Marissa Monteilh is a single mother of three, and a new grandmother who has found her professional, God-given niche in the form of writing. That is a great feeling, especially at this time in my life.

I was inspired to write May December Souls in 1998 when I sat down to chronicle my relationship with my father, or should I say lack of a relationship. He left my mom, two brothers and me when I was five years old. For cathartic reasons, I chronicled how his departure had a big impact on my relationships with men. Before I knew it, I had over 200 pages. I added a 21-year-old fictional, male character to the story along with some sugar and spice, and before I knew it, I had a 90,000-word novel.

I’d always noticed that older men who dated younger women were totally accepted in society, but women who dated younger men were scoffed at. I thought the term “May December” was an interesting one. Mariah and Malik, the main characters in May December Souls, are soul mates so to speak, so I made reference to the fact that there was a May December relationship, even though many people have never heard of the term May (being the younger person) and December (being the older) and then I added the word “ Souls” – it seemed to flow and summarize the concept.

Mariah was born from my experiences in life. She is “on the grow” and wants more out of life, both professionally and personally, but also wants to take the time to find out why she is repeating the same old patterns over and over again. She’s tired of being a gluten for punishment. So she takes the time to find out why she is the way she is, and more importantly, works to make changes after learning how to break free from her self-inflicted boundaries. Many women feel stuck and stagnant. It is my hope that Mariah serves as a role model for those of us who allow our past to rule our present.

Kareem makes women so mad! He’s so selfish and such an old playboy. I know a lot of men like him, so he’s bits and pieces of many men. Now as for Malik, he is the dream man I’ve yet to meet. That’s one of the great things about writing; you can create characters and live through them for a while. He is a real man.

It only took me about eight months to write May December Souls. It just sort of flowed like magic. I now know that it was the start of the blessed life that I’m experiencing now. I really didn’t know enough to feel inhibited or intimated about the process because I didn’t set out to write novels per say. I think it’s much easier for first time authors to write books that are semi-autobiographical. It’s much less of a challenge.

The fact that Mariah is a passionate person who is honest with herself is probably the biggest trait that mirrors my own personality. She wants to learn to be a better person. She is spiritual, and believes in a power greater than all of us. Yet she is a dreamer who has her head in the clouds at times. Sounds quite a bit like me. Only you could get that out of me, Lauretta

I’ve written three books so far. My second title, The Chocolate Ship, was just released in January 2003. It’s an adventure about a thirty-something couple who go on a black owned cruise to see if their relationship can withstand the wave of temptations on the romantic Atlantic. I just completed my third novel, Hot Boyz’ in Ladera Heights, the story of three well-to-do brothers who live in an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles.

I’m at my best when I write in complete silence. No telephones, television, music, etc., nothing but peace and quiet, and now that my kids are pretty much on their own, that’s fairly easy to accomplish. I’m not a morning person. I usually write in the mid afternoon, unless I’m stretching a deadline, and then it doesn’t matter what time of day it is.

I’ve just started my fourth untitled novel about finding love on the Internet. Also, I’m co-writing a book of romance consisting of four short stories that will be completed later his year. And, I’m taking a shot at a book of erotica called Hot to Trot.

I’ve been asked to continue the adventures of Mariah and Malik and I’ve thought about it, especially lately. If I do, it will probably be called, Oxytocin, the hormone that the story revolves around. It will be a challenge, but I think I’m up to the task - perhaps sometime in 2005.

The main message I’d like readers to receive from May December Souls is that it doesn’t matter the age, race, religion or creed of a person, if two people are compatible, can communicate well, and have chemistry – that’s half the battle. In spite of an age difference, soul mates are soul mates, no matter what. Also, women – let’s practice talking before touching. We bond to men way too soon before we take the time to get to know them from the neck up. Slow down – if Mariah did it, anyone can!

Thanks so much for allowing me the opportunity of a Literay World interview. I’m honored and I appreciate the thought provoking questions.