In an evocative exploration of family, race, and the complexities of justice, debut novelist Gilbert Leslie delivers a poignant narrative in his novel, Dillard’s Promise. A native of Los Angeles and a graduate student in Political Science, Leslie intertwines personal experience with overarching themes that resonate deeply in today’s society. Through this interview, we delve into Leslie’s journey as an author, the inspiration behind his writing, and the meaningful connections he strives to create between past actions and present realities. Join us as we uncover the motivations, challenges, and aspirations that shape Gilbert Leslie’s compelling storytelling.

But First, who is Gilbert Leslie?

Gilbert Leslie is a native to Los Angeles, California. He is a son, a brother to 14 siblings, a husband, a father, and a grandfather, also a Master’s candidate at California State University’s Political Science program. He is a first time novelist and hopes his work is well received.

Gilbert Leslie’s Books

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Dillard’s Promise is your debut novel. Can you share a bit about your journey to becoming a published author?

After it was finished, I tried to find an agent that would be interested enough in the story to represent me to a publisher. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find enough interest for representation, so I went the direct route with vanity publishers willing to take a chance on my manuscript. Pegasus Publishing in London was where I landed.

Dillard’s Promise spans multiple generations and timelines. What inspired you to take on such an ambitious structure for your debut novel?

This is a story I’d thought about for quite some time before I had the time to devote to write it down. We are the sum of our ancestors’ experience, and we will pass our experience onto the next generation. I wanted to connect the experience of family and circumstances beyond their control and hopefully, tell a story where the reader could feel the direct effect of the past as it plays out in the present.

The story tackles themes of racism and justice. What influenced your decision to explore these themes in your writing?

In this country, we down-play the real effects that racism and justice have in our everyday lives. It affects us all, in many ways that we try to deny. But racism and injustice have always played a major role in this country, and it always will. To deny it is to deny ourselves. Denying it prevents us from addressing the injustice it promulgates and reducing the effects of racism in our everyday lives. I couldn’t write a story about life in this country without those themes in the background.

Can you share more about the process of crafting the murder mystery element of the plot? Were there any challenges in maintaining suspense across timelines?

I wanted to play with the usual suspicions and the way that plays out in the justice system. The challenge was the maintaining the direction the characters take in each timeline as the timelines converged. I found that sometimes the direction was not what I had originally planned, but how the storyline pushed it. I had to make room for each character’s role to be played out.

How did you decide on the title Dillard’s Promise, and what does it signify in the context of the story?

Dillard is the name both my father and son share. I wanted to use a vague outline of each as the beginning and ending of the story. Originally, Dillard’s Promise was a pledge Houston would make to his newborn son to fill the void Houston endured without a father in his life. But after a discussion with my editor, we agreed I needed a more purposeful way to connect a family promise. I wanted to include the experience of Florence’s life as the key to the Promise.

Were there any scenes or chapters that were particularly challenging to write, emotionally or creatively?

I abhor violence, and all the scenes that contained violence of any kind were difficult to write and make real. To put myself in the position of the victim and perpetrator was an out of body realization of how cruel we can be to each other.

How much of your own personal experiences or observations influenced the story and its themes?

I’m an observer and try my best to look at the motivations of people’s actions and the effects of those actions. My personal experience with racism is lifelong and ongoing. I wanted to tell a story that would help people feel what the characters were living. Because a lot of people are apathetic to another’s life experience.

What authors or books have inspired your work, particularly in the crime and mystery genres?

I would have to say Walter Mosley, Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Chester Himes, Malcolm X, Zora Neale Thurston, Toni Morrison, and James Baldwin. Not all crime and mystery, but life experience as well.

What does your writing process look like? Do you follow a strict routine, or is it more spontaneous?

I start with a title, then I try to make the story fit the title. I’ll create an outline, a bit of dialogue/conversation, and timeline. Then let spontaneity and inspiration lead the way.

Now that your debut novel has been published, what’s next for you? Are you working on any new projects?

Yes, I have a few titles and outlines I’ve already started on. I have a side-story to Dillard’s Promise and a few other ideas I’d like to work on. I expect to graduate with my master’s in political science this spring and will have some free time to concentrate on fictional writing. I also need to find a literary agent. I’m hoping this book will be successful enough, so that I can spend more time working on the stories I’d like to tell.

Thank you for this interview.

Gilbert Leslie

Thank you, Gilbert Leslie, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. Your journey as a writer and the themes you tackle in Dillard’s Promise resonate deeply, and we look forward to seeing where your storytelling takes you next.