Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author of Sleeping With Cancer,Phillip Riley, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Phillip Riley was born in Seattle, Washington but whose adult journeys took him to New York City, Boston, Vermont, California, and for the last several decades, Hawaii. His half a dozen colleges include the Cornish Institute for the Arts in Seattle, Washington and the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. He has a Bachelors in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Education. He continues to paint, teach, and write in Hawaii.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Briefly I have roved the United States as a fine artist before finding myself in Hawaii sleeping on the beach after a divorce 23 years ago. I remarried and mostly wrote poetry and children’s stories, as well as other short stories in both first and third person. I remarried and followed my wife around the world on adventures. I became a special education teacher during this time using the arts as a way to address what educators call core content.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
Sleeping With Cancer developed without an outline. I modeled the main character after a lady I met in Boston. As I continued the narrative, my thoughts as a caregiver in real life with a wife fighting an advanced stage of cancer began seeping into the story. In a role reversal I wrote my thoughts from the first person of the lady with a boyfriend with cancer.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
If there is one message, it might be that there are examples of courage all around us that go unseen and without drama, especially with those surviving with cancer.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
My favorite character is the lead character, Emily. It is her thoughts that resound through most of the book. She is THE character, with grit, sarcasm, heart, and I would have to say love.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
An incident began when my wife and her mom went to Las Vegas and she called so exultant about winning a jackpot of $6000.00. I began to think, you can win a jackpot, but you still have cancer.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I think this book began about four years ago.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I write in different venues. I would like to publish several more books of short stories as well as novelettes and another book. I like to think my writing will be a contribution to my fellow human beings.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am writing another book, but like Sleeping With Cancer, I am not sure where it is going. In general, I prefer the tone to be optimistic.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I have never written in the first person of a woman for a book as in Sleeping with Cancer. I suppose I did so to get my thoughts out without naming my wife. I do write in multiple genres. For example, I have a number of short stories whose characters are insects, crabs, and squirrels.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I think the person who inspired me long ago was a teacher at Massachusetts College of Art named Lila Chalpin. In my twisted journey through New York City, Boston, and elsewhere living on the edges of poverty attempting to be an artist, writing has been my refuge for reflection. Traumas and experiments in living bring a lot of fodder to the mind.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I like to write in the morning beginning at Starbucks and later at home. I bring a notebook everywhere to write impressions, such as when I occasionally teach. I go to a writers’ group once a week to share what I am doing.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I prefer old school writing first draft by hand in a notebook. Section by section is then put onto my computer, which functions for me in the editing process and where the writing is made more readable and legible.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Anne Sexton, Transformations
Erica Jong, Half-lives
Barbara W. Tuchman, A Distant Mirror
Barbara Kingsolver, The Lacuna
Lately… Diana Gabaldon’s books, such as Dragonfly in Amber
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I just write nonsense. I call it my blah blah time.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I think I might say to be careful who your teachers are and to not think too much about the outcome. As a special education teacher I am aware of different learning styles and that it is sometimes important to give oneself room to go your own way.
Thank you, author Riley, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Sleeping With Cancer
What is the meaning of life when you can see the end in the one you love? Emily’s life changes after she witnesses two men kill each other in her apartment leaving a duffle bag with 1.2 million dollars. With money no longer an obstacle and drifting through a dreamy state of trauma where spirits often appear, she eventually falls in love with a new man. When he is later diagnosed with cancer, they embark on parallel journeys with an urgency and impatience to absorb the world. In Sleeping with Cancer by Phillip Riley, Emily’s thoughts on the arbitrariness of life accompany her new love who is engaged in each moment with an appreciation she can only imagine.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author of Rosebud: A Poetry Collection,Nick A. Jameson, from Infinite Of One Publishing, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Nick A. Jameson is a philosopher-poet with strong progressive convictions and a history of creative endeavors, including the conception of left-leaning political, economic, business and spiritual theories. Residing in Bend, OR, Nick was born in Fort Bragg, CA, and has spent most of his life in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, CA.
Nick has a BA in Business Economics from UCSB and an MA in English from ASU. His projects include works of fiction and nonfiction delving into the disciplines of storytelling, philosophy, poetry, spirituality, sociopolitical theory, nutrition and naturopathy. All of his ideas, projects, discussion boards and blog posts are available at infiniteofone.com.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I’m a natural philosopher-poet spurred by a deep inner force, what I consider the essential Self, or Spirit, to seek answers to the foremost questions arising from humankind’s quest for meaning. Both highly contemplative and highly emotional, my heart and mind have converged to create everything from my own idealistic set of social systems (see my other works, including Infinite of One and Cultural Cornerstones, Recarved, as well as my website at infiniteofone.com), which is why I consider myself an ‘ideologue,’ to poetic, cathartic releases on every emotion with which I wrestle. My progressive convictions and philosophical nature shine through in most everything that I write, including my poetry, as does my strong drive to seek the spiritual, or metaphysical, nature of existence. I’m also highly romantic, and motivated by a chivalrous sense of honor and a platonic idealism valuing ideas and principles above everything but love, which, along with liberal education and the philosophical and poetic arts, I think are highly undervalued attributes and pursuits in the modern materialistic era of corporate dominance. I’ve been a creative, self-driven individual all my life, and much prefer to be the driving force behind my own endeavors than attempt to fit into a box or a role designed for the purposes of others, which is part of why I’ve always been resistant to the concept of the ‘job,’ or even the ‘career,’ in which we’re compelled by forces other than the fired heart and impassioned mind. Instead, my desire is to combine my conviction regarding ownership of one’s work, a semi-socialistic entrepreneurial attitude towards the ‘workplace,’ with my desire to write and create generally. While I created games for friends set to paper as a youth, which I called ‘paper games,’ my creative side has found a grander outlet in my poetry, social theories and philosophical pursuits.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
Rosebud is an emotional, intellectual and spiritual outlet collected into a series of poems with the power to both elucidate complex ideas as well as to touch upon and assist the reader in cathartically releasing their emotions, especially when those emotions are based upon the unresolved quests for love and self-realization. Like my book Heresies of a Heathen, it experiments with a type of writing I call “reinterpretive verse/prose” in several of its poems, as well as in the post script. While I’m certain that the writing community has another term for this, what I mean by ‘reinterpretive’ is that I’ll be inspired by a work, such as The Prophet and Siddhartha in the subject book, Rosebud, or the collected Gnostic Gospels in Heresies of a Heathen, yet I’ll see the ideas and wisdom that they impart through my own philosophical lens, and thereby come to rewrite them, or portions of them, in my own words, reinterpreted through my own perspective and philosophy. I believe Rosebud contains a ton of value on many levels, including: insights into the nature of Spirit/God; how spirituality and religion aren’t identical, and why; explorations of the emotional and psychological aspects of love and ‘the muse;’ both the suffering and the reward of the seeker; and much more. It is representative of the overlap between the philosopher and the poet. As Emerson said: “The true philosopher and the true poet are one. And a beauty, which is truth, and a truth, which is beauty, is the aim of them both.”
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
While, per my response to the previous question, it would be all but impossible for me to conflate the book into a single message, if forced to choose one, it may be: while it may sound cliché, one must follow their hearts, for the heart is the focal point of Spirit into matter, and is therefore the bridge to the everlasting wisdom and One Being which we all share, and which, though it shall test you, assailing you with demons, the secretly angelic nature of those demons shall someday be revealed in the incalculable rewards wrought by the stronger self they bring.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Writing is an outlet for me; I call it my ‘pressure release valve,’ envisioning my sanity being much like a cannister under pressure. Yet, without the emotional and intellectual pressure, and without the suffering they entail, I wouldn’t be able to delve into the ideas that I do, or be inspired to write what I write. So, it’s a combination of needing an outlet for beliefs and ideas and the fact that I’m what one might call ‘troubled in love.’ I collect muses and unrequited affections, for a number of reasons, and my related fantasies and pains produce much poetry.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I’m always writing, and struggle not with ‘writers block,’ but with much the opposite phenomenon: with having too many ideas and too much content, and not knowing exactly how to organize them into particular projects, or to ‘stop’ those projects. This particular book, Rosebud, is based upon a collection of poems produced over about half a year. The two muses whom were in my heart and mind when I wrote it, for example, include the memories of one I was in love with for years, and was writing about in Northern CA, and a newer muse I became infatuated with since moving back to Bend, here in Central Oregon, who has since been, let’s say, very unkind towards me; the word ‘betrayal’ is definitely apt; but who, nevertheless, I’m happy I got the chance to know, because the poet needs a muse, because I got to focus my love on someone new, and because all pain is a lesson in disguise. Six months, going from one muse to the next.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
It’s difficult to put a limit on such ambitions. I firmly believe that I have a natural capacity to create theories of near limitless social value, to elucidate most any obscurity of the philosophical and spiritual landscape, so to speak (if nothing else, I’m a natural philosopher), and to purge my own emotional struggles onto the page in a manner which others may identify with. Having started my own independent publishing imprint, Infinite of One Publishing, with ‘infinite of one’ being an allusion to the core spiritual belief of mine, a non-dualistic monotheism I call ‘monoexistentialism,’ my ambition is to be a globally-recognized philosopher poet that runs his own publishing imprint in league with a cadre of like-minded creative, spiritual progressives.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I write in most every genre; all of it has value. Naturally, philosophy and poetry are my go-to’s, but I write sociopolitical theory and fiction as well, just not as regularly. For me, I love poetry because, as in the book blurb, I believe it to be the freest of writing genres; the one the least beholden to form, structure and style and, therefore, permitting the possibility of the purest conveyance of heart and mind. My favorite poems, in fact, seem to come out of me when my mind is the least aware of itself, and when I’m in a type of trance, seemingly conducting from the very depths of my being without my mind really understanding what I’m writing, or why.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I’m a writer by nature, because I’m a thinker and a creative, and because I love language and the exploration of ideas; my particular combination of attributes tells me I’m meant to be a writer along progressive lines, where I create not just for fun or entertainment, but for the quest to understand all the mysteries of human existence. That said, deciding to pursue writing professionally is anything but easy, as I’m sure you and all your interviewees know. And yes, you could argue that it entails sacrifice; heeding what I believe my calling is has, to the dismay of some family members, pulled me away from less risk-averse, seemingly more lucrative paths.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I tend to do the most writing early in the day. I read while drinking coffee or tea, usually with classical piano playing in the background, and as I read I’m routinely provoked to write, either because I’m reflecting on ideas or recent happenings in my life with the blood circulating quickly thanks to the caffeine, and/or because I feel the need to respond to what I’m reading. I also have the routine of making ‘notes’ in my phone whenever a thought arises that I believe to be of value, most of these being of a philosophical nature. Let’s check… I currently have 2,759 notes on my iPhone. After I make the note I send it to various outlets, including two different email accounts, and from there I copy and paste the note into collections intended for writing projects, one of which will be a lifelong series I call From the Roots Up: A Progressive, Spiritual Philosopher’s Notebook, which is, per the title, a collection of notations of philosophical value.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
Per the last response I make a lot of notes in my phone. That said, I write in many different ways. I’ve always had very good penmanship, and I write in a series of journals (the current go-to is a leather journal with a Tree of Life imprint), plus the phone, plus often directly into MS Word.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
That’s a tough one. Plato, Rumi, Orwell, Thoreau and Wilde. 1984, Walden and the collected works of the other three. I have so much on my reading list! It’s a dense word document on my computer. I’m a bit of a rarity, I believe, in that I write more than I read. Relatedly, it’s long been a goal of mine to transfer some of my cinephile self to being more of a bibliophile.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I don’t really experience this. I’m an ideas guy, and I have the opposite problem: knowing which ideas to pursue, and when to cut them off when it comes to a particular project. I don’t think writing should ever be forced. Inspiration is the force of creation, and if I’m not being inspired by something, whether positively or negatively, I’m not writing.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Your heart is your truest self. If it tells you to write, write. Don’t worry about popularity or who will read it and what they’ll think, or even grammar/editing. Release it onto the page, even if it’s just for your own emotional and intellectual development; just to explore an idea, to develop your convictions and/or to cathartically release emotion. What to do with it, and whether or not you or anyone else thinks it’s of value and worth broadcasting, is a ‘downstream’ concern.
Thank you, author Jameson, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Rosebud: A Poetry Collection
Poetry is powerful because it’s free; free from the forms, constructs and constraints of prose. It permits those that wield it to go anywhere, to explore anything, without the restrictions of other forms of lingual expression. In this book of poems, the writer uses poetry for manifold purposes, from wrestling with his inner demons, to seeking that elusive angel amongst his muses, to evoking every color of the emotional spectrum, to pulling progressivism from the greed and controls of prevailing culture and politics, to seeking the nature and imparted wisdom at the very source of all truth and being: Spirit, or God.
You can find Rosebud: A Poetry Collection here: Goodreads | Amazon
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author: Natasha Simmons Release Date: 7th June 2022 Series: Genre: Psychological Thriller, Thriller, Suspense Format: E-book Pages: 272 pages Publisher: – Blurb: The baby is quiet. Too quiet. When Madeline checks on her seven-month-old daughter, she discovers the reason for the baby’s silence. Abigail is dead. Madeline is soon living every mother’s worst nightmare among a cacophony of sirens and police interrogations. Accusations and old resentments can’t stay contained under the pressure of guilt, tears, and the horror of picking out a baby-sized coffin. A line is drawn through Madeline and Brian’s marriage, and a battle begins. But defining heroes and villains is as difficult as untangling the truth from the impossible web Madeline and Brian have created to protect themselves. Abigail’s killer isn’t the only monster hiding in the shadows. And among the dark secrets, everyone will crumble under the consequences.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Whispers Of Innocence by Natasha Simmons is a very well-written psychological thriller that will make it impossible for you to put down the book for even a second.
As much as this book was emotionally taxing, I loved reading it. The tension throughout the book, right from the first chapter, was wound so tight, that it was impossible to put it aside and do anything else. And that is the best way any author can write a psychological thriller novel, so I am really glad that I read this book. The writing was good, the concept was brilliant, the characterisation was very well developed and the tension and pacing were completely on point.
The story did have its dark moments, but it was to be expected given that the author had been honest about a child’s death in the blurb itself. So be prepared for some reader’s emotional damage (as I like to call it) but unless it is a trigger for you, you shouldn’t worry about it because the book after all is a dark psychological thriller.
I would strongly recommend this book to all thriller readers, especially all dark psychological thriller readers and fans of the genre.
Author: Daniel G. Vintner Release Date: 24th May 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Philosophy Format: E-book Pages: 263 pages Publisher: Boros Dániel Blurb: Darwin’s theory of evolution has been widely regarded as one of the greatest accomplishments of science. Except for a few individuals, most scientists have dismissed the issues that have crept up in the last century related to and in opposition to the theory of evolution. However, developments in molecular biology and genetics have failed to address some of the original concerns with the theory and also exposed even more significant flaws that should not be overlooked. The evolution debate has been raging on the outskirts of academia for two centuries, and the sides have never been further apart than they are now. “Science versus religion” and “evolution versus creationism” was what the audience heard for a long time. In the twentieth century, God was brought down into the fighting pits of scientific society to duke it out with Charles Darwin, and for the longest time, it seemed he had lost the match for good. In recent times, though, God has put his gloves back on and seems to have managed to insert himself back into the debate.
Or has he? Has anything really changed in this debate, which is as old as debates themselves? Did evolution change, or science, or God himself? What is true from the grandiose claims of those who claim to have resurrected God by virtue of their arguments? And what truth is there in the words of the scientists who claim to have buried him?
Some Mistakes of Darwin goes back to the beginning of evolutionary thought and verifies every claim made by Darwin and his successors. Everything is put to the test, and nothing is off limits. No claim is accepted without verification and no argument is beyond questioning. Travel from the birth of genetics and molecular biology, through the advances in software engineering, to the far ends of space and time and beyond. By the last chapter, the book goes full circle and reaches the same conclusion as the philosophers of old have, from the same facts but a different perspective, arguing from science, not from scripture, for a new theory of life.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Some Mistakes of Darwin and a Programmer’s Theory of Life by Daniel G. Vintner is a very interesting book to read that will leave you thinking really hard about the age-old debate of ‘science vs religion.’
This book had a very unique premise and to say that I was intrigued by this book would be a huge understatement. After reading the book I was really impressed by the author’s arguments presented in the book and believed them to be true, finding myself leaning toward his explanations and thus, his side, more than I thought was possible. Without giving away any spoilers, I would just like to say that be prepared to be swayed from your one-sided stand after reading this book because the author might just be able to convince you to agree with his arguments.
I would strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes to explore and read about Darwin’s Theory of evolution.
Author: Bob Crites Release Date: 29th August 2021 Series: Genre: Non Fiction, Memoir Format: E-book Pages: 429 pages Publisher: – Blurb: “I had the good fortune of being born with a high biological set point for happiness.” Walking alone at night, at age nine, selling newspapers on the streets of Eugene, Oregon, Bob Crites was among the last of the American paperboys. In the early 1950s, Bob and his triplet siblings didn’t know the word “homeless”; he thought they were living an adventure camping in the woods with their young mother.As an adult setting out to make a difference in the world, Bob finds his passion: Helping others help themselves. Follow the funny, sometimes sad, always interesting adventures of “The Incredible Crites” as he saves lives, almost gets killed, and makes a world of difference.
Bob Crites has earned numerous recognition and awards for his service and altruism. In 1964 he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Brazilian hinterlands of Mato Grosso, Brazil, when the country was taken in a military coup. And in the late 70s, he was an Associate Peace Corps Director in Guatemala during a civil war. In the 1990s, he partnered with the “Second Mother Teresa”, one of the 20th century’s most enlightened women, to enrich the education of impoverished students. In 1991 Bob was thrust into the role of agent for an African teen who went on to become an Olympic gold medalist, world record-holding track star voted along with cyclist Lance Armstrong as the two top sports competitors in the world. In 1998 Dr. Jane Goodall personally requested Bob to partner with the Jane Goodall Institute in awarding academic scholarships in Tanzania. Now retired from a career as an educator and counselor, Bob is an avid backgammon player living with his Brazilian-born wife Dalva in Eugene, Oregon. They love to travel and winter at their beachside condo in Recife, Brazil
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
No Ghosts in the Graveyard: The Lifetime Adventures of a Small-Town Oregon Boy by Bob Crites is a beautifully written memoir that will make you forget everything else as you read this book.
I quite enjoyed reading this book mostly because of two reasons; firstly it was a very well-written book and secondly because the story that the author had to share with the readers was a very interesting one. This book had a lot of aspects to it as the author had shared his long and interesting life through small captivating anecdotes. The book managed to grip my attention from the first page to the very last one and I was left wanting for more.
The pacing of the book felt right and the narrative style was very gripping. I would highly recommend this book to all readers of non-fiction and personal memoirs.
More often than not, buying a new car, especially one’s first car, is one of the most important and the biggest decisions of one’s life. And just like any other important decision, before taking such a huge step, a careful consideration is important as is market research.
Today I will be sharing 5 important factors that should be considered before buying a new car to help you make an informed decision.
5 Important Factors To Consider Before Buying A New Car
1 Car Type
The first thing that you need to consider is need Vs want. You ming want to buy an SUV, but if you need is that if a small hatchback, then why waste money on an impractical SUV or maybe a shiny new sedan. Or maybe you simply need a practical second-hand station wagon instead of the new convertible that’ll definitely be difficult to park just anywhere.
2 Budget & Financing
The next thing on my personal list is financing. My father was a car collector and owned more than 12 luxury cars in his 60 years of life. The one thing I can tell you from my own experience (and his) is that the first thing you need to consider before buying a car (or anything that expensive) is to figure out your budget and the financing schemes and options available in the market. There might be a million schemes, of course, but you need to make an informed decision and consult a friend or a wealth manager and figure out the best finance scheme that would sit comfortably in your budget and that would easily accommodate the price of the car you’ve been eyeing. Or simply use a webiste like CarPaymentCalculator.net and use their features like ability to calculate car price that fits a monthly payment or loan payment amounts, printable amortization schedules, figuring your MPG, calculating your fuel budget, exploring the cost of underwater trade ins and saving money with biweekly payments.
You can even visit websites like NerdWallet or CreditKarma to better understand your credit scores and figure out the loan amount before actually applying for the loan.
3 Features & Technology
While it is important to know what kind of car you need, it is also important to know what features you want your car to have. For example, airbags, navigation, automatic windows and locking mechanisms, folding seats, air conditioning type, etc. These things also affect the cost of the car so it is always advisable to consider these things before you actually finalise the options.
4 Insurance Policy
Insurance policy and roadside assistance are major players when it comes to buying a car. You need to make sure that the insurance policy and assistance you are going for will cover the majority of the situations or scenarios that you might possibly get involved in. For example, if you are into a lot of road trips then make sure that you have complete roadside assistance and anti-theft and accidental protection as opposed to petty theft and damages.
Age and the premium amount that you are willing to pay, play a big role in determining the quality of your insurance policy so make sure to investigate thoroughly and do the required groundwork with your insurance agent before settling for an insurance policy.
5 Residual Value
While buying a car you don’t just have to think of the present but also the future, so thinking of what the car will fetch you after a couple of years if you decide to sell it off and go for another car is always smart. Some cars and models have a high residual value as opposed to others. If you are sure to not sell then this might not matter much, but most people upgrade their cars on a regular basis -especially keeping in mind the technological advancements, so it is always better to have the option of being able to sell your car in the future for a good price a good idea.
So these are some factors to consider before buying a new car. If you have anything more to add (there are many other things that have not been added in this article for the sake of brevity) then please feel free to share them in the comments below. We welcome all views and comments 🙂
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author of The Refuge,N. Ford, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
N. Ford spends most free time in the open air, usually barefooted and with readily available mango. An alumni of Taylor University and the University of Central Florida, N. Ford exists somewhere in between a midwesterner and beach bum, currently residing alongside the mountains of Tennessee. With the steady company of a giant dog and something to write on, anywhere will do. Defined by faith, fueled by tribe, and driven by purpose, N. Ford writes for all; and simultaneously, for just One.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I am a life-long learner who hopes to continue to learn new skills, have dynamic experiences, study other cultures, and continue in formal education. I need physical movement nearly all the time, and ideally outside. I love to be at the sea, or in the mountains, or exploring somewhere new. I start every day in a Bible and end every day with exercise. I like nothing more than to be with family and friends, but a day under a tree with my dog, my guitar, and a notebook is also a day well spent.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The entire idea for the book was formulated in 2015, and once I really got started in 2019, it felt like it wrote itself. Interestingly enough, the majority of the theming centers around war, unity, and race relations – subjects that became highly relevant in the wake of 2020, 2021, and 2022. It’s my great hope that the messages of unity and human value can seep into our current cultural events in impactful ways.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
More than any other, the primary message of the novel is the value of human life. We humans represent a beautiful and dynamic amalgamation of shapes, sizes, colors, ethnicities, capabilities, backgrounds, nationalities, experiences, etc. This story celebrates our differences while highlighting our similarities. We need each other. And everyone brings a unique value. That’s the primary message here.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
I read somewhere that as an author, there’s a part of you in every character. Knowing the truth of that, it’s hard to choose a favorite. I love Jude’s drive toward meaning and his desire to do something purposeful with his life. I admire Mae’s simple and immoveable nature, along with her love for her people. I desire to have Matthew’s curious and independent mind, and Faith’s courageous spirit. I relate to Jonathan’s heart and respect his iron will to do the right thing even though it hurts him deeply. I want to lead like Issachar, dream like Eden, and rejoice like Jackson.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
For me, life is driven by faith. This project is no different. This story was placed on my heart to tell, and I did my best to tell it without letting my own voice get in the way.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I wrote the first words to this book on August 15, 2015. After receiving discouragement at the first try, I gave it a rest for a while. I had a few successive failures to launch over the next few years and finally dedicated myself to writing it with new strategies and tactics in place. That was in August of 2019. By August of 2020, the novel was complete, along with an outline for the rest of the trilogy. From the first words on a page to publication – it took 6 years and 9 months. Books two and three won’t take quite that long.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Ideally, I’d like to quit my grown-up job and write full time. I’d like to finish this trilogy, make it into a movie or a TV series, and then get to work on the ever-growing list of writing projects sitting unattended in the notes app on my phone.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Other than Book Two of The Refuge Trilogy, no. There’s a long list awaiting my attention, but graduate school will need to end before I can give it the time it needs.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I will write in multiple genres. I chose this one to begin simply because I felt called to write this story first. There are many that will be published as nonfiction pieces, and hopefully more in the fiction realm as well.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
A few years ago, I found an envelope my parents kept of papers I wrote in school. They all received high marks, were a mix of subjects, and came from several class years. Upon further investigation I discovered that my parents always knew I had a skill set for writing. It took me much longer to discover. I was one of those kids that had no clue what I wanted to do when I became an adult. I ended up in my university major by default, not by choice, and chose to make it work. Discovering my purpose and understanding what I wanted to do on this earth was a deep and difficult challenge for me. I think that’s why I so deeply relate to Jude’s search for purpose-driven work.
After an explosive time in my life in which I lost a job, a primary relationship, and had close family move away, I started using writing as a means of catharsis. That’s what ultimately led me to understand that writing is something I love, something that gives me energy and passion and meaning, and something I feel I can use to make a positive impact. More than all of that, though, it’s something I feel God created me to do, and I want to pursue it with all that I am.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
This novel was written at a time when I was juggling a full-time job, graduate school, and multiple community service opportunities. It was highly challenging some days to achieve the ritual I committed to completing. Nevertheless, day after day I would work my job, do the tasks assigned from graduate school, and then force myself to walk to the coffee shops in my near vicinity to write until I couldn’t anymore. Sometimes this was no longer than twenty minutes. Sometimes it lasted for hours.
What I was able to identify that was crucial to my writing process was that I needed music playing in headphones (I chose tracks for this by Audiomachine, John Paesano, Ivan Torrent, Gustavo Santaolalla, etc.). I also identified that I had to be somewhere that was a dedicated space for writing. In my home, I had one chair for writing – I used it for no other purpose. I also selected several coffee shops or cafes that were my ‘writing spaces’. I didn’t socialize there or do any other work there – only writing. The psychological and physical separation of these places for writing helped me make progress day after day in ways that I don’t think would have been as successful otherwise.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
My writing process starts with a pen and a notebook. Outlines turn into chapter synopses (still in pen and paper form), and once the chapter synopses are complete, I move to a laptop.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Frances J. Roberts is a long-lasting favorite author. She writes truth with beauty, poetry, and rhythm. It’s truly unique and distinctly beautiful. My favorite title by her is Come Away, My Beloved.
For gorgeous and descriptive fiction, Charles Martin is a go-to. When Crickets Cry among others are true works of art.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I do something else. I walk away, go work out, spend time with family and friends. Play some music, work on something else. There’s a separation that must happen for me. I try not to let it bother me and try again the next day.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I would tell aspiring writers to do everything they can to not strive for a story. Let the story come to you. Let it call out to you instead of you striving to create something that you think may be unique or may sell. The more you can let your experience be about the story you were created to tell instead of the story you think you should tell, the better it will go for you.
Thank you, author Ford, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Refuge
In a world that has ever only known war, generations still swing their swords on whispers of conflict from centuries past. In Physis, the law of the land is ‘every territory for itself.’ Lineage is everything; racial identification is paramount; and territory loyalty is the code by which one lives or dies. But when a few individuals decide the given system isn’t working, everything begins to change. What will happen to the world when inherited authority is questioned; when standards of judgement are re-evaluated; and when independent thinkers redefine purpose for a new generation of leaders? In The Refuge, by N. Ford, readers travel from the snowy mountain estates of The Diamond Isles to the clay arenas of warrior life in Agon. They sail the Physis Sea, chasing mystery and meaning, and swim in the clear pool at the bottom of the Western Bay. Readers will meet love, loss, and sacrifice anew, while rediscovering what purpose can do when it’s authentic and hard-won.
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Author: R Luciani Release Date: 4th October 2021 Series: Star Personality Styles (Vol #1) Genre: Christian Non Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 302 pages Publisher: KoHoE Publishing Blurb: Everyone marries with the hope of feeling wedding bliss “until death do us part”. At the time of writing this book, several sources reported that 60% to 85% of marriages are unhappy, and the Divorce Rate (in Canada) is around 38%; this means that 22% to 47% of married couples remain in unhappy marriages until death do they part. Only 7% of conflicts are due to the words of the message; 93% of conflicts are due to the delivery of the message (quality of voice and body language); it is my intent to help people comprehend and resolve conflicts that are due to a simple misunderstanding of different personality styles – before conflict escalation. With the right rules and the right tools, wedding bliss “until death do us part” is possible for every marriage. “STAR Personality Styles” is based on principles from the Holy Bible,but don’t let the source of information turn you away. Almost everyone (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religions, and even atheists) with whom I have shared the information directly (one-on-one, couples, or small groups) has reported to me that they have benefited from the information contained in this book.
STAR Personality Styles uses principles from the Holy Bible to explain: (1) the Negative, as well as the Positive, Personality Styles; (2) how to deal with people who have Negative Personality Styles; (3) how to overcome Negative Personality Styles within ourselves; (4) Safe, Effective, and Calm Conflict Resolution; (5) a comprehensive set of rules to promote the most satisfying relationship for all Interpersonal Relationships.
Review
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Rating: 5 out of 5.
STAR Personality Styles (Vol.1: STARS And RATS) RATS: Grow Up Or Be Left Behindby R. Luciani is a brilliant and insightful book about the workings of people’s personalities and their relationships. Pastor Ross Luciani has highlighted the types of personalities and the ways to deal with such personalities in his latest 2-volume book series, STAR Personality Styles using his knowledge of the Bible to draw parallels and to define personalities and the ways to handle the negative ones.
I am a firm believer that religious texts are mostly written keeping in mind a common man and how this common man can overcome obstacles in their daily life and live happily. Cementing on this belief, I had the privilege to get the opportunity to read and review books by author R. Luciani who draws heavily from the Holy Bible to explain and describe different kinds of people around us and how their personalities bare an influence on their relationships, especially marriage – the most sacred of all relationships.
I think this book would be helpful to anyone in general, Christian or not (which means it is okay if you have or have not read Bible previously) as this book has a lot of useful information about how people think in general and behave according to how they are and the way they see this world. Reading this book would give a really insightful look into the workings of certain relationships and I am sure you’ll be glad after reading this book and, like me, would want to jump on to the next one to know more about conflict resolution too.
Author: Drew Palacio Release Date: 9th May 2022 Series: The Quiet Wants Of Julien J. (Book #1) Genre: Children’s Fiction, Short Story, Graphic Novel, Poetry Format: E-book Pages: 34 pages Publisher: Brandylane Publishers Inc Blurb: JULIEN J’s frustrating evening takes an extraordinary turn when BLUEBULLET, his favorite comic book superhero, pays him a surprise visit. After a long day filled with school and homework, Julien immerses himself in the latest adventures of Bluebullet, his favorite comic book. His evening reading retreat goes awry when the neighborhood crow starts incessantly cackling. He attempts to drown the noise but finds himself interrupted again. This time it’s by a group of sneezing, buzzing bees. Julien’s exasperation balloons inside him. Determined to finish, he sticks his nose back into his book. His efforts are finally thwarted by additional creatures, now all simultaneously ruining his day.
This unwelcome commotion unfolds while Bluebullet is at a crucial moment in his battle! The cacophony of noises derail his experience and sends him into a fit of rage. Julien screams at the top of his lungs – so loudly, that it summons Bluebullet himself, who swoops down from the sky, ready to help! Julien’s anger would become the catalyst for a profound learning experience. Bluebullet is a wise, seasoned hero who imparts pivotal guidance to Julien. At this moment, Julien learns to maintain his peace of mind even when confronted with adversity.
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
Shrieks And Sounds And Things Around! by Drew Palacio is the first book in the new children’s graphic novel series, The Quiet Wants of Julien J.
This book is tremendously engaging and I enjoyed reading it a lot. The illustrations are beautiful and captivating and the writing is really impressive. The book has a big moral to share with its readers in the end and that makes this book all the more precious. The poetry in the book has a great flow and will be easily understandable by children.
I would highly recommend it to all middle graders and early teens and to parents who read books to their children. This book has such a beautiful message for everyone that you wouldn’t want to miss out on it.
Author: A.H. Nazzareno Release Date: 1st June 2022 Series: Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Short Story, Humour Format: E-book Pages: 42 pages Publisher: – Blurb: A discontent and disillusioned author embarks on a road trip to the desert paradise of Las Vegas, teeming with oddball characters.Starstruck And Swindled In Paradise is a fictional short story about a flawed man attempting to reinvent himself while experiencing an unforgettable adventure.
Review
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Rating: 4 out of 5.
Starstruck And Swindled In Paradise by A.H. Nazzareno is a short story about an author’s (mis)adventures that will tickle your funny bones.
I enjoyed reading this book because it was engaging, fun and light-hearted. I liked the writing and the characterisation and I found the author’s sense of humour to be really good. It is a short and well-written book that I’d recommend to all contemporary humour readers. Also, if you are a writer then you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
The Reading Bud 