Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome Suze Leonie, author of Ivan, Boris, and Me and Yonah and Devorah’s Traveling Music Theatre, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.

About The Author

Suze Leonie

Suze Leonie is a literary fiction and children’s fiction author and illustrator from a Dutch coastal town. She has a passion for literature and philosophy and when she isn’t writing or drawing, she’s usually found with a book in her hand. In the spring of 2024 Suze Leonie made her debut with the novel Ivan, Boris and Me, which is the first book in a collection of literary works that heavily focus on human psychology. When Suze Leonie is able to let go of her precious books she enjoys going to museums, good food, board games and long walks on the beach.

You can find author Leonie here:
Author Website | X | Instagram

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’m Suze and I live in a wonderful Dutch coastal town. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to become a writer. I also have passion for art and anything creative. Combining the two is a dream come true.

Beyond the official blurb, could you offer us a unique insight or a behind-the-scenes glimpse into your book?

Boris is a tribute to my grandfather and is based on one memory in particular. He bought us tickets for Olev Popov’s farewell tour and something wonderful happened there. The clown singled me out during one of his last performances and gave me a rose. Because of my grandfather’s great enthusiasm this is something I still think about often. It was such a special moment. If you want the full story, there’s a newsletter article you can subscribe to through the website of Fidessa Literary.

Every book has a starting point. What was the spark or pivotal moment that inspired you to write this one?

It was a conversation I had with a friend of mine. We were talking about our inner clowns and wanting to give them a kick back to the circus sometimes.

Is there a core message or theme in your book that you wish readers to discover?

Each story I write feels like a quiet conversation between me and the reader. I bring the narrative, and they bring their thoughts, their memories, their own way of seeing things. Somewhere in that space between us, meaning takes shape. What they find might not be what I meant — and I think that’s the beauty of it.

Of all the characters in your book, do you have a personal favourite? What makes them special to you?

There’s equal love for all of them, but I’ll give you a hint of what’s to come: Devon Harmel will feature in several future books. And that’s just one of the many easter eggs hidden throughout my work.

How do you approach character development, ensuring they resonate with readers and feel authentic?

There’s no plan, I just sit and write and everything develops naturally from there. I let them surprise me. I need to know what makes them tick and by getting to know them through and through, I’m able to tell their story.

What was the inspiration for this book? Was it an idea, an anecdote, a dream, or something else?

Besides the conversation with my friend, watching cycling in France. The athletes all have a story to tell and some of them are incredibly inspiring. While they were passing me by at high speed, I was thinking about how lightning fast such a career can develop but also come to an end.

How long did it take you to write this particular book?

The first draft took me a couple of weeks and then the hard work started. In total, it took me two years to finish.

Are you working on any other stories presently?

Definitely! I’m currently finishing a novel about Frenkie Puckerman — a quiet literary fiction story set in a small world where real friendship takes center stage.

Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?

Literary fiction has my heart. My world has become a better place because of it. I feel blessed I’m getting the chance to write my own. I also write children’s books. I love telling a story through both words and illustrations. Both are challenging and rewarding in their own way and I like the versatility.

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!)

I already knew when I was nine years old, which is also when my first poem was published in the school paper. I read a book of children’s verses written by Annie M.G. Schmidt and immediately knew that was what I wanted to do. I immediately started writing my own poems and later I moved my attention to fiction. This is a dream come true.

What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?

I see writing a book like building a house. I start with a foundation and then build it from the ground up. I love writing so much that I spend as much time doing it as I can manage. I’m a night owl. Mornings aren’t my forte.

Editing can be a gruelling process. How do you approach revisions and self-editing?

I love editing, especially the first edit, which I call my embellishment edit. I’m a lean writer, so as soon as the plot is solid enough, I can start adding details, which is one of the most fantastic parts of creating a story for me.

With the rise of audiobooks and multimedia experiences, have you considered exploring these avenues for your stories?

I have, hopefully my books will become audiobooks in the future.

Lastly, if you were to describe your writing style in three words, what would they be?

Ambiguous, absurd and artistic.

How do you prefer to write—computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation, or longhand with a pen?

Computer, because I keep changing everything I write over and over again. It takes a while until I’m satisfied.

What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)

1. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
2. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
3. The Evenings: A Winter’s Tale
4. The Picture of Dorian Gray
5. Disgrace

How do you deal with Writer’s Block?

By recharging my creative batteries through other creative mediums like listening to music, looking at inspirational art, enjoying nature.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write without abandon. Enjoy the process, create what makes you happy and worry about the quality later. Everyone needs to edit, and most issues can be fixed. Perfectionism is the killer of initial creativity.

Thank you, author Leonie, for taking the time to answer our questions and for all your insightful answers!

About the Book

Ivan, Boris and Me

Illustrator Elodie Ginsburg and her spendthrift best friend, Boris, are inseparable. Taking care of an audacious yellow-haired clown in a red-and-white-striped onesie and oversized black shoes can be a challenge. However, Boris means the world to Elodie. He is a handful, but he’s her handful. Their symbiosis is disrupted when Ivan Lennard, a former professional cyclist with a closely guarded secret, moves into the house next door and becomes a regular occurrence in their lives. Each encounter is a catalyst for Boris to spiral more out of control and increase his outrageous demands, until Elodie finds herself at a crossroads and has to make the most difficult decision she’s ever made.

You can find Evan, Boris and Me here:
Amazon | Goodreads

Yonah and Devorah’s Traveling Music Theatre

When famous new media artist Eli Schmidt inherits a mysterious chest from his emotionally detached grandmother that he is instructed not to open, he can’t curb his curiosity. Inside, he finds a lost and lonely doll named Devorah, who begins to heartbreakingly scream for the love of her life, Yonah. Wishing he had obeyed orders, Eli has no choice but to go on a journey to reunite the pair. To his great distress, this means he must give up his treasured peace and quiet and do what he loathes the most: interact with other people. While Eli desperately tries to break free from this burden, Devorah amplifies her control, embroiling him in a battle that will forever change the course of his life.

You can find Yonah and Devorah’s Traveling Music Theatre here:
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

Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome Bernt Erik Bjontegard, author of History Rules My Tomorrow, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.

About The Author

Bernt Erik Bjontegard

Bernt “Erik” Bjontegard is the inventor of the patented, award-winning Spark Compass™, a Contextually Intelligent™ communication platform used globally to deliver the right message to the right person at the right time and place. As founder and CEO of Total Communicator Solutions, Inc., Erik has led innovative deployments at events like Wimbledon and America’s Cup, for brands like Puma and Coca-Cola, and even for public health initiatives in the UK. He holds multiple pioneering patents, many of which have been cited by industry giants, including IBM, Apple, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm.

Originally from Norway, Erik began his journey as a snow shuffler and windsurf instructor, later earning a full scholarship to the University of Salford in the UK. He became a mechanical engineer, designing deep-sea robotics before working with NASA on the Space Shuttle program—something he proudly recalls with his favorite phrase: “I used to be a rocket scientist!” He later certified aircraft designs for Boeing and Airbus and has contributed to technologies that are now part of 5G infrastructure.

Erik’s career path has been anything but conventional, spanning fashion, real estate, and advanced telecommunications. His time with Qualcomm’s Corporate R&D team saw him contribute to emerging platforms like Vuforia and Gimbal, and it was there he learned to write patents and began his deep dive into innovation. Erik is also an honorary Fellow at the University of Salford and serves on advisory boards for several universities, sharing his visionary insights with future generations.

In his autobiography, Erik reflects on his life journey, his family’s sacrifices during WWII, and the inherited spirit of innovation that connects generations. He explores how human experiences can shape the development of intelligent systems that enhance rather than replace human work.

Through personal stories and big-picture questions, Erik invites readers to imagine a better future—one where technology supports humanity, not the other way around.

You can find author Bjontegard here:
Author Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads

Interview

Welcome to TRB! Beyond the formal details in your Author Bio, could you share a more personal glimpse into who you are with our readers?

I’m Eric Bjontegard, and I was born in the US but grew up in Norway. I had a wonderful upbringing. My parents were very supportive and great role models. I had a lot of friends. I was lucky to attend good schools. I was encouraged to study hard. I achieved good grades and was awarded a scholarship by the Norwegian government to attend university in England. After graduating, I came to the US. I didn’t know anybody when I came here, but I formed who I am today.

Later in life, I was encouraged to try to work hard and was rewarded for doing so. I was also always encouraged to try new things. I was blessed to have this experience, and I’ve had an attitude of exploration, excitement, and a desire to try something new, not following someone else’s footsteps in everything I do. I’m grateful for having had tough times, great times, wonderful times, and exceptionally trying times, but throughout it all, I have had one motto: never a dull moment. Go for it. Try, and if you fail? Stand up again and do it again, and I have No Fear. That’s really what I am, who I am, and what I aspire to show my kids, my friends, and those who are interested: that living life to the fullest is the greatest success one can have.

Beyond the blurb, could you delve into some unique aspects or pivotal moments from your book?

The elements in this book are a genuine desire to explore. I think that during the COVID-19 pandemic when we were forced to avoid many external interactions, meetings, and travel, I had the time to sit down and ask, ‘Okay, what can I explore now?’ And that led to an exploration of my history and my being. Why am I who I am, and why do I do what I do? What made me choose all these crazy things that I’ve done when many times it would have been a lot easier to follow in someone else’s footsteps or take the easy path? The exploration of shifting from external to internal is one of those pivotal moments in the book where I realized that we can always explore external journeys and adventures. Often, when we take a pause and look inward, the most amazing explorations can be into ourselves, our history, and our backgrounds.

What drove you to explore this specific theme in your book? Is there a central message or insight you aim to convey to your readers?

The search for meaning, the search for purpose, the search for why am I here. Also, since I’m here, what can I do to make this as good as possible? And what can I do so that when people think of me in the future, they will think of me as someone who had integrity and lived life with excitement? I wanted to share joy, laughter, and love, and that was where I wanted to try to do it. Share this further beyond my immediate family and possibly in a different medium than my current work. And that led me to ponder on this book. As I began pondering this book, I started making notes, thinking that these notes might be of interest to someone someday. I continued to put more and more together, sharing stories with my family during the COVID lockdown. While this is not intended to be an ego trip about me, it’s more intended to be a guide to potentially enable or encourage the reader to take the journey for themselves and explore their background, their self, their purpose, and by doing so, hopefully, they can share their stories with their family members etcetera.

Every book has its roots. What served as the catalyst for this one—a personal experience, a persistent idea, a transformative event, or something else entirely?

The catalyst for this book was the tragic event around COVID-19. We were here in San Diego. We’re blessed to live in a big house. I’m blessed to have four wonderful children: my biological son and three stepchildren. And we became very close during this time. Unfortunately, we all had COVID. Luckily, we all recovered. I was the one who had the hardest time and the longest. Although there were side effects and problems, the idea that we were able to hear stories, share stories, and cherish these moments together was what was important for us. This idea encompasses the concept of storytelling, the sharing of information, the transformation of knowledge, and teaching. In other words, it is something important, and as the world becomes more and more technical and social media becomes the, in many instances, de facto communication tool, the importance of storytelling more than in a video and a selfie. I think it’s an extremely important art form that we must not let die. We must ensure that we can all communicate in manners beyond typing on a keyboard or typing on a screen and reading and watching each other and comparing our world to others.

How long was the journey from conceptualising the idea to seeing the final version of this book?

The journey to take this was actually quite a long one. Many of the ideas in the book were conceived over a period of time, and it’s actually a lifelong journey of experience, remembering instrumental elements, recalling stories that were told, and trying to retell them. However, when the decision was made to say ‘yes,’ this might be worthy, or it might be of help, or it might be of interest to others, the process of writing it down was fairly rapid, and I was fortunate to have an editor who helped me. I put the notes and the stories into words and a format that made sense.

As a writer, what are your future aspirations? Where do you envision yourself in the literary world five years from now?

I would love to write more stories, and I am indeed actually doing that as we speak. I currently have three projects, books, and works in progress. There are two stories about my family members that I’m sharing in more detail. I have a script. I have published another book centered on a Passion of mine: innovation. I am writing patents, and I have created a series of patents that I continue to expand. These journeys and the methodology I’ve developed have become my second book, which is now published.

I look forward to expanding the journeys further across the other stories I’m generating.

Are there other topics or projects you’re currently researching or writing about?

Yes, I am writing a script and a book around my grandmother and grandfather and their fights during the Second World War against the Nazis. That’s a book and screenplay called The Sheildmaiden. I’m also writing a journey and love story about my great-great-grandmother and her husband, who had a shipwreck off the coast of Tulum in Mexico. I’m also writing a fictional comedy story inspired by the jargon of many people. The comedic experiences I’ve had are a mix of Schitz Creek meets Arrested Development. The saga of an eco-crypto casino scammer’s final gamble, known as Green Jackpot. I hope this movie and book will be a good journey as well. Then, I will write a follow-up to my book, History Rules My Tomorrow, which will be the next exploration into the new realms I’m now discovering and exploring, both on a personal level and in the technology space.

While your focus is on nonfiction, have you ever been tempted to venture into the realm of fiction?

I write fiction, science fiction, and nonfiction. I’d like to blend all of it to a certain degree. All kidding aside, the journeys that I’d like to go on are often blends, a combination of fantasy. In many ways, innovation can be seen as a fantasy. You try to create something that hasn’t been there before, and that, in other words, is fantasy. Many things initially written about, such as fantasy and fiction, were later recorded and evolved into science fiction, which eventually became a science. We can look back to Jules Verne and his Nemo Ship and other inventions that are now a reality, and we can discuss Flash Gordon and cartoons that featured pure efficiency. What was once pure fantasy many years ago has become today’s reality.

Can you recall the moment when you realised you wanted to be a writer? Was it a path filled with challenges or a passion you seamlessly transitioned into? (Our readers cherish personal author journeys!)

I can’t say exactly when I wanted to become an official writer, but I have always been a storyteller. This is a trait that I have. Learning is something I inherited from my father, someone who always had a good story and would always like to share it. Sometimes, I find myself droning on and on, just like he did at times. However, the desire to share, the desire to engage, and the desire to inspire are remarkable. It’s rewarding when you can share something and realise that people are actually paying attention and are interested. It’s a very fulfilling feeling when you hear somebody say, ‘I like what you said; I like the story you told; I’d like to hear more.’ And so I think I’ve always been a little bit of a storyteller and writer, and now I’m making it more official, maybe.

Describe your writing process. Do you have any routines or rituals that help you stay focused and inspired?

I take every day as it comes, and I try to wake up with a smile. I smile in the mirror every morning, and my intent for the day is to create a new experience, do something different, and let the day unfold. Look for the positive in anything that happens throughout the day. This doesn’t always work naturally. Knowing that every obstacle is a lesson, every problem is seeking a solution, and every challenge is theirs to be overcome. When you have that mindset, you’re not lost; you’re just not entirely sure where you’re headed or where you are at the moment. Then, all of a sudden, the fear of the unknown disappears. That’s really what I’d like to do. This desire to reach, search, try, fail, stand up, try again, and explore. As my father said very clearly, research is a very interesting word. When we research something, it means we’re searching for information and doing so repeatedly. In other words, RE. The research involves repeatedly searching and then we finally discover the answer.

Outside of writing, do you have another profession or area of expertise?

I’m an inventor. I write patents, innovate, lead, explore, generate, excite, and inspire. My goal is to be one of those people that everybody will say attempted to its fullest. He was never afraid to take on a challenge. He never saw an obstacle he couldn’t overcome. And he did it his way.

Given the theme of your book, could you recommend one or two other reads that resonate with similar ideas or insights? (Feel free to mention influential authors as well.)

In this instance, there are tons of good motivating books, ranging from Think and Grow Rich to The Secret to Sapiens and Beyond. There are tons of books out there written by people who are way smarter than me. More articulate than I am. And so it’s impossible to highlight any one book. And, of course, the one that has been read more than any other book. The Bible is obviously the masterpiece, but the intent here is, again, just to tell stories. And so, while an author resonates with many people, it’s also a matter of personal preference as a reader. That is more important in many ways. And it depends on the mood. It depends on what the objective is to read. Sometimes, reading for excitement, fantasy, exploration, travel, discovery, laughter, or joy can be completely different from that of those seeking a deeper exploration. So, I don’t like to say that one is better than the other.

In the vast realm of nonfiction, are there specific authors or books that have profoundly influenced your approach or thinking?

I love the silliness of Douglas Adams and his Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And, of course, the answer is 42, and the towel is the most usable thing in the universe. That kind of humor where we try to take a very serious aspect and put a twist on it, I love that. We love the UM PG Woodhouse books for their intrigue and conflict, as well as Agatha Christie’s brain teasers and the thought-provoking nature of her plots. I love those.

The dreaded Writer’s Block—does it ever hinder your process, and if so, how do you navigate past it?

What I found is that the best approach is to acknowledge that some people have it and then say, ‘Well, I don’t have it because I’m writing.’ The moment you start writing, it could be completely different from what you intended to write about, but your brain will eventually guide you back to what you’re trying to say. As I think about these questions, I don’t necessarily know the answer. Still, by starting to put it down on paper, without having the internal dialogue, it becomes as if you’re talking between two people – yourself and the paper – and thereby, the block disappears.

Nonfiction often requires a balance of research and narrative. How do you strike that balance, ensuring your work is both informative and engaging?

When we’re talking about nonfiction, yes, in many ways, there has to be a narrative of research and so forth. However, my book is a little different because while it’s nonfictional, it’s a form of storytelling, and it’s storytelling that is not like a mathematical equation. It’s not like a patent, it’s not like a formula, it’s not an algorithm. There is an element of fiction in it because, again, the story doesn’t exist anywhere else than in my head until it’s put on paper. So, therefore, there is fiction in my nonfiction, if that makes sense.

Writing nonfiction can sometimes mean delving into controversial or sensitive topics. How do you handle potential criticism or differing viewpoints from readers?

I hope that I have criticism. I hope that I have objections. I hope that I have someone who disagrees with what I say; that’s the whole purpose of a dialogue. If what I said or wrote is something that everybody would agree with, then it has no purpose because everybody would already know it before reading it. Should I, therefore, offend anybody? That depends on the intent. I do not intend to offend anyone. That’s not my purpose. However, some people might feel offended, and this could lead to more unfair observations instead of focusing on the message. In my mind, there are two possibilities when someone is offended or insulted. One could be the words used by the person who shared them. They could have been insulting and offensive, yes. Then, it was the person who wrote them that created that issue or that situation.

Additionally, unfortunately, in today’s world, political correctness has progressed to the point where people are offended by the most innocuous things that were not intended to be offensive in any way. I also view this as a generational issue. As a foreigner for whom English is my second language, I sometimes use words that, in my mind and when I was young, were not offensive, but in some cases, they might be now. I’m not referring to clearly offensive words; I’m talking about nuances. That has changed in the last couple of years, where the political correctness here in the US, in particular, has become a problem in my mind. But again, I’m sure I’m stepping on somebody’s toes by saying that, but we’ve taken it too far.

For those looking to embark on their own nonfiction writing journey, what piece of advice would you deem invaluable?

The best advice I can offer is to do it. Stop thinking about it. Stop planning it. Stop saying tomorrow. Stop saying that once I have this, or once I take a break, or once I’m on the beach, or once I have a vacation, or once I feel better. Do it. Do it now. Start now. Even if it’s just a piece of paper, and you decide to put six words on it. That’s the start. Do that. Do it now. Don’t think about it. Just do it.

Thank you, author Byontegard, for taking the time to answer our questions and for all your insightful and inspiring answers!

About the Book

History Rules My Tomorrow

A question to ponder: are we as humans pre-programmed to “follow in our father’s footsteps?” Is there something inherent in our heritage? Do we repeat what our forefathers and mothers did?
And if so, can we apply these inherited cross-generational learning methods as we invent the next generations of intelligent systems? Rather than creating AI that is artificial and intended to replace human work, can we create intelligent systems that AUGMENT the human’s work and support him or her? Can we invent intelligent systems that learn and improve themselves with the mind of creating betterment for all humans as well?
Erik Bjontegard left Norway when he was 18 to study in the UK, then moved on to California. Not realizing until later in life, his actions and behavior, his quests for new discoveries, and his desire to invent followed his father and grandfather on his mother’s side. Now an accomplished inventor, former NASA rocket scientist, deep sea robotics, and submarine explorer, he is now navigating the new Phygital realms connecting the physical and digital.
In this engaging and inspiring autobiography, Bernt “Erik” Bjontegard narrates his life filled with the stories of his grandparents’ sacrifices during WWII, his own mistakes and discoveries, and poses important questions on how to engage the listeners and their families to assist in creating and inventing better human-technology interfaces. Learning from his history, he is embarking on the journey to make his tomorrow better than today.

You can find History Rules My Tomorrow here:
Amazon | Audible | Everand | Apple Books | OverDrive | Kobo | Storytel | Audiobooks | YouScribe | Libro.fm | Hoopla | Nextory | Chirp

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