Interview with Bestselling Author Bill Holmes

Tell us what motivated you to write this book.
I wrote my novel One Love because I always had a desire to write fiction. I started taking my love to write poetry seriously back in 1996, and one year later I ventured out to open mics in Philly to recite my poems. I attended a book signing in Philly for Marcus Major in 2001 on the release of his second novel Four Guys and Trouble. I was the only person in attendance, but the opportunity to vibe with Marcus left a positive impression upon me. The next day, I purchased a large notebook and started jotting down the ideas for One Love.

One Love is also my tribute to the Philadelphia spoken word scene. I incorporated some of
my friends into the plot to make the novel authentic (with their legal permission, of course).


Bring your 3 main characters to life. Tell us who they are and what you love about them.

Chris Harrington is one of the two main characters from One Love. He's an educated,
handsome, African American male who is very passionate about his creativity. He doesn't have the best relationship with his family, especially with his father and his step-brother Sam. Unfortunately, his taste in women leaves a lot to be desired because he's currently involved with someone, but his heart isn't there.

Regina Simmons/Gigi is the other main character from One Love. She's educated, beautiful,
ambitious, but she's also passionate about her creativity that was placed on hold due to
circumstances in her life. Like Chris her taste in men leaves a lot to be desired because she's been in and out of relationships herself.

Both Chris and Regina are feeling frustrated about the direction that their separate lives are heading. However, a chance encounter one morning while commuting to work helps these two discover that there is a small world where love, family, friendship and poetry come together.

Camille Monroe/Cami is the main supporting character from One Love. She's Regina's best friend and the owner and proprietor of the beauty salon, Camille's. While the novel is told from the two main characters' points of view, Cami has got some drama going on in her personal life that could have some nasty affects into her friendship with Regina.


Where are you from? What is your favorite book, music, movie, play?
I'm originally from Philadelphia, PA, but I currently reside in Sicklerville, NJ. There are so many books I like, but my two favorite books are Terry McMillian's Disappearing Acts and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. My favorite music is R & B. My favorite movie is The Color Purple. My favorite play is Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (with the all-star African American cast including James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad).


How do you spend your free time? Do you write poetry or sing?
I spend my free time exercising, reading, writing, traveling, cooking, shopping and hanging out
with my family and friends. I do write and recite poetry because it is a part of my life. I'm currently working on another spoken word CD for either late 2008 or early 2009 entitled Brand New Day. I also teach creative writing at Temple University through their Pan African Studies Continuing Education Program (PASCEP) in the Fall and Spring semesters.


Could you imagine your life without writing today?
I couldn't imagine what my life without writing would be like. The thought scares me because writing has been my therapeutic outlet to alleviate my frustrations. It has given me tremendous strength and courage to express my creativity and discover my talents. If I never sold another book again, I would continue to write because it has never been about the monetary rewards. To be able to touch another person's life in a positive way through my words is a wonderful blessing.


Bill Holmes www.BillHolmes.com
Poet, Writer and ESSENCE Best Selling Author of One Love

"Every word I write is an extension of my breath, my heart, and my soul that I want the world to share and to remember long after my life has come to an end."