his misdeeds of his past; I’m saying question the messenger who planted that seed.

Harold will be hated by most readers – what person would not be if someone express their views as to why others races are second-class citizens. However, as you read into this story, I hope you will leave from it – not feeling sorry for racists, bigots, homophobics, or the like – but to tell yourself that the cycle will never stop unless a courageous heart breaks free from their ignorance.

To read an excerpt to this powerful novelette, visit my website: www.imanwisdom.com