Intimate Conversation with Harriet Wilson

Intimate Conversation with Harriet Wilson

Self-publishing her debut novel in 2009, Harriet Wilson has always had a wild and creative imagination. She hopes to become a bestselling author and while Secret Betrayals is her first novel, it definitely won't be last. Writing novels that affect both men and women every day, her writing draws in both book lovers and non-readers alike. Harriet Wilson is a native of Little Rock, AR. She currently lives in Jackson, TN with her husband.

BPM:   What make you a powerful speaker and writer?
I don’t know if I can call myself a powerful person and/or writer but I have a very vivid imagination. Since I was younger, I would write poetry for hours and hours about something as simple as pancakes and how they tasted that morning. I can write about any and everything. It’s never a dull moment when I’m writing. In fact, I have a problem with having too many stories in my head and not being able to write them down fast enough.

BPM:   Who where your mentors growing up?  How did they shape your life?
I have so many mentors that I’m afraid to even start naming them because once I start I won’t be able to finish.


BPM:  Where do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration through God, my husband, reading, and music. It’s times I’ve felt like giving up and right when I’m about to call it quits, God comes in and does something to make me keep going. My husband has been there and pushes me so hard that he refuses to let me settle and give up without giving a fight. And with reading and music…well, have you ever heard a song that seemed to tell a story and you couldn’t get it out of your head? Almost every song (R&B at least) I hear and think of a storyline that can go with it.

BPM:  Finish this sentence:  My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...
My writing offers the following legacy to my future readers: A great story with not only an unforgettable plot and characters, but one that leaves readers thinking about their lives and reflects on things they’ve possibly done in the past and can do in the future.


BPM:   Introduce us to your main characters in Secret Betrayals.
Secret Betrayals is a contemporary women’s novel that illustrates how three women function in lust, believing it to be love, and the excuses they use to stay in dysfunctional relationships.

Jasmine Reeves has it all – a good education, a cool job, a man who loves her and a man she loves too. Unfortunately, they are not one in the same. After falling hard for her friend's husband, Jasmine has to figure out what direction her life is going to take.

Toya Johnson loves the luxuries of life and has no problem using the world’s oldest profession to obtain them. But when she unexpectedly finds the man of her dreams, she cannot seem to shake the past that keeps coming back to haunt her.

Chante Summers has a handsome and successful husband who provides for her. What more could a girl want, right? Unfortunately some people are never satisfied. Bored with the housewife routine and a husband whose bedroom skills are less exciting than a can of paint, Chante has no choice but to satisfy herself.

BPM:   Who were your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
My favorite character is Jasmine although she is the least favorite for many other readers. The reason she is my favorite is that I see myself in her so much. Although this story is fiction, I could easily be in her shoes. Many call her gullible and naïve, but I can say that I have been that way time and time again.

The characters in Secret Betrayals are portrayed as real people. I’ve been told time and time again that everyone knows someone who depicts some of the traits an the characters. Honestly, I can say that after writing it, I can see several people I know in it too.


BPM:   What specific revelation prompted you to write your book, Secret Betrayals?Actually, I don’t know what prompt me to write this book. I’m a big listener when it comes  to people and their problems and one day after listening to several people vent about their relationship issues, I went home, turned on my computer, and wrote. I never intended the story to become a book. In fact, I planned to throw it away but after having several people read the short story and love it, they pushed me to turn it into a full novel and here we are.

BPM:   Take us inside the book. What are two major events taking place?
Jasmine’s wedding is one major event. It’s where everything starts to hit the fan. Between the lies and secrets from all parties in the book, the wedding will make your jaw drop and fast. So much is revealed at that time. I want to tell you more of it but I don’t want to give the story away.


BPM:   How will reading your book shape the readers lives? Although the book is filled with drama, it also gives several lessons in relationships. This book is geared for more of the 18-30 crowd who are still trying to find themselves and learn what they do and don’t want in the opposite or same sex. Many people think that what they have at home isn’t good enough but sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. But on the flip side, many people tend to stay in relationships because they are scared of being alone or treading the waters. If you aren’t happy, try to make yourself happy without hurting others to get there because in the end, you will only be hurting yourself.


BPM:   How can your readers reach you online? I’m in the process of working on several books and would love for everyone to come and check out some of my work. You can purchase Secret Betrayals on Amazon at or you can visit my site at http://harrietwilson.webstarts.com/ where you can buy Secret Betrayals in digital or print form and read the first three chapters of it as well as several other books in the making. I look forward to hearing from you soon and would love feedback on all the new material going up on the site.


Harriet Wilson, Author of Secret BetrayalsRead the first three chapters of Secret Betrayals
http://harrietwilson.webstarts.com/excerpt.html