Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome Raphael Pond, author of Bell Tower for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Raphael Pond
Author bio: Raphael Pond earned a degree in professional writing at York College of Pennsylvania. While there, he also studied the philosophy of technology and its effects on humankind. Raphael currently lives in Salem, Oregon where he is a personal trainer by day and a writer by night. In the summers, he and his wife like to go on adventures in nature. They are always looking for a good hike, hot spring, swimming hole, or rock wall to climb.
You can find author Pond here:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reedsy | Kobo | Powells | Thrift Books | Bookscouter | Apple Books
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin. (We’d love to know beyond what your Author Bio says about you.)
I’ve always been obsessed with the big questions: What is life? What is death? Where has humanity been? Where is humanity going? I think these are important questions. And I think every piece of our day-to-day lives – every struggle, every accomplishment, every pleasure, every pain – it’s all part of a story, a story that’s been going on for thousands of centuries. And it’s a crazy story, but I want to understand that story and appreciate it as much as possible. That’s why I read and write. The more I learn about humanity and its long, complicated story, the more I learn about myself and how I fit into that story.
Beyond the official blurb, could you offer us a unique insight or a behind-the-scenes glimpse into your book?
In my book, Bell Tower, there is a magical meditation called Solosis. Solosis is a soul-to-soul osmosis. Here’s how it works: Two people face each other. Then they say a sacred phrase. As soon as they say it, one person’s entire life flows through the other person. It only takes nine seconds, but after those nine seconds, those two people understand each other – their strengths, their weaknesses, their flaws, their wounds. After nine seconds, they can heal each other in profound ways.
Every book has a starting point. What was the spark or pivotal moment that inspired you to write this one?
In my early twenties, I went through a phase where I was fascinated by bell towers. I thought they were noble structures. Every time I heard one or looked at one, I imagined a more meaningful world, where the sound of the bells would wake us and remind us of what’s truly important, which, in my opinion, is each other.
Is there a core message or theme in your book that you wish readers to discover?
Yes. You have one short life on this planet. Use it to relate to other people, to discover inner peace, and to achieve great things. Don’t waste it on distractions.
Of all the characters in your book, do you have a personal favourite? What makes them
Hugo is my favorite character. He has a dark, twisted past and he’s been through weird, awful things, but he still gravitates towards good values. He seeks wisdom in the ancient past.
How do you approach character development, ensuring they resonate with readers and feel authentic?
When I think of characters, I think of wants/desires and flaws/wounds. I think of what’s holding them back and where they want to go. These are basic yet powerful forces that all of us can recognize in each other.
What was the inspiration for this book? Was it an idea, an anecdote, a dream, or something else?
The June of 1985 cover of National Geographic featured an Afghan girl with piercing green eyes. When I was 23, I saw that cover of National Geographic. I saw those eyes. And they stirred something inside of me. They wanted me to tell a story about eye-contact, about empathy, about demanding the best of the human spirit.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I wrote many drafts over many years. The final draft took about six months.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I’m brainstorming another near-future fiction story. But I also want to get some short stories out there.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I have a wild imagination. Science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism allow me to blur the lines between what’s real and what could be real.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you to follow your passion, or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way? (Feel free to share your story; we love hearing author stories!)
Growing up, I wrote a lot of short stories, poetry, love letters. When I was 17, I decided I wanted to write books. The biggest sacrifice I’ve had to make is headspace. In my free time, I’m always daydreaming about my stories and my characters. Sometimes I wish I could use some of that headspace for more practical things, like learning new recipes. My wife loves my imagination, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I learned how to cook a roast.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I go for walks. I visualize a scene from beginning to middle to end. Once I have it perfectly pictured in my mind, I pour it onto the page as fast as I can.
Editing can be a gruelling process. How do you approach revisions and self-editing?
For me, editing is asymptotic. I know I’ll never achieve perfection, but I must get as close to it as possible. A lot of times, that means obsessing over a paragraph or even a sentence. I often tell myself, “Again. Again. Again. Better. Better. Better.”
With the rise of audiobooks and multimedia experiences, have you considered exploring these avenues for your stories?
Yes. My book has a lot of lively characters and lively dialogue. If there were an audiobook with a different voice for each character, I think that would be really cool. My book is also very visual. Readers tell me it reads like a movie, so yes, a film adaptation would be awesome.
Lastly, if you were to describe your writing style in three words, what would they be?
Vivid, vibrant, stirring.
How do you prefer to write—computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation, or longhand with a pen?
I brainstorm ideas and outline scenes with pen and paper. When it’s time to actually write the scene, I use my laptop.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
- Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I don’t. For me, writing is a seasonal process. Some months, the ideas are gushing and flowing. Other months, my brain is all dried up. And I think that’s a very natural thing. When I look at a scraggily tree in the dead of winter, I don’t think the tree is lazy or unproductive. It’s just dormant. And that’s okay. It’s good to have cycles of creativity and dormancy.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Know what’s tried and true, but try what’s weird and new.
Thank you, author Pond, for taking the time to answer our questions and for all your insightful and interesting answers!
About the Book
Bell Tower
In a future where one phrase can heal any pain, there exists a meditation unlike any other: Solosis. It’s a practice that forms an empathetic bond between two souls, unlocking unparalleled healing power. But its secrets are fiercely guarded by Sasha Sumzer, a mysterious meditation teacher with a darker agenda.
Sasha is determined to bring down Axiom, the social media giant that has reshaped society with its revolutionary Glow Domes—devices that have replaced smartphones and altered daily life forever. While Glow Domes captivate the masses, Sasha believes the human mind is the final frontier for true liberation.
As an unsuspecting group of individuals stumbles upon Sasha’s teachings, they become entangled in a dangerous game that forces them to question whether Solosis is a tool for healing or a weapon for control. To discover the truth , they must confront their deepest fears and decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to save the nation’s collective consciousness.
In this gripping thriller, the battle for the mind has begun—and the line between healing and manipulation is dangerously thin.
You can find Bell Tower here:
Amazon | Vine Leaves Press | Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Book Bub | Book Sirens
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
The Reading Bud 