Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Nicole S. Rouse

Nicole S. Rouse

Nicole S. Rouse was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She developed a passion for writing while in grade school. After graduating from Temple University, Nicole became an elementary school teacher, and took every opportunity to incorporate her appreciation of various forms of writing into the curriculum. As a teacher, she became a member of the Northern Virginia Writing Project, where she promoted and encouraged writing in mathematics. Nicole was a founding member of a literacy team that created plays for students to perform and developed workshops for parents to help their children excel.

Nicole has contributed articles to South County Chronicle, a local newsletter for Northern Virginia residents, and Remah, a newsletter for the members of New Faith Baptist Church in Matteson, Illinois. After five years in the classroom, Nicole was given the opportunity to pursue a career in publishing and is currently an editor at a major educational publishing company.

She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and resides near Chicago, IL. In her spare time, she mentors children in Chicago and they continue to “dream big” together.

Read a full excerpt of Happily Ever Now: Click Here (.doc file)

Author's Official Site: http://www.nicolerouse.com
Author's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/nicolesrouse
Author's Blog Page: http://shilaamos-efe.blogspot.com/
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Urban Reviews: Tell us what Happily Ever Now is all about.
Nicole S. Rouse: A story about love and forgiveness, Happily Ever Now follows the lives of two women longing to find joy in the midst of their struggles. Renee, a successful hotel manager, tries to juggle marriage, motherhood, and a thriving career. When she discovers her husband has had an affair, Renee is torn between reconciliation and divorce. Taylor, thirty-three and single, is in love with Jerome, Renee's husband. Taylor aborts her childhood dreams to focus on Jerome's happiness, believing one day he would leave his wife. When Renee and Taylor's worlds collide, they are challenged to forgive those who have caused them pain. For both women, the phrase happily ever after has lost its attraction; they want to be happy now. In the end, Renee and Taylor discover that the true path to happiness is only through faith.

Urban Reviews: What inspired you to write this story?
Nicole S. Rouse: Happily Ever Now was initially written as a love story. But as time passed and I listened to people and celebrities discuss the problems in their relationships, I wondered how people who once loved one another so deeply could just walk away. So, Happily went from a story strictly about love to one of love and forgiveness. I wanted to tell a story about a married couple considering divorce. My hope is that readers will not only enjoy the novel, but understand that the true path to happiness is through faith.

Urban Reviews: Are you working on any upcoming projects?
Nicole S. Rouse: I am currently finishing the sequel to my debut novel. I am also working on a novella with two other authors. The stories will center around a the lives of three women involved in single's ministry in a popular inner-city church.

Urban Reviews: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Nicole S. Rouse: I have been writing since I was in elementary school. I was raised in household where I had to be in the house before the streetlights came on and I couldn't talk on the phone for more than 15 minutes at a time, so I had to find something to do to occupy my time. Writing was a way for me to express myself and use my imagination.

Urban Reviews: Do you find it difficult to market Christian Fiction?
Nicole S. Rouse: Very often, readers have expressed that they were hesitant to read my novel because of the Christian Fiction label. Many felt that my story would "preach" to them instead of entertain them as readers. In promoting my novel, I have been able to grab readers interest because I let them know that while my novel is Christian-based, the story is about "real" people dealing with "real" issues. While the story can also be considered contemporary fiction, God is the focal point and that alone signifies that certain elements will not be included- i.e. profanity, explicit sex scenes, etc. All stories have some kind of message. Happily Ever Now has the message of forgiveness. This is told through the lives of characters that readers feel they know or can relate to. I think once I provide a more in-depth definition of the genre, readers are not as reluctant to support the genre.

Urban Reviews: What is the biggest thing that you've learned about the book industry so far?
Nicole S. Rouse: Promotion has been the biggest challenge for me. Though my mother would tell you differently, speaking in front of large groups of people does not come easy for me. But, I've learned that if I want my book to do well, I have to get out into the public and connect with readers. It is a learning process, but I am enjoying talking to people, both individually and collectively and can tell that I am making a difference.

Urban Reviews: Do you have any favorite authors or books?
Nicole S. Rouse: Authors: Terry McMillan, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Nikki Giovanni; Books: The Bible, Cane River, Waiting to Exhale, The Black Rose

Urban Reviews: What do you want the world to know most about you?
Nicole S. Rouse: There have been a number of people that have contributed to my life in a positive way. Some of the greatest moments in my life were spent working with children and serving others.