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Urban Reviews: Tell us about
Confessions of a
Lonely Soul.
Harold L. Turley II:
Confessions of a Lonely Soul is about a man who has kept a lot of secrets
within himself. He kept the fact that he was HIV positive, he kept the
real reason why his wife committed suicide, and even knowledge of a murder
that he had information on. He kept all these things bottled up inside
him, but finally felt time to confess to his family and friends what he
held so close. However, he decides to confess it at his own funeral.
Urban Reviews: You deal with HIV/AIDS and depression in this novel, two very important
topics that are not seriously discussed enough in the African-American
community. What made you decide to incorporate these issues into this
story?
Harold L. Turley II: I started to become frustrated with how we approach HIV and AIDS
awareness. It seems as if we don’t pay as much attention to the matter now
as we did 10 years ago however HIV and AIDS cases are at an all time high.
It seems as if we only stress getting tested or the importance of knowing
your status during HIV awareness day or on National HIV Testing day which
ironically is today, Jun 27th. I am a sexually active man in America . I
feel it’s my responsibility to get tested at least once every 6 months. I
want to know my status and I wanted to divert some attention back to that
and put the focus back on us as adults to take the responsibility to know.
Also, for those out there who are HIV or AIDS positive, I didn’t want them
to think their lives are over. Doing my research on this topic, I talked
to so many people who embraced me with open arms to educate me on living
with HIV. Prior to starting to research this book, I’ll admit I might have
been just as ignorant about the topic as most because you don’t really
hear about the success stories. You don’t hear about the every day people
who work 9-5 jobs who are and have been living with HIV for over 5 years,
over 10 years, and more. I wanted to stress to people who might be HIV
positive that life does continue however I didn’t want to be insensitive
about the matter either. I know that there will be people who say, you
aren’t HIV positive. You don’t know what it’s like to live with HIV and
they are right. I’m not and I don’t know, but I do know what it’s like to
not live your life to the fullest.
That is what led me to talk about depression. When I was clinically
depressed, I’d completely stopped living my life. I drastically lost
weight. I had no desire to live anymore which led me to attempt suicide.
I’m not ashamed to admit that because had I not been in denial or ashamed
to admit that I was depressed and seek help, then I probably wouldn’t have
experienced any of that.
In the black community, depression is looked as a crutch instead of what
it really is, a disease and disorder. It’s not something you can deal with
by yourself because the longer you stay depressed, the more open you
become to non rational thought which could lead to possible attempts at
your life. I felt as if this was a way for me to do my part. This was a
way to reach people. If I could reach one person who was depressed and get
them to see that there is nothing wrong with being depressed, then I’d
done my job. It’s okay to
seek professionally help. It’s okay to talk to a psychiatrist. If I reached two, I have exceeded all expectations because
those are 2 lives I possibly saved.
Urban Reviews: You are currently under Strebor Books International. Can you tell our
readers what led you to your current book deal?
Harold L. Turley II: Honestly, I was led by the grace of God. I don’t have the horror stories
most have. I queried one agent who told me she loved my manuscript for
Love’s Game however she declined to represent me. I didn’t allow that to
deter me. I was reading All That and a Bag of Chips by Darrien Lee, and
there was an address for Strebor Books on the inside jacket. I decided
'hey, why not?' and sent my manuscript off. I received a call from Zane a few
weeks later asking to publish it and the rest as they say was history.
Urban Reviews: Can you give us a sneak peak at your next novel Born Dying?
Harold L. Turley II: The title of
the book is Born Dying.
There are two fates that come from indulging in a life of crime: death or
incarceration. Nate Rodgers and Lionel Taylor are opposites in every way.
While Nate has achieved dubious power and fame by pushing drugs on the
streets, Lionel has fallen from honor as a police detective by giving in
to the lure of the drug abuse and losing his family in the process.
When these two men meet, they inspire each other to rise above their
circumstances and grasp at redemption. Nate gains a new purpose of life-to
try and escape his drug-selling lifestyle while saving those he has pushed
down the path to addiction. At the same time, Lionel works to conquer his
habit and regain the loved ones he’s lost. Alone, they have no chance, but
together they might muster the strength to over come the consequences of
their bad decisions.
Unvarnished and hard-hitting, Born Dying exposes the reality of drug
addiction, telling the story from both sides-both user and pusher. Through
the struggles, defeats, and victories, Born Dying is a story of hope, even
in the darkest corners of life.
Urban Reviews: Are there any other projects that you're currently working on right
now?
Harold L. Turley II: Man, I think working is an understatement. I’m currently working on a
couple of projects. I just finished the screenplay for Love’s Game and
now I'm working on my fourth and fifth book. My fourth book is entitled The
Son My Father Raised and my fifth is the continuation of Confessions of a
Lonely Soul which is entitled Searching for the Truth.
Urban Reviews: What was the hardest part about finishing your book?
Harold L. Turley II: Wow, the hardest thing was probably stopping. The reader in me wanted to
put everything in one book. However, I wanted to leave readers wanting
more. I remember the feeling I had inside after I watched Kill Bill. I
couldn’t believe the movie was ending. There was still so much more to
cover but it’s also what had me anticipate the release of Kill Bill 2. I
hope the ending doesn’t alienate readers but also leave them with that
same feeling.
Urban Reviews: Do you still do performance poetry?
Harold L. Turley II: No I don’t. With writing, being a full time parent, and also working a
regular 9-5 job, I don’t have the time anymore. I’ve been saying I’d get
back into it because poetry is and always will be my first love. One day,
I’ll get back to performing again though.
Urban Reviews: What is the most important thing that you've learned about the book
industry?
Harold L. Turley II: I’ve learned the first and most important rule, this is a business. When I
first entered the industry, I didn’t approach things that way. Mostly
because I saw writing as my escape from my reality of day to day life.
It’s my escape from the world and my time to just enjoy. However this is a
business, and I quickly learned to approach it as a business first and
relish in the fact that I get to do something I love.
Urban Reviews: Have you gotten any sound advice from fellow authors?
Harold L. Turley II: I wouldn’t still be in this industry if I hadn’t. That is one of the
things I love most about Strebor Books International. it’s not just a
company but more like a family. From Tina Brooks McKinney to Allison Hobbs
or William Frederick Cooper, there's nothing but constant advice about anything and
everything. Even outside of Strebor, I’m constantly picking up the phone
and calling Nikki Turner and bugging her. Or I’ll log online and email Eric Pete or Jessica Tilles. I don’t care who it is...I’ll pick
your brain if I have a question.
Urban Reviews: Name one thing that the world does not know about Harold L. Turley
II-the person?
Harold L. Turley II: Probably how good of a cook I am. I love to cook, whether it's stuffed
catfish with crab meat to Corona chicken or Honey Dijon Salmon. I love to
cook. It doesn’t matter if it’s soul food, seafood, or Italian. If you put
me in front of a stove, it’s going to get serious.
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