Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author of Surviving Chaos: How I Found Peace at A Beach Bar– Harold Phifer, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Harold Phifer was born in a deeply segregated South It is here he learned how to survive the harsh life of being unnurtured and unloved on the streets of Columbus, Mississippi. His first twenty-five years were spent dreaming, hustling, and ducking bullies at every turn. After graduating Mississippi State and Jackson State Universities, he became a highly specialized Air Traffic Controller, living and working as an international contractor, serving numerous tours in lraq and Afghanistan. Because of those experiences of being so close to death and the Taliban, he had no choice but accept the Tee-shirt while authoring his memoir “SleepWalking Out of Afghanistan: Walking it all Back.” Next, Harold followed up with an expanded autobiography, “Surviving Chaos: How I Found Peace at A Beach Bar,” which is a combination of two books through different phases of trauma all meshed into one big novel.
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 a small-town author that spent half of my life in the deep south. That would be Columbus, Mississippi USA. I was boxed in by an absent father, schizophrenic mom, bullies that didn’t hesitate to belittle me due to my mom’s condition, and an abusive aunt who made sure I never got more sunshine than my mindless older brother. Of course, you must throw in the abject poverty. Luckily, I can joke about that upbring, yet many-a-times, I do speak of being too poor to live in the projects (or section 8 housings).
Honestly, I formed a plan at a young age (about 11 years old). I knew if I could make it to college my world would drastically change. Of course, it did change and I got recruited as an Air Traffic Controller. After 23 years with the Federal Aviation Administration, I retired then went to work as an International Contractor but doing the same type of work.
Beyond the blurb, could you delve into some unique aspects or pivotal moments from your book?
The moments that touch me are probably not great moments for the reader. Such as, “A Moment in the Sun” and “The Walls Stand Silent Now.” Those reflections remind me of the pure terror I had not knowing if my social life at 7 years old was over. With “The Walls Stand Silent” I couldn’t stop vividly seeing my mom going through her episodes of mayhem. I cried a lot when I wrote those stories.
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? Yes, Resilience. The need to believe in yourself and find inner love even if it doesn’t exist outside of you.
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?
Loneliness, Fear, Insecurities, Lack of love and Support, and Constant hunger
How long was the journey from conceptualizing the idea to seeing the final version of this book?
I knew I was going to write this book around the age of 20 years old. I think I officially started at 35 years of age (just framing how to do it) and finished at 57.
As a writer, what are your future aspirations? Where do you envision yourself in the literary world five years from now?
I do have a unique sense of humor that I try to expose in my books. I have written in Fiction (“Fool Me Thrice: Money Changes Everything” by Dean Conan) and Non-Fiction (“Sleepwalking Out of Afghanistan: Walking it All Back” & “Surviving Chaos: How I Found Peace at A Beach Bar” by Harold Phifer). Surviving Chaos is a merging of two books (SleepWalking Out of Afghanistan & The Bicycle Lady). “The Bicycle Lady” was never published. However, I think I will continue to write in both genres but mostly Fiction. Fiction is much more fun and not as tough on my state of mind.
Are there other topics or projects you’re currently researching or writing about?
Yes, I have a book about the “Follies of being an International Contractor or Expatriate.” Of course, Not officially named yet. Then, there’s the sequel to “Fool Me Thrice: Money Changes Everything” by Dean Conan currently named “A Fool Indeed” by Dean Conan (Not yet released).
While your focus is on non-fiction, have you ever been tempted to venture into the realm of fiction?
Yes, see: “Fool Me Thrice: Money Changes Everything” by Dean Conan.
Can you recall the moment when you realized you wanted to be a writer? Was it a path filled with challenges or a passion you seamlessly transitioned into?
I realized back in high school I wanted to write. But I also knew I had a unique story (or past) I wanted to tell, yet without being a book of Sorrows. Therefore, I pulled out all the bizarre and humorous details I could possibly recall and placed them in “Surviving Chaos: How I found Peace at A beach Bar.”
Describe your writing process. Do you have any routines or rituals that help you stay focused and inspired?
I put myself in the mindset of reliving the events that took place. That way, I was able to deliver as if it was happening in real time even after all those years.
Outside of writing, do you have another profession or area of expertise?
I’m an Air Traffic Controller with around 37 years of experience.
Given the theme of your book, could you recommend one or two other reads that resonate with similar ideas or insights?
That’s a tough one. Since, I wanted to infused hardship with humor then I would say my book is a combination of the movie “Antwone Fisher” with Derek Luke (also adapted to the book “Finding Fish” by Antwone Fisher) and Denzel Washington. Then, there’s the movie “Pushing Tin.” But the character is more of a huckster and mischievous teenager. I can’t say any one author influenced me. I do love Stephen King, James Patterson, and the social-life authors like Steve Harvey and Terry McMillan.
In the vast realm of non-fiction, are there specific authors or books that have profoundly influenced your approach or thinking?
Not really. I had stories I wanted to share with the world. If I found them to be zany or funny, then others would too.
The dreaded Writer’s Block—does it ever hinder your process, and if so, how do you navigate past it?
Oh yes! I stop and find other things to do. Like, go to a movie or watch a sporting event. Eventually, the vision comes back even if it takes months.
Non-fiction often requires a balance of research and narrative. How do you strike that balance, ensuring your work is both informative and engaging?
I try to dredge up all details from that time frame and bring it forward to what people can relate to today. Or I try to spell out the details to the extent the readers can understand or emphasize with me.
Writing non-fiction can sometimes mean delving into controversial or sensitive topics. How do you handle potential criticism or differing viewpoints from readers?
There are lots of things I try not to touch. But if it’s central to the story (or needed for understanding an event), then I try to respectfully talk about sensitive details without making lite of something that can be taken as an insult.
For those looking to embark on their own non-fiction writing journey, what piece of advice would you deem invaluable?
I do try to bring out the uniqueness of my stories. There’re so many books about life and people experiences. Since, so many before me have spilled their guts, I wanted my journeys to be worth picking up but with little to no likeness to anything that’s been read or written before.
Thank you, author Phifer, for taking the time to answer our questions and for all your insightful and interesting answers!
About the Book
Surviving Chaos: How I Found Peace at A Beach Bar
For more than fifty years, Harold Phifer’s childhood living conditions remained a secret, even from those who thought they knew him best. No one knew about his past growing up with a mother who suffered from mental illness; a greedy aunt; a mindless and spoiled older brother; an absent father.
It wasn’t until an explosion in Afghanistan that his memory was blasted back into focus. This book is the result of a long, cathartic chat with a stranger at a beach bar, where Harold finally found some peace.
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 Civil Twilight – Anique Sara Taylor, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Anique Sara Taylor’s chapbook Civil Twilight is Winner of the 2022 Blue Light Poetry Prize. Her full-length poetry book Where Space Bends was published in May 2020 by Finishing Line Press. Despite issues with long term chronic illness, Taylor is a Pushcart Prize nominee, and her work has appeared in Rattle, Common Ground Review, Adanna, St. Mark’s Poetry Project’s The World, Stillwater Review, Earth’s Daughters, Cover Magazine. The National Poetry Magazine of the Lower East Side among others. Her chapbook Poems is published by Unimproved Editions Press. Finalists 2023!
When Black Opalescent Birds Still Circled the Globe was chosen Finalist by Harbor Review’s Inaugural 2023 Jewish Women’s Prize. Feathered Strips of Prayer Before Morning was chosen Finalist by Minerva Rising Chapbook Competition 2023. Cobblestone Mist was Longlisted Finalist for the 2023 Harbor Editions’ Marginalia Series. The Strangeness of April is in July 2023 Red Noise Collective Anthology: Tide
Her work has appeared in several anthologies: The Lake Rises, poems to & for our bodies of water (Stockport Flats Press), Pain and Memory, Reflections on the Strength of the Human Spirit in Suffering (Editions Bibliotekos, Inc.), Veils, Halos and Shackles: International Poetry on the Oppression and Empowerment of Women (Kasva Press) among others. Taylor has co-authored works for HBO, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster and a three-act play performed by Playwrights Horizons and Williamstown Theatre Festival. Her Holocaust poem “The Train” was a 2019 finalist in the Charter Oak Award for Best Historical Poem. Where Space Bends in earlier chapbook forms was chosen Finalist in 2014 by both Minerva Rising and Blue Light Press’ Chapbook Competitions. Under the Ice Moon was chosen Finalist in Blue Light Press’ 2015 Chapbook Competition.
She teaches/taught Creative Writing for Benedictine Hospital’s Oncology Support Program, Bard LLI, Writers in the Mountains. She holds a Poetry MFA (Drew University), Diplôme (The Sorbonne, Paris), a Drawing MFA and Painting BFA (With Highest Honors / Pratt Institute) and a Master of Divinity Degree. She studied literature at Antioch College, Poetry at St. Mark’s Poetry Project with Alice Notley, then Bernadette Mayer, and has been a regular at Wallson Glass Poem-Making Sessions with Geoffrey Nutter.
An award-winning artist, Taylor’s art has been featured in numerous galleries including The Bruce Museum, CT, The Monmouth Museum, NJ, The Noyes Museum, NJ, The Puffin Foundation, NJ, The Cork Gallery at Avery Fisher Hall, NYC, The Bronfman Center Gallery, NYC.
An avid supporter of community events, Taylor organized the Phoenicia Spoken Word series, which produced several ongoing poetry&writing events in&around Phoenicia. She and Sparrow taught a weekly Phoenicia Poetry Workshop. While living in NYCs Lower East Side (East Village), she and Etan Ben-Ami edited an excellent (though short-lived) magazine: Cheap Review. They published (among others) Bernadette Mayer, Jim Brodey, Simon Pettet, Tom Savage, Ellen Mudd, Sparrow, Bob Holman, Steve Carey, Peter Bushyeager, Anique Taylor, Sheila Alson, Alice Notley, Elinor Nauen, Norman MacAfee, Bill Kushner.
Taylor was a Featured Reader at St. Mark’s Poetry Project, Dixon Place (and numerous Ulster County venues). She was a regular in group readings in NYC at The Knitting Factory, ABC No Rio, The Cedar Tavern, Charas, Tompkins Square Arts Festival. And in Group Readings: Eve Packer’s What Happens Next Series, and Jeffrey Cyphers Wright’s The New Romantics.
Welcome to TRB! In addition to your formal bio, could you share a deeper, more personal insight into your life that influences your poetry?
I’ve had a lifelong journey with chronic illness which has necessitated work on many levels. Natural wellness, psychology, spiritual practice. It has been both a trial and a gift. Creative work has been at the core of maneuvering these issues. I’ve been an artist most of my life. I’ve won awards. I did the artwork on the covers of my books. Also, a therapist, life coach, children’s entertainer, creative writing teacher. I studied classical piano and voice growing up. Love of the arts is woven through my life. It’s saved me in difficult times.
My understanding of sculpture came in handy when I restored my Victorian home. I love preparing and inventing food. Illness became a fount of thrilling scientific information and imagery, when I came down with a new case of Lyme disease. I traced the history of experimentation that may have caused new virulent strains of ticks. The spirochetes weave in and out of my first book Where Space Bends. I wrote about the spirochetes inside my cells, I researched the properties of herbs. I wrote about the dream state of passing out from allergic reactions. I’ve written about living in New York City. And about living in an enchanted hamlet surrounded by mountains and rivers, seasons of nature. All wonderful material.
With great self-care and in a good place most days, it’s necessary for me to stay on a careful diet, do Yoga and QiGong, meditation, guided visualization. All this requires self-discipline in order to avoid negative physical issues. It’s helped teach me how to be disciplined with a writing practice. With Yoga/QiGong/Visualization–going in and out of meditative states is familiar. This has helped me write from strange viewpoints. Poetry is a beautiful vehicle to express altered states using imagery and metaphor.
Beyond the general overview, could you delve into the themes, emotions, or experiences that inspired your latest collection of poems?
I wanted to touch on many issues. From psychological to ephemeral. Resilience within grief. How we grow from first primary family expectations and issues to find our place in the world. The price of searching for our own path, what we may have to give up, what we go towards. Turning what is given to us into something we can use to grow. I wanted to see beyond what is apparent on the surface, to the spaces inside atoms, distances in the universe. Spaces between and before. Yet, how with perception, there is wonder and magic in our ordinary daily lives. How nature details are a metaphor for our existence. What’s given to us, what we choose, how we move forward. How we try to learn our way through. I was intrigued with the notion of boundaries juxtaposed to the vastness of no boundaries. If others speak to us from other realms, or if it’s only us that speaks to them.
I was exploring long forms and short forms, how to bring alive a long phrase within a short form. To push diction with sound, rhythm, image, without condensing language unnaturally. How themes come from who we are and everything around us. To cause an opening that triggers inspiration.
Poetry often reflects deep personal feelings or insights. What specific emotions or experiences drove you to write the poems in your book?
There’s the usual flow that comes to me regularly in a need to create. The love of words, a dream-space of thought. During an involvement with several lawyers/accountants/business people, I was at the center and had to keep track mentally of all the details of a complicated situation. This pulled my mind into a thick swirling business mix. I felt like I was losing myself. I needed a personal poetry goal, something I could create, build, finish. Perhaps a book in the world with a required timeline, a finishing goal that also honored my personal creative requirements.
I’d been exploring what could be lyric and meaningful within the short form for a while. I began to gather all of this work together and sort out what could form an arc into a chapbook. It includes the death of my father, his ghost that appears and fades again.
I’m forever thankful to Diane Frank and Blue light Press for choosing it Blue Light Press First Prize––and publishing it. Making this book something real in the world was life changing for me.
Many poets have a defining moment or influence that shapes their work. Can you describe what sparked your journey into poetry?
Oh, so many. When I was four-years old, we had a copy of Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses. My mother read it to me. I was enchanted with how he could have words to talk about the elation of soaring above the countryside on a swing. So, I memorized that poem and recited it to myself as I soared over the hill on my neighbor’s rope and board swing. In 7th grade our teacher Mr. Pettie taught us college-level poetry with Coleridge, Whitman, Robinson, Whittier, Wordsworth, Longfellow, Thoreau, Lowell, Emerson… A huge mix. We read all of Evangeline and even Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. My high school teacher Angela Kelly encouraged my angry teen-age diatribes.
When I lived in the City, I was a half-block away from St. Mark’s Poetry Project. There was a wonderful community of poets. I studied with Alice Notley and Bernadette Mayer. That’s when the words began to come in a constant flow. Years later at Drew University, MFA in Poetry (which was too beautiful a program to last in this world), I learned how to look into what was inside poetry. How to become totally embroiled and in love with it. Each of these “sparks” awakened something in me which built on the next. Each one saved my life a little. I am forever thankful to all of these teachers.
From initial inspiration to the published collection, how long was your creative process for this book of poetry?
Notes, ideas, studies for this collection simmered in the background for a long time. While I was working on other projects, other books, I experimented with the short form, maybe for years. I loved the process. Like picking small, sweet fruit. Later I began a pinpoint focus toward finished pieces. I was trying to bring together enough of my short poems to create an arc. I didn’t know if or how many would fit with others, so that they could come together into a chapbook with its own purpose and meaning. I experimented with subject matter, direction, and point of view. It simmered through many techniques and countless revisions. It was like a garden I kept tending over time. I’d say maybe five years. But it’s hard to know. It was a very sweet process.
Looking forward, what are your aspirations as a poet? Where do you see yourself in the literary world in the next five years?
These are some of the projects I’m working on, that are at different stages:
Feathered Strips of Prayer Before Morning. I’ve just completed this next chapbook. While I hope to have it published in chapbook form (30 poems), my intention is that parts of it will be a major section of the full-length book I’m working on––which will include other sections.
Goodness Within the Storm is a finished full-length book that takes place in WWII during the Holocaust. It’s a collection of first-person narrative and lyric poems based on stories of non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. I’m now researching publishers.
The Alphabet Book has 27 full-color plates of my artwork. Each letter is a chapter which includes a color plate. A poem relating to the letter. And perhaps journal work prompts related to each letter.
And… I’m working on a creative nonfiction book involving a bucolic hamlet, the lottery, a river, and a daily walk into town.
The project of getting out my newsletter and blog is central to my upcoming goals. The world is changing so quickly, it’s hard to know what form connection will take in five years. But at the core, as I continue deepening my writing practice in solitary morning darkness, I’m also looking for ways to interact in a meaningful way with a larger number of people. Those who love and want to interact around writing. Both reading and writing.
My books have won prizes and been chosen as a finalist several times. I would love to publish more, as I deeply love participating in the poetry community. I’m forever thankful for the wonderful opportunity to create books and words that go out into the world.
Are there new themes or styles of poetry you are currently exploring or plan to explore in your future works?
Currently the American sonnet – basically a fourteen-line poem. There are many new forms poets are making. I’m thinking of having several sections in the book I’m currently working on, to augment the chapbook section already completed. Each section would have a different form. That will entail exploring forms other poets have used or are inventing, exploring which I think might enhance the work. Or I may continue with prose poems and regular line-breaks.
While your primary focus is poetry, have you ever considered or dabbled in other literary forms, like fiction or non-fiction?
I love short forms. They keep coming up in essays, blogs, monologues, flash. Or longer books that are written in small segments. I wish there were a novel in me, but short forms call to me. Even when I was eleven or twelve-years-old, a story or sketch would come to me in a flurry of energy. I could do nothing else until I’d written it down, then typed it up. I didn’t know what to call them. One of my teachers called them slice of life or vignettes. Decades later, I learned––or the concept name was formed. Creative Nonfiction. The line between creative nonfiction / flash fiction / prose poem / poetry becomes so thin these days, I don’t labor over deciding what classification a piece belongs in, until that’s necessary for sending out for publication. I try for the best writing I can––and see what it becomes.
Poetry can actually be non-fiction. In Civil Twilight, fiction and non-fiction weave through parts of the book. It’s not as important what happened when, where or to whom, but that the heart/craft arc of the book follows through.
Can you recall a defining moment when you realized you were meant to be a poet? Was this path a natural calling or one filled with obstacles?
My life seems to have been blessed with a large number of obstacles. I felt these obstacles were keeping me from my writing. When I began to get up before the day to connect with my work, and get things done despite anything that was going on, the nature of my writing changed quickly. Soon the morning practice became something private and deep.
My relationship with poetry shifted from ambition to inner devotion. I came to welcome many phases of writing. My interest grew. Wisps, pieces, story, what came easily, what I needed to work harder on. This morning plan gave me permission to just write. I didn’t have to sit down and write out a whole finished poem. I could just be with the work, letting it grow. This opened into an unexpected gift of feeling like my most real self. I think that’s when I began to feel I was a poet.
Describe your poetic process. Do you follow specific routines or practices that help you capture your thoughts and emotions effectively?
I gather lines, research, journals, thoughts. I shift and combine lines and phrases to find the poem inside the material. How it comes into what I was wanting, even if I didn’t know how to get there.
Morning practice, yes. I work for three hours and stop, usually in the middle. In my journal I leave a map of where I left off. The following day, I find that place with a fresh heart and mind. I work in scattered ways, collecting information, thoughts, research, phrases, notes. Lines that have come to me throughout the day. I collage, re-arrange, rewrite. It’s like a mini-orchestration of diction, sound, purpose.
Rewriting is a form of craft for me. I add, subtract, and research. I rearrange, until it feels like it can’t budge, but also that it isn’t hemmed in too tight. That even after endless rewrites, it still feels fresh and has surprise. Something that’s inexplicable but feels right.
Aside from poetry, do you engage in other professions or hobbies that influence or enrich your writing?
Other chapters of my life have involved: house restoration, teaching pre-school. Being a children’s performer, therapist, and life coach. Playing classical piano. Singing in the Renaissance Street Singers. I’ve been an award-winning artist. I do Yoga and QiGong. Garden. Cooking concoctions: When I became ill from neighbors’ burning fires in ground level fire-pits, I became a whole food vegan for health. I had to retrofit everything I knew about preparing food, so I have fun inventing weird wild and wonderful concoctions. Little pieces of all of this appear in my writing.
Poets often speak of facing creative blocks. Do you encounter these, and if so, how do you overcome them?
With a lifelong dance with chronic illness and depression, much is required of me to stay in the Good Zone. For creative blocks, morning practice is wonderful. Plus, I love to explore books and websites for material and metaphors. Science. Religion. Travel. Torah. Tarot. Psychology. Illness. Also, I take notes on projects and goals. But self-care for me seems at the core of creative flow. Healthy diet. Exercise. Psychological work. Journals. Reading. Meditation. I think of this as a process, in a similar way to someone in training to run a marathon. This self-care is how I am “in training” for creativity and poetry.
Poetry can be a delicate balance of personal expression and universal appeal. How do you navigate this in your writing?
I believe a poem should always hit a nerve, spin you out, make you fall in love a little, break your heart a little, leave you asking questions. It should do something. The world is so vibrantly happening at every moment. I use my personal story, but I also use nature, religion, history––anything in the world for material, trusting that juxtaposed to the personal it will create unexpected metaphors.
You can get lost currying “universal appeal.” It can lead you away from what’s true and immediate and important. I try to look for what’s hot/open/beautiful/scary. What I’m called to write, what I cannot write, what I’m afraid to write. I hope it will speak to someone out there. Poetry has saved my life. I’m hoping it will save others too.
Although outer validation feels good and may make our work a little sweeter, it’s the inner poet relationship that is real and what matters. That will bring us closer to our stronger self.
Poetry sometimes touches on sensitive or controversial subjects. How do you address potential criticism or differing interpretations from your readers?
Maybe everything is open for criticism and interpretation. It’s important to go with what’s true for me. I don’t know what’s controversial, I do know when I want to speak up. When I came down with a new case of Lyme disease, I realized I’d had undiagnosed Lyme as a child. I saw how it had mysteriously woven through my life and chronic illnesses. In my book, Where Space Bends (Finishing Line Press), I wrote a poem about government research labs near Lyme that triggered more virulent strains of ticks (based on research). That poem got nominated for a Pushcart Award. You’d think they would have backed away from it, but it seems heart-felt research and fierceness can be rewarded.
I’ve written a book of poems based on Yad Vashem interviews. Stories of Jews who were in the Holocaust. How non-Jews risked their lives to save Jews during WWII. Persona Poems. Poems written from a first-person point of view, where the “I” in the poem is either the rescuer or the rescued. I’m still trying to get up the courage to send it out to publishers. Maybe this year?
For aspiring poets, what essential advice would you offer for their journey into the world of poetry writing?
Follow your interests, what fascinates you. Let things open up like a pomegranate. Notice the hundreds of seeds inside. Think of the infinity of things going on in a human body. Let go of your story. The world is teeming with living things, with machines, history. Anything you write about will connect with your story.
Take care of your health in every way you can. You know what to do, the information is everywhere. Health breeds well-being, lets inspiration flow. Think of being a writer like being a micro-athlete of the mind. Take care of your body/mind/spirit and learn your craft. The work will grow.
Learn from everything you do. Books. Classes. Reading. Support groups. School. Community. Come to know and love the different phases of writing. Which ones come easily to you? Which do you need to hone? BTW: Short list: Diction (strong nouns, verbs, adjectives). Phrasing, rhythm, repetition, sound. Imagery. Subjective/objective/personal/distant/surreal. Past/present/future. Pronouns. Description. Research subject matter. Forms.
Understand what feeds the inner poet, what feeds the outer poet. What a gorgeous, thrilling world to live in, here among all these words! How wonderful.
Thank you, author Taylor, for taking the time to answer our questions and for all your insightful and interesting answers!
About the Book
Civil Twilight
Anique Sara Taylor’s chapbook Civil Twilight is Winner of the 2022 Blue Light Poetry Prize. As the sun sinks 6˚ below the horizon at dawn or dusk, it’s 5:30am/pm someplace in the world. In thirty shimmering poems (30 words/5 lines each), Civil Twilight probes borders of risk across a landscape of thunderstorms, quill-shaped mist, falcons that soar, the hope of regeneration, a compass to the center. Tightly hewn poems ring with rhythm and sound, follow ghosts who relentlessly weave through a journey of grief toward ecstasy. Spinning words seek to unhinge inner wounds among seashells and hostile mirrors, eagles and cardinals-to enter “the infinity between atoms,” hear the invisible waltz. Even the regrets. The search for an inner silhouette becomes a quest for shards of truth, as she asks the simple question, “What will you take with you?”
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 Native Knowings: Wisdom Keys for One and All—Steven McFadden, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Steven McFadden is an independent journalist based in the Southwest of the USA. In the early 1980s he initiated Chiron Communications as an umbrella concept for his varied interests and pursuits. Chiron is a bridging figure, and bridging is what he has mainly been interested in over the years.
After authoring Profiles in Wisdom and then Legend of the Rainbow Warriors in the early 1990s, he rested the chiron concept to serve as National Coordinator for the annual Earth Day USA celebration, in partnership with the Seventh Generation Fund (1993). Then he returned to the work of chiron.
As a journalist, he is the author of a range of non-fiction books, including Farms of Tomorrow, Farms of Tomorrow Revisited, The Call of the Land, Teach Us To Number Our Days, A Primer for Pilgrims, and Classical Considerations.
He is also the author of an epic, nonfiction saga of North America:Odyssey of the 8th Fire. This saga (8thFire.net) relates a true story arising from the deepest roots of the Americas, but taking place in the present and the future. In it, circles within circles, honorable elders make a great and generous giveaway of the teachings they carry.
McFadden’s newest agrarian book, Deep Agroecology: Farms, Food, and Our Future won the national Indie Excellence Award in the environmental category (2020). He is a member of the New Mexico Book Association (NMBA), and also the SouthWest Writers association (SWW).
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
In the early 1960s, upon my older brother Mark’s urging, I took typing class. I was in the 9th grade, and my brother said it was a foolproof way to meet girls. Ha. I did make a few friends, but no teen romances. Just as well for that moment in time, I suppose.
We learned on clanky old manual machines, and back then I felt it was a complete waste of time, although my hands and fingers did become knowing of the keys. By the end of the year I could type perhaps 25-30 WPM. Not impressive, but enough to get by. As school ended and summer began, I thought it likely that I’d never see a keyboard again.
Wrong.
Here it is now, some 60+ years later and I’m still typing on a keyboard, albeit on a far superior machine, the digital age having dawned for me in 1990 with my first computer. Through the decades typing has been my core skill, a reliable tool for the fulfillment of my dharma – the soul impulses that have guided me along the path of my destiny.
What more to say beyond my bio? I’m happily married to Elizabeth Wolf. We’ve been together 16-plus years, and our relationship deepens. Our dog is Amigo, and our cat Lily. We are grateful to be together, to have shelter and food, and to be purposefully engaged in life.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb.
Beyond the blurb, the main thing that occurs to me is to let readers know the profound depth of feeling I experienced in Spring 2023. That’s when I was moved to update this little book, Native Knowings, and make it available to readers in a print version as well as an ebook.
I’m glad I followed through. As the environmental, social, and political climates intensified, I understood with calm certainty that the voices of learned elders and tradition keepers could be steadying for many people. So those were my main motivations for compiling this version of Native Knowings: steadying the people, and giving readers an opportunity to engage some of the deeper roots of Turtle Island (North America) as we pass through a turbulent era of transition.
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
Since graduating from Boston University in 1975 with a degree in journalism, my personal and professional interest has been to explore intelligent and spirited ways of living on the earth, and then to explain in writing what I’ve been able to understand.
The contemporary tradition keepers of the North American continent are part of an unbroken chain of practical and contemplative understandings (knowings) that go back many thousands of years, long before immigrants came to the land and began calling it America. It is altogether worthwhile to listen to what the learned elders have to say.
From my point of view, considering the condition of our world, listening is critical, deepening, and enriching. The elders offer keys to survival and well-being for all who now call America home, and in many respects for people all around the world.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
My response to question 3 also addresses this question in general. But to add context: I first became interested in learning about our indigenous relatives and neighbors in the late 1970s. I was awakened by a bumper sticker on the back of a beat-up VW in a parking lot of my small village. It said something like “Broken Treaty Score: Red Man 0, White Man 370.”
When I looked into what that might possibly mean I learned that in fact the USA had broken or violated virtually every single one of the solemnly sworn treaties it made with various Native nations. Recognizing that track record of faithlessness by my own government raised an persistent series of questions for me. What? How? Why? And so forth. As a citizen, I felt a share of responsibility for the agreements my government had made and broken. As a journalist, I felt compelled to pursue answers to the questions. What’s going on here? What’s the story. Where does honor lie, and how can honor be advanced? That’s been my career, and Native Knowings is but one concise expression of what I’ve experienced and heard along the trail.
As the years of my life unfurled I began to write about clean, sustainable farms and food (so important), and also to engage the native knowings that were at the heart my personal mission as a messenger: take care of the earth and each other.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
In terms of compiling the words and photographs, then dealing with layout, cover and other technicalities, it took me just over a month. But to get to the point in life where I had the experience, the tools, the material, and the artistic discernment to express them, about 75 years.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Good question. I’ll be 80 in five years, and of course one never knows…At this mature stage one has seen so many souls come and go, and thereby inevitably one has passed through many enriching stages of emotion and understanding about life and death. I’m at peace with whatever comes, although I’m staying fit and actively writing, aiming to live into my 90s. We shall see.
Of note, I had a clear perception at age 40 that I had fulfilled my dharma and could sail off into spirit if I so desired. It was a profoundly peaceful and satisfying sensation. A knowing. For me that knowing was pronounced and enduring. But at the same time I recognized that I could contribute more to the world, that it had potential to be benevolent, and that I was not ready to release. All these years later, I still feel that way.
Are you working on any other books presently?
Yes. I’m nearly finished writing a full-length biography. The title is “Wind Walker
The Sacred Journey of Naa t’áanii Leon Secatero in concert with Niłchʼi Diyin (Holy Wind).” Leon (1943-2008) was a talented and dedicated leader, a servant to his own Navajo community in the Southwest of the United States, as well as for the world at large. His story presents a great and uplifting vision for the world, and also offers a model of exalted courage and leadership. The book should be in print some time in 2024.
Do you dabble in Fiction?
No.
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?
My mother’s brother–good old Uncle Paul–was a writer. He once wrote an article for True Magazine. It came out when I was about 11 or 12. The title was “Why I poach deer” and the byline was not my uncle’s name. He instead used my father’s name (Edward Leo M.) as a pseudonym, so no game wardens could read the article and then come hunting for him.
The article made a notable impression in our household. Among other things, it started me thinking that writing could be a job; it could be what a person did in life, among all the possibilities – engineer, builder, doctor, teacher, etc. So many possibilities. And now, for me least, writer was also among that range of possibilities.
While it has not been financially easy to be an independent journalist, and it has required many sacrifices, it’s been worthwhile. I’ve been able to write not what others assigned to me, but rather what called me from both within and without.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
At this stage I’m not sure I’d call anything I do a ritual. Beyond my first cup of coffee, I’m very much in the moment. If I feel it’s time to write, I write. Time to research, I research. Time to hike along the river or climb a mountain, then I’m off to do that.
Always in the back of my mind I’m aware of deadlines, and I am faithful to them, but I’ve no set times or procedures. When the juice is flowing, I write. Otherwise I am called along the trails of One and also Ten Thousand Things.
Is writing your profession, or do you work in some other field too?
Writing is my profession, yet it has not provided sufficient income over the decades of work and marriage. I’ve been able to create hundreds of newspaper and magazine stories, and 15 or more nonfiction books, but I’ve also scrambled for income, working intermittently in a number of occupations: tree surgeon, groundskeeper, cook, yoga teacher, home care for elders, laborer, babysitter, pipe fitter, and more.
Can you recommend a book or two based on themes or ideas similar to your book? (You can share the name of the authors too.)
I recommend Basic Call to Consciousness, published by Akwesasne Press.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Having started my career writing for newspapers for several years, I never experienced the luxury of being able to surrender to a writers block. There were always deadlines to meet, and the job was on the line. Meet the deadlines, or find a new career. That early conditioning has, thankfully, remained more or less consistent for me.
The mantra in my mind: my job is to tell verifiably true stories that offer a compelling and practical vision of the future. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18 “ If you don’t have a dream, how can your dream come true?” – South Pacific
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Pay attention to your breath. Master your breath, and you will more readily remain centered and capable through all you meet in life and in your profession.
With mastery of the breath you will be inspired: both literally and figuratively. Your personal inspiration will add light to your soul, to your words, and to the truths you strive to reveal through writing.
Thank you, author McFadden, for taking out the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
Native Knowings: Wisdom Keys for One and All
This original compilation–a small treasure of 72 pages–offers a concise and contemporary compendium of some key North American (Turtle Island) wisdom teachings to help support people through this era of transition. “I ask you to listen, not just with your minds. I ask you to listen with your hearts, because that’s the only way you can receive what it is, what we are giving. These are the teachings of our hearts.” – Frank Decontie, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg What do some of the venerable, deeply rooted wisdom teachings of the Americas offer in our era of transition? This Soul*Sparks small treasure offers an array of thoughtful messages, a compilation of keys that everyone has opportunities to turn. We’d be wise to understand and then to weave their enduring insights into the fabric of what we are creating for ourselves, our children, and our children’s children
The words of contemporary elders, in particular, sound a note of urgency.
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 Will My Kitty Be In Heaven—Michele Cardneaux—for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
I am an avid animal lover and truly love all animals especially cats and dogs! Sadly these furry family members don’t have a life span as long as their owners. I presently do not have any pets and it’s incredibly sad but I wrote this after my daughters beautiful Blue Russian died last summer and it broke our hearts. Gatsby was the love of her life and my book is a memorial for him. And WHY are we humans expected to just go back to acting like nothing happened? It’s incredibly painful and we need to speak to someone and maybe even a pastor or priest to get us through. That’s what this book is about…Sarah got through with the love of both her mom and dad.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I am Michele Cardneaux and I live now in Paris, Texas, not far from Dallas! Great shopping and great restaurants in Dallas! My only child, Catherine, is also in the Dallas area.
I was born and raised in Mississippi but have lived in Fort Pierce, Florida as well as Rogersville, Tennessee. My senior year in high school we moved to Texas and I’m still here! Lots of HORSES! I love and enjoy horseback riding and I’m one of those that spoils all animals including horses!
Can you share a fun or intriguing detail about your book that isn’t mentioned in the blurb?
When I was growing up we always had kittens and dogs that would give birth to puppies ALL THE TIME!! I got way too attached to the puppies and the kitties and then they were gone. My mother raised them and then sold them after I fell in love with each of them! This went on all throughout my school days and I was quite affected by it.
What’s the main lesson or message you hope young readers will take away from this book?
My main message really is that I truly believe with prayer and family and friends we are more likely to be able to deal with the loss of a beloved pet because they truly become members of our family. I know and understand many people deal with this on the daily and it saddens me.
Who is your favorite character in the book and why? Is it someone kids would love to be friends with?
My favorite character is Sarah because she is relatable. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t lost their furry loved ones at one time in their life. I actually had a beautiful black kitty once that died and I mourned that kitty for five years! I named him Seymour. I must add my daddy was a kitty lover and would frequently bring one home from his work. He didn’t work OUTSIDE—he was a hospital administrator with an office INSIDE—but would tell us they either followed him home or jumped in the car with him!
What sparked the idea for this story? Was it from your own childhood, a story you heard, or maybe even from your imagination?
This book came to me after my daughter’s kitty, Gatsby, passed away, and that’s when I realized people assume you can easily get over a pet. No one has taught us how to properly grieve the loss. When it’s a family member we are bombarded with sympathy cards, food brought over, and of course phone calls but when we lose a pet, nothing. Very upsetting.
How long did it take you to craft this adventure? Did you share it with any kids along the way?
This book was thought of quickly and no one added to it in any way.
What are your dreams as a children’s author? Where do you hope to be in the world of stories 5 years from now?
My ultimate goal is to write a series of books as Sarah tries finding her furry friends! Sarah lives in a small rural area which is on a farm in Mississippi with only farm animals and she loves them but she needs and wants a furry friend who can sleep in her bed with her.
Are there any other magical tales or adventures you’re currently working on?
I’m currently only interested in the journey Sarah has taken on! Maybe kitties and more kitties!
Why did you decide to write for children? Do you also explore other genres?
I decided to write children’s books because I have a true love for young children. Actually, my first job immediately after college was as a preschool teacher, and young children are the ones most affected when the family pet passes away.
When did you first realize you wanted to write stories for children? Was there a special book or moment from your own childhood that inspired you?
As a child myself I would tell stories to the neighborhood children or sit around a campfire telling ghost stories! So much fun! I enjoyed watching their faces full of excitement and anticipating the next word.
What’s your writing routine like? Do you have any special toys or treats that help you write?
No real ROUTINE just write whatever I am seeing or feeling around me.
Do you prefer to write with a computer, pen and paper, or perhaps even a magic quill?
I prefer to write using my iPhone but of course when I was starting out I preferred writing with just pen and paper!
Which 5 children’s books or authors do you absolutely adore?
I love Jacob Grimm from Grimms’ Fairy Tales! Here are five more of my favorite authors:
Carolyn Keene, the author of the Nancy Drew series
Roald Dahl
Dr. Suess
Vera Williams; she does beautiful picture books
Beatrix Potter
How do you bounce back when the story isn’t flowing the way you want it to?
I just allow the story to be in control and I am simply there for the ride!
What magical advice would you give to young aspiring writers and storytellers?
The advice I would give young writers would be simple: IF YOU CAN SEE THE BOOK IN YOUR HEAD WRITE IT!
Thank you, author Cardneaux, for taking the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
Will my Kitty be in Heaven
Get ready to be transported to the charming farm country of Mississippi with Michele Cardneaux’s heartwarming story of a young girl’s love for animals. In Will My Kitty Be in Heaven?”, readers will follow Sarah’s journey as she yearns for a kitten to call her own amidst a life filled with chickens, pigs, and cattle. As she learns about love and loss through the passing of a beloved pet, Sarah discovers the true meaning of companionship and friendship.
Filled with Michele’s passion for animals and her love for people, “Will My Kitty Be in Heaven?” is a touching tale that will tug at the heartstrings of anyone who has ever loved and lost a furry friend. Whether you’re a fan of animals, children, or heartwarming stories, this book is sure to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. So sit back, relax, and let yourself be swept away by the magic of this story.
You can find Will my Kitty be in Heaven 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 the author of The Guitar Decoder Ring—Asher Black, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Asher Black is an author, karateka, musician, digital ecologist® and maintainer of tobacco pipes of various personalities in Brooklyn, NY. He writes about everything, is a host of multiple podcasts, and (for his day job) connects enterprise sales teams with their audience through sales enablement campaigns and brand story. He boats, dances, and plays with cryptography and linguistics, while reading history and hard-boiled detective novels.
Asher Black is an enforcer for the creativity mafia, plying his art through storytelling (even in non-fiction), collecting oil paintings, improvising and composing for the guitar with the romance of a practitioner in love with the fretboard, and pushing through to zen-like execution of the martial arts. He is a hitman with words, broadcasting from the home studio a continual critique of one-sided thinking, and is known for his raucous sense of humor.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I’m a troublemaker, an agitator when I think something can be better than it is, and rebel for the Hell of it, as Abbie Hoffman’s book refers to it. I don’t want to fit in; I want to break out. I don’t care if someone likes me, as long as they hear me. And I’m a human being, which is just a big ape, which is what all we human beings are. That, and I write stuff.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
I’ve always been interested in languages and cryptography. I grew up learning about, solving, and creating ciphers at a young age. The first novels I read at twelve were Tolkien’s works. He was interested in languages, and I learned his runes and tengwar, and would write out things in those constructed languages that he was creating at Oxford. As a young man I spent several years in Korea, which has a phonetic alphabet, and that taught me a lot about language as well. I’ve been a long-time admirer of Noam Chomsky’s transformational grammar, and I think Leonard Bernstein’s The Unanswered Question: Six Talks at Harvard, which applies Chomsky’s linguistics to music, is stellar.
So naturally, when I took up guitar, I saw possibilities for expressing the disparate aspects of music theory involved as a language. I asked around. Nobody had it. It hadn’t been done. In fact, the last time we had innovation of that type was six centuries ago. So I set about deconstructing some of that music theory and finding common patterns in separate systems of understanding. The result was The Guitar Decoder Ring, which proffers a language for guitar that is simple, easy to learn almost at a glance, and explosive in the possibilities for not only mastering guitar scales, guitar modes, and guitar intervals, as well as generally learning guitar, but for flaming solos, new avenues of composition and improvisation, etc.
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
Learning guitar takes work, but it’s not supposed to be a science experiment or a laboratory exercise. You’re not a lab rat. The wall charts, diagrams, and other tools that force your mind out of the creative mode and into a didactic one are not conducive to staying creatively engaged and creating interesting work.
We’re at a crossroads, where more people than ever can pick up an instrument and learn music, and even self-publish it on Spotify, Apple Music, or Youtube, but we’re getting frankly a decline in the kind of creativity that made the guitar a seminal instrument. We don’t have to sit down next to a radio anymore and try to work it out, or drive across the country in search of an obscure chord [The Beatles, and it was a 7th chord]—we can just go to the internet or maybe trust ChatGPT. But the result of all that information, in the form of new manuals, blogs, forums, and so on is not necessarily more light but often more confusion and discouragement, given that we’re still using learning methods from the middle ages and even older.
There’s nothing wrong with old stuff. The old stuff is the good stuff in so many categories. But I think a new era and new access to information needs something that addresses the way people actually learn now, and we’re not all belting out motets and madrigals. A lot of us just want to sit down with the instrument, stay in our creative zone, and make something cool.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Frustration is the mother of invention—at least it is for a creative problem solver. I got tired of consulting wall charts, looking up new ones, and printing things out. I got tired of asking if anyone more experienced could see a pattern between the interval values, circle of fifths, mode shifts, and scale patterns everyone is using and hearing the answer: “Not really. This all comes from the historic development of Western music. You have to understand . . .” Do we though? It’s useful, certainly, from a contextual standpoint, to understand the history, but are we stuck in it?
Fox Mulder, the FBI agent on The X-Files, asked “How many coincidences does it take to make a pattern?” I have that answer. Three. Three to at least suspect a pattern, deduce there might be one, and begin to accumulate enough evidence to move from correlation to causation, from mystery to meaning. I set about looking for patterns, like a code breaker or philologist or semioticist might, and what I saw was some rather obvious relationships that were sometimes understood but rarely joined in presentation or exploration. I drew out a lot of these as arcane-looking diagrams (we don’t need more diagrams, but it’s a starting place) and eventually was able to encode them in an alphabet we call SIGIL.
A sigil is an emblem of magic language, but what we often perceive as magic and therefore disbelieve or unfortunately turn around and entertain with magic thinking in the form of belief, is often just a rational, reproducible reality we don’t fully understand. A bit of playing with that concept and we had the name for the decoder ring in the book’s title.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Nine months of hard work. That’s while working as a self-employed sales enablement professional and brand storyteller. It could have perhaps come faster, but there’s value in taking time for learning, reflection, and nurturing a new idea until it’s ready to show the public. I was anxious not to go out and get ‘hit by the milk truck’ before it was published, but I knew my co-author, Barry Gilman, would finish the task if I didn’t, in some form.
He’s now teaching lessons based on SIGIL and The Guitar Decoder Ring at GuitaRealm.com (one R). It was killing him keeping a lid on it, watching people struggle with the usual scale patterns, interval knowledge, and mode shifts—overall command of the guitar fretboard—while we got the book ready. He’s breathing a sigh of relief now that the book is out.
Barry made the book possible in record time by checking things, suggesting new directions, and finding new patterns that I, as a relative novice player, couldn’t have done at that pace or perhaps at all. It might have been an inferior book if we hadn’t paired these two personalities—a patient, dedicated instructor with albums under his belt and 30 years of experience (that’s Barry Gilman) with an upstart, smart-aleck, autodidact and polymath like myself who just won’t take the status quo for an answer. It really was the perfect mix, and I’m indebted to him.
Guitar instruction has changed my life, enabled me to express feelings that were imprisoned inside, because words just couldn’t convey them properly, but music can. What does it feel like—you name it—ache for something, longing, desire, passion, conviction, frustration, the wish to be loved? We could spend our lives writing novels and poetry to try to nail it and not get there. It’s like asking what is the sound of one hand clapping or the mind of a mountain lion with an elk in his sights. But you touch the strings, if you can stay on that feeling, if you can disregard the sterile laboratory charts, and if you have a language, you can make it known if it’s inside you.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Ha. Anywhere I want to be. That’s not meant as arrogance, but I see a world of incredible possibility both within and without. What is Asher Black likely to do next? Anything. I’ve got two novels in the works, one finished but needing the edit, and the other nearly done. I’m passionate about these. They’re intended for the traditional publishing route through an agent, when I find one who’s interested in what I have to share through fiction.
I want to set aside all the ‘science’ work I did with guitar and now go back to just playing for the love like I was, but armed with the extra knowledge and insight I had to create for myself—which I’ve now shared with anyone else who wants it. My musical goals are all about expressing what’s inside. I have eight guitars, several amps, and a boatload of compositions I barely remember writing. I want to be onboard that train until they find me one day, my cold hands curled around the neck of a guitar, or slumped over my desk with an almost finished manuscript.
My great grandfather lived on a farm he built. I ate the best food in the world at his place. He died at the wood pile, and they found him with an ax in his hand and a smile on his face. It’s the way he said he wanted to go—on his own land, working his farm. That’s joy, man. We shouldn’t be afraid of death—only dying unfulfilled and unsatisfied because we never did the things we wanted, never made the sound playing in our heads, never told the story that was meant to be told.
I’m a karateka. I’m passionate about the arts, including the martial arts. It’s not a sport, for me. It’s an art form just like music and storytelling. I take it on that way, with my sensei Vlad, who’s a Ukrainian national champion. I do some exhibitions and the occasional tournament fight, more as a personal challenge than to show off or win a medal. I don’t care about medals. I care about what I can do, what’s inside, what kind of person art makes me. I suppose this passion could sound a bit melodramatic, but I feel it, like I feel the sound of cicadas looking out at the lone tree in an otherwise open field. I feel on fire. I won’t back up from that. Not ever.
Are you working on any other books presently?
Yeah, baby! The novel I finished in about 10-months last year is a hard-boiled action novel. I love that genre—Mickey Spillane, John D. MacDonald. There’s so much opportunity to comment on the world in fiction, and those guys did, that you’d have to write an essay about otherwise. But essays don’t reach many people and land on us the same way. Story hits deep. We’ve been telling stories since we came down out of the trees and built the first fires in front of the caves to drive away the snuffling in the night. Stories of what lurks out there, stories of our contests with it, stories about the lush valleys on the other side of the mountain with cool streams and fruit dripping from the trees, stories of the hunt and the hunters, of our tribes and how we came to be. I think genre fiction in particular enables that in a way that’s digestible to everyone—it’s fundamentally human.
I’m also writing literary fiction. I’m currently finishing a book about growing up in Appalachia. If John Knowles can say what a thing felt like in A Separate Peace, well I have my own things to say. Both of these books surprised me. I don’t think anyone tells you this, or maybe I just didn’t hear it, but I’ve wept, struck to the core by the act of telling these things, of saying the unsayable, speaking the unspeakable, showing the thing that only my eyes have seen. I think if that’s what fiction writing is, the commitment that takes, the courage, then OK, I’m up for it; I took this on, so I’ll stay in the ring. I got a busted rib in a tournament fight. It hurt so much I could barely stand. All I could do was grin around the mouthguard at my opponent and say, “this is fun”. It is fun, but the fun is becoming the person who can say that when you feel it that much. Writing fiction is like that.
Do you dabble in Fiction?
It’s more than dabbling—I’m committed. I want a life of doing it. I think locked up inside of us who are committed to this is a thing we don’t often put words to. So I’ll say it. I’ll go first, in case this is the first time here. I want to be loved. I want it desperately. But I know a thing. You can’t be loved, not fully, not for who you really are, until you have shown the world, or some world, some audience of people who might be open to it, who you are, what you are, what’s inside you.
Storytelling connects with the most basic impulses of the human ape. We’re riveted by good stories, because there’s really just one story, and we’ve been telling it since we sat cross-legged at the fire and opened our mouths to talk. It follows the same basic format every time: an aspiration (or problem), a hurdle or barrier that stops us, and the act of trying to overcome it. This is why fiction works. When we create great fiction, it pulls on the things that make us apes move, literally bother to move at all, to get out of bed, to do anything, to build that fire in the first place.
But also, this is why creating fiction is such a powerful act for the author. We want to be connected—to other people—and to a narrative of what our lives, even if expressed vicariously in the characters, even tangentially, mean. We are creatures built for meaning, wed to meaning, seeking the transcendent meaning of ourselves, the world, and our relationship to it. We get those answers if we stay on the questions long enough, in increments, with bits of clarity coming through like sunlight filtered through the leaves of a maple tree under which we’ve sheltered from the unapproachable sun that burns above.
The act of authorship, of being an auteur, of creating anything—a kata, a song, a story—it engages that part of us that searches for those answers, in a unique way, because the answers are unique for each of us.
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?
The thing no one says, or seems to say, about authorship, and I’m thinking specifically of fiction, not necessarily the nonfiction work I’m doing, though that contains, inevitably because I’m a storyteller by design, bits of story throughout, is that it’s replete with pain. “Do you enjoy writing?” people ask. I don’t know how to answer. That’s like saying, “Did you enjoy Schindler’s List.” The best I can do is, “I found it meaningful, for me and in general.” Meaning is the thing. Not pleasure. If you’re in it for pleasure, maybe it’s a hobby. If you’re in it for enjoyment, maybe it’s a sport. For it to be an art, you have to take on the punctuated nature of it—it has moments of sheer ecstasy, and equal, perhaps more moments of agitation, anxiousness, and reflective suffering.
I began that journey when I decided to engage some of the suffering happening outside the act of writing, locked inside, and consign it to the page for others to gawk at. I started with poetry. I wrote a lot of it. I performed it at clubs. I published some. I burned some of it and nearly had my butt handed to me by my best friend at the time for destroying something he said was property of the world. It’s not. It’s my property, like everything I write, but it was just a draft—an unsatisfying one.
Writing is pushing on past the unsatisfying until we can look at something we’ve done and say, “ahhh.” I stayed on that train half my life. I’m finally able to produce work I feel that way about. I let it leak into the nonfiction to the degree I think anyone can stand it.
I have a comment on being a writer though. I don’t think of myself as a writer. It sounds tough, but I think writers go to writers’ conferences, talk online about writing, shop for pens and notebooks, and build trappings. Faulker said, “Don’t be a writer. Be writing.” A writer talks of it; an author makes something. Butt in seat until there’s an outcome. It may not be stellar the first go, but it beats ‘writing’ as a posture, a lifestyle, an identity. Not everything is an identity. I don’t want an identity. I know who I am. I want an action.
Writer is an identity we put on. Author is an outcome we created, a thing we’ve done, a contribution to the tangible, visceral things in the world. Authors create new worlds, build this one larger. Writers ask authors where their ideas come from. Authorship is a noun, not writership, because what we mean by author is “has produced something another person can touch, engage with, and feels complete”. It’s not a popular attitude, but taking that posture has helped me immensely by being unforgiving with the pose—for myself. I think if I was content to be a writer, I wouldn’t have written anything. I said this to a speechwriter once, and she nearly burst a kidney. I get it. It’s hard to hear. That’s the point. We need to be hard on ourselves in that way to produce anything substantial. I don’t mean beating ourselves up about whether our character is strong enough, or some literary archaeology like whether someone can find foreshadowing or symbolism in our work. I mean we need to be hard on the part of ourselves that resists doing the work. It is work, and work is tough, work is often painful, work is glorious, work is satisfying, work gets us from here to there.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I have a day carved out every week dedicated to progress on my books. I don’t say “to writing” because I’m not interested in anything that doesn’t push that ball forward. I meet with two writing coaches to review the draft, and I write down their feedback. If I can, I’ll spend another half-day implementing some of the feedback.
I use Scrivener for fiction, Vellum for non-fiction, but I’m only referring to the fiction work. The non-fiction stuff, I belt out the rest of the week in the leftover time after business meetings and client work, and in between music and karate. I’m committed to no more than five things in my life. I love boating, dancing, and a host of other things, but I deliberately don’t do them for the sake of the things that MUST happen.
No one writes the great American novel by seeing all their shows, hanging out with all their friends, and going to bed on time. There are trade-offs. Five is the max. Most people will struggle past three things. For me, those are my relationships, business, fiction, karate, and music. The reason you have a nonfiction book about music is that it plugs into those interests. I’ll produce other non-fiction. I have some 40 books on my list to write in the nonfiction category (and countless novels) but I do them because they plug into what I’m already committed to doing.
Case in point, I am in business, running my own business, to make the world better. More specifically, I think we’re going to need a lot of new ideas faster to face the challenges coming down the pike. The way I plug into that is working with the revenue side of enterprises to increase their effectiveness—specifically the sales and brand teams—to reach more people sooner and convert them. I work with firms that are doing something a little bit better.
I’m industry agnostic. As long as it’s removing friction from the system in some category, I’m about plugging in. As a result, I see and hear a lot of things, have a lot of data inputs, and can apply those across domains. I’m a native interdisciplinarian (to coin a term)—a polymath. In the course of doing that work, firms rely on me for a variety of insights, and some of those insights have the potential to make things better for lots of people.
So I write about those, and talk about them, and think and reflect on them, and it’s my plan to put out some nonfiction work in a few domains to share them with the broader public. I don’t mean business books—I mean insights about how things work, why they break, and how they can work better, starting with the human ape itself, because effective firms have effective people, and the most effective people are effective on and off the clock.
Other than that, it’s just butt in seat, a little familiar music, a sandwich, and the laptop open with fingers flying. I’ve received incrementally the grace of needing very few things to be in ‘writing mode’ and I think that’s a worthy goal for anyone intending to do this continuously.
Is writing your profession, or do you work in some other field too?
My profession is thinking, reflecting, and creating, so storytelling, writing, researching, talking, and thinking some more comes out of that. I think of it as a vocation rather than a profession, looked at through a broader lens. David Lee Roth famously said, I believe it was in a Rolling Stone Interview, ‘You think we’re this way because we’re in rock and roll. No, man. We’re in rock and roll, because we’re this way.’ I think that about sums it up.
I don’t pretend I can’t help it. I just know what my own clothes feel like. You spend your younger years trying on hats. “Am I a crested blazer kind of guy? Am I a white pants kind of guy?” Eventually you have your haircut, your wardrobe, your shaving kit, and it doesn’t change. You know what kind of person you are, unless you’re one of those lost souls still searching or you haven’t accepted that, if you’re an artist, you’re weird, so is everyone else, but you’re weird in this way, and so you gotta stop trying to be otherwise.
You get that stuff set, unmessable. You become unmessable as Jocelyn Herman-Saccio says (she’s a spokesperson for Landmark Education), and then, having answered the question “Who am I?” to some degree of satisfaction, and hopefully “What is the world?” because you’re going to run smack into it fast asking who you are, you can move on to “What must I do now?” Those are the three questions all human apes ask (or run away from) and we talk about that in the guitar book. See what I mean? It’s a book for guitarists, but guitarists are fellow human beings and artists, so we’re going to tell stories, recount history, make jokes, and yes, share a little insight on what’s going on inside us all.
Can you recommend a book or two based on themes or ideas similar to your book? (You can share the name of the authors too.)
I found Do the Work by Steven Pressfield useful. Quit screwing around and do it. He tells you why we think that and then don’t, and nudges you into a lifelong fight with Resistance (capital R) which is great.
I like Stephen King’s work, because King is a master at conveying what is quintessentially human. Hearts in Atlantis is four books in one, so don’t take it on unless you’ve got the time, but it’s profound. It’s everywhere in his work, but I like that one.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I murder it, salt the fields, and stick around to re-educate its children. I won’t live with it. I write down ideas constantly. I write down ideas about those ideas, and I jot outlines for potential books. More than one can make in a lifetime, but ones I’d be perfectly happy to make.
I suppose this has been helped greatly, not having writers’ block, by some of the things I’ve already mentioned, but I’ve got two other things going that won’t let it coexist with me. One, I’ve got two superb writing coaches, Noah and Matthew who, if I was ever blocked, would act like colonoscopists for the soul. They’d push until I was connected with whatever is driving me inside. It helped that I started by making a list of things I care about. Where the music is playing, I like to say. If you don’t know what you care about, or what you’re about as a person, it’s kind of a lost cause unless you stop and go after those things, which ARE answerable if you have the heart of a lion, as King says in that book.
Until you connect with yourself, how is anyone else, like a reader, going to connect with you? I think this is where a lot of people get discouraged and quit, and a lot of people who have taken on ‘writer’ as an identity sit and stare at the page, or walk around and think of a virtual page while engaged in avoidance behaviors—not just of writing but of personal learning and connection. Know thyself is a cliche’ for a reason. So is ‘the unreflective life isn’t worth living’. I wouldn’t be able to stand it if I had to go to my grave that way. I don’t fear the grave, I fear being that guy on his deathbed. No one ever lies there saying I wish I had made more money. They say I wish I had found the thing and done it. Find the treasure.
The other thing is I created The Black Academy of Storytelling. It’s a ‘virtual’ regiment of self-study—a construct for study—of dramatic structure. It took a couple of years, but I read everything I could get my hands on about the story spine, the arc, the structure, from inciting incident to climax to denouement. It didn’t help at first. It’s not a formula. It’s kind of useless for that, unless you want to write clones. In a way it’s literary archaeology—reverse engineering what someone with the fire inside them did. But I used that study under that rubric or concept to pay attention—to everything—everywhere I heard even the inkling of story—sales conversations, brand presentations, standup comedy, film, music, everything.
Before long, I had the rhythm. I was just breathing it. I knew when a story was working and what was missing if it wasn’t, not by some shake a stick formula with an inner geek saying ‘you skipped the inciting incident’. Great stories can break great rules. But I could tell the fundamental underlying beats that were either there or not and why they worked. I got so I could predict film trajectories a few minutes in. I could anticipate the direction songs would take, right down the drummer’s next tap. I could feel what needed to happen to keep the audience when I picked up my pen. It was immensely helpful.
So, having the fire in the belly, knowing who I am and what I care about and what I must do, and what the world is I’m talking to, and how good stories do that talking, intrinsically until it feels like instinct, I never looked at a blank page again.
I sometimes don’t know how to START what I’m doing. I have a rule: just start. The first few pages are always awkwardly executed. I don’t care. I’ll fix them in the edit. It’s like making a song. You just have to start humming. Your body and mind, your heart and soul, your gut and your bowels know what to do. Just lay down a rhythm and you’ll find your legs.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Nonfiction is storytelling. ChatGPT can’t do that. Not effectively, despite the hype. The glue that connects with the soul isn’t there, just like the air and breathing that Classic Rock has it in from those tube amplifiers, lack of compression, and analog recording feels human, but the super-compressed chugga-chugga deedly-deedly of what came later feels a little contrived, like a computer could do it.
You know, I can usually tell if a drummer is human. I listen to a record and there are microbeats we don’t measure in Western music. Musicologists and music theorists do in Non-Western cultures. There’s a lot of indigenous African music we don’t even have notation to document, because of that. You can hear when the drummer takes a breath—when he’s technically on-beat, but there’s a segment of time smaller than the official time signature, in which that humanity is conveyed. We can feel it, even if we can’t hear it. That’s why that music still is “the music” for a lot of us, along with the great old jazz, blues, and other Americana.
So that’s about AI, but there are also a lot of nonfiction works being put out that are like the backing tracks in a lot of recorded music, as if we’re just phoning it in and it’s just something to happen while the vocalist works. The musicians are optional. Drummers will even go into studios and do a track and the technician will hand that off to an algorithm to produce a perfect, and therefore sterile imitation. I dig Sia, her story, her vibe, a lot. But I don’t like the music behind Titanium. It doesn’t match what she’s really saying. It’s not human enough. It doesn’t ache with her. It doesn’t connect with the ache in me.
Nonfiction, a lot of it, risks being that—purely nonfiction, like a vocalist with a digital backing track. The best work is replete with real human stories and the idiosyncrasy that real human stories contain and convey. What makes something spectacularly unique and human, like us, is the weirdness, the divergence, the universality of the freaking weird. By that I mean open your gut a little. They tell fiction writers to bleed on the page, and I do it, but nonfiction? All you hear is be well-organized, succinct in presentation, comprehensive—Jeez man, that’s not music.
Tell us something about growing up with your grandmother without running water or refrigeration. Tell us about the time you nearly went down in a fight. Get a little dirt on the page. If you sanitize it, it feels like one of those coffee shops that come off like a science lab. Stainless steel chairs and tables, coffee made in test tubes—no one relaxes on a sofa and writes the opening line to the next spectacular novel, poem, song, or nonfiction work in such a place, so don’t mirror that place in your nonfiction. Let your hair down and have a drink with the unwashed.
Thank you, author Black, for taking out the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
The Guitar Decoder Ring
2023 NYC Big Book Award Winner in the category of Music.
2023 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for a How-to Book.
Hollywood Book Festival honorable mention, 2023.
Global Book Awards finalist, 2023.
Meet SIGIL—the new language of guitar. Guitarists who want to improvise and compose, from novice to advanced, will find SIGIL works like a decoder ring for the guitar, yet it’s simple enough to keep in one’s head.
Visualize the whole fretboard. Gain portable knowledge of modes, scales, and intervals without wall charts. This is guitar study re-engineered for every level.
Create more interesting solos. Break through your lull or stall. Decrypt the instrument and unleash your play. The authors are a seasoned musician with albums under his belt and a lively storyteller who walk you through the toolset with eye-opening and sometimes hilarious examples.
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 Exits: Selected Poems—Stephen C. Pllock for an author interview with The Reading Bud in collaboration with Poetic Book Tours.
About The Author
Stephen C. Pollock is a recipient of the Rolfe Humphries Poetry Prize and a former associate professor at Duke University. His poems have appeared in a wide variety of literary journals, including “Blue Unicorn,” “The Road Not Taken,” “Live Canon Anthology,” “Pinesong,” “Coffin Bell,” and “Buddhist Poetry Review.” “Exits” is his first book.
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thanks for the warm welcome. I’ll be delighted to provide an introduction that goes beyond the bare bones info in my Author Bio.
I am: an author in multiple genres; an academic physician and neuro-ophthalmologist and who served on the faculty at Duke University until 2004; a former chief executive of a vision benefits company; and an inventor.
My mother was an artist who introduced me to Impressionist and Modern art before I could read. My father, by contrast, was an antitrust attorney. These two divergent influences — aesthetic appreciation from mom, and logic and rationality from dad — both find expression in my various endeavors, including poetry.
On the health front, I’ve been struggling with the spinal cord variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) for twenty-four years. The disease has caused partial paralysis of my right leg, but the good news is that I’m still able to stand up and ambulate independently with a walker.
Finally, I’m a lifelong dog lover. So, you might ask, why don’t you currently have a dog? The answer is that my beloved yorkipoo Dinky passed away in 2012, and I still think about her and grieve for her every day.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The poems in Exits were written between 2003 and the present. Each poem was crafted in isolation; I had no intention of putting together a collection until 2022, at which point my concept was to incorporate what I considered to be my best work into a book entitled Line Drawings. It was only during the curating process that I realized that many of the poems I’d selected were centered around issues of mortality — disease and decline, death and remembrance. I then decided to curate a more concise collection that cohered by virtue of a unifying theme, and Exits was born.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The poems in Exits were written between 2003 and the present. Each poem was crafted in isolation; I had no intention of putting together a collection until 2022, at which point my concept was to incorporate what I considered to be my best work into a book entitled Line Drawings. It was only during the curating process that I realized that many of the poems I’d selected were centered around issues of mortality — disease and decline, death and remembrance. I then decided to curate a more concise collection that cohered by virtue of a unifying theme, and Exits was born.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
The book doesn’t convey a single message. The constituent poems explore the subject of mortality from a variety of perspectives. One can think of the collection as a meditation on mortality, nature, and the cycle of life.
Which poems in the collection are your favourites?
“Seeds” is the best sonnet in the collection, and “Syringe” is probably the most original and creative long poem I’ve ever written. “Arachnidæa: Line Drawings” seems to connect with readers, given that it was a finalist in one statewide competition and was awarded 2nd prize in another statewide competition.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I think that my focus on the finite nature of our biological selves derived from three sources. First, I was raised without any religious training, so from a very young age, I was left on my own to ponder the enormity of the universe, time and eternity, and the meaning of existence. Second, as a physician and neuro-ophthalmologist, I’ve cared for numerous patients with serious and/or life-threatening diseases. And third, since 1999, I’ve had to deal with multiple sclerosis and the ramifications of that disease for life expectancy. It seems likely that these three factors have influenced the content of my writing, either consciously or unconsciously.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
As noted above, the twenty poems in Exits were written sporadically over a two-decade span of time, beginning in 2003.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I hope to be alive in five years! At my age (67), and having no choice but to cope with a neurological condition that’s almost invariably progressive, planning for the future often feels like a fool’s errand.
Are you working on any other poems presently?
At present, all of my energy is focused on the publication process. I also anticipate taking the steps necessary to introduce Exits to as many readers as possible. Once these activities are behind me, I look forward to resuming the writing life.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
Over the course of my life, I’ve written in multiple genres: poetry, short fiction, scientific articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals, book chapters in neuro-ophthalmology texts, and U.S. Patent 4,477,158 (written by me, not by intellectual property attorneys).
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?
I began writing independently of schoolwork when I was nine. On the one hand, I scribbled rhyming poems in pencil on the cardboard that came with my father’s laundered shirts. On the other hand, I wrote essays on the structure and functions of the human body. By the end of that year, I had drafted enough material for an illustrated manuscript on human anatomy and physiology. This of course was never published, but it did anticipate my future career as a physician.
With respect to writing poetry, the major sacrifice turned out to be my choice of academic medicine as a career. After I graduated from Amherst College, I trained for ten years to become a physician, ophthalmologist, and neuro-ophthalmologist. In 1987, I was recruited to Duke University as Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology, eventually achieving a rank of Associate Professor with tenure. I ended up serving on the full-time faculty for seventeen years.
Some physicians are able to write poetry throughout their medical careers. I didn’t belong to that group. For me, maintaining a consultative practice in neuro-ophthalmology, training residents and fellows, publishing clinical research papers in medical journals, and carrying out a variety of administrative responsibilities was all-consuming.
While the instinct to write poetry was completely suppressed throughout this 26-year period, it was not extinguished. As I cut back on academic responsibilities during my last year at Duke, that instinct began to slowly reassert itself.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I have always been undisciplined with respect to writing poems, as evidenced by the fact that I have no set writing schedule. In contrast to most other poets, I lack the ability to sit down daily at my desk and call forth ideas and/or personal experiences to serve as the basis for new poems. Nor have I ever relied on writing prompts to prime my poetry pump. Instead, I wait for lightning to strike (or, mixing metaphors, for the Muse to whisper in my ear). The unpredictability of this approach means that I never know when the next poem will materialize.
Once I begin writing, however, I become intensely focused. The key for me is to occupy a mental space where words, sounds, rhythms, concepts, and metaphorical possibilities freely and continuously enter the mind, while at the same time applying critical filters to eliminate the 99.9% of options that lack usefulness or merit. Those filters are internal, personal and idiosyncratic. They don’t relate to prevailing trends in poetry, to contemporary poets, or to the work of historical poets.
When fully engaged and maximally productive, my efforts typically result in four new lines of poetry per day (derived from perhaps a dozen pages of notes and drafts).
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I often begin as I did in childhood, with pencil and paper. After sketching out a preliminary concept or drafting a few auspicious words or phrases or stanzas, I transition to composing in Word on a laptop.
What are your 5 favourite books?
I would find it difficult to identify my favourite books because I’m unsure about what criteria to apply in the selection process — enjoyment? literary merit? historical importance? subject matter?
I do think I can identify the books that have had the greatest influence on my philosophy and on my writing:
Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
How Does a Poem Mean? by John Ciardi
Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
A Little Book on Form by Robert Hass
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Given that so-called “writer’s block” describes my natural state, I allow it to persist until it no longer does.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
As a debut author, I’m hardly qualified to be doling out advice to other writers. I’m nevertheless happy to share some of the lessons I’ve learned while writing and compiling the poems for Exits:
Write poems that represent your unique aesthetic sensibilities. Try not to be overly influenced by prevailing trends or contemporary poetic styles.
Edit mercilessly over an extended period. Satisfying first drafts often begin to show their flaws only after sufficient time has elapsed to afford an objective assessment.
Be prepared for an abrupt shift into business mode when you transition from writing your book to publishing it.
Thank you, author Stephen, for taking out the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
Exits: Selected Poems
Stephen C. Pollock’s poetry collection Exits nods to the literary traditions of years past while simultaneously speaking to the present moment. Multilayered and musical, the poems in Exits have drawn comparisons to the work of Eavan Boland and Seamus Heaney. With bold imagery, attention to form, and a consistent through line rooted in the theme of mortality, Pollock’s collection responds to contemporary anxieties surrounding death and the universal search for meaning in life’s transience.
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 Brothers and Strangers: A German-Iraqi Memoir —Junis Sultan for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Junis Sultan studied in Frankfurt am Main, Eichstätt and at California State University Fullerton. He received a Fulbright and a Horizonte Scholarship. For the past six years, he has taught English, politics, and economics as a high school teacher in Frankfurt am Main. He is pursuing a doctorate in Modern Political Theory at the University of Heidelberg.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
My name is Junis Sultan. I’m an author, a teacher, and a doctorate student. I was born in Mosul, Iraq in 1986 to a wealthy intercultural family. After the Gulf War in 1991, my family fled to Germany. We have stayed here since then; so, I’ve spent most of my life in Germany. I started journaling when I was 15 years old—after the 9/11 terror attacks, a very intense and emotional time. Since then writing has been my way to process things and find meaning.
I studied Politics, Economics, and English in Frankfurt, Eichstätt, and Fullerton and received a Fulbright and a Horizonte scholarship at the time. I currently teach part-time at a middle school near Frankfurt and pursue a doctorate in Modern Political Theory at the University of Heidelberg.
In my free time I love to be outside or do sports. One of my lifelong passions in addition to writing is boxing. It started with a movie—Rocky—when we came to Germany.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
It was a quite a journey until my memoir got published. The first version of my memoir was titled “Struggles of Strangers: Of Bonding and Freedom” and self-published in 2017. It was staged at the German National Library in Frankfurt. In 2019, it was shortlisted for the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing in New York. Shortly, I signed a contract with Brandylane Publisher Inc. and Königshausen und Neumann to get a polished version of my memoir published with a new title in the US and in Germany. The US title is BROTHERS AND STRANGERS: A GERMAN-IRAQI MEMOIR; the German title is GLAUBENSKRIEGE: VON FREMDEN UND FREUNDEN.
Even though I mostly grew up in Germany and even though German is my mother tongue, I wrote my memoir in English. Writing in English started with some journal entries, mostly poems and lyrics. When I began to study English at Goethe University Frankfurt, I completely switched to journaling in English.
My memoir includes original journal entries; but not just that. It also includes classic storytelling, news-reports, photos, official correspondence, and even court verdicts. On top, it takes place in different settings: Iraq, Jordan, Germany, and the US.
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
This might sound strange, but I think I did not choose the topic; I believe the topic or life chose me. My father is an Iraqi Muslim and my mother a German Christian. I was born to connect these two worlds, build bridges, and foster mutual understanding and integration. This has been my blessing and curse at the same time. In addition to my family structure, the flight to Germany was another personal fate that demanded my continuous efforts for integration. My happy, privileged childhood was abruptly cut short by the Gulf War in 1991. Our home was destroyed; we were forced to flee and eventually settled in a small conservative town in Germany, near Frankfurt, where we struggled to adapt to our new circumstances. I found myself increasingly torn between two worlds—fighting to carve out an identity for myself between my family’s expectations and a culture that demanded my assimilation. After the 9/11 terror attacks, I began to keep a diary, in which I reflected on questions of family, friendship, religion, and politics. These deep insights gradually expand beyond cultural borders, as I began to explore the universal human needs for bonding and freedom. If I had to break down my memoir to one message, it would be: Act with openness and love.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
On November 11, 2011, I was so broken from the yearlong repercussions of the Gulf War, our flight, and ethnic and religious conflicts in my family and in our new environment that I didn’t see any sense in staying life. After having returned to Frankfurt, Germany, from a study-abroad year in Fullerton, California, I experienced a reverse culture shock: repeated experiences with racism, the uncovering of the racist NSU murder series, and the separation of my parents after decades of marital problems in which ethnic and religious differences were constantly played up. The feelings of loss, loneliness, and despair overwhelmed me that day. I was determined to end my, what I thought, cursed life. But then, pictures came to my mind, like flashes, picture of the positive experiences and relationships in my life. That day, the idea evolved in my mind. In order not only to survive, but to heal, I wanted to write down everything. I wanted to use my story and create something good for others. I wanted to help others deal with their fears and despairs. I wanted to encourage people to love themselves and those around them. I wanted to tear down the walls we have created and connect old and young, men and women, East and West—all people. This was the only way my life made sense to me: to encourage our human experiences—the needs for bonding and freedom, the struggles for happiness and peace, and the connecting and liberating powers of love.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took me several years to finish this memoir as I was facing some challenges on the way: dealing with re-traumatization, developing personally, becoming a better writer in a second language, completing my studies, teacher training, and teaching full-time. The first version of my memoir was called “Struggles of Strangers: Of Bonding and Freedom.” I completed it in 2014/2015 and began to contact literary agents and agencies—without success. So I revised it, again and again. In 2017, I self-published it. In 2019, after about 1000 rejections, it was eventually shortlisted for the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing in New York. Shortly, I signed a contract with Brandylane Publisher Inc. and Königshausen und Neumann to get a polished version of my memoir with a new title published in the US and in Germany.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I would definitely like to write more books. I see myself in 5 years doing the same—teaching and writing—but on another, higher level. Ideally, I will be teaching at university and finishing my next book. I already have it in my mind. It is a continuation of my family’s story. The next book will tackle topics that have been taboos in my family: personality disorders, sexual abuse, homophobia, drug abuse, and suicide. Obviously, these topics are very serious. And it will be difficult to go through everything again. But I think I owe it my brother who was found dead in his apartment in 2021 as a victim of a drug overdose. I want to encourage people to openly talk about these problems—which go beyond cultural borders—so that we all take responsibility and find ways to help those who are affected, in some cases including ourselves, heal, make progress, and live a life in which everyone can prosper.
Are you working on any other books presently?
Yes, I am, but it is another kind of book, an academic book. It is my doctoral dissertation I write at Karl-Ruprecht University Heidelberg. The title is “Linguistic justice: Rethinking Education in Liberal Democracy.” It’s about how public schools (analyzed by the example of Germany) can do more justice to the growing numbers of students that have a non-European background. It’s about the politics of recognition, the prioritization of integration, legally binding frameworks, linguistic and global citizenship, community-based multilingual education, longer joint learning, and inclusive education that is open for different cultures, languages, and religions. There are many ways to further integration; they all make a difference.
Do you also dabble in Fiction?
No, I don’t and probably won’t because the topic I focus on—integration—is a matter of heart for me that does not only concern ethnic minorities. It’s about justice; it’s about how we want to live together as people. On the other hand, I have some dystopic novels with my students at school, which touched this topic indirectly or directly—like Brave New World or The Giver. So, maybe one day I will dabble in fiction but definitely not in the next five years.
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 first dreamt of becoming a writer when I started journaling as a 15 year old. My dream was to live in a warm country close to the ocean, read a lot of books and write books. At the time, I also began writing and translating a number of speeches for my father, who was the chairman of the Council for Foreigners. Still, writing was more a hobby and I was more serious about becoming a boxer then. Boxing taught me many life lessons, above all discipline, which includes making sacrifices. So, being ambitious and disciplined has been part of my personality for a long time. It was and still is natural to me. I am a driven person. And yes, I made a lot of sacrifices on the way to follow my passion and become a writer. When you work 9 hours a day, commute, do the household, cook, eat, do sports, shower, and sleep 7 hours at night, there is not much time left every day to become something else—especially if you decide to use your free time watching TV or going out, being social etc. I radically cut back mostly all of those things, except family and health. There always needs to be time for these two things. But if you really want to become something else, you need to invest at least 2 hours every day in yourself, if not more.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I am a nighthawk. Since writing was never my full-time job, I always wrote after I had met my other obligations. I have the habit of changing place when I write. Sometimes I write at the dining table, sometimes at my desk, sometimes on the couch, sometimes standing, sometimes at the kitchen counter, sometimes in the train or bus, sometimes in a café, sometimes right after work or in my breaks in the classroom, sometimes at the train station or airport, sometimes at the pool or even the beach. Sometimes I change places because I have to, sometimes I change place because I want to; it somehow makes me approach the material with different eyes. I usually write on my laptop, but I also have loads of notes on small pieces of paper. My working place is normally a precious mess. Sometimes I like to listen to instrumental music, often soundtracks. When I am working on a difficult piece, I need absolute silence though. I will read the text aloud, again and again until it flows. I usually drink tea, mostly ginger tea with honey, or coffee with milk and sugar when I write.
Is writing your profession or do you work in some other field too?
No, writing is not my profession; I currently work part-time in a middle school as an English and Politics and Economics teacher. In addition, I pursue a doctorate in Modern Political Theory at the Karl Ruprecht University of Heidelberg. I also taught high school for three years before that. I did enroll in several creative writing courses during my studies in Frankfurt and Fullerton though. I was also doing some translation work for my writing teacher in Fullerton, who had lost her uncle in a German concentration camp.
Can you recommend a book or two based on themes or ideas similar to your book? (You can share the name of the authors too.)
Reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” touched me very deeply as a teenager. Even though I cannot compare her story with mine, there are some similar topic like the mother-child conflict and feeling alone and sad as a teenager.
Further, I have read many (auto-) biographies and memoirs by African-Americans who have covered themes similar to my book: the struggle for equality and freedom. To name some: W.E.B. Du Bois, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Michelle and Barak Obama.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I normally use timeboxing as a technique. To give an example: I allocate an evening for a revision of two pages or two years for writing an entire book. This way I create some expectations of myself and take track if I reach my goals. I often do not share my goals with others; reaching new goals is a personal standard I have for myself. The bigger the goal, like writing a new book, the more flexibility I give myself. If, for instance, I am not able to write a halfway good text on one day, I accept that and take a break. I go outside, do sports, and most often that is already enough to approach the piece with more energy and new eyes. If that is still not enough, I try the next day again. And sometimes, I have days where I am very productive and make up for the other less productive days. These are the days when I work until midnight or even longer.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Never give up. Always keep working on your craft. Read and study your topic. Share your work with others. Everybody has got a story. But, always keep in mind that you need to answer the following two questions in the end: What can we learn from you? How does it make anyone’s life better?
Thank you, author Sultan, for taking out the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
Brothers and Strangers: A German-Iraqi Memoir
Born in Mosul, Iraq, to a wealthy intercultural family, Junis Sultan’s happy, privileged childhood is abruptly cut short by the start of the Gulf War in 1991. With their home destroyed, Junis’s family flees to Germany, settling in a small conservative town near Frankfurt. As his family struggles to adapt to their new circumstances, Junis finds himself increasingly torn between two worlds—fighting to carve out an identity for himself between his family’s expectations and a culture that demands his assimilation. After the 9/11 terror attacks, Junis begins to keep a diary, in which he reflects on questions of family, friendship, religion, and politics. These deep insights gradually expand beyond cultural borders, as Junis begins to explore the universal human needs for bonding and freedom.
Brothers and Strangers is a unique, heartfelt memoir of endurance, forgiveness, and self-actualization, offering a timely message about the importance of acting with openness and love in a global reality.
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 ofThe Fall of Immortals (Shogun of the Heavens #1) —I.D.G. Curry, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
I.D.G. Curry is a fiction novelist who was compelled to bring what started as a dream into an entire universe of characters that interact and intertwine with the mythology he loves. He believes that fiction, folklore, and myths are the true essences of storytelling; which opens the reader’s mind to what could be possible or even what the truth might actually be. Curry aims to collide the world we live in with centuries of man-kind’s imagination, even scattering elements from his own life into the journey. This is the journey’s beginning.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thank you, Heena & TRB, for taking the time to interview me. I am a fiction novelist who felt compelled to bring to life what started as a dream during one of my darkest hours: an entire universe of characters that interact and intertwine with the mythology I grew to love. In my opinion, fiction, folklore, and myths are the true essences of storytelling; they open the reader’s mind to what could be possible or even what the truth might actually be.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
One thing you will hear a lot about the Shogun of the Heavens series is its pace. It has been described as cinematic to a degree. That was actually very intentional. When I started the Shogun of the Heavens, I wanted it to be in a style and flavor of my own. Because there were characters from well-known artworks from our history, I did not focus too much on their individual details because everyone who is familiar with them already would know what they look like. However, my original characters were all unique and my goal was to bring them to life, with the story, within the minds of my readers. So, I aim to do that mentally and then visually on my website where there will be artwork continuously added over the course of the story: www.shogunoftheheavens.com
In regards to the pace itself, I never really liked “filler episodes” in the content I watched. I understood why they were there, though most of the time, I felt there were other ways to introduce the past into the present or the present into the future. So, although I could make the story longer if I wanted to, it would actually take away more from the story because it would become more like everything else. The story stays focused on what is happening or wherever there is progression. Ask yourself: Do you really need to read a bunch of short fights where you can easily predict who was going to win? Of course not. You want to grip onto your seat! Even if you have no idea who is fighting, it excites you. Because you don’t know what is going to happen. One extra exclusive fact is that Shogun of the Heavens was not the original name of the series. I was originally going to call it GodsGrave, but when I was creating the Facebook group, I learned the name was taken. Oh boy, was I upset, because I wanted there to be symbolism in the name. Not only that, there were volumes of it and I wanted this book to stand out like it deserves so I brainstormed about the story from start to finish and I took a look at where the journey was going and then it hit me: “The Shogun of the Heavens.” I searched across the internet for any other title or reference with that name and there were none, so from then on, Shogun of the Heavens has been it.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
For such a long time, stories have been based on the tried-and-true perception of good versus evil and that the world’s morality is in black and white. I challenge you to determine who is the hero and who is the villain in this story. What you will find as the story continues is that how you feel about a particular character may change from book to book. The way that all of the characters interact with one another and what motivates them are mixed into the story as if it truly happened, while remaining comparable to the stories told five thousand years ago.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Xauldin is my favorite character. Because he is so multi-dimensional, which is also interesting since he himself started out as one of three dimensions of another being. His evolution throughout the story is a journey itself, fulfilling a prophecy of his own in a way.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
It was a dream. The Acolytes of Dawn’s personalities each came from individuals that knew me personally, both now and at the time. Even then, I did not start writing it until eight years later in the summer of 2019. I hadn’t told anyone that I had started writing it because I was still planning it on my War Table as I called it at that time, though I had begun organizing it from point A to point Z.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
This first installment took me around a year and six months, finishing in the middle of March of 2020. I was becoming a father, then later a husband, while learning a new family around the beginning of the Covid-19 era, so writing was a way for me to stay focused on a grander goal, rather than focus on the chaos that was happening around us.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Honestly five years from now, I hope to bring Shogun of the Heavens to a streaming service like Hulu or Netflix. One with a studio that will join me in bringing this epic story to the screen in a series that I know the fans would love.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Not at this time. I have noted a few other stories to begin on after I have completed the Shogun of the Heavens series. Though right now I am focusing the same energy and attention into this series that I hope to draw from my audience, as I write Book Two. Everyone who finished that first page and then nearly panicked when at the end of The Fall of Immortals, fear not. Book Two: The Throne Crusher is expected to be published on December 9th, 2023.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I have been caught up in this genre since the first time I saw Disney’s Hercules as a kid. I was a big follower of anime and animated films just as I am today. However, as I am now an adult, I expanded into more historical and philosophical book such as The Moors in Spain, The Prince, and the different studies on the mythologies, which in essence are the religions of the past. I believe I have the ability to write another genre, such as crime or a philosophical piece, but I don’t feel the need to get that serious with that right now. I am having fun with Shogun of the Heavens and don’t want to rush it.
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?
The peculiar thing is I did not actually consider myself a writer until I got published by Atmosphere Press. Before that, I was just a person with an idea, ink, and some pages. I do not say this to demean anyone or discourage the writers of the future. What I am saying is that as I wrote my first book, I learned more about myself, my reality, and the story itself. As I wrote my book, I read others that helped to give me an understanding from multiple points of view. I had to come up with answers to questions like: What is a god? How did this god originate? How can their power and abilities be scaled?
You will know that you are a writer when you realize your ability to take a singular idea or concept and create a message to the world that only you and your audience will understand. The more relatable this concept is to understand, the more people you will inevitably reach.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I feel the power of music is underrated. Music can create feelings and emotions inside us and help us channel our energy into other mediums. I listen to music on YouTube that is either meditative or matches the intensity of a scene I am writing. Channels like Lofi Girl, TSWG, Tranquil Music, or even Tokyo Café Jazz. Hearing melodies that did not put words in my head.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I plan on paper for a visual medium to arrange my ideas on something I can touch. The rest of it, though, is done on my laptop. From the time I was in elementary or secondary school, I did not write fast or have “pretty handwriting” as referred to by my peers at the time. But I could cruise 45 words per minute on a keyboard. I decided to stick to my strengths.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
A Cruel Wind by Glen Cook
Marco Polo by Laurence Bergreen
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare
Gilgamesh translated by Stephen Mitchell
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Never believed in it. At least not for myself. To me, Writer’s Block means you’re out of ideas. I wouldn’t even want to admit that to myself. However, I have reached points in the story where I look left, right, and center. Then ask myself: Where do I go from here? The music I mentioned I listen to earlier is also helpful for stimulating the state a writer enters where you can see the story. I pace back and forth in my office, simulating the consequences, potential catastrophes or benefits that would result from one of my characters making a decision. This, as you can imagine, becomes more difficult the more characters that may be involved in one scene. “The King’s Trial” was one of those chapters, involving the princess and her host who was a Loyalist to her family’s regime. There are a few ways that something of that nature can go. I like the direction we went.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
The same advice I give to all of my friends and associates who tell me that they are writing. If you want to write then reading is going to be essential to you. It is not as though you are copying someone else. In fact, if you really think about it, most—if not all—artworks were inspired by something else or something similar that was also inspired by something or someone else. When you read books related to a topic you are writing on, you grasp the concept better, becoming able to view the world through another writer’s eyes. Everything that they learned while writing, you will then learn and incorporate it into your works that will inspire the generations of writers after you.
I love writing. When I first was selecting my career as a youth, being an author would have never made the list. Now, I write not because it makes a living or just as a hobby. I write because I love telling impactful stories that provoke both thought and self-reflection.
Once again, my thanks to you, our friends, at The Reading Bud.
Thank you, author I.D.G. Curry, for taking out the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
The Fall of Immortals
In the ancient world, during the time of war, gods, and monsters. A sensation had been detected approaching Gaia, so ominous that it was felt across the cosmos by the few who dwelled in its supreme echelon. One Fallen Immortal will be pursued by mercenaries, the divine, and above all, those he once held dear from his past life. The clashes between these factions will decide who becomes an ally or who’s next. The deep bonds of both friendship and love will be strained, some may even be severed. How far would you go for the ultimate prize? How much would you be willing to sacrifice? Most of us spend so much time desperately holding on to what little we can. There are also those of us who are ostracized because we choose to walk a path different from our group or community and then for that simple choice, are treated as if we have committed treason. If you were given the opportunity to gain everything you always wanted at the cost of the aforementioned, would you take it? If your answer is yes, I invite you to turn these pages. If you don’t think it’s possible, I challenge you to witness as our champion accomplishes the impossible.
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 ofThe Lighthouse—Karin Ciholas, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Karin Ciholas was born in Virginia and grew up in Switzerland where she studied classical languages. The study of Latin and Greek led to her fascination with the ancient world and its history. She earned advanced degrees in languages and comparative literature at UNC Chapel Hill and enjoyed teaching modern languages and courses on the ancient world. She has won twelve awards for her short stories and plays. She lives in Sarasota with her husband, author and theologian Paul Ciholas.
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
My father sang Norwegian songs to me and told me stories about his native Norway. My mother told me about her “old Kentucky home” where she grew up. As a child in Switzerland, I learned the Swiss dialect from my school friends, and all my courses were taught in German. All my life, I have been grateful for my gifted teachers in the Swiss school system that placed great emphasis on Greek and Latin and gave me a lifelong love of classical antiquity and ancient history. We spoke English at home, but the first class I ever had in English was when I came to the US to go to college. On a student trip to Rome, I fell in love with a young theology student from France, and when we married four years later, we lived in France for several years. After completing advanced degrees, we chose teaching careers in the US: Paul to teach religion and philosophy at universities in Kentucky and I to teach languages and humanities at Centre College. And that is how we ended up in “our new Kentucky home.”
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The Lighthouse is about a dedicated Jewish physician named Simon who wants to heal and save lives and make the world a better place. But he is thwarted and opposed by violence and racism. Antisemitism rears its ugly head. He fights back at every turn. He fights against vicious criminals, against arbitrary Roman power, and against the injustices of racism. He struggles for freedom for his fellow Jews. One of the battles he cares most about is his struggle to find better ways to treat illness. When his sister is abducted and sold into slavery, he starts his fight against slavery. It is a deeply personal battle that endangers his family. It is a battle he cannot win.
He is a witness to several historical events that profoundly changed the world. He is neither responsible for those events, nor can he intervene to stop them. During the first pogrom of recorded history in Alexandria, Egypt, Simon tries but cannot stop the massacre. He does manage to save many lives.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
The fight against prejudice, racism, and antisemitism is never done. Prejudices against fellow human beings have distorted human behavior since Cain and Abel, and wars and hatred in the name of religion still mar our history and continue to cause havoc. Simon, the physician who seeks to heal, cannot find the way to cut this defect out of the human heart. And yet he tries. Boldly, Simon fights for justice for his family and his people. When Simon plunges into danger, we worry about him. Sometimes we want to shake him and talk sense into him. We are moved by historical drama where life and death are at stake. His urgent fight for justice is never done. At stake, for him, is the survival of his people. Despite many setbacks, Simon brings healing to many. We all need healing.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Aurelia is my favorite character because she is strong. In many ways, she is stronger than Simon even though Simon does not see it that way. She often protects him, assists him in saving lives during the pogrom, and is not intimidated even when the emperor or the prefect of Egypt opposes her. There are several strong women who sometimes quietly and other times quite theatrically make a difference. Antonia, sister-in-law of Tiberius, saves Rome from an upstart tyrant who wants to take over the imperial throne. One of my favorite characters is Sosias, an orphan Simon rescues who has irrepressible curiosity and sets out to become an engineer. Through him, I show some of the scientific and technological advances of the times.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
My Mother was a discerning and avid reader. She enjoyed reading my short stories and plays but complained she couldn’t find enough historical fiction set in New Testament times. She asked if I had ever thought about writing a novel about one of the characters in the New Testament who knew Jesus. I told her I was intrigued by Simon of Cyrene. I mentioned Simon did not really know Jesus, that he met Jesus under the most excruciating circumstances and that Simon was an unusual Jew since he gave his children Roman and Greek names. She turned to me and said, “Well, Karin, when will you write his story?”
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took about 15 years. During a demanding teaching career, I kept my mother’s request in mind, enjoyed studying primary sources in ancient history, and discovered so many jewels of information I could use for the novel she wanted. When I finished the first chapter, I sent it to her in the mail. Then she kept wanting more. I sent chapter by chapter until 1000 pages landed in her mailbox. There have been many changes since, but the basic bones of the novel are still there. A wise agent told me the book needed to be divided into a trilogy.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I hope to get the next two books in the trilogy into shape for publication. Between initial concept—even if on paper—and completion much needs to be done. After that, I may turn back to a historical novel I’m writing set during WWII. I have also ghostwritten several memoirs for veterans of WWII and helped them with the logistics of publishing. Alas, more and more vets are leaving us without having told their stories.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
History provides an endless source of material. My favorite era is the first century when so much was going on. I like to take a character like Simon and show events through his eyes, making him a witness to the great events that occurred in his lifetime: the rise of science in Alexandria, the power of the Roman empire, amazing advances in medicine that will later be lost for centuries, the crucifixion of Jesus, the beginnings of Christianity, the fall of the temple…. I might write a story about another historical character from that time.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I’ve written and published short stories and poems in literary journals, and five of my plays have been performed. But historical fiction is my preferred genre for reading and writing. Faulkner said: “The past is never dead…It’s not even past.”
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 have always loved books. As children, my brother and I even started a little library and made library cards for each book he owned and each book I owned. When my mother discovered he was charging me a penny to read his books, and I charged nothing, she put a stop to his enterprise but not a stop to our reading. The impulse to write was first evident when I started rewriting the endings of stories I didn’t like. From there it was a logical step to just make up my own stories. From those childish beginnings came the urge to write short stories. All my first attempts at publishing them were rejected. I am sure the editors of the journals did me a favor by rejecting them. I started subscribing to the best literary journals and began to learn what was getting published. I also learned that what one publisher rejects can be submitted elsewhere and be accepted.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
When I go to my computer in the morning, I read the news and check the last sentences I wrote the day before. Reading the news is quickly depressing. So, I turn to my writing. Writing makes me feel involved in the whole story of humanity. Research is exciting. I am in a different century. Except…some current events are not always that different from what was going on in the Roman empire.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I started out with pen and paper. All writing is now on the computer.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Any book by Sharon Kay Penman. One special favorite: Here Be Dragons. She makes Welsh history come alive.
Books by Margaret George. She is the doyenne of historical fiction, the astute researcher who makes major historical characters live and breathe. The Autobiography of Henry VIII with Notes by his Fool, Will Somers is a compelling saga. The Prologue alone is a masterpiece of historical and psychological insights.
Books by Tan Twan Eng. The Gift of Rain is set in Malaysia during WWII. A beautifully written novel filled with mystery and wonder.
Books by Mark Helprin. Paris in the Present Tense is a personal favorite. Helprin’s writing is lyrical, visual, hauntingly beautiful, entrancing.
Books by Geraldine Brooks. My favorite new book this year: Horse. There are many levels of meaning in this book, woven together into a fine masterpiece. Brooks is a versatile writer who makes time travel to distant shores and times sound easy.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Life can intervene. That’s ok. I just had cancer surgery a week ago. I need times when I must be gentle with myself. When at an impasse, I go to some writers I love most and reread my favorite passages and follow the flow of their sentences through a dramatic sequence and try to learn from them. If inspiration doesn’t come quickly, I like to sit in my garden or take a walk. The silliest thing I do is tell the story to my stuffed bear and explain what I want to do in the next scene. By the time I have told him, I often know what to do. I have a very intelligent bear, and he often warns me not to overthink it.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Besides getting an intelligent stuffed bear? Read, read, and read good writers you enjoy. After your enjoyment, take time to analyze why the writing moves you or inspires you or why it makes you smile or cry. Remember 3 p’s: perseverance, passion, and professionalism. It takes perseverance to complete a work and see it through the many steps toward publication. So don’t give up. If you are not passionate about your subject, your reader will not be. And if there is no passion in your main characters, they will not be interesting. Professionalism requires following the rules of submission to the letter, proper language use or having someone help with that, and being attentive and appreciative to those who give you advice, especially if they care enough to give you pointers when you get rejections. There is a fourth p. But you should avoid this one—perfectionism. Maybe Shakespeare wrote the perfect play, but I doubt it. At some point, you must stop the rewriting and editing and send your work out. Perfectionism is an enemy of success.
Thank you, author Karin Cicholas, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Lighthouse
Simon is a gifted physician who faces constant danger as a Jew in first-century Egypt under Roman rule.
When Meidias, an escaped convict, declares a “holy” war against Jews and abducts Simon’s sister, Simon’s search for her leads him on a treacherous journey to slave markets in Alexandria and to Jerusalem where a Roman soldier forces Simon to carry a crossbeam for a stranger. Simon is troubled by the stranger’s death but does not know that this moment will change the world forever.
Simon’s passion is Aurelia, inaccessible daughter of a Roman senator. His mission is revenge against the outlaw Meidias. His ambition is justice for his family and his people. His torment is the conflict between his Hippocratic oath and his vow to kill Meidias.
As his medical reputation grows, he comes face to face with prefects and emperors and the poor suffering masses of Alexandria and Rome. Overwhelmed by the plight of his people, he tries to stop what becomes the first pogrom in Alexandria. THE LIGHTHOUSE moves between Egypt and Italy and back to Alexandria. It is a story about family love and loyalty, medical breakthroughs and heartbreaks, and one man’s quest for justice for his people.
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 ofBalsamic Moon – Alan Gartenhaus, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Alan Gartenhaus served as an educator at the New Orleans Museum of Art and Smithsonian Institution, and as a director of Cornish College of the Arts, in Seattle. A recipient of an Alden B. Dow Creativity Fellowship, he created and was the publishing editor of The Docent Educator magazine. His fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals, including Broad River Review, Entropy Magazine, Euphony Journal (University of Chicago), Ignatian Literary Magazine (University of San Francisco), and the Santa Fe Literary Review. His short stories have been awarded with an “Editor’s Choice” distinction, and been designated a finalist in an international competition for Baby Boomer authors by Living Spring Publishers. His nonfiction has been published by Running Press, Smithsonian Press, and Writer’s Workshop Review.
You can connect with author Alan Gartenhaus here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thank you for the welcome and for your interest in my novel, Balsamic Moon.
Balsamic Moon takes place in New Orleans. My undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Tulane University, in New Orleans, and my early working years were spent on staff at the New Orleans Museum of Art. I loved my time in that colorful, diverse, richly textured, and exotic city. It was akin to my “first crush,” the place that still makes my heart race whenever I think of it.
Today, many years later, I am seventy, married, and have lived on the island of Hawaii since 1995. In addition to having created, edited, and published a professional journal for museum educators and docents teaching with art, history, and science collections, I’ve spent much of my Hawaii years farming avocados, breadfruit, grapefruit, oranges, and pineapples. Rather than sell our produce, we’ve donated everything beyond what we consumed to local foodbanks.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
“Balsamic moon” is an astrological term for the final phase of the lunar cycle. It’s considered a dark time of endings, dissolution, and change. I had never heard of a balsamic moon until researching the dates on which the novel takes place and discovered that it occurred during such a lunar phase. The irony of this did not escape me, and ultimately provided the story with its title.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
To be compassionate and respectful of all people, regardless of how they might differ from you.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
I love and care about both of my main characters, but am most fond of Doreen, who struggled to succeed in life, to retain a sense of humor, and to grow despite adverse experiences.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Perhaps not surprisingly, the inspiration for Balsamic Moon came from watching the experiences and tragedies that befell the citizens of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck, the levees were breached, and floodwaters surged into 80% of the city. Seeing the suffering, the damage, and the ineptitude of our response to the desperation was agonizing. Writing helped me process that pain.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I worked on the manuscript for over eleven years, although not consistently. I would write, put it away, and come back to it months later. I reworked the text many times over those years.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I want to continue writing both short stories and novels, and hope that my readership, and their interest in my writing, will have grown.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am almost always writing––mostly short stories. I am also working on another novel that is presently in an initial, rough draft form.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
All storytelling interests me but I am most prolific as a writer of short stories. I have had about twenty short stories published. Several of them are shared on my author website: www.alangartenhaus.com.
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 can barely remember a time when I didn’t write. As a youngster, a neighbor-kid and I used to write science-fiction stories, alternating paragraphs––he, then me, back-and-forth. Since adolescence, I’ve kept journals, written poems, dashed down stream-of-consciousness thoughts, and recorded personal events. I haven’t had to make sacrifices to write; it’s been folded into my life. It is an integral part of who I am.
My focus on writing fiction became more serious when we moved to a very rural environment. In addition to providing me with “imaginary friends” to play with, writing offered a balance to daily chores and the physical rigors of farming.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I am an early riser, and routinized person. I write most days, after morning exercises and walks, until lunch. If the writing is going well, I continue into the afternoons; if not, I don’t.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
With the exceptions of making notes, or writing a journal entry, both of which are in longhand, all my writing is composed on a laptop.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
These are five favorites, not necessarily of all time but that I’ve much enjoyed in the recent past:
Edgar Allan Poe: The Complete Short Stories
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
The Absolutist by John Boyne
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I wish I had a magic solution, but don’t. Mostly, I agonize, fret, and take long walks.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Give your work to readers whose opinions you respect. Listen and learn from criticisms; don’t rigidly defend your choices without understanding what has caused a reader to hesitate, question, or have difficulty. Be flexible.
Thank you, author Alan Gartenhaus, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Balsamic Moon
Within a few short hours, rising floodwaters force next-door neighbors into a desperate fight for survival. Before Hurricane Katrina, neighbors Doreen Williams, an African American single mother, and Richard Girard, a reclusive gay man, were aloof and even suspicious of each other. But when the levees in New Orleans burst, these two are sent scrambling into a cramped attic where, together, they face tests of grueling heat, dwindling supplies, worries about loved ones, and the struggle to keep living. In his novel Balsamic Moon, author Alan Gartenhaus explores the journeys and losses that survivors endure, the courage and persistence required to come through them, and the truth that, when our very survival depends on the formation of ties across differences, our compassion for one another is what makes us feel safe and whole.
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 Teri M. Brown, the author of An Enemy Like Me for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Teri M. Brown
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity. Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Hello! I’m Teri M Brown. Besides being a writer, I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. My life hasn’t been easy. I’ve been so poor that I the home I lived in had no central heat or air, and I could see the ground between the floorboards in the living room. I was also married to an emotionally abusive man for 14 years and didn’t want to leave because I didn’t want to be seen as a failure. Now, I’m married to a wonderful man who has helped me understand who I am and what I’m meant to be. However, we found out in June that he has an aggressive form of brain cancer, so my life has taken yet another twist as we navigate this journey together. Despite all of this, I am an optimistic person who honestly believes that everything turns out okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The characters are loosely based on my own family. My grandfather is the soldier, Jacob. My grandmother is Bonnie. My father is William. Although I take liberties with their personalities and stories, anyone that knew them in real life would likely recognize them in the book.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
We are far more like our enemy than we are different from them. I believe that if we look for similarities rather than focus on our differences, we can rid the world of the hatred that splits us up into opposing groups.
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
My favorite character is Bonnie because she is a woman ahead of her times. We see a quiet strength in her, and even when she is weak, she eventually rises above it.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
My family is German-American, though we’ve lived in the United States since before the Revolutionary War. My grandfather fought in WWII and ended up in Germany in an area near where our ancestors were from. He rarely talked about the war, but once, when I was a teenager, he said to me, “I always wondered if the person on the other side of the gun was a cousin.” That idea haunted me and became the basis of this book.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
My writing process is something I call word vomit. I don’t use an outline (also called a pantster), and I tend to find a time to write in which I can truly immerse myself for days (I call this binge writing). As a binge pantster, I try to get my story down from start to finish as quickly as possible. Then I let it sit for a while – a month or two – before going back to make substantial edits. When writing An Enemy Like Me, I did the binge pantster part during a two-week writer’s retreat. I completed the edits during a one-week retreat. After going to my editor, I spent another 60 hours or so making the needed changes.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Five years from now, I hope to have another five books out, for a total of seven. My goal is to write a novel a year. I also hope to have finished my book about our tandem bicycle tour, as well as a children’s book that I’ve promised my grandchildren. Finally, although I have written historical fiction to date, my writing is really character-driven fiction. I hope to branch out and write some other genres including something with a bit of fantasy or even a romantic comedy.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am currently working on a manuscript about a healer woman in the mountains of North Carolina. I hope to include lots of mountain folklore as well as Cherokee lore, and show what happens to traditions as ‘modern’ advancements take over.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I love historical fiction for two reasons. The first is that I love to do research. I call myself a #researchjunkie. The second is that I have trouble with setting. I wouldn’t do well with the kind of world building often found in full-fledged fantasies or science fiction. With historical fiction, I don’t have to ‘make up’ a setting. I just have to do enough research to help my readers understand what it was like at that time. It’s a perfect genre for me.
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?
As a child, I used to tell people that I wanted to be three things. The first was an Olympic ice skater, but for anyone who knows me, this isn’t likely because I’m not terribly coordinated! I also said I wanted to be a brain surgeon. Once again, unlikely because I hate the sight of blood. However, I also said I wanted to be an author.
I wrote a lot as a child and teen. Unfortunately, being a writer was not seen as a worthy occupation by my family. One didn’t go to college to learn to write because being a writer meant you would end up as a server in a restaurant and likely starve to death. So, I went to college getting a major in education and psychology, as well as minors in math and sociology – but I never used any of these directly in an occupation.
After getting married, having four children, and then divorcing, I needed to find a job that allowed me to continue to stay at home and homeschool my children. I began writing for small businesses, helping them create content for the Internet.
Then, I spent 14 years married to an emotionally abusive man. I eventually came to the point of no longer believing in myself or my abilities. I had stories that needed telling, but I believed – and was told – that just because I could write nonfiction didn’t mean I could write fiction.
Once I finally got out of that relationship, the words started to flow. However, I was still too terrified to let the words out into the public. I couldn’t handle the thought of rejection.
In February 2018, I met my current husband. Although I never planned to marry again, he was persistent – and perfectly suited for me. While we dated, he encouraged me to write the manuscript that became my first novel, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. Then, after we married, we went on our tandem cycling adventure. That adventure changed my life. After those three months doing something well outside my comfort zone and very challenging, I realized that I could do anything I set my mind to.
Six months after returning from the trip, Atmosphere Press accepted the manuscript for Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. And now, my second novel, An Enemy Like Me, is out.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I am a computer writer all the way. I type very quickly and can keep up with my thoughts. I can’t do that with longhand. Plus, my longhand is very messy, meaning I have trouble deciphering what I wrote later!
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
I have never liked this question because my favorite books change every time I read something new! So, I will give you some books that have meant something to me over the years.
Over in the Meadow – This was a picture book with a sing-song poem by Olive A. Wadsworth. This is the first book I remember being read to me, and it still brings back happy memories.
Trixie Belden books – Trixie Belden was a girl detective. These books were aimed at readers younger than Nancy Drew. I read them all. Then, I read all of Nancy Drew. And then? I read all of The Hardy Boys because it made me angry that I wasn’t supposed to read the books for boys.
The Grapes of Wrath – This novel by John Steinbeck was the first book I read for something other than pleasure. It was with this novel that I learned that authors often had something they wished to impart to their readers. Learning this changed the way I read books.
1776 – I loved the way David McCullough weaved history as a story. I used 1776 to teach my children American history. Because the facts were part of a story, it made history fun and exciting. His books helped me to become a historical fiction fan.
Harry Potter series – Because my children were interested, I read the books, too. I realized that JK Rowling had the ability to write in a way that intrigued children, teens, and adults. That is a skill I’d love to cultivate.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I don’t believe in writer’s block. When a writer can’t write, I believe it is because there is something else going on that is taking up the creative space in their head. It’s impossible to write if something big or overwhelming is crowding out creativity. The only thing to do is to fix the thing that is ‘top of mind’ or find a way to put it into perspective so that it is no longer in the way. For instance, when I first found out that my husband had brain cancer, I could not write because that was the only thing on my mind. It took up all the free space and crowded out creativity. I can write again, not because there has been a change in his condition, but because I’ve found a way to go on living despite the diagnosis. Cancer is part of our life right now and it has its own space in my head. However, I have far more control over it and when it comes out.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
I have four things I would tell aspiring writers. The first is to write. Don’t wait for a class or a degree or some specific event to get started. You will never be a writer until you write, so get started now.
The second is that once you have something you feel has merit, let someone you trust – but who will be honest and give you feedback – read it. Then listen to what they have to say. Feedback can be difficult because it can feel like criticism. But you won’t get better at writing if you continue to do the same things over and over without improving.
The third sounds like it contradicts the second but bear with me. You don’t have to listen to everyone’s advice! There is more than one way to write and more than one kind of reader. Listen to suggestions and give them a try, but if they don’t work for you, it’s okay to put them to one side. For instance, I cannot use an outline. I’ve been told it is the “BEST” way to write, but for me, it stifles my creativity. I tried it. It didn’t work. Now? I’m comfortable with being a binge pantser.
Finally, you’re going to have to be more than a writer if you want to sell your books. That means you’ll need to learn marketing. So, before your first book goes to print, learn how to market and get started marketing at least 12 weeks before the launch date.
Here are ways readers can purchase the book and/or get in contact with you?
The easiest way to connect with me is through my website at www.terimbrown.com. In addition to joining my newsletter, where you will get the list of “The 10 Historical Fiction Novels You’ve Never Heard of That Will Bring You to Tears,” you can reach out to me through my contact form and find links to all my social media.
For those who prefer going directly to social media, you can find me here:
Thank you, author Teri M. Brown, for your insightful answers!
Book Trailer
About the Book
An Enemy Like Me
How does a man show his love – for country, for heritage, for family – during a war that sets the three at odds? What sets in motion the necessity to choose one over the other? How will this choice change everything and everyone he loves? Jacob Miller, a first-generation American, grew up in New Berlin, a small German immigrant town in Ohio where he endured the Great Depression, met his wife, and started a family. Though his early years were not easy, Jacob believes he is headed toward his ‘happily ever after’ until a friend is sent to an internment camp for enemy combatants, and the war lands resolutely on his doorstep. In An Enemy Like Me, Teri M Brown uses the backdrop of World War II to show the angst experienced by Jacob, his wife, and his four-year-old son as he left for and fought in a war he did not create. She explores the concepts of xenophobia, intrafamily dynamics, and the recognition that war is not won and lost by nations, but by ordinary men and women and the families who support them.
If you are a fan of historical fiction with a love for heartfelt, introspective war stories, then you’ll enjoy An Enemy Like Me. This emotional saga explores war and its impacts in unique ways that few military fiction novels do.
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 Emma Grace, he author of Match for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Emma Grace
Emma Grace is a lifelong novelist, student, and lover of the outdoors. She is currently pursuing a B.A. in Creative Writing with a Minor in Wilderness Education at SUNY Potsdam, a combination of her two passions, however different they may be.
Emma lives in both northern New York and southern New Jersey, splitting her time while she pursues her degree. The back-and-forth nature of college has allowed her to embrace her love of travel while simultaneously learning to understand her transient characters (who handle change far better than she does). Her parents, sister, and exceptionally spoiled dog are her biggest supporters.
When she isn’t holed up in a library or coffee shop, you can find Emma out in nature, either sunbathing on a rock like a gecko or finding yet another mountain to climb.
Match is Emma’s debut novel. To learn more about the Underground and Katie’s future, visit her website, www.authoremmagrace.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Hi! My name is Emma, and I’ve been writing for pretty much my entire life. Match is my first novel, which I’m super excited to share with the world! I was born and raised in southern New Jersey (think of farms and big pine trees) but I go to college in super-upstate New York. In fact, my school is so far upstate that it’s not even called upstate—it’s called the north country! I’m a creative writing major and wilderness education minor, and I love spending time outside, whether I’m climbing, hiking, camping, or simply enjoying an afternoon in my trusty hammock. A lot of my best work happens after a day spent outdoors. I’m really excited to share my work with you guys and get to know you, too!
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
One of my favorite things about Match is that it’s written in first-person, present tense, which gives it a really intimate feel. The narrator’s name is Katie, and you get to see into her brain and understand why she makes the choices that she does, how she rationalizes them, all those gory details. You also get to see how much she loves her friends Chris, Ava, and Noah. The four of them are exceptionally close, and while the story is narrated through Katie’s POV, they’re really all the protagonists, which is why I simply refer to her as the narrator.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
First and foremost, I want readers to have a good time. That’s my main goal with writing—produce something enjoyable to share with others. As far as a message goes, I want readers to realize that they’re so much tougher than they think they are. Katie, Chris, Ava, and Noah go through so much together, and a lot of it seems unsurvivable. But at the end of it all, they get through it, and even manage to laugh a little along the way. I want readers to look at the four of them and think ‘wow, if they can get through that, then I can get through whatever I’m dealing with, too.’
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
Even though Katie narrates this book, I really love Noah, one of her best friends. He’s funny, sweet, and very protective, but in a respectful way. He sees the world in a very black and white way, which sometimes lands him into trouble. There’s a running joke that he and the principle were on a first-name basis when he was younger because he was such a prankster, but they were always pretty harmless because he just wanted to make people laugh, not hurt them. He’s really protective and would go to bat for pretty much anyone without a second thought. He’s just a total doll, and I love writing scenes with him.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I saw a Tumblr post when I was younger that pretty much said, “what if when you turned 18 you were given this half-heart necklace and your soulmate had the other half, so you had to go on this epic journey to find them?” That really struck me as interesting, and I said, “what if we took that, but made it dark and twisted?” So then I kind of reversed the concept and made it, “your soulmate is already in this town, and the government will tell you who it is by matching up your half-heart necklaces,” which is what prompts my characters to run away. Throw in a resistance military, old family secrets, and the journey of self-discovery, and now you have Match!
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I started writing Match when I was about 13 and decided to publish right after I turned 20. So technically 7 years, but I would take time away from it to work on other projects or just focus on school (usually work on other projects, like the sequel).
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I would love to publish Match and its two sequels, and then maybe get more into poetry or general YA. I also plan to go on a lot of adventures in the near future, doing some long-distance hiking, working outdoorsy jobs, etc. I would love to eventually publish a memoir of all of my adventures. In 5 years, I see myself getting ready to settle down somewhere in the Adirondacks, or maybe out in the western U.S. if I find somewhere that captures my heart just as much. I’ve got lots of exploring to do before then, though!
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I’m currently working on the sequels to Match, which are called Spark and Burn. Spark is narrated from Chris’s point of view, which is a really interesting adjustment to make. A lot of Katie’s narration is how my inner monologue sounds, so I have to be very careful and deliberately switch it up for Chris. Burn is from Katie’s point of view again, so it feels more natural to me, which is why Spark is currently getting a lot more of my attention.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I chose YA dystopia because those were my favorite books growing up. The Hunger Games rocked my world—I was so obsessed I wrote fanfiction, braided my hair every day, the works! When I first started Match, I wanted to create something that, if I worked really hard and also got really lucky, would have the same kind of impact. I do dabble in poetry, but only if an idea pops into my head—I try not to force it. Eventually, I’d like to work on a regular YA project that I have in mind, but that’s a ways away!
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 give us your story, we love hearing author stories!)
I decided I was going to be a writer in the 3rd grade. We had a period in school called “Writer’s Workshop” which was just time to work on stories or poems, kind of whatever we wanted. I liked it so much that I started typing up a story on my mom’s work laptop every night when she got home, and eventually I (with the help of my dad) emailed it to my teacher. The next day in school, she was so excited about it, asking me questions about what happens next (I’d left it on a cliffhanger, which is something I still do). I remember thinking, ‘wow, I really like doing this, and other people really like when I do this, too!’ And that was it, I never looked back. Over the years, other things have taken up more my time and attention, but I always come back to writing.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
My favorite times to write are whenever I feel like I’m stealing words, if that makes sense. In high school, I’d race through a test to have a couple minutes to write; at work, I’d pull up a word document whenever my boss wasn’t looking. Those are the times when I feel the words flow the fastest—when I feel like my writing is a tiny act of rebellion. When I’m not stealing words, I like to head to the library and put some lofi beats on. I usually use noise-cancelling headphones—I call them my “work-mode blanket.” I’ve found that I’m not great at writing at home since that’s primarily my place to relax and rest, although I do enjoy lighting a candle and doing social media work there.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I really like to write on my laptop—my brain works too fast for me to write longhand! I’m also a leftie, so I end up with pen smudges all over my hand. I would love to get a typewriter someday, but I do tend to make a lot of typos, so we’ll see! Occasionally, I’ll use dictation, especially on a long drive (like the one from NJ to the north country) if I have an idea that just won’t leave me alone.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
This is like asking me to choose my 5 favorite friends! Okay, here goes nothing:
The Hunger Games/The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (SO excited for the movie!!!)
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
The Song of Achilles (except I cried so hard that I’ll probably never read it again—I can’t afford to be that dehydrated)
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse
The Sun is a Compass
My favorite authors, however, are a little different:
Suzanne Collins
J.K. Rowling (I don’t agree with her on pretty much everything/I won’t financially support her anymore, but Harry Potter did shape my childhood/desire to write, and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for those books)
Rick Riordan (PJO also shaped my childhood)
Delia Owens (same as JKR—amazing writing, crummy person!)
Madeline Miller
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
For me, ideas have to kind of fall into my head. They remind me of thunderstorms in July—they appear very suddenly, and then poof, they’re gone. Staring at the sky won’t make a storm appear, and staring at the blank page won’t make an idea show up. I like to stay busy by hiking, climbing, hitting the gym, or hanging out with friends. Funnily enough, reading does not help, because then I end up comparing my writing to whatever I’m reading and then I just feel worse. So, staying busy, keeping my mind and body active, and allowing the ideas to come naturally is my best method for dealing with Writer’s Block. A good cry helps sometimes, too.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
I would tell aspiring writers to defend themselves fiercely. There are going to be people who doubt you, even in your inner circle. My best advice would be to cut those people out ASAP—not necessarily from your whole life, but definitely from your writing life. Writing is hard, and it’s a process that can be filled with self-doubt. The last thing you need is someone else making it harder for you. Surround yourself with support and positivity, and you’ll realize very quickly how much you and your writing can thrive. You’ve got this—I can’t wait to read your story!
Thank you, author Emma Grace, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Match
Katie Davis has had her whole life planned out for her since birth. She, along with every other citizen of Carcera, is predestined to marry her perfect Match. She knows that she will eventually have two children, and that none of the citizens will never leave the Border, the wall of stone encircling the city. No one could have predicted, however, the harrowing night that forces Katie and her three best friends to flee for their lives only days after their Matching Ceremony. With nowhere to go, Katie and her friends must make impossible choices at every turn.
They are faced with life-altering decisions, such as whether or not to join the Underground, a resistance army dedicated to overthrowing Borders. The smaller choices seem just as unfathomable as the larger ones-what to eat for dinner, what to do in their free time, and even what to wear. When their luck begins to run out, they are left with only two options: fight, or die.
Match is the first installment of The Matchbook Trilogy.
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 ofMe and My Shadow: Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor – John Walker Pattison, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
John Walker Pattison
John Walker Pattison was born in the wonderful seaside town of South Shields 65 years ago. He is a dedicated Newcastle United supporter since 1969 when he took his steps through the clackerty clack of the turnstiles at St James Park; however, there is little doubt that the crucial hinge in John’s life is his beautiful wife, June. “Nothing is more important than family,” says John. He retired from his post as a senior clinical nurse specialist and head of service in haematology at his local hospital, partially due to his chronic illnesses as a consequence of the salubrious chemotherapy and radiotherapy he received decades ago, this being the same hospital that established his cancer diagnosis almost 50 years earlier; at that time his parents were told that he would not survive, yet here he is today, humbled to be one of the longest living cancer survivors in the UK. He has written dozens of articles for national and international nursing and medical press-presented lectures the length and breadth of the country on many aspects of haematology and cancer management. He is honoured to have won numerous awards both locally and nationally for his work in haematology.
However, Pattison knows that being one of the longest cancer survivors is his greatest achievement. John Walker Pattison recently completed his memoirs, ‘Me, and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor’ and which was published on 31 st October 2022. In addition, following the completion of his memoirs and in retirement he is now focusing on children’s fiction. John declares, “I have always been an elasticated Grandpa – relaying exaggerated stories to my grandchildren for many years.” These unbelievable tales are now the basis for his children’s books. In 2021, his inaugural title, ‘Strange Trips and Weird Adventures’ was published, as part of a series of adventures of Daniel and Papa. ‘Blenkinsop Blabbermouth and the Ghost of Broderick McCaffery,’ is due to be published on 16 th December 2022, ‘The Fastest Water Pistol in Splodge City’ has a target publication date of May 2023 and the fourth title, ‘The Kingdom of Huckleberry Jam,’ is likely to be released late 2023. Meanwhile, Lunar von Buella the Mystical Mouse from Missoula is a work in progress. Pattison enjoys the solitude and escapism of fly fishing and photographing Native Americans. More significantly, he found solace throughout his cancer journey in the history, and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux Nation. In 2018, he would spend time on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with the indigenous people of South Dakota, the people who, unknowingly, supported him through his, and life’s greatest challenge, cancer.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I am 65 years young, married to June and live in an old Victorian house, built in 1867 in South Shields. South Shields is nestled on the north east coast of England and is our home. We have three daughters and four grandchildren, all living locally, “Nothing is more important than family.” I left school with a handful of worthless qualifications and started working life as a welder in a local shipyard. Early in life, my aim was to join the Royal Navy, however, when cancer gripped my life in a deathly stranglehold, that goal was lost. In 1997 I returned to college to get the qualifications required to start my nurse training.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
My book, ‘Me and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor’ had a number of high profile celebrities ready to write a foreword. However, I decided not to offer any of them that opportunity as I wanted the book to stand on its own merits. I did not want to be seen to be relying on a celebrity in order to raise the book’s profile as I believe the three-dimensional and inspirational story, will stand up to scrutiny and critique. I am honoured to reveal that his Royal Highness King Charles III has a copy of ‘Me and My Shadow -memoirs of a cancer survivor.’
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
Inspiration! I felt passionately that not only should my unique story be heard but, that it would offer inspiration and hope to anyone in society, but especially to anyone touched by a cancer diagnosis. Statistically, 1 in 2 of the population will get a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives, a scary thought. Each and every one of us knows someone, friend, relative or loved one who has been affected by the scourge of society, cancer. Everyday makes me realise how fortunate I am, humbled at being one of the UK’s longest cancer survivors at almost fifty years post diagnosis. But, it is not just my story – the fact that my parents, way back in 1978 after 3 years of treatment and multiple relapse’s, were told that I would not survive is a blessing in itself. Yet eight years after my unexpected recovery, my daughter was diagnosed with terminal leukaemia – like her father she too would unexpectedly survive, going on to become an international swimmer, gaining two silver medals at the ‘World Swimming Championships’ in New Zealand in 1998. However, the third aspect of this three dimensional chronicle details my return to college and then a subsequent meteoric rise to the top of the clinical nursing ladder, becoming a haematology nurse consultant at my local hospital, the same place that made my cancer diagnosis decades earlier and where I would prescribe chemotherapy and break bad news diagnosis to individuals with the same cancers as my daughter and myself.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
When, last year I retired due to chronic long term illness due to the salubrious chemotherapy, I just felt compelled to share my story
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Although the story is almost fifty years in the making; the actual writing of the book took around six month. This did not include the time I spent requesting, then gaining access to my medical records in order to ensure I transcribed the correct chronological order of the many treatments I received. Occasionally, my memory would recall the many thoughts of my journey and, often during the middle of the night, when this happened, I had no other option than to get up, and start writing. Even today, after publication, there are one or two anecdotal stories that were not included in the book because I simply did not recall them.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
At the risk of sounding blasé, I would hope to be sitting on a best seller, delivering inspiring author talks to patient groups, health care professionals and any other reader groups that are prepared to listen. I have also played around with the idea of a follow up chronicle, so that would not be beyond the realms of possibility. Ultimately, in response to the question and with total sincerity, I will settle for just being around in five years.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Yes, my fifth children’s book, ‘Lunar von Buella the Mystical Mouse from Missoula.’
Do you also dabble in Fiction?
I certainly do, following retirement I wanted to keep active and, being an elasticated Grandpa I decided to write children’s fiction. I have always told my grandchildren about the adventures I have undertaken during my past years; such as, the time I climbed Mount Everest barefoot and captured the Abominable snowman, before letting him go again or, the time I built a sherbet fuelled rocket and blast off to Jupiter or, the time I won the world’s greatest steeplechase, the ‘Grand National’ on donkey called slowcoach or, my fights with lions, tigers and salt water alligators during the time I spent in the jungle teaching Tarzan how to survive or, the time I saved the King of England from being robbed of the crown jewels by masked robbers when I squirted them with salad cream and, the stories go on. I published ‘Strange Trips and Weird Adventures’ in 2021 and this was followed by ‘Blenkinsop Blabbermouth and the Ghost of Broderick McCaffery’ only this month. My third title, ‘The Fastest Water Pistol in Splodge City’ is on target for publication in May 2023 after which time I will submit the fourth title called ‘The Kingdom of Huckleberry Jam.’ As highlighted in a previous question, I am currently working on ‘Lunar von Buella the Mystical Mouse from Missoula.’
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 give us your story, we love hearing author stories!)
Following my retirement, my wife suggested my elasticated stories would make good reading for children. I therefore, set about formulating a series of adventures of Daniel (my grandson) and his best friend Papa (me). Despite having never written a book previously, I decided the key ingredients should be intrigue, escapism and a splattering of magic, leading the child to feel as though they are participating in the adventure themselves. Ultimately, I think all children’s authors will agree that we are all children in a part of our hearts and I believe we never lose that childlike sense of fantasy and adventure. In that respect, I am no different to anyone else. It is that fantasy imagination that allows me to conjure up my stories.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
To be honest, I do not have a specific writing ritual. Like most writers, there are times when the thoughts and ideas are free flowing. But, of course there are many times when I come up against the inevitable wall. In that situation, as I am extremely lucky to live on the North East coast of England, I can simply walk out of the door, stroll along a beach or, amble through a serene park and often a sudden splurge of ideas will enter my mind. I tend to try and write a little each morning, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
Do you believe in Writer’s Block? If you do, how do you overcome it?
I don’t think writer’s block as an entity is real, some authors, of course, will disagree and that’s fine. Admittedly, there are times when you struggle to find the vocabulary needed to further your work. But, at the outset of your project, you have a direction and a route map of how that work will progress. You know how you want the work to flow, so it’s not unusual to find that ideas dry up. But, I feel it is important to realise that if it were as easy as just writing and writing without the occasional stoppage or the need to gather your thoughts, redirect the project, and perhaps even make a major change to the story, then everyone would be an author. It is of course important to recognise this and put the pen down (or remove your fingers from the keyboard) and do something else for a few hours, possibly a few days. I have, certainly when writing children’s fiction left my work for up to three weeks. What is significant is, that eventually, you will continue the thread from where you left it.
Is writing your profession or do you work in some other field too?
I guess as I retired from my senior cancer nursing post last year, yes, writing would now be considered my profession.
Can you recommend a book or two based on themes or ideas similar to your book? (You can share the name of the authors too.)
That’s an easy one and relates to my memoirs, ‘Me and My Shadow.’ My inspiration during the difficult challenges of cancer treatment and the ultimate psychological battle I faced; was the history and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux nation. Early in my diagnosis I read ‘Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee’ by Dee Brown, a history of the indigenous people of America and their oppression and how they were almost destroyed beyond recovery. Yet their strength, pride and humility were such an enormous inspiration to me that eventually, I would spend time on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota with the Lakota people who unknowingly supported me through life’s greatest challenge, a cancer diagnosis. In addition, as a children’s author I have no hesitation in suggesting any book written by Julia Donaldson, in my view a phenomenal once in a life time innovative children’s author.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I tend to put my work to one side, just go for a walk, or, pick up my camera and head out to seek stimulation and a thought that will allow me to continue. I have always believed that simply sitting (in a park for example) and watching the world go by, observing peoples mannerism, their interactions or listening and watching nature will yield thought provoking ideas. Alternatively, it is not unusual for me to leave my work alone for a few days.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Decide what you are going to write, be true to yourself. Make plenty of notes (I still write long-hand before transcribing to the PC). Write from the heart but do not be afraid to re-write where necessary. Re-writes are almost always inevitable. You must be your own critic but be prepared to accept criticism from others. Remember, family members are not always the best people to offer a critique as they are clearly bias in your favour. Join author forums and seek advice from your peers. I tend to structure my projects, deciding in advance what each chapter will contain, but it is not written in concrete and can and often does change, but it gives me a framework.
Thank you, author John Walker Pattison, for your honest and insightful answers!
About the Book
Me and My Shadow
Me and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor, is a brutally honest account of one teenager’s struggle to understand and deal with the most feared diagnosis known to society: cancer. At 18 years of age, John Walker Pattison was thrust onto a roller coaster ride of emotional turbulence – his innocence cruelly stripped from him; his fate woven into the tapestry of life. After years of failed chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments that ravaged his physical frame and almost destroyed his psychological stability – his parents were told that he would not survive. Yet, today, he is one of the longest surviving cancer patients in the UK. Eight years after his unexpected recovery, the news that all parents fear, his daughter is diagnosed with terminal leukaemia. Yet like her father, she too would defy the odds and go on to become an international swimmer. Pattison turned his life full circle and became a cancer nurse specialist at the same hospital that made his diagnosis decades earlier. He prescribes chemotherapy and cares for individuals with the same cancers experienced by both him and his daughter.
Throughout his journey, Pattison’s inspirations were the space rock legends, Hawkwind. He would get to play on stage with his heroes at the Donnington Festival in 2007. More significantly, he found solace throughout his cancer journey in the history and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux Nation. In 2018, he would spend time on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with the indigenous people of South Dakota. The same people who, unknowingly, supported him through life’s greatest challenge: cancer.
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 ofUmbilical – Jane Kay, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Jane Kay is a South African-born writer whose early career was in teaching. She has worked as a research analyst for the management consulting industry and as a writer/editor. She has lived and worked in South Africa, Canada and Russia and currently lives in northern Portugal. Umbilical is her second novel.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
How wonderful to share your space – thanks for having me! I’m a fan of TRB.
What’s not mentioned in my bio is that books helped raise me. What I didn’t get at home or in my life, I went looking for in the written word; in stories about others. What you might guess from reading my bio is that I’m a bit of a nomad, both mentally and physically. I think I always was, even in the days when South Africa was far more isolated from the world and I was a kid with significant awareness of what was out there. Don’t we all have the capacity to become better humans when we’re exposed to what’s “other”? I certainly think so. Finally, it’s not all cerebral or sedentary for me – I’m a wine (and naturally food) lover and I have a physically active lifestyle. Not only does the latter help with the writing process but my hedonistic leanings necessitate it!
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
It’s very personal, more than I initially recognised. When I submitted my first manuscript to agents and publishers, I was told that writing about South(ern) Africa was no longer sexy. So, in my youth and insecurity, I turned away and wrote something entirely different, but this one I felt I had to write. It’s a love letter to a flawed country with a complicated history and at the same time a way of trying to examine the forces (and people) that shaped me.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
It’s all connected – and it’s up to us to discover where and how. And once we discover the connection, what are we going to do with it?
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
You’re making me choose, no! I have a soft spot for both my main female protagonists: Ella for her defiance, irreverence and deep sense of anger and Ruth for her grace and fortitude. Although there is one very peripheral character – Ryan Henningh, a very broken man whose full story is not in the book – who still lives in my head.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
If you’re a South African and you have half a brain and a fraction of conscience, you probably grapple with some of the issues of our past. There are so many secrets and we all have a few in the pasts of our families. The idea came to me of a person receiving a message that said: I know what you did in 1989/1990/xyz. An implied threat not intended for the recipient but one that they started exploring when they realised that it was a part of their own history. What would happen if they tried to unravel the secret? How would that knowledge then affect them?
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
12-18 months of writing, several years on ice (due to a bruised ego after a major publisher showed interest and then rejected the novel) and then a full year of polishing the book and going through the publishing process.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I wonder how many writers have specific ambitions other than the thing or things they’re working on at any moment. It’s a fickle business, so it feels scary/unwise to have grand plans, much less voice them! I’d say my main fuzzy goal is to keep growing and maturing as a storyteller. The more concrete one would be to have one or two more well-received international mystery/thrillers under my belt as well as a growing audience.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Yes! A completely whacky one that is inspired by a series of industrial, criminal and political events – all connected – in China and the US. It’s complex and I’m currently waayyyy down the rabbit hole…
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
It’s one of the main genres I read for relaxation. I read almost everything, but I love a complex mystery/thriller with some solid characters thrown in. I guess that means I write what I want to read.
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 give us your story, we love hearing author stories!
Decide? Phew, it was more a case of taking one step, quivering… and doing it again.
I’ve written since I was a kid – little rhyming poems to start with! My head was full of stories, but you know, life and career and all that. The catalyst for this phase of my life came when I was working as an analyst/researcher for a consulting firm and my boyfriend (now husband) transferred to a different part of the world with the firm. That route wasn’t available to me, so we got to the point where we had to address the future and it was kinda sorta agreed that I would follow him halfway across the world, without having a job, and pursue the dream of writing so that we could be together. Having said that, though, the number of people in this world who have that very dream is not insignificant, and to make it happen is difficult. The sacrifices, judgments, challenges and pressures are real. I’m eternally grateful for the engaged, supportive life partner I have. He is the original nomad and I’m extremely lucky.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
Based on an idea or something that interests me, I do a great deal of research initially, then outline what shakes loose during that process, and then I put pen to paper.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I tend to do longhand first. I write so fast that I can barely decipher it half the time, but it does slow me down for round two, which is when I turn to my laptop. From there it’s a bit of both until I think the story has strong enough legs to live independently on my laptop. I do multiple versions and endless tweaks and edits all on the laptop.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Impossible task – I’m going to go with authors.
Biggest childhood influence – Enid Blyton for the stories (while acknowledging her somewhat tarnished reputation these days)
A book that stayed with me as I grew up – First Poems by South African poet Antjie Krog, gifted to me by a friend at a time when I was particularly receptive to her poetry.
Biggest influence – Robert Goddard
A small selection of other favourites: JM Coetzee, Tom Wolfe, Stieg Larsson, Deon Meyer, Joyce Carol Oates, David McCullough, Kurt Vonnegut, Michael Lewis, Anne Applebaum, Gillian Flynn, etc.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
For immediate distraction: Sudoku, solitaire or a crossword puzzle! Yes, embarrassingly, I’m that person… A quick game or puzzle manages to relax my brain enough to be able to get back to the task at hand quickly.
Generally, I don’t have writer’s block (just laziness!), but I do need thinking time, so I go for long runs to give me space to think and process.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
The same advice I give myself: break it down, don’t be overly attached to pretty sentences, keep going.
Thank you, author Jane Kay, for your honest and insightful answers!
About the Book
Umbilical
It’s the early nineties in southern Africa. Not far from Cape Town, a small chartered plane on its way to Namibia crashes unexpectedly. On board is a nun who is hiding an undocumented baby. Today, thirty years later, two people have very different reasons for wanting to find out what happened to the child: Ruth Masisi, a prominent African judge about to be appointed to the International Criminal Court, and Arthur Coleman, a pharmaceutical industry tycoon from America, who is finalizing the deal of a lifetime with China to establish southern Africa’s first full-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Botswana. Werner and Ella, the descendants of the men who rescued the child, know nothing of the complex history that connects them, but when Ruth tracks them down and pleads for their help, they find themselves faced with an almost impossible situation. Will they be prepared—or able—to sift through their shared past and find the child in time? In Umbilical, Jane Kay weaves a tale of an unwelcome inheritance, one that is as inescapable as it is perilous.
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 ofA Lot of Questions (with no answers)? – Jordan Neben, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
A Lot of Questions (with no answers)? is Jordan Neben’s first published book. Jordan has always possessed a life-long passion for learning, and especially reading history. This book is an attempt to try and pass some of the questions and insights that the author has arrived at after decades of learning and consideration. Jordan was born in and currently resides in Nebraska.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Well as it said in the author bio of my book, A Lot of Questions (With No Answers?), I was born and currently reside in Nebraska. I’m in my late twenties, I am part of a family of parents and four siblings, I am 6’7”, no I didn’t play basketball when I was in high school or college. Since my book is a philosophical work covering topics such as history and how it is viewed and interpreted, you can probably guess I am interested in history. I have always been fascinated by history, and lately I have devoted myself to learning more about history that was never taught or even mentioned in public school or college. For example, I have recently been reading Jason K. Stearns’ books Dancing in the Glory of Monsters and The War That Doesn’t Say Its Name about the decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At least in my experience living in the central US, African history and current events are never mentioned, and in my opinion that is a detriment to us all.
Another one of my passions that doesn’t relate to my book at all is aviation. I have been fascinated by flight ever since my maternal grandfather showed me his collection of aircraft books when I was a toddler, and when my paternal grandfather took me on my first flight in his old Piper J-3 cub. Someday I would like to be a pilot, though for someone of my height that will not be an easy task.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
As is mentioned on the back cover, the book is a collection of six essays, but publishing a book was not how I originally planned to start my career as a writer. The first two essays in the book are the first ones I wrote; I initially thought I could get them published in a philosophy magazine. However, none of the magazines I approached were interested in publishing such long essays, even as a multi-part series, and to get the essays down to a suitable length would have meant getting rid or more than half the material, which I felt would be too reductive for the subject matter. After having no luck with the magazines, I had an idea. Through the course of writing the first two essays, I had inspiration for yet more essays to write. I thought to myself: “Instead of trying to get each individual essay published separately, if I can write enough of them, and put them together, I would have enough material for a full-length book.” As soon as I had this idea, I knew this is what I wanted to do. Combining the essays into a book meant that I wouldn’t have to make compromises on how long I wanted each essay to be, and I could write until I felt I had done the topic in each piece justice.
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
As readers of my book will see, the essays cover a variety of topics ranging from religion and belief to the recent (and currently ongoing) pandemic, to how history is perceived. However, even though the book visits widely ranging subjects, there is a central theme that acts as a foundation that all the essays are built upon. Naturally, the theme also relates to the title of the book: questioning. Questions such as: Why do people believe what they believe? How often do people take the time to consider why they hold the beliefs that they do? Theoretically, could a person’s convictions be altered by changing the circumstances of their life? For example, someone is born in the United States and grows up to be a staunch American nationalist in the early 21st century, and this person has strong anti-China views, out of a fear of China’s growing economy and global influence. What if the circumstances of this person’s life were changed so that now they are born and raised in China in the same time period? Could this person become a staunch Chinese nationalist, who possesses similarly strong anti-American views, believing that the US has been a chauvinistic and hypocritical global hegemon for too long? How much are our convictions based on genetic traits, and how much are they based on factors completely outside of our control, such as the society we were born into? These are the types of questions readers will find in my book, and questioning is the central theme.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
As I mentioned above and will discuss in more detail in another question below, the first essay of the book is the first one I wrote, which I initially intended to be a magazine article. But more specifically, why did I write this type of book, a philosophical piece with the goal of challenging the reader to think more critically about their own beliefs and humanity as a whole? That term I just used, “critical thinking,” is one that has been used a lot recently, so much so that it has to an extent lost its meaning and impact. Which, in my opinion, is a disservice to us all, because critical thinking is vitally important, especially in the age of mass information and social media. Now hopefully I am not about to sound like some out of touch old codger lamenting about what the kids are doing these days, and as readers shall see I believe that humanity has changed little over time and that history reveals patterns of human behavior that are cyclical in nature. With that being said, the digital age and social media do represent a sea change in technology. It is easier and easier for politicians, businesses, celebrities, and ordinary people to tell others what to think, what to buy, what to love or hate, what to think about themselves, what to think about their nation and the world, and so much more. I wrote my book in the hope that it will inspire the reader to examine their own views and those of others more closely, and to believe something not because they were told to by someone else, but because they used their own critical thinking.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
All six essays put together took about a year to write. I did not write the entire book from beginning to end all right away, however. After I finished writing the first two essays, I spent some time trying to get them published, thinking I would write more essays after the first two had already been released. When that fell through and I had the idea to combine all the essays into a book, that is when I began to write non-stop until the manuscript was complete.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Hopefully 5 years from now I will have published one more book and possibly be working on a third. I do have several ideas for books covering a variety of topics. These new book ideas will more than likely require more time and much more research to complete. A Lot of Questions is mostly a philosophical work, and any historical events mentioned in the text are not meant to inform the reader on the events. Rather, they are used as a way to create discussion. A scholarly historical text recounts the events and lists the author’s sources, while A Lot of Questions looks at the event and asks, “What can this tell us?” The books I plan to write in the future, however, will be carefully researched and cited. I have never written a book of this type before, so it will likely take time to learn how to write it and cite my sources correctly.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I do have a topic for my next book, and I have begun the preliminary research to test the waters of the subject to see what information is out there and what other authors have already written about. That is all I will say about my next book at this time, since it still remains a kernel of an idea and it will likely be years from now until I have a book that is ready for publishing.
Do you also dabble in fiction?
As readers of A Lot of Questions will see, in each essay of the book I use what I call “hypothetical case studies,” as a tool to help the reader understand the topic of each essay. Through the course of writing the first essay I realized that I had several pages of nothing but abstract questions, which could be difficult for a reader to intellectually digest, and frankly is not the most entertaining reading. That is when I had the idea for the “case studies.” These case studies are short stories where I take the questions and ideas that have been postulated in the essay and put them into the context of the stories. Hopefully, readers will find these stories entertaining and engaging. More importantly, as readers consider or discuss these hypothetical case studies, they will be considering the questions raised in the essays. My hope is that these fictional stories (often based on an amalgamation of real events) will show the reader how abstract questions can have ramifications on the real world.
I wanted to highlight that aspect of A Lot of Questions here, because I think it is an important component of the book’s character. However, to return to the spirit of the question above, have I written any fiction, or do I plan to do so in the future? As of right now, no I have not written any fiction, and I do not plan to in the future. That does not mean that I do not thoroughly enjoy fiction and do not want to write a large and successful fictional book. To be honest, at this point I do not think I have what it takes to write a fictional novel. I have had a few ideas for books, but I never get further than the initial idea. I imagine that if I took that initial idea I would get buried or lost trying to build a fleshed out fictional universe, create believable characters, and write a compelling story all at the same time. If I do write any fiction in the future, I will probably start small, with much more manageable short stories, and build from there.
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 give us your story, we love hearing author stories!
For me there wasn’t really an exact point where I said to myself “Yes I shall become a writer.” And this may be a bit of imposter syndrome talking but even after publishing a book sometimes I have to remind myself that I am a writer. However, as I have mentioned before, the first essay in the book was the first one I wrote, and there was an initial moment of inspiration that started me on the path to writing my book. By nature, I am an introspective person, and I enjoy thinking about the events or ideas that I have heard in podcasts or from books. One day at work, I was thinking about the subject of faith and organized religion when I thought to myself, “I should write some of these ideas down so that I can remember them.” I didn’t realize it at the time but those little notes I quickly jotted down on a sticky note would eventually grow into an essay eighteen thousand words long. Once I started writing and thinking about the subject of the essay more and more it was relatively easy to get new ideas on how to expand and make the essay large enough that no magazine wanted to publish it.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
As I said in the question above, I started the first essay of my book by jotting down a few ideas on a sticky note so I wouldn’t forget them. That is actually how a lot of the book was written. When I couldn’t sit down to write, if I was busy at work or at home doing chores, I was still thinking about what I wanted to write continually. Whenever I thought of a sentence I wanted to write or a concept I wanted to discuss, I would quickly write it down on a sticky note or a small composition notebook I had so I could remember it. These notes would probably make little sense to anyone but me, not the least because of my terrible handwriting. I usually only wrote enough so that it would act as a placeholder for my brain, so when I read the note again, I could say “That’s what I was thinking about.” Once I had time to sit down with my laptop to write, I would go to my essay outlines and transcribe my hastily written notes in greater detail. When I was in high school and college, I usually sneered at the idea of creating an outline for a paper, mostly because I couldn’t stand the extra work. Only once I started writing a book did I realize how useful they actually were. The outlines were crucial to my writing process, not only for forming a basic structure for the essay, but also as a tool to take all the random notes I made and put them all together. But the outlines were not static and immovable; as I wrote each essay the outline would change, too. Notes and ideas would shift around as I wrote, and I would make additions or deletions as the essay took shape.
Is writing your profession or do you work in some other field too?
Currently I work a 9-5 job that I am not passionate about; it just pays the bills. I hope to someday become a full-time author, but I would have to write something successful enough to give me that financial freedom. I’m hoping the promotional work I’m doing for A Lot of Questions will help me realize that goal.
Can you recommend a book or two based on themes or ideas similar to your book? (You can share the name of the authors too.)
No doubt the two biggest inspirations for me as I wrote my book were authors and podcast hosts, and their work I cited in the “Suggested Reading and Listening” section of A Lot of Questions. They are Dan Carlin, host of Hardcore History and author of The End is Always Near, and Mike Duncan, host of The History of Rome and Revolutions and author of The Storm Before the Storm and Hero of Two Worlds. My book is very similar in style to Dan Carlin’s book, and I hope that readers of The End is Always Near will enjoy my book as well. Carlin took many of the themes and questions he had been developing in his podcast and put them into a book that his listeners had been demanding for some time. The End is Always Near is a fun and thought-provoking read and I can’t recommend it highly enough. In the Revolutions podcast, Mike Duncan walks listeners through some of the most complex and tumultuous periods in human history, while still delivering a coherent and cohesive narrative that not only provides context for each revolution, but also gives concise and informative biographies of the major players in each revolution. Listeners of Revolutions will recognize many similar themes as they read several of the hypothetical case studies in A Lot of Questions.
I also wanted to mention here that my two brothers helped me a great deal as I wrote my book. We often had discussions as I was writing the book that helped me develop my thoughts more fully, and they read through the early drafts of the essays which helped reduce the number of errors before it was sent to the publisher.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I never actually planned anything that helped me deal with writer’s block. My schedule for writing, however, accidentally helped whenever I did encounter it. Usually, I tried to devote two to three hours a day to write. Since I was working full-time for the entire book writing process, that two to three hours was always broken into smaller chunks as my free time allowed. Every once in a while, as I was writing, I would get a burst of inspiration and would be able to write several pages in a short period of time, and I would be upset that I didn’t have more time to write. But those bursts of inspiration were rare. More often than not writing was a slower process, and there were times where I would get completely stuck and could waste an hour writing a single short paragraph that I was never satisfied with. It was at those moments I was glad that I didn’t have a lot of time to write. Going to work or running errands allowed me to clear my head and ease my frustration, so that when I returned to writing later I could do so with a better frame of mind. If I ever do become a full-time writer, I will have to develop a ritual to help with writer’s block. For me it would probably involve going outside. I find nature rejuvenating, so a walk or a bike ride would probably serve the same purpose of helping me feel more relaxed and ready to write again.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Since my book is a philosophical examination of different topics, it didn’t require a lot of in-depth research, so I doubt I could offer a lot of practical advice on how to do research and citations. In fact, I am the one who could use advice in that department. The advice I would give any aspiring author might sound cheap or obvious, but I do think it is essential: read as much as you can. I have always had an interest in learning, and I spent years with the goal of reading several new books every month just for the sake of reading. There is no way I could have ever written my own book had I not spent those years learning and observing how other authors wrote their books. I know everyone says it, but reading is important if you want to be a better writer. It is the same as if you wanted to become good at a sport or learn to play a musical instrument proficiently: there is no magical shortcut to becoming an author; it just takes time and practice.
Thank you, author Jordan Neben, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
A Lot of Questions (with no answers)?
How often do people take the time to question the basic assumptions that underlie their beliefs and worldview? How strong can a person’s convictions be if they cannot allow room for doubt in their minds? Is a great deal of conflict generated by people’s refusal to question what they believe? Can a person’s beliefs be molded in a specific direction? These are the types of questions the reader will encounter in A Lot of Questions (with no answers)? In a series of six essays (essays with whimsical titles such as “Make Sure Your Death is Sudden and Violent”), we will discuss topics ranging from religion, to history, to the recent pandemic. The goal of this book is to encourage the reader to consider not only their own beliefs, but also humanity as a whole. Can humanity overcome its flaws? Are we doomed to repeat history in a cyclical pattern? Is being able to examine our flaws and shortcomings the first step to bettering ourselves (on an individual and collective level)?
This sounds like a lot to discuss in the course of a short book. Indeed, it is, and by no means is this essay collection definitive, but hopefully it is the first step to the reader becoming more discerning.
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
Dr. Kathy Martone is currently an author and artist living in a small Victorian town in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Before retiring, and moving from Denver, CO to Eureka Springs, AR in 2015, she was a Jungian psychologist in private practice specializing in dream work, women’s spirituality and shamanic journeys. The magical world of dreams has fascinated and intrigued Kathy for as long as she can remember. Inspired by a dream in 2005, she began making velvet tapestries imprinted with the image of one of her own dream figures and embellished with ribbons, rhinestones, feathers, glass beads, Swarovski crystals, antique jewelry and semi-precious stones. Dr. Martone’s work has been displayed in galleries in Denver, Colorado as well as in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
In 2006 Dr. Martone self-published her first book titled, Sacred Wounds: A Love Story. Essays and short stories written by Dr. Martone have been published in eMerge, an online magazine published by The Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow. In addition, some of her writings have also appeared in two anthologies titled Dairy Hollow Echo and Not Dead Yet 2.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Like Kate, the protagonist in my book, I am currently living in a small Victorian village in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. I first visited Eureka Springs when I was 12 years old and immediately fell in love with the magic and the mystery of this place. I determined that one day I would make my home in this historic, mystical town. I just didn’t realize it would take me another 57 years to make it happen!
Eureka is an artist colony brimming with lots of creative people, many of whom find inspiration in the turn of the century buildings that whisper tales of magic and wonder, not to mention ancient history as well. People have lived here from the late Ice Age, some 10,000 years ago, to the present time.
When I was younger, I never saw myself as an artist or a writer but over the years my dreams kept prompting me to pursue creative endeavors and now I am nestled in the perfect place to follow my dreams!
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
Around 2007, I had a psychic reading in which I was told that I would publish a book roughly 12 years hence. The psychic suggested that I “seed” the book by writing a chapter on my computer. So I promptly went home and wrote the chapter and then completely forgot about it.
Some 12½ years later, I happened to spot the short text on my desktop and opened it up. I was so surprised and pleased at what I had written that I continued to embellish the story until the novel was completed several months later.
When I went searching for a publisher, I ultimately discovered a company whose name is “Dreaming Big Publications” and their logo is the image of an eye. During my career as a psychologist, my specialty was dream interpretation and my logo just happened to be the image of an eyeball! That just seemed too much of a coincidence so I contacted them and they agreed to publish my book. Like Kate, the synchronicities were flying fast and furious around the publication of my manuscript.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I think the most important message would be to know that we are all capable of re-imagining ourselves, of stepping into lives that are much bigger and more profound than we could ever imagine, that magic is real. No matter what our human failings or humble beginnings, we are all spirit beings at our core and thus, we all carry within ourselves Divine Light.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
I think I would have to say that Kate is my favorite character. She is extremely talented but she also struggles with the same human issues that plague all of us at one time or another. I really like the way her humanity actually contributes to her talents as an artist and her gift for mystical revelations.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Victorian Songlight is based on a true story – my story. Many years ago, I was training to be a shamanic practitioner and during many of my shamanic journeys, a ghost by the name of Grandfather often showed up. Kate’s love affair with her Grandfather is loosely based on my own relationship with a disembodied spirit who goes by the same name. It was a relationship that changed my entire life – just as it changed Kate’s life in the book.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Once I rediscovered the “seedling” on my computer, it took me about 8 months to finish the story. However, my publisher suggested a number of additions and corrections, which took me several more months to complete. So, all in all, it took me a little over a year to complete the process of writing the book.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
It’s hard to say what I envision for my future as I am in my early 70’s and I don’t have as much energy as I used to. However, I would like to write at least one more fantasy novel and I also want to continue creating art as long as I can.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
About the time I published Victorian Songlight, I began another fantasy novel but had to put it down in order to complete the publication process. And when the pandemic hit, I lost most of my motivation and interest in finishing it. However, just lately I have picked it up again and I’m looking forward to re-engaging with the process of writing.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
Having a relationship with a spirit or ghost just automatically sets the stage for fantasy. Beyond that, I have always enjoyed an active imagination and have loved pushing the boundaries of what we call reality. I have studied shamanism extensively as well, and this spiritual practice easily lends itself to visionary fiction. However, I do enjoy writing in other genres as well and have published a number of nonfiction essays and short stories.
When did you decided to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I am a Jungian psychologist, mostly retired. As such, my specialties have included dream interpretation, shamanic journeys, and women’s spirituality. I never saw myself as an author and only accidentally found my way into writing. (However, when I was in grammar school, I used to love writing stories especially ones with fantastical themes.) Once I picked up my author’s pen again, so to speak, I felt compelled to continue and Victorian Songlight was born. I feel lucky that I didn’t have to make any sacrifices in order to follow my passions, as my career gave me lots of flexibility with my time. And now that I am semi-retired, I continue to have that same flexibility.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I don’t really have a ritual per se. I just sit quietly and let the images and thoughts in my mind coalesce and then I start writing down what I see and hear, even if it doesn’t make any sense. (I think all the years of recording my dreams has helped me with this, as dreams often don’t make any sense at first and it is only after having them interpreted does the story become clear.) So I have learned to let the jumbled thoughts and pictures in my brain marinate until I have time to return and edit the material.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
Computer always!
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Only 5????? Gosh, I have so many favorites! Okay I’ll give it a try.
Favorite Books:
The Walking People by Paula Underwood
Thou Shalt Not Be Aware by Alice Miller
Daughter of Fire by Irina Tweedie
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Return of the Bird Tribes by Ken Carey
Favorite Authors:
Marion Woodman
Augusta Trobaugh
John Grisham
Leo Tolstoy
Alice Howell
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I guess I’m lucky as I haven’t experienced any significant writer’s block yet – probably because I only sit down to write when I already have lots of ideas and images jotted down on scrap paper. If I get stuck, I just leave my computer and go do something else. Usually when I return, I have come up with new ideas, etc. And once I start writing, things usually just start to flow – its really magical for me.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I think I would tell aspiring authors that the most important thing is to enjoy what you do. So if you enjoy writing, you should write, regardless of whether you publish anything. I would also say that publishing should be an act of joy, not a task.
Thank you, author Martone, for your honest and insightful answers!
About the Book
Victorian Songlight: The Birthings Of Magic & Mystery
The birth of a magical child at the time of the Devil Moon sets the stage for heartache and misery, magic and supernatural love. Beset by unrelenting obstacles and bestowed with remarkable psychic gifts, Kate is often accompanied by fantastical black ravens who carry her through time and space. A well known legend in the Ozark Mountain countryside where Kate lives, Grandfather is a ghost with large golden eyes who frequently rides on the back of Pegasus, another Ozarkian legend. Victorian Songlight is a tale of redemption and renewal, death and rebirth, triumph over darkness. But most importantly, it is a love story. Alone and utterly forsaken, adrift on treacherous waters, Kate meets Grandfather for the second time in her life and they become lovers fulfilling a prophecy at the moment of her birth.
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 ofThe Grand Game (Dark Creatures #2),Tim Aherns, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Tim Ahrens has been writing for more than forty years, and he is especially passionate about character creation. He has worked on a number of short stories and novels and has frequently collaborated with other writers. Dark Creatures: The Grand Game is his third book; his first was The Salvation of Tanlegalle with a foreword by Piers Anthony, followed by Dark Creatures: A Simple Game. Find more at www.thedarkcreatures.com.
You can connect with author Tim Aherns here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Hello, my name is Tim Ahrens and I have been writing or involved with writing since I turned 14 years old. I got started writing short stories and novels mainly because of one of my best friends. His name was Tim Atkinson. He got me hooked on a little-known game at the time called Dungeons & Dragons. As it turned out I would end up game mastering our group more than playing. In fact, the players loved the games I concocted so much that many of them, including Tim, pushed me to start writing my ideas down for future stories. This is how I started down the long path of a writer. I soon began incorporating my fantasy stories with my other passion: horror. I’d been in love with horror since I was ten. I used to sit with my father every Friday and Saturday night and watch horror movies with him. It was one of the tings that brought me closer to him. He started me off with the classic Universal monster movies. Then TV series like Kolchak: The Night Stalker, The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and One Step Beyond. To this day I still feel a pang of sadness for the Frankenstein monster, or Lawrence Talbot’s curse to become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the moon is full and bright.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The Dark Creatures series is a multi-level story. The first level is that of the ancient forgotten Gods that have been cast out of our reality and into a realm where they are forced to wait until the end of creation. In order to alleviate the boredom of eternal life they have been granted the power to play a Game they have dubbed Dark Creatures. In this game two Gods face off against one another in a god versus evil scenario. They are allowed to chose two mortals who have little or no connection with current history and use them as pawns. While they play an amphitheater full of Gods waiting their turn to play cheer, boo or bet on the outcome.
The second level deals with the human pawns chosen for the game. William J. Donovan and Doug Pimpkin have no idea that the events that are unfolding around them will alter their world forever.
The third level is that of the actual living world known to its inhabitants as the world of Dark Creatures. This is a dark world where every nightmare or horrifying creature you can ever dream up lives and roams. Humans also exist in this dark world, but they are in the minority. Into this world William and Doug create their own pawns, bringing to life their own avatars so that an even more complex game can be brought to life for all to enjoy. DarkCreatures: A Simple Game and Dark Creatures: The Grand Game follow these motley entities as they try to stop what was supposed to be a simple game of pawn against pawn from spiraling out of control and threating the very existence of the universe itself.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
Stop every once in a while and look up from your busy lives at the world around you. You never know what or who may be watching you as you watch them.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
I love all of the characters in my books. All of them have a life and a flavor all their own. But if pressed for an answer I would have to say Llica Travilan. Why? Well, I get to write songs for her to sing. She’s a quick-tempered, good-hearted bard who loves Augury with all of her heart. She faces life with an adventurous gusto yet is never too busy to stop and play with a child or teach a dark-hearted individual manners. She’s just fun to write.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Believe it or not, I got the motivation to write the Dark Creatures Series from an anime I was watching at the time called Berserk. It’s about a swordsman who wanders a very dark world in search of his mortal enemy. After listening to the music along with the anime I suddenly began to see my story forming in my mind.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took about a year to write The Grand Game. I had to keep starting and stopping because I have a full-time job that keeps the roof over my head lol.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I’d love to say that I’d be a full-time writer with a fan base and enough of a following that I can do this full-time. But until that happens I will continue to create the world of Dark Creatures and hold down my full-time job.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Yes, Book Three in the series, called Dark Creatures: Worlds Without End. I hope to have it done sometime near the end of 2023.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I love the fusion of horror and fantasy, or dark fantasy, as it’s called. I can and have written short stories in sci-fi and modern settings, as well as Westerns and Gothic settings. Dark Creatures just happened to be set in a dark fantasy setting.
When did you decided to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
As I said above, I started writing when I was about fourteen. And I have to say, yes, it’s been easy to follow this passion because I can move it at my own pace. As far as sacrifices go, I really didn’t have to make many. I loved to dream and when I wrote I dreamed in 3D. Beside friends pushing me into spending the money to get published as well as giving me their endless goodwill when I flooded them with questions, like Is this any good? What do you think? Do you like this?
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I sit down and get my bearing after I return home from work for about half an hour. Then I pour myself a cup of coffee, turn on my computer, and put on the soundtrack music that is most appropriate to the scene I am working on. Then I just begin to write, and the world opens up before me in my mind. Sometimes I only write for an hour. Sometimes for half the night. It all depends on how that world flows out before me.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I use a computer. Without Word my poor editor might pull their hair out lol.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Steven King’s Firestarter. Pers Anthony’s The Blue Adept. Elaine Cunningham’s Daughter of the Drow. Robert A. Heinlein’s Friday. And Brian Stableford’s The Werewolves of London.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I take long walks. Try to clear my head. Listen to music. Take a nap 🙂
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Never give up. All you need is time to hone your craft. Also, never throw anything away!! You never know when you might need that page!
Thank you, author Tim Aherns, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Grand Game
A Grand Game of Dark Creatures has Begun! Three new Gods join the Janus’s in the madness that has become a Grand Game of Dark Creatures. Circe, Goddess of magic, Apophis, God of chaos, and I Am, Eder God of nightmares, add their human pawns to the game table that has become Millten, Wisconsin. In turn two more souls join William J. Donovan and Doug Pimpkin, the Gods’ human pawns, as all are forced to craft slaves of their own with in the very fabric of yet another world. A world of real fantasy and nightmares. The true world of Dark Creatures. What role will Augury Pars and Llica Travilan play? What other horrors may they encounter as they strive to survive as they do the bidding of their human masters? Does the town of Millten, it’s people, as well as the whole of creation, still rest on in their hands? Or is there another force at work that may tip the balance of power and doom all the worlds to darkness?
Come read, enjoy, participate in the greatest of all role playing games! Welcome to Dark Creatures: The Grand Game!
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 ofThe Infernal Games (Book One of the Baku Trilogy),Reed Logan Westgate, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Reed Logan Westgate was born in Sanford, Maine and attended college in Dover, New Hampshire where he studied Accounting and Finance. He currently works for a non-profit social service agency in the finance department. He married his dream girl whom he met in grade school. They have a loving family with two beautiful daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys tabletop gaming, roleplaying games, and fishing. Learn more at .
You can connect with author Reed Logan Westgate here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I was born and raised in Sanford, Maine, where I still reside today. Growing up was tough for me. I was bullied and teased relentlessly because of my weight. High school was a daily exercise in torment for me because I had very few friends and there was a plethora of mean-spirited kids. I had always wanted to be a writer and had planned on going to college for creative writing on graduation. Life didn’t really go as planned. Instead, I got my degree in accounting, settled down, and did what was expected of me. I worked decent jobs, bought a house, had two beautiful children. From all traditional measures I should have been happy. I wasn’t.
Then one day, while giving my oldest daughter a lecture about having the courage to chase her dreams instead of chasing a paycheck, she hit me with the “What about you?” It was a gut punch. Twenty years had passed since I graduated, and I had never truly given any effort to realizing my dream. In a large part, it was self-doubt. If I never tried, then I could never fail. The dream would always exist out there in the nebulous place we call “someday”. That moment was my someday, and I spent the next year working on The Infernal Games. Writing again, with purpose, was like finding that piece of me that was left behind as a child. The wonder and awe, the ability to build a world and share it—I had forgotten how much I truly enjoyed being a storyteller.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The Infernal Games is set in our world, where magic has been kept from the world at large by the Grand Enchantment: a powerful spell attributed to the Druids that creates the Mist, a dense fog that clouds the mind and conceals magic. The characters and setting imagine a world where all magic, all the gods, all the religions are real. They have just been concealed. This creates an underground society steeped in magic, from the Brother’s Three who sell information and black-market spell components in the farmer’s market to the nightclub operated by the Fae. Magic lurks everywhere in the world around us, just waiting to be discovered.
The central protagonist, Xlina, is the descendant of the Baku legend. A mythical creature from Japanese lore which consumes dreams. She is cursed to experience nightmares every night, but due to her father being a Druid her body can store nightmare energy giving her powerful magic. She struggles with isolation because of her gifts. In her darkest hour, when she is most vulnerable, a demon chooses her to be used as a weapon against a rival demon. This puts Xlina on a whirlwind collision course with all things supernatural, as she struggles to survive long enough to save her soul.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
The central theme of the series is the power of choice. With free will comes the power for each of us to choose, but for there to truly be free will, people must be allowed to make their own choices. Even if that means they make bad choices. Thus enters Oxivius, the lamia necromancer. He is a practitioner of the dark arts, a cannibal, literally everything Xlina was taught is evil in the world. He soon turns her preconceptions of good and evil on their head. Oxivius shows Xlina that despite her being marked by a demon and being condemned, the power to choose is still hers. That intent is everything. Xlina could choose to ignore her dreams and pursue a normal life. Oxivius must choose whether he is the monster everyone thinks he is or the man he knows himself to be. Even Amber comes to see that her life’s direction directly results from choosing between the role she has been expected to play and who she really is.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
This is a tough question because I feel like a proud father. I love all the characters. Each of them grows and changes. Each of them, with the help of the others, realizes their full potential. At the end of the day, Amber Sedgewick is one of my favorite characters. She originally started as an embodiment of the mean girl trope to act as a foil for Xlina on the human side of her life. I wanted to give Xlina conflicts that were more than magic and monsters. The one thing I had a load of experience in was having a school bully, after all. The original intent was for Amber to die pretty early on in the book, a tragic result of the magical world spilling into the mundane and something that would continually haunt Xlina. Emma, my oldest daughter, simply wouldn’t have it. She fell in love with the character and the dynamic between her and Xlina. Thus, Amber went from being a trope to one of the central characters of the series.
Amber’s evolution over the series is fun because she is suddenly thrust into the world of magic. When the illusion of her world shatters, she realizes that she is merely living the life she is expected to live, that much of what she has done and who she is as a person is a result of expectations placed on her by her father. She evolves from the mean girl trope to a complex character, with her own flaws and motivations.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
In youth, I had always envisioned myself writing fantasy. Sword- and sorcery-type swashbuckling adventures were my favorite reads. When I sat down to write The Infernal Games, I knew I needed to try something different. I had been watching Supernatural and had really loved the magic and monsters in the modern setting. I set out to read as many urban fantasy books as possible in a short time. I found a staggering breadth of styles and genres.
The only things I was certain of was that I wanted to stay away from vampires as the market felt heavily saturated. Instead, I went searching for more obscure lore and legend. That lead me to the Baku. I fell in love with the concept of a character with those abilities and Xlina began to take form.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took just under a year to write The Infernal Games. I spent a lot of time in editing purgatory. Revision after revision, trying to make it perfect. I spent a lot of time kicking things back and forth with the editor until finally I felt it was ready to be shared with the world.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Writing has been a journey of rediscovery for me. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is what makes me happy. If I could write for a living, then I would never have a day of “work” again in my life. The accountant in me, however, screams practical thoughts and goals.
My plan is to retire from the day-to-day work to be a full-time author by the age of 50 (a statement I have made to my employer as well). That gives me nine more years to build a following. My goal is to publish two books a year continuing with the world I have created. I am not looking to win any awards or be some literary giant, rather I would like to entertain as many people as possible.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am currently working on the Soulstealer Trilogy, which will go back and explore Oxivius’s origin story. The first book, Soulstealer Origins, is scheduled for release on November 1, 2022. It seems like a short window since I just released the final book in the Baku Trilogy on June 1, but I have been working on this backstory for two years. Oxivius has had his origin story fully fleshed out since I started generating the characters for The Infernal Games.
After I finish the Soulstealer trilogy, I plan on returning to the future and doing a subsequent trilogy which will pick up right after the end of the Baku Trilogy. Xlina and Amber have changed the world and I am eager to explore what that means.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
There is a certain draw of modern day fused with lore and legend. I love being able to pull apart monsters and magic from long ago and really bring them to life in the modern setting. I think there is a relatable element when mixing modern technology with magic. With that said, I do have story ideas for an immersive fantasy series and a dystopian sci-fi, but for the moment I am content still exploring this urban fantasy world I have created.
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 have always enjoyed telling stories. My second-grade teacher helped me bind the first story I wrote into a little book, and I remember being so proud of what I had done. I attribute my love of books and reading to my Grandmother Rosie. She was a Polish immigrant, who never got the privilege of going to school or receiving an education. As an adult, it was something she placed so much value on. I never really understood that as a kid. She bought us Hooked on Phonics, and while my siblings were in school; she worked with us every day on reading and writing. At the time, I thought it was so unfair. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized the amazing gift she had given me. I entered kindergarten reading and writing. By the time I was in third grade, I was reading well above my grade level. It culminated in the first time I got in real trouble in school when I refused to read the class-assigned book.
As I got older, the bullying started and I found my escape in the pages of books. A book could take me anywhere. I could be anything. Most importantly, it was an escape from the one thing everyone around me seemed to dislike: me. Soon, reading wasn’t enough. I began crafting my own stories and my own worlds. By the time I entered high school I knew writing was my passion. I knew I wanted to share my worlds with other people, but time has a way of dulling our passions. I remember stopping. I remember the day I quit on the manuscript I was working on that I was certain would be my big break. My college ambitions had fizzled. My parents thought a degree in creative writing was a waste of money. My only friend in the world joined the military and left for boot camp. It was time for me to “grow up” and join the working world. I started at a printing company, in perhaps the most soul-sucking, boring job of my life. Shortly after, I decided factory life wasn’t for me and tried going to college on my own. I was accepted into a two-year school, for the accounting program, and I took my first steps on a road that would leave my passion dormant for the next twenty years of my life.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I still have a lot of responsibilities and a full-time job. I can’t complain as I have found more than my fair share of success. This means, however, that my writing is done at night and on weekends. I tend to devote large blocks on either Saturday or Sunday for writing. I turn on some background music and just let the magic happen. I spend a lot of time on my commute thinking about what I want to write or what is happening in the next chapter so that when the weekend comes, I am prepared to bring all those musings to life.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I prefer my desktop; it’s just more comfortable for me. I tried a laptop and felt too cramped. I tried dictation, but my Maine accent is brutal for voice recognition. I also find I don’t speak like I write, so anything dictated tends to need serious editing.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
My all-time favorite author is R. A. Salvatore. I think he is the master of cinematic fight scenes. Picking one of his books to stand out as a favorite is near impossible. From his popular Forgotten Realms books to his DemonWars Saga, Salvatore has time and time again shown he can make loveable characters and memorable books that not just last as fond memories, but also change you as a reader. Following that I really enjoyed Daughter of the Drow by Elaine Cunningham, so much in fact that my second daughter is named after the main character.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I stop writing. I find anything else to do. Go to the mall, go to the beach, anything. Writer’s block for me is a sign that I have spent too much time at the keyboard and not enough time out in the world. After an afternoon out and about, I usually find myself full of ideas. It could be for a character or a simple conversation, but the world around us is our inspiration. So when you are stuck, go immerse yourself in the wider world. Look at the stories playing out around you every day and before you know it, a quirk, a comment, or a moment becomes all the fuel you need.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t stop. The worst voice of all is the one in our heads telling us we are not good enough. That’s the secret, after all. We really don’t care what some stranger who says mean things to us thinks. After all, we might never even see them again. The reason their words hurt is often because they are affirming something negative we have said about ourselves with that little voice in our head.
When some stranger says “Your writing is terrible,” the pain comes not in the stranger’s words, but in how many times that little voice inside has said the same thing. It affirms our own internal narrative. So, change the narrative. Flip the script. You can do this. You can finish. Your story might not be everyone’s favorite, but it will be someone’s favorite. If you stop now, that someone will never get to experience your world, your characters.
We all need a world to escape to when this one becomes too much. Don’t let self-doubt take that escape away.
Thank you, author Reed Logan Westgate, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Infernal Games
The world you know is a lie… It’s not that you have been duped, rather you are simply asleep. You didn’t ask for it; the forces of heaven and hell have kept you in a slumbering stupor. All around you, the awakened exist. Those individuals who know magic is real. Xlina’s move to Portland, Maine, was supposed to be the start of a new life. A second chance. One that didn’t involve her magical-duty-obsessed druid father or her own legacy as a descendant of the Baku: an ancient creature that consumes nightmares. But when her court assigned social worker turns out to be a demon, Xlina finds herself drawn into a deadly game of survival with the stakes being her immortal soul. If she can survive the Infernal Game, maybe she can redeem her enslaved soul. But survival means allying with the enigmatic necromancer Oxivius, who urges her to embrace her power instead of running from it. Steeped in the Dark Arts, Oxivius represents everything she has ever been told about evil. Will he be the key to her salvation or the road to eternal damnation?
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 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
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.
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 Michelle Bennington, author of Devil’s Kiss, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Born and raised in the beautiful Bluegrass state of Kentucky, Michelle Bennington developed a passion for books early on that has progressed into a mild hoarding situation and an ever-growing to-read pile. She delights in spinning mysteries and histories. Find out more on her website: http://www.michellebennington.com and follow her on her social media profiles.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I was born to a blue collar family of construction workers, farmers, and factory workers. I was one of the few people in my family to go college. I’ve always loved books and since the age of 13 wanted to be a writer. But when I was younger, in the place I lived and in a pre-Google era, there weren’t many resources to guide and facilitate my growth in writing. Later, once I got to college, I was introduced to world of writing workshops, craft courses, and a host of other resources, which vastly improved and honed my craft. Since then, I’ve published a few short stories and poems, but writing books was always the primary goal. Now I’m aiming for other goals within the industry. When I’m not writing, I hold down a full-time job. And when I’m not working (which is rare these days), I enjoy crocheting, painting, dancing, reading, ghost tours, distillery tours, traveling, and hanging out with my family.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
I really wanted to write a book that featured Kentucky in a positive light. That was incredibly important to me. Also, I named my character Rook after my grandmother’s favorite card game, Rook. So I wove a few real-life things into the book.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I don’t really have a message planted in the book, but I suppose, if there’s a takeaway, it could be summed up in one word: Resiliency. My characters go through things, horrible things, but they remain hopeful and resilient.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
I think my favorite character is Prim. She’s a sassy grandmother who has seen hard times and though she’s petite and delicate-looking, she’s tough, wise, and takes no guff.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
The book concept first began with a half-baked idea about an amateur sleuth who is also a part-time college instructor. I happened to also be a part-time college instructor at the time. While I was generating ideas around that, my husband and I attended a ghost tour at the Buffalo Trace bourbon distillery. Because Buffalo Trace has a long history, there are a few places on the property that seemed a little spooky to me—especially at night on a ghost tour. That gave me the idea of a murder mystery taking place at a distillery. Then not long after that, I read an article about the Pappy VanWinkle heist, which was a BIG deal in the bourbon industry because Pappy is a rare 15-25 year old bourbon and is quite expensive. Then the ideas began swirling and soon the plot for Devil’s Kiss was born!
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
From conception to publication, it took me about four years total. The actual writing and completion of the manuscript was two years. Then, because I really wanted to do the traditional route first, it took another two years to find an agent and publisher. Once I landed the publishing contract in January 2020, I had to wait an excruciating 18 months! Taking the traditional path to publication has definitely put my patience to the test. But that’s a character flaw in myself that I needed to work on anyway.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I have a long list of books I want to write and publish. A few are already written and need revision or rewriting; a few are partially written and need completion; and many are just idea-seeds right now. I want to be a full-time writer. I want to write in a few genres (historical, mystery, romance, fantasy, paranormal). While I enjoy writing the fun stuff like cozy mysteries (and I have no intention of quitting those), I do want to write some upmarket books and serious historical fiction, too. I want to grow my YouTube channel and start a podcast, teach some writing workshops, sit on conference panels, maybe even start up my own indie press. I want to finish the screenplay I’ve started and I would love to have any of my stories picked up for movie / TV production. That’s where I see my next five years. Will all that happen? Who knows? I’ve always operated with the notion of “Dream Big, Work Hard, and See What Happens.” But I go into my plans knowing that I won’t get everything I want, work for, and dream for. I might get a much smaller version of what I hoped for. And that’s okay. Of course I get disappointed when things don’t go as I expected or when I worked really hard for something that doesn’t come to fruition. I accept that it wasn’t meant for me and move on. I try not to dwell too long on disappointments because it’s a waste of time. I just get right back to work.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am working on a lot of things presently. When I signed Devil’s Kiss with Level Best Books, they gave me a three book deal. So, I’ve already written the second book (Mermaid Cove, slated for release in 2023) and will soon begin plotting the third book, Unbridled Spirits (2024). This week I signed another 3-book deal with Level Best Books for a historical mystery series set in 1803 England. The first book, Widow’s Blush, is due to release October 2023, with books 2 and 3 coming out in 2024 and 2025, respectively. I’m also currently working on a Southern gothic cozy mystery, called Dumpster Dying, that I intend to self-publish by October 2022. In addition, I’ve started the rough draft for a historical fiction based on a true crime. I have no idea how long it will take me to write that manuscript because I want it to be upmarket, closer to literary fiction. However, I do anticipate that it will be a 2-3 book series because it involves a ton of characters. I also have begun writing a screenplay, but since I know nothing about writing a screenplay, I’m having to educate myself as I go. And lastly, I have two completed manuscripts—a romance and a historical fiction—that need to be revised. My plan is to start revising one of those once I’ve completed Dumpster Dying. The romance I plan to self-publish and the historical fiction I would like to see traditionally published. But we’ll see what happens there.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
Well, the very first book I wrote was a romance. Honestly, I chose that because I thought it would be easier and therefore I could use it as a means of training myself how to write a novel. One of those statements is true. I did, in fact, learn a ton about writing a novel, but it was not easier to write a romance. The romance genre doesn’t get enough credit, I think. It’s really hard to grow a believable love relationship between two characters and keep that thread running through a whole book. But I didn’t like writing love scenes. It’s one thing to read them, but writing them felt awkward for me. So I thought, “Why am I not writing mysteries?! I love mysteries, thrillers, forensics, true crime books, shows, and movies.” It was a simultaneous lightbulb and “DUH!” moment. Because I love historicals, I paired that with a mystery and came up with Widow’s Blush and later wrote Devil’s Kiss. Right now mystery and its subgenres are my primary focus, but I do eventually want to branch into romance, fantasy, and historical fiction.
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?
My writing journey was a long, circuitous route. I began dreaming of being a writer when I was 13 after reading an Edgar Allan Poe anthology. I fell in love with his writing and wanted to impact others the way his writing impacted me. I fashioned a journal for myself and began writing. I wrote a lot of really bad poetry imitating his style. Then in high school my English teacher praised a passage I wrote for a creative writing assignment—and read it in front of the whole class as I blushed and sank lower and lower in my chair. Afterward, everyone sat quiet, looking at me as if seeing me for the first time (many of them probably were seeing me for the first time). It was embarrassing and exhilarating at the same time and something sparked for me that day (I’m ever grateful to Mr. Campbell!). But my road to writing was not an easy one. I grew up in an environment that left me with little or no self-esteem or confidence and some mental health issues. I thought, “That’s a dream for other people, not for a small-town girl from Kentucky.” Add to this that I didn’t have much in the way of resources: computers, internet, books, writing groups, etc. that help so many people develop and hone their writing skills. I tried off and on for years to write and publish, but it always felt like I was in the dark, that I didn’t know what I was doing.
Through college, even though I continued to receive praise, minor publication, and even small awards for my writing, I was far too shy and reticent to share my dream with anyone or to try to find someone to help me hone my skills. It still felt out of reach. I decided to go into teaching instead. I did that for a while, but writing was always in the back of mind. I thought if I was a teacher then I could write during the summer months. But I was not very happy in teaching and left that. Then several years ago I came to two conclusions: first, I’m not getting any younger and second, I want to die with as few regrets as possible. And I knew that I would regret never chasing my dream of being a published writer. I was already regretting putting it off as long as I had, that I had let so many years slip by. So I went and found as many books about the craft of writing that I could find and began reading. I read as much fiction as I could find. I took all the writing workshops I could find and afford. I had to overcome perfectionism. I pushed myself to try to get published and was repeatedly rejected. At first, it stung, but I knew I needed the rejection to make myself better. I got all the feedback from anyone who would give it. Again, sometimes it stung, but I knew that I needed it to produce better writing. My confidence began to grow (my husband was crucial in the growth of my confidence and self-esteem). My biggest hurdle was completing that first novel. But once I did that, it was like the universe opened up to me, as if I had deciphered a secret code. And long story short, I just kept pushing. Resilience. I guess my story always comes back to resilience.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I wish I had the time to develop a ritual. I don’t have one. These days, I write when I have the time. Even if I have only five minutes to write a few lines or a paragraph then I consider myself that much further ahead. I write on road trips when I’m the passenger. I have an adapter that plugs into my laptop and the car cigarette lighter. I write on lunch break and after work. I write on weekends, vacations, and holidays. I write when I’m in the airport on a layover. I have written in hospital waiting rooms. I plot and plan stories while driving or in the gym or in the shower. I don’t mean to make it sound like I never stop. Of course, I do. But if I’m on a vacation or visiting family, I get up earlier than everyone else anyway. So, I make myself a cup of coffee, crack open the laptop, and write until I’m interrupted. That’s maybe a whole hour of time where I can easily get 2-4 pages written. That’s a good chunk. If I’m lucky enough to be in a mental flow where the words are pouring out, but I have to stop, I make a few notes on the page of what I want to say next so I’m ready to go when I come back next time. I’m hybrid plotter-pantser. I always sketch out where I want my story to go before I begin writing. However, I usually go off course about half way through the book because better ideas always crop up once I’m in the thick of it. And that’s okay. I just see where it takes me. So far, with every book I’ve written I complete the whole rough draft before I go back and edit/revise. But then that leaves all the revision work at the end and I’m not keen on revision; it can be so tedious. It’s the part that takes the longest. I would like to train myself to revise the previous day’s material before continuing on. I know of many writers who do that, but I’m not sure if or how that would benefit me or if I would like that method. I might try it for my next book.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
Computer, definitely.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Five favorite books? Oh, gosh. That’s like choosing my favorite ice cream, so I’ll go with authors: Jane Austen, Daphne DuMaurier, Pablo Neruda, Mary Oliver, CS Harris—It just doesn’t seem fair that I can only name five! There are so many!
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I used to struggle with writer’s block a lot when I was younger. And then I read or heard somewhere that writer’s block is a result of not knowing where you’re going with the story. That’s when I started to plot out my stories and that has helped so much. Another thing that has helped is that I usually work on 2 or more books at a time. That way, if I’m not connecting with one book, I can go work on another. If I’m blocked on that one, too, then I’m probably just tired and need a break. So I go do something else for a while. Baking, crocheting, painting, reading, bubble baths, walking or swimming usually help me loosen up my mind.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
In the beginning of your journey, read all the books on the writing craft that you can find, join a writing group, connect with a mentor, and take writing courses. There are many online and community-based groups and programs that are low cost or free. Writing groups, especially the in-person variety, give you a safe place to fail. And you need to fail. It sounds contradictory, but failure is actually a good thing if you learn from it, grow from it, use it to improve your work, and as long as you don’t let failure intimidate you. You have to keep trying. Some writers get rejected dozens of times before getting accepted.
You’re not a writer unless you’re writing. Get in the seat and start writing. Even though I don’t have a ritual right now, in the beginning I did. I tried writing first thing in the morning. I made myself write every day, even if all I wrote was a single sentence. I kept doing those things until I developed the discipline.
Understand why you want to write. If it’s to get rich or famous, you will very likely be gravely disappointed. You have to love the work for the sake of the work. Most writers work other jobs.
Read everything you can get your hands on—especially in the genre you want to write in—but books outside your genre will help your writing, too.
Everything you write is NOT gold. Edit and revise without mercy.
Let the first draft be junk. It’s called first draft for a reason and that’s what revision is for. Just get it written.
For the beginning writer, find different authors you like and imitate their writing style when you write. It will help you find and develop your unique voice.
For those hoping to go pro: When you submit to an agent or publisher, thoroughly read and follow the submission guidelines. And do your research. Understand how to write query letters and what genres the agent/publisher represents, etc.
If you’re serious about writing find an excellent critique partner who will tell you the truth about your writing—not what you want to hear but what you need to hear. They are rare, but invaluable.
Thank you, author Michelle, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Devil’s Kiss
Rook Campbell is broke, divorced, jobless, and in desperate need of steady employment, which is hard to come by in the small town of Rothdale, Kentucky. With the help of her friend and neighbor Bryan, she lands a good job at the Four Wild Horses Distillery and meets an attractive co-worker with lots of dating potential. Her life is finally headed in the right direction until a co-worker dies under suspicious circumstances and a shipment of rare small-batch bourbon goes missing. Worse, her personal life begins to unravel as her beloved grandmother falls ill. Normally she can depend on her ex, Cam, for help, but his new fiancée’s jealousy is getting in the way. As the body count rises, Rook becomes ensnared in discovering who’s committing the crimes—or she might be the next to die.
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 author of The Past We Step Into, Richard Scharine, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Richard Scharine is from rural Wisconsin. A professor emeritus in the University of Utah theatre department, his honors include University Professor, University Diversity Award, and College of Fine Arts Excellence Award. Dr. Scharine has published two scholarly books, five book chapters, and many articles. A Fulbright Senior Lecturer at the University of Gdansk in Poland, he has directed a hundred plays and acted in seven foreign countries, including the title role in Oedipus at Colonus in Athens, Greece. The smartest thing he did was to marry Marilyn Hunt Scharine.
You can connect with author Scharine here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I attended a one-room grade school. Disadvantages: No plumbing or indoor bathrooms. Having to work to the nearest farm with a bucket for water. Advantages: Taking 8th grade eight times if you paid attention. (Seven in my case because I skipped a grade.) Going to the library meant only walking to the back of the room.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
In eleven of the twelve stories a woman gives advice to a man—almost always the character based on the author. Sometimes she shares with him. Sometimes she blames him. The title, The Past We Step Into, was taken from Amanda Gorman’s inauguration poem.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
We’re aware of most of what happens in our lives, but it may take a long time before we recognize its importance. (I call it “the unawareness factor.”)
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Lynne, the wife of the narrator, appears in ten of the twelve stories. Two are told entirely from her viewpoint: In “Hiroshima 1964” she has a miscarriage, and in “Yemaja” she is diagnosed with a fatal disease. (Believe me, that is not the most important thing in the story.)
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I didn’t even know I was writing a book until I wrote the 12th story, “Danton on the Kaw.” At that point I realized I had written a cycle of stories about the same set of characters, set from the 1940s to the early 21st century, but with a gap from 1964 to 1977. The events of “Danton on the Kaw” happened in 1970.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I’m an academic and I’d written two books and a score of articles and reviews in that genre, but I didn’t begin to write “fiction” until my sister died in 2006. She was the last of my family from that generation (including my wife), and as my academic career slowed down I began investing the richness of their characters in situations where they didn’t always find themselves in real life.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Given my age, my ashes will probably be found at the base of the tree that Westminster College planted by the Arts Building in honor of my wife. If I survive (given my age), I have a lot of stories yet to tell, courses yet to teach, and on-stage roles yet to play.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Right now I’m working on a story called “Harvest,” which centers on a nine-year-old Wisconsin boy taking part in his first grain harvest in 1947, but the characters who shape his life are a cousin (who never appears) with almost God-like abilities and a hired man with a dark past. “Harvest” will also be the title of the book, if Atmosphere Press is willing to include a number of other stories I’ve written.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
Children always make up stories. Mine were initially based upon 15 or 30 minute radio programs (Superman, Tom Mix, The Lone Ranger, etc.). My father, who had to go to work in the 6th grade, always had magazines and books around the house. My favorite was Collier’s, especially the single-page science fiction stories by Ray Bradbury—many of which I still remember today. As a literary historian, I fell into the habit of teaching history through stories (80 minutes of stand-up).
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?
Beats me! Following army service, I discovered theatre in my second junior year of college. After a Berlin Wall-based call-up was over, I was accepted into graduate school solely because in those pre-feminist days my wife had been accepted and they felt they hadto take me. Sixteen years later, I had directed 45 plays and the University of Utah hired me strictly as a classroom teacher. I’ve acted in seven foreign countries—always with an academic group—and I believe the connection between acting/directing and writing fiction is imagination. I always see pictures and hear dialogue when I write.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I don’t sit down until I have something to say (or a deadline). Even then I put it off as long as possible. It’s mid-afternoon before I touch the laptop and I’m there until the early hours of the morning. I don’t work from handwritten notes unless the story has a particular routine and time period to cover, e.g. a summer of riots and rehearsals in “Danton on the Kaw,” or a farm to farm grain harvest in “Harvest.”
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
The great thing about a laptop computer is the ability to start over again, and to save something that isn’t right at this moment, but may be useful some other place in the manuscript. You young whipper-snappers have no idea what it was like to write before the days of saved documents and copy machines. Imagine a 1964 graduate thesis written on a typewriter using four carbons to make five copies.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
I’ll stick to Americans and also eliminate playwrights. As a child of the ’30s I was first introduced to Sinclair Lewis and John Steinbeck. I read every word Thomas Wolfe ever wrote. (Thank God he died before he was 38.) Look Homeward, Angel is the most nourishing book I ever read, in that when we were breaking bivouac during a War Games exercise, somebody threw my copy into the egg crate of a mess truck. I also read nearly every book John Updike wrote, Kurt Vonnegut going back to when he wrote for Collier’s, and twenty years of short stories in The New Yorker. Alice Munro is almost exactly seven years older than I am, and should she go first, I am planning a Mr. Spock Vulcan mind-meld to get inside her brain. That girl can really mess with time!
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I know what I did, but I wouldn’t recommend it. At the beginning of 2020 I had stopped writing. “Danton on the Kaw,” the last and longest story of The Past We Step Into (located in the exact middle of the book), was fifty years in the making, based on the Vietnam War protests and Civil Rights riots in Lawrence and at the University of Kansas, where I was working on a PhD in the summer of 1970. I saw no way of dealing with it. Then I was diagnosed with cancer, and then the chemotherapy didn’t work. The answer, eventually, was Imbruvica, but before that was available I experienced some colorful hallucinations, the best of which I wrote as a short story which I hope Atmosphere Press will consider for my next book. When I got out of the hospital almost exactly two years ago, I couldn’t walk but my mind was clear and, thanks to the pandemic, no one could go anywhere anyway. In the summer of 1970 I was obsessed with Georg Buchner’s 1835 revolutionary play, Danton’s Death. Danton was an actual hero of the French Revolution, until it occurred to him that the only way of continuing the revolution was to kill more and more people. At which point he “tuned in, turned on, and dropped out.” Shortly thereafter he was on the guillotine. Shortly after I was home, the protagonist of “Danton on the Kaw” was trying to produce Danton’s Death in the midst of an actual revolution, interacting and in one case, casting, actual participants in the revolution. As I’ve said, that story turned The Past We Step Into into a book. My methodology is not practical, but I can walk now.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
For heaven’s sake, write from your own experience. Already suffering from writer’s block in 2018, I took a college class with other hopeful writers. My young classmates, whose accumulated ages roughly approximated mine, lived in a world of sexual and economic threats, reasonable fears, uncertain futures, and about the same number of intriguing possibilities. And I never read so many cliches in my life. Look around you, I would have counseled. Of course, given my age, I didn’t have to “look around.” I looked back, and wrote “Saturday Night in front of the IGA, which became the first chapter in The Past We Step Into.
Thank you, author Scharine, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Past We Step Into
“Time is the school in which we learn
Time is the fire in which we burn.”
— Delmore Schwartz
A young couple finds themselves hip-deep in sex, social change, the Arts, Civil Rights, politics, warfare, and — ultimately — children, as they negotiate the paths of self-discovery spanning over fifty years and four continents.
In the twelve stories of Richard Scharine’s The Past We Step Into, we experience the America we remember, the America we want to forget, and the America we dream of achieving.
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 author of Jewbilly, Rick Rosenberg, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
At the ripe age of 9, Rick moved from the big city to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, aka the “Secret City.” It was around then he had his first experience with the literary world, publishing a short story in Grit Magazine. Somehow surviving a fraught, pimple-filled adolescence, he attended the University of Tennessee/Knoxville where he earned a Bachelors in Communications. Since then, he’s lived in multiple cities and has managed to win accolades for copywriting and screenwriting. He has one child adopted from Vietnam. Jewbilly is his first novel.
You can connect with author Rosenberg here: Amazon Page
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
My first breath was taken when my mother birthed me onto the warm, wet leaves of the Borneo jungle. Although I couldn’t quite see yet, I sensed the wide, angry eyes of a proboscis monkey glaring at me. Ok, wait … that didn’t happen. How about this: I live an interesting dichotomy. For normal, everyday life events, I always show up early. Yet, for life’s big things, I’ve always been late. I was late to puberty. I got married later in life. I had a kid later in life. I wrote my first novel later in life. I’m also planning on showing up at death’s door as late as possible.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
Yosef is the main character, and most of the book is written from his POV. But there are several chapters in the third person narrative about his parents and grandparents. Young Yosef’s mostly unaware of their histories, and I felt it was important to show why his folks were the way they were. What happens is the reader starts to understand his parents and grandparents better than Yosef himself does.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
The only one, true religion is love.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Well, I guess it makes sense since he’s the main character, but Yosef is my fave, for sure. He’s so innocent, yet so self-centered, while being funny and impressionable. It was really fun to write him. He’s also somewhat close to who I was at that age.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
JEWBILLY is a highly fictionalized version of my life when I moved from the big city to a small town in Tennessee. I didn’t have to look far for inspiration since it’s based (very loosely) on what I experienced. Over the years, I’ve also been very affected by Neil Simon’s stories. I think JEWBILLY has a similar vibe to a lot of his work. Years back, I took a comedy writing course taught by his brother, Danny. I got to know him and he used to talk about Neil all the time. So there’s a bit of a personal connection there, as well.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
All in all, it probably took a year and a half. I had the basic story and most of mycharacters in my head before I began.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
JEWBILLY is my debut novel, but I am working on a new one. It’s a different genre, so it’s a whole new challenge. As far as 5 years from today, I’d like to still be eating, breathing, and cutting my fingernails when and where appropriate. On a larger scale, it’d be grand to make the transition from an advertising copywriter (my current gig) to a full time novelist … that gets paid! Guess we’ll see.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
My new novel is about a Chicago couple who’ve been trying to have a baby. When they finally make the decision to adopt from Vietnam, they travel there, and something unfathomable happens. Soon, they embark on a crazy, dangerous journey in a country they know virtually nothing about.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
For me, the concept chooses the genre. I have all types of ideas; sci-fi, thriller, comedy- drama – so whatever genre the idea fits best with is the one I go with. But I think JEWBILLY is proving to be a “genre-bender” of sorts. Yes, it’s a coming-of-age story, but it’s also a religious story, a family story, a love story; it’s even historical fiction. This is probably not smart from someone trying to make a living as an author, but I try not to pay too much attention to genres. I think it can be stifling. But that’s me. Also what’s been interesting is that the JEWBILLY audiences who seem to enjoy the book are varying. Several editorial reviewers have said it’s perfect for young teens. That’s fantastic, of course, but all my very positive reader reviews – so far, anyway – have come from adults.
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?
My father wrote short stories. Although I’m not aware of any specific point where I realized I wanted to write as well, for me, it started when I was 11. That was when I wrote my first short story. It was published in a very, very, very, small children’s newspaper called GRIT. Afterwards, I started making small films. Then I went back to short stories. I eventually made the decision to become an advertising copywriter. I’ve had a successful career writing and producing everything from print ads to TV commercials to online videos. I’ve also written several feature screenplays. If I’ve sacrificed anything, it’s been sleep! Since I’ve had a day job for years, I would get up at 5am to work on the novel or a screenplay, then commute to work where I actually got paid for writing. No complaints, though. I can sleep when I’m dead.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
These days, I like to write from about 9:30pm to 12:30 or so. The house and neighborhood are mostly quiet, and as long as I’m not too tired, I’m usually fairly productive. But there are some nights when I write a paragraph and that’s it. I don’t sweat it, though; the next day will be more.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I’m a Mac laptop guy, Microsoft Word. I also use a bulletin board with yellow sticky notes if I have a thought I want to tackle later.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
My favorite books are Lonesome Dove, A Confederacy of Dunces, Love Story, The Prince Of Tides and Rabbit, Run. Also, anything by Michener, John Irving.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Depends on how you define writer’s block. In a sense, I don’t get writer’s block, because I learned long ago that creating a full outline and extensive character bios – BEFORE writing – would keep writer’s block at bay. And it does for me. If I’m stuck on a chapter, I just move onto the next one – it’s right there in the outline so there’s no excuse. But if I get stumped earlier, ON my outline, then that’s block, I suppose. Outline block? And yes, that happens sometimes. The best cure for any kind of writer’s block is to step away from it. If you’re a creative person, the ideas will come.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Run. Fast. Hard. Now! JK. Depends on the level of writer. If you’ve literally never put pen to paper (finger to key?), then just start writing. Anything; journaling, blogging, cursing. Whatever works, whatever you need to get words out of your head and onto your Word doc. Some people just need to write that first novel. Do it! Don’t think too hard about it. Just write. If it sucks, so what. You wrote. If you continue, you’ll either get better, or eventually quit. Either is fine. There are two amazing books I recommend for aspiring writers: “Bird By Bird” by Anne Lamott, and Steven King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” Also, Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman have Masterclass courses that are brilliant.
Thank you, author Rosenberg, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Jewbilly
Jewbilly is a funny, heartwarming, coming-of-age story about the importance of family, spirituality (wherever a person might find it!), and how friendships can really bloom in the most unlikely of places. Get ready to experience culture clash like never before as a young Jewish boy’s life is uprooted and relocated to the South – sparking a journey of growth, adaptation, and dramatic change.Yosef Bamberger is a typical, 11-year-old Jewish kid in 1973 Brooklyn; scrawny, naive, and excited for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. He lives with his extended family, and a not-so-extended penis that won’t grow no matter what Yosef does. Still, he’s mostly a happy kid. Until the night of his 12th birthday party. When his father arrives late, Yosef’s world is shaken beyond comprehension; a real oy gevalt on the Richter scale. Apparently, his Dad just got a new job – in a small town in Tennessee. They’re moving. Like a gefilte fish out of water, Yosef now has to not only navigate a completely different world, but he also has to find a friend. At least one. And he does. A Southern Baptist, highly-freckled, miscreant named Calvin Macafee. With the help of his new companion, Yosef manages to balance two religions, while becoming involved in drugs, alcohol, sex, and a murder investigation – all in just under two years.
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 author of Sword & Sorcery: Frostfire, Ethan Avery, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Ethan Avery believes in the power of stories. As a child growing up in Ohio, they gave him a chance to see a bigger world, and to hear what life was like for people that didn’t look like him or believe what he did. And now years later, he hopes to do the same for others.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Hi, I’m Ethan Avery, author of the upcoming novel Sword and Sorcery: Frostfire, thanks for having me! I guess a bit about myself now is that I work between writing novels and movies, so it’s storytelling for me all the way! In addition to the book coming out this month, I also have some exciting potential Hollywood movie news, but I have to be hush-hush about it for now. I’ll probably make an announcement later on YouTube or Twitter. As far as an introduction goes, instead of giving a long and boring list of awards and accomplishments, I’ll just say that I’m a storyteller. I studied at The Ohio State University with a focus on both storytelling as well as the social aspect of politics. Things like why people believe what they believe in a theoretical sense, as opposed to the individual issues themselves. And that’s actually been an invaluable tool as a fantasy writer.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
Oooh, that’s a good one. I guess I’ll keep it spoiler-free. Sword and Sorcery is not only a fantasy adventure, but it’s written from multiple perspectives to really show the world through more than one person’s eyes. Primary socialization, which is a fancy term for how people learn about life in their youth, was one of my big points of study in college and that’s translated to helping me write the book, because the way you grow up truly does affect how you see the world.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
Oh my, another good one. Personally, I try to keep myself from influencing a reader’s experience by telling them what they should or shouldn’t learn. Sword and Sorcery will probably be a book that different people get something different from, and that’s no problem to me. In fact, I’d love to hear from readers when the book releases about what they feel it might have been about. And I’m always open to connect on Twitter!
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Uh-oh, that’s the kind of question that gets writers in trouble, and honestly, I know people think it’s the easy-way-out answer, but I truly can’t choose. From the main cast to the most seemingly-insignificant little side-characters, they all feel to me like the most important person in their own little world, and I try my best to write them as such. Real-life, I think, is similar in that way, in that most people view themselves like the main character of their story or video game, but we all share this space together. In that sense I guess life is less like a traditional RPG game and more like an MMO or giant D&D campaign!
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I was honestly obsessed with fantasy as a kid, and still am now, of course! I’ve read, watched and played pretty much every kind of fantasy story I could get my hands on. Perhaps it spoke to me because in fiction, and fantasy in particular, we get a chance to remove ourselves a bit from the biases of our own world and see the problems societies go through from a fresh, more objective perspective. And I think there’s a lot we can learn from that.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Sword and Sorcery was written over the course of about 15 years, so it’s been a blast crafting and building the world of the book, which is always one of my favorite parts of making fantasy stories!
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Whew, that’s a tough one, hopefully I’ll have written a few more novels.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am indeed. Other than the secret movie project, and another book in the Sword and Sorcery series, of course, I’m also beginning to develop another series, but it’s still very early in the creative process at the moment.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
Ah, perfect timing on that question. The series I’m starting to develop is a sci-fi universe, so I’m definitely a multi-genre kind of storyteller.
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?
It happened in several parts. I had a few poems published when I was like 14, and that gave me the confidence to be like, you know, maybe I can do this. But even though I was working on Sword and Sorcery then, I didn’t really have much direction in terms of how to pursue getting a novel published. So I wrote a bit here and there and kind of put the story off to the side. Fast forward a few years and I’m doing film and animation in college and learning screenwriting, which shares the basics of storycrafting with novel writing, but they both branch off in their own fun and interesting ways. And it was here I think I truly realized I’d become a storyteller. I had a college exam once worth a big portion of the grade for the class, and I skipped it to finish a story I was working on at the time. And I also remember a moment listening to Andrew Wyatt from Miike Snow, in the Ron Howard/Jay-Z Made in America documentary, where Andrew mentions that he once pictured himself going back to school and becoming a rich lawyer, and then he realized that if he did that, all he’d want to do once he got there was make music. Anywho, after skipping that college exam, I worked on a lot of film stuff for some years, and yes, there were some rough years but I did indeed survive, then when I had more time on my hands in 2020, due to the pandemic, unfortunately, I decided to dust off my old Sword and Sorcery notes and finally finish the story.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I do a lot of outlining, which is sort of ridiculous because most of the time I end up writing pretty spontaneously and going away from said outline. But when working in a world as big as the one in Sword and Sorcery, it’s nice to at least know what my plan was before I deviated to something else that I think is better.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
Desktop computer for sure. It’s gotta go there eventually anyway, so it’s easier to just start that way, though I still jot down scenes or notes on my phone or notebook when I’m away from my pc.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Oh no, I’ve been put on the spot. I honestly can’t choose, mostly because the list is forever updating. I’d be remiss not to mention anything though, so how about I recommend Michelle Knudsen’s highly underrated Trelian series. And I think people that have read both of our books will know exactly why.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
It’s honestly never been a problem for me. If I’m stuck on a scene where I know the ending I’m writing for it isn’t right or I don’t know what scene to go to next, I just jump to a different part of the story and start writing that. And if it’s a more deep-rooted problem I’m having, like plot/character stuff, I usually get up and take a short walk to clear my head. By the time I’m done, I almost always have a solution!
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Figure out if you want to do this. Or need to do this. And if you need to do it, what kind of writing do you need to do? There are writing jobs out there that are a lot less hit or miss than being a novelist or screenwriter. You might find you enjoy telling stories as a columnist, journalist or even starting a cool and awesome blog like The Reading Bud!
Thank you, author Avery, for your honest (and fun) answers!
About the Book
Sword & Sorcery: Frostfire
If you could change your life by trusting in a stranger… would you?
Erevan has a problem. He grew up on the unforgiving streets of Bogudos and has the scars to prove it. His friend, however, is stuck in jail because of his mistake. But when a suspicious courier offers him a chance to fix things, should he lift his sword and journey across treacherous lands to aid her cause? Meanwhile, Aireyal has been accepted into the wealthiest and most prestigious magical school in all the land. There’s just one problem. She can’t do magic. But that’s far from the only secret within the walls of Darr-Kamo. And what she discovers might just change the world. Swordsman & Sorcerer Scholar & Spiritualist All four have enemies. And all four need help to get what they want. But help is never free.
What would you sacrifice to get what you most desire?
You can find Sword & Sorcery: Frostfire here: Amazon |Goodreads
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 author of Those Around Him,Brett Shapiro, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Brett Shapiro is an American writer and the best-selling author of L’Intruso – a memoir published in Italy (Feltrinelli) that was later produced into an award-winning film and theatrical production. He is also the author of two children’s books, one of which was the recipient of Austria’s prestigious National Book Award. Several of his short stories have been performed in theatres throughout Italy, where he lived for 25 years, and his essays and articles have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers in Italy and the United States. While in Italy, he made many guest appearances on Italian television, including as commentator for 60 Minutes, and was a regular guest lecturer at the University of Siena. Brett is a veteran writer for the United Nations and currently lives by the beach in Florida.
You can connect with author Shapiro here: LinkedIn
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Now this is a challenge: an introduction (brief or otherwise) about a life lived for 66 years and still going strong! I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and moved to Manhattan after university to pay my dues as a budding writer who thought he could change the world – and to make the necessary connections to do so! After 11 years in the Big Apple, I moved to Rome, where I lived for 25 years with my partner and our two sons. When my partner and I uncoupled (very amicably), I decided to return to the USA, where I chose a quiet beach spot in order to shift into a lower gear.
I wake up early each morning and walk to the beach with my dog to watch the sun rise. I spend no more than three hours a day doing my “bread and butter” work – drafting and editing documents for the United Nations and giving writing webinars for UN staff all over the world. The rest of the day is mine to do with as I please. I am semi-retired, after all! In those free hours, I always put in at least two hours of writing each day.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
Those Around Him is a meditative book. I was more concerned with how people think about the things that happen to them; less concerned with the things that happen in themselves. Of course, there is a plot and an arc, but they tend to be unremarkable undulations, as life often is. There is a lot of “interiority” going on in the book, but of the accessible kind. Promise!
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I’m not sure there is a message that I’m trying to convey in the book. It’s more of a mood, a rhythm, a way of turning things about in our heads that I’m trying to capture and tame so that readers think “Oh my gosh, I can relate to that,” detail after detail, page after page, and in an enriching way.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
I’m sure I sound like a parent when I say that I don’t have a favorite. I really care about all of my characters, complete with their various crimes and misdemeanors. I have to care deeply about each and every one of them; otherwise, their complexities won’t emerge and they’ll wither on the page.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I would say it was an idea that inspired me more than anything else – the power that youth and beauty can have over someone whose own youth and beauty have long since faded. The power to create minor disturbances and to unsettle. A “Death in Venice” kind of theme, but the similarities stop there. Thomas Mann is Thomas Mann.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
There was about one year of what I call “writers’ avoidance”, where ideas about the book were percolating in my head but not spilling over onto paper. Once I overcame that, it took me two years to write it.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
My only writing ambition is to continue playing with words every day. I wouldn’t even call it an ambition. For me, it’s more of a necessity – like continuing to eat clean or to walk along the beach at sunrise. I’d be perfectly content if, five years from today, the routine of my daily life remained unchanged and I was still in excellent health – and with another novel or two under my belt.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I completed another novel – Late in the Day – about eight months ago; after making the rounds of publishers, it should be going to press this summer or autumn. I am also about one-third of the way through the first draft of another novel, provisionally called Henry’s Version.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
My novels fall into the category of literary fiction (although I’m not really sure what “literary fiction” means). I didn’t choose the genre and then proceed to write myself into it. I write, and my writing consistently falls into that genre. I don’t think I could write in multiple genres. I’m not in my skin with a lot of “multis”. I can’t be working on multiple stories at a time. I can’t be reading multiple books at a time. But I’m a whizz at putting together a five-course meal in no time flat.
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?
The writer imperative struck when I was a teenager. I always enjoyed reading books as entertainment, but during adolescence I realized that books could be so much more (thank you Virginia Woolf, Thomas Hardy and a slew of others). As I was reading and marveling over these books (and reflecting on them long after I’d closed the back cover), I was also thinking, “I want to do this too. I must do this too.” Against my parents’ wishes, who wanted me to be a doctor, I majored in literature. All I wanted to do was read great books, analyze them and write papers about them. My parents refused to pay tuition for such “nonsense”, and I had to work full-time while going to university. This double life, which seemed so unfair at the time, actually served me extremely well, as it was a division that I’d have to face and manage carefully even after graduating: I needed to work, I wanted a family, I needed to write, and I wanted to do all of them well and with pleasure. During the years of raising my sons, my writing output certainly decreased. But the books I managed to have published during those years were successful and kept me in the writers’ loop, which was important to me – if only to stave off my parents’ admonition, “What nonsense”. When my sons left the nest, I dug back into writing longer works, and I carved out a space of time each day in which to do so.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
My writing ritual is quite simple. I write best when I feel that all the business of the day has been taken care of. For years, I have made 5:30 until dinner time my writing slot. By 5:30, I’ve finished my quota of UN work, my errands, my phone calls, and my domestic chores. I can afford to be untethered and spin off into my creative zone. Of course, this means that I might eat dinner at 7:30 or I might eat it at 10:00. (Fortunately, I eat a light meal.) I take my computer and whatever scribbles I may have made during the day to the screened-in front porch. Then I sit down and I write. I have a large back yard, with a deck and a pool. But it’s private, and I like to observe the occasional passerby while I’m writing. I’m not sure why. I think it has something to do with reminding myself that people are my main characters and that any idea I’m trying to elaborate needs to come through the characters in my book and not through an invisible but intrusive narrator. The front porch has beautiful shrubbery wrapped around it. Anyone who is walking down the street can’t see me, but I can observe them. Very sneaky.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I prefer using my laptop. I can see the words as they would appear on the page of a book, which helps me to scrutinize them better. Using a computer also enables me to keep the copy from getting too messy. I don’t work well with messy copy. I keep a sheet of paper and pencil by my side to make notes about things that might need addressing but that I don’t want to address during that particular writing session. I type up the notes on a separate document and review the notes the next morning to decide whether I should incorporate any of them when I return to the front porch in the evening.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Trying to choose five favorite books is an impossible task. As soon as I set myself to thinking about it for more than thirty seconds, I find myself facing a mountain of titles. I’ll offer a knee-jerk reaction: American Pastoral; To the Lighthouse; Enormous Changes at the Last Minute: The Hours; and The Magic Mountain. I read these books years ago, some of them decades ago, and I still can’t shake them off. As far as authors, my knee-jerk reaction would be Philip Roth, Virginia Woolf, Alice Munro, Flannery O’Connor and Grace Paley. I ask forgiveness of the scores of books and authors who didn’t make the list. You know who you are.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I’ve never experienced writers’ block. When I sit down to write, something always gets written. It may only be one sentence in an hour, or it could be an entire page. But the page is never blank. What I used to experience was what I mentioned before: “writers’ avoidance” – continually finding reasons not to sit down to write. This was magically overcome when I attended a one-week writers’ retreat. There was something about a community of writers gathered together to share their work, critique the work of others, have discussions about writing in general – and, most importantly, disperse themselves onto verandas and benches and lawns to write for two-hour intervals each morning, afternoon and evening – that calmed me down and made me realize that the effort was a human effort, not a superhuman one.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
There is only one piece of advice, and it’s so commonplace that it seems almost banal: Write. Even if it’s only ten minutes a day (to start). Thinking about writing is a lovely idea, a noble idea, but it’s only an idea.
Thank you, author Shapiro, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Those Around Him
Andrew returns to the beachside town of his father, Charles, who is dying. In the throes of middle age, Andrew is trying to come to terms with the fact that not everything is still possible, that horizons shrink and parts break, and that he may no longer be desirable – or desired. On one of his routine sunrise beach walks, he is greeted by Lex (whom he calls “Ex”), a young man whose physical beauty and emotional warmth and exuberance completely unsettle the quiet and measured rhythm that Andrew is trying to establish in his new home and his own advancing years. The intimate relationships between and among the three generations of men, each with his own needs and hopes – and darknesses – unfolds during hurricane season. When the season is over, carrying off much with it, Andrew has begun to understand his place along the continuum and the quiet balance that he has been seeking amidst his wisdom and foolishness, and through the arrivals and departures of those around him.
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 author Wind Out Of Time, Rhema Sayers, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Rhema Sayers is a retired physician who started in Family Practice on the Mexican border and then switched to Emergency Medicine after ten years. She loved the ER and spent the rest of her career being an adrenaline junkie. Her husband and she adopted three little girls from China in 1998-99. The girls are young women now, off living their own lives. Rhema took up writing when she retired and has had nearly one hundred articles and short stories published. Living in Arizona near Tucson, she and her husband and her dogs love the desert, the mountains, and the climate.
You can connect with author Rhema Sayers here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I have wanted to be a doctor since I was about 5 years old. One night our family dog chased a car and unfortunately caught it. Badly injured, we brought him inside. Upstairs from us lived a family whose daughter was my best friend and whose father was a surgical resident. The young doctor worked on that dog for hours. I stayed with surgeon and dog well through my bedtime, fascinated by what he was doing. Finally my parents retrieved me and put me to bed. During the night, Shiner died. But that did not dampen the flame the incident kindled within me. I was going to become a doctor.
After college, I applied to several med schools and was placed on waiting lists, eventually to be rejected. Then I met the love of my life. We were married within 7 weeks. We moved to the Boston area so that he could finish at MIT. Meanwhile, I once again started applying to med schools. University of Connecticut School of Medicine placed me on a waiting list and I got my acceptance letter in June.
We ended up in Arizona on the Mexican border after med school and a family practice residency in Pennsylvania. A decade in, family practice was enough for me. I discovered that I hated office practice and loved the ER. I switched to emergency medicine and spent the next two decades in ERs, until I was no longer able to keep up the pace. Then I did urgent care for a few years and retired.
I have also always wanted to write and that was my plan for retirement. I thought I was pretty hot stuff as a writer. Then I started taking writing classes and discovered that I had a lot to learn. After several years, I have indeed learned a lot. I love writing, although procrastination is also a favorite pastime.
Since retiring, I have had over 90 short stories, historical and other articles, and even a couple of poems published. With that foundation, I approached the massive project of writing a novel.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
I had a wonderful childhood with parents who loved all three of their children. I got a good education and never went to bed hungry. Basically, I did not have the background to write the ‘Great American Novel’. I was happy and had no major psychological scars. I wanted to write a novel that would entertain people, that would take them elsewhere for a few hours, that would make them laugh and possibly cry but would not make them feel uncomfortable. I wanted to write something beguiling but not dark and gloomy. The result is Wind out of Time.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
A strong woman can do whatever she needs to do. And when you find yourself in an untenable situation, you do not stand around wringing your hands and sobbing. You do whatever it is that you have to in order to resolve the problem.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Actually I really love Denim, the blue roan stallion with a wicked sense of humor. But I like Andrea a lot, too. She is smart, not easily daunted, has a good sense of humor, and loves animals. I’m afraid I based her on my idealized concept of me. Obviously I need to get my self-esteem under control. But I don’t cook and she has a passion for it that I just don’t understand.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I have always been so annoyed by the Arthurian legends. Everyone is so noble and so damnably stupid. They always, always do the wrong thing. So I brought in a moderator, someone who knows that the wrong path will lead to disaster. She steers the characters down the ‘right’ paths gently – or with a cattle prod if needed.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Three years. But I’m about ¼ through the second book now.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I hope to have written another 3 or 4 books, along with a large number of short stories and articles. I just had an article come out in The Desert Leaf, a local upscale magazine. The article is about Gleeson, Arizona, a ghost town in Cochise County near Tombstone. It was a boom town in the late 1800s with mines producing silver, gold, and lead. I write a lot about the history of southern Arizona and have gained enough knowledge to become a lecturer on the subject.
My favorite stories have a lot of action. Right now I have about seven stories sent out to magazines with hopes of getting them published.
I want to make Wind out of Time a trilogy and am writing the second book now. I also have a novel in the back of my head about an emergency department woman physician in Tucson who finds a body in the desert when she’s running with her dogs. She’s already becoming attracted to a TPD homicide detective. I plan to follow it from two points of view: the doctor and the killer.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Oh, yes. A number of them. I am researching a story about the Mountain View Hotel in Tucson, a highly popular hotel whose clientele included Buffalo Bill Cody, senators, and other politicians, run by William and Annie Neal, a black couple who defied the color barriers in the early 1900s. I am also writing a science fiction story, a story of a dog and a young man who find each other, and a story about a sparrow.
My stories tend to be eclectic. I wander around through the genres. I don’t do erotica, but I have written a horror story that I’m trying to sell. I write whatever occurs to me at the moment. The first story I sold was about a man who was so boring and so bored with his life that one day he sat down on the bench at the subway station and evaporated. The kid who stole his clothes found it really weird.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I write murder mysteries, dog stories, bird stories, fantasies, horror stories, medical stories, and some stories that are just plain odd. I let my imagination run wild. Unfortunately, sometimes it comes to an abrupt halt and refuses to go any farther. I have a dozen stories tucked away, looking for an ending, because my imagination refused to go any farther.
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 discovered that I could spin tales when I was just becoming a teenager. I found my own imagination rather fascinating even though that sounds sort of egotistical. But I wrote stories and some very bad poems in high school. In college I took enough creative writing courses and literature courses that I ended up minoring in English lit. But then I met my love, married, and started med school. I kept a diary intermittently while I was a doctor, but it turned out to be very intermittent. It wasn’t until I retired that I had the time to write.
As far as sacrifices are concerned, the most I’ve given up for a story is lunch. I read voraciously and listen to books in the car, hoping some of the brilliance of the authors will rub off on me.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I sit down at the computer, play a few games, then go to whatever I’m working on. I write a few sentences or pages, sometimes play a few more games, depending on whether I have any idea of where I’m going with the story. As I said, I’m very good at procrastination.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I love my PC. On rare occasions, I may take a notebook with me to an appointment and spend the downtime writing. Usually something new, whatever pops into my head.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien
The Witches of Karres – James Schmitz
The entire Honor Harrington series and the Safehold series – David Weber
Wasp – Eric Frank Russell
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
While I wouldn’t rank any of his books with these five, I absolutely love John Sandford, especially the Prey series. Also Craig Johnson and Walt Longmire, David Rosenfelt and Andy Carpenter.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Basically I ignore it. If I can’t write, I can do housework, wash dogs, take a nap, pay bills, or engage in any number of other thrilling activities. Eventually I go back to the computer.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Write. Every day. Your first work will usually be poor. You’re a newb. What do you expect? Keep on writing. Take courses in creative writing at your local college or junior college or on-line.
Remember – the more you write, the better you’ll get.
And then rewrite. Not once or twice, but ten, fifteen, twenty times.
That’s all – write and rewrite. Every day.
Also – remember that you will never be published if you don’t submit your work to editors who will criticize what you’ve done.
That’s their job. You need to learn to roll with the punches.
Good luck.
Thank you, author Sayers, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Wind Out Of Time
FBI Special Agent Andrea Schilling is chasing a terrorist around the world when they both are forced to go through a time portal. To her horror, Andrea finds herself in the 5th century in King Arthur’s court. Seriously? When she can’t return home, she takes over the kitchen, becoming chief cook for King Arthur. But this king is named Ardur, and resides in a falling down castle where the knights are lecherous drunks. Andrea finds the situation untenable. So, with the help of a perplexed king, two huge dogs, a bad tempered stallion, the servants, and Guinevere, Andrea transforms the kingdom of Camdhur to Camelot. Well, almost. The ancient legend is turned on its head as a strong woman, organized, smart, trained to fight, takes the kingdom apart and puts it back together again, along with the king’s heart.
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 authorKara Jacobson, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Kara Jacobson resides in the beautiful, rolling hills of Red Wing, MN with her husband and young son, Logan. She and her husband both work at the local hospital, where they first met. Born with an insatiable appetite for science fiction, Kara has always been intrigued with the notion of entire civilizations existing within the earth. She was a New Media Film Festival (2021) nominee for The Intra-Earth Chronicles, Book I: The Two Sisters.
You can connect with author Kara Jacobson here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Hello, Beautiful Book-loving Friends! My name is Kara Jacobson and I am a little on the shy side. I adore my family, nature, friends, art of any fashion, movies (Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Indiana Jones are a few of my all-time favorites 😊) and fantasy books!
Yes, I am a daydreamer, always walking in two worlds: the mesmerizing and shimmering one playing in my head, and the ordinary, everyday one of working in a hospital pharmacy and taking care of my family (a husband, son, and two cats). Maintaining the perfect balance of both worlds is crucial!
When I first set out on my writing quest, I tried my hand at writing movies. I must admit that writing movies is an art that I have yet to master. Please view my projects on my author website: https://karalynejacobson.com/
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
Pictured above is Sasha. She is the intuitive older sister (15 years old) with a red diamond-shaped birthmark on her forehead. Sasha’s diamond-shaped birthmark tingles before she receives a premonition. This picture is in black-and-white in the book.
Adrianne is the younger of the two sisters (11 years old) and is the fierce girl depicted on the cover with the tiger. She wears a brass hair clip in her crimson hair that conceals a tiny, sharp knife.
The initial inspiration for Adrianne was, actually, a real person! Adrianne was inspired by my childhood friend, Bria Gehringer. Bria was an only child who lived down the rural Wisconsin highway from me. She was charismatic, free-spirited, fearless, and harbored a deep connection to the animal kingdom (she had a ton of pets: dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rats, and an iguana, all of whom she called siblings) and I remember her dying her hair bright red at least once. She saved me from ultimate loneliness as a kid as I accompanied her on many childhood adventures.
The rest of the characters in this story have been completely conjured from my imagination.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
That there is always hope for a better tomorrow even when outer circumstances appear most dire.
Sasha clung to the hope that Adrianne was still alive and living inside the ravine, which drove her to set off on this adventure across the desert.
Adrianne never relinquished the hope that she could commandeer a nuclear machine that could revive a dying civilization.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Adrianne, because she is absolutely fearless!
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
In my early 20s I had the chance to attend a “Walk-Ins International Conference” in Las Vegas. The group took a tour to a park outside of Reno, NV where there were large, intricate stone circles in the ground that were places where they believed that the inner earth beings were close to the surface. This concept blew my mind, and I have been actively exploring the subject ever since!
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Seven months. It would have been faster, but I have a 4-year-old son and suffer from a multitude of distractions, internal and external.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I would love to occupy the ranks of true “author” vs “writer of stories for my own joy”. Or, compromise on an amalgamation of the two.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
The second book in the Intra-Earth Chronicles series is nearly complete!
I also have another book, Beneath Storm Mountain, currently being published by Pegasus Publishing (with a possible 2023 release date) that was first written as a movie screenplay. The screenplay placed as a Semifinalist in the 2019 ScreenCraft Animation Contest.
Beneath Storm Mountain is a YA fantasy adventure that also takes place in the civilizations below the earth’s crust. Two 15-year-old boys, Darren and Kale, star in this tale. While on vacation in South Dakota’s Black Hills, the boys discover an otherworldly relic in their fishing hole that is coveted by evil shadow beings. The boys meet a mysterious girl from the intra-earth, who leads the boys below to her technologically advanced civilization to hide them from the evil shadow beings that hunt them.
I have included scenes from Beneath Storm Mountain, illustrated by Brendan Kulp.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I adore middle grade! I also write YA, but prefer middle grade. My constitution is a bit sensitive, so middle grade is usually the easiest for me to digest.
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 5th grade teacher (Mr. E.) once said to me, “Kara, you are a writer.” I discarded this message at the time, but it must have remained ingrained in my subconsciousness, because now writing is what I feel most compelled to do!
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I do a meditation for receiving inspired writing and art, created by bj King, when I have time or remember. You may contact her at bjnamaste@gmail.com for the direct prayer.
The meditation involves sealing the room on all sides from negativity, connecting a cord of light (or a lightsaber) into the great central sun at the center of the earth, opening your heart, and then inserting the light cord high above yourself into your own Oversoul or Higher-self. A series of counting begins as you focus on your mid-brain. This puts you into a higher state of consciousness and awareness, to begin the transference of automatic writing from your soul.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I do both, longhand with a pen and paper, and computer writing. As inspiration strikes, I jot everything down into my pink notebook (as scribbles at midnight), and much later it gets transferred (often changing its form entirely) onto to the computer.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (I love anything related to King Arthur and Camelot. The Merlin series, starring Colin Morgan, was a smash hit at my house!)
The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel
Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I take a break and return another day when inspiration strikes. I regret, admittedly, that I am not the most disciplined writer. I truly write for only a few hours a week when I have the house all to myself. Though I think about the story continuously.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Write what you yourself would enjoy reading or watching on the big screen! Others will, hopefully, also enjoy your creations 😊.
Submit your books to Atmosphere Press—they are phenomenal!!
Thank you, author Kara, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Intra-Earth Chronicles
The Two Sisters #1
In the year 2444, two noble sisters, Sasha (15) and Adrianne (11) have survived a nuclear fallout, only to be torn apart. The ground splits open and Adrianne is thrown from her horse, plummeting into the ravine. Spurned on by the hope that Adrianne lives, Sasha embarks on a journey through the desert to face the ravine that claimed her only sister. Meanwhile, deep within the earth, Adrianne is running for her life. She took something that did not belong to her. In The Intra-Earth Chronicles, Book I: The Two Sisters by Kara Jacobson we experience a fast-paced fantasy adventure woven within the earth, and the unshakeable bond between two sisters.
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 author Janet Kelley from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Janet Kelley
Janet Kelley is a teacher, reader, writer, and feminist. A native of Hutchinson, Kansas, she studied Humanistic Studies and Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana. She studied Historical Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She earned her teaching credentials from Indiana University at South Bend. Ms. Kelley currently lives in Boston and Budapest. Ms. Kelley believes that books are the cornerstone of freedom and justice. Her work to support survivors of sexual assault was inspired by the writer V and The Vagina Monologues. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this novel will be donated to The Trevor Project. Please consider a donation to The Trevor Project to support their crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thank you for the chance to introduce myself beyond what you can read in my Author Bio. I am a high school English teacher with a passion for reading. Together with a friend I started a book club that still meets over twenty years later. I was thrilled to join them by Zoom during the Covid era. I started another book club in my city a few years ago. My book clubs read both classics and new releases, fiction and nonfiction. We recently decided to branch out into “reading” films and will even read and then attend a production of the stage adaptation of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye.
Beyond books I love being active—running, working out at my favorite gym, Orange Fitness Theory, and learning how to cross-country ski this season. In my spare time these days I enjoy making homemade jams, taking ukulele lessons, and drinking good coffee. (I also drink terrible coffee as needed.) I spend part of every year in Budapest, Hungary, where I have a home in the city center. I can spend an entire day at one of Budapest’s famous thermal water spas.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
My book deals with the impact of trauma in our lives. Much like how we experienced the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, trauma enters our lives seemingly out of nowhere. One day we are living our lives, and then in a flash our lives are changed by forces outside of our control or understanding. Sexual assault sometimes works in this way. (Sometimes sexual abuse is more insidious as perpetrators groom their victims.) This is why I set the story of Luke’s sexual assault in parallel with 9/11. I want readers to see the two events as similar–both are traumatic assaults that force us to consider how to respond.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I want readers to contemplate the plight of men and boys who are sexually assaulted. In the early 2000s the situation of men who were assaulted was dire. There were no pathways toward healing. The shame and the fear of being labeled as gay often silenced men. The shameful silencing led to further damage.
In Taint, I show how this damage extends to others. Luke was assaulted and confides in Rebecca. She tells his story and in fact decides for him how to make his rapist pay for the crime. I do not endorse her decisions. I want readers to harshly judge her choices even while they understand what forces caused her to act.
I want readers to understand that male sexual assault happens and that we need to create both a safety net for victims and pathways toward healing.
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
My favorite character in the book is Tiffany, the third friend in a group of three. She is earnest and well-intentioned. I like that she sticks with her friend Rebecca even when she faces ostracization.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I had been working with the issue of sexual assault and domestic violence for many years. I produced The Vagina Monologues for many years at our local university. There were several awesome vagina-friendly men who were active leaders in our group. They made me more sensitive to men’s assault stories. I grew very interested in the silence of male victims. I wanted to explore that in my work.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Well, a long time. I started writing it in 2006. I was teaching high school at the time. Then I started my family, moved across the country, and moved to Hungary. This novel was in a drawer for many years. I finally decided that its story needed to be told.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I see myself with a new book in the next 5 years. I will continue to write poetry and short fiction as well.
Are you working on any other story presently?
Of course! It is natural for me to have drafts floating around. In the past I kept a blog and tried to maintain regular writing practice. Now I am more into snatching time when I can—on the subway, waiting in line, while I am on a lunch break from a teaching job. I keep a small notebook for that purpose in my purse at all times.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I chose YA because it felt natural to me and suited the voice I wanted to explore. I am not too strict about genre. I like to bend the rules about genre and style.
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 am a reader and a writer. I am a teacher. I am a mother. A wife. A friend. These all come naturally to me. The decision to publish was more fraught. My writing was always a personal habit born out of my teaching practice. Taking my work public required an extra push. For me that came due to Covid. The restrictions on life produced the feeling that I needed to push back against all the sorrow and suffering. I wanted to put my novel into the world as a positive push back. It was a way to say that I choose creativity and the life of the mind despite the fear and suffering.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
As I mentioned above, my practice has changed. I used to need two or three hours in the morning. I worked best in a cafe. I needed to be away from home and the lure of cleaning dishes. I loved getting into the flow of writing for hours at a time. In many ways this is my ideal. I think it is necessary for the stage of writing when you are immersed in a long project. Now I have transitioned more into snatch writing–catching a few lines here and there. I have abandoned the need to protect long stretches at a time. It simply wasn’t happening with the demands of children, work, and Covid restrictions. I enjoy my new writing freedom. It gives me more of a writer’s eye–I am constantly looking at people, situations, setting. I listen and eavesdrop with a writer’s ear. I like the energy this brings to my writing.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
Longhand with a pen in my journal. Laptop for longer pieces.
What are your 5 favourite books?
When I was young I loved the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and stories about Ramona by Beverly Clearly. Growing up I was a huge Stephen King fan, until I got too creeped out reading Gerald’s Game. We used to sneak King’s novels beneath our desks during English class. I adored Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Now that I look back, reading was kind of what the boys did and my reading selections mirror that. The other book that stands out as an influence was A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter, given to me by my grandmother.
In college I really discovered literature (I was a science/sports geek in high school). One of my majors was a Great Books program, which means we read works from the Western canon. Here is the stuff that moved me from college: Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, A Passage to India by E.M. Forester, Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Kundera, Goethe’s Sorrows of Young Werther, Pope’s Essay on Man, The Collected Stories of Flannery O’Connor and, of course, Shakespeare.
It has only been since I started to teach high school English that I began to seriously read like a writer. When I had to teach reading/writing/story concepts to 9th graders, I had to be able to analyze a story so that its mechanics were visible to my students (without destroying the magic, which gets dicey). Books/Authors that have moved me in this era include: Blindness by Saramago (really, a favorite), anything by Margaret Atwood or Louse Erdrich, Toni Morrison, Ian McEwan and Alice Munro among others. Most recently I finished Gaddis’s Carpenter’s Gothic and I am slightly obsessed. I can’t leave out the Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, now known as V, which I produced/directed for three years. In my recent reading history I would include the following favorites: The Overstory by Richard Powers, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill, Elena Ferrante, Stoner by John Williams, Never Let Me Go by Ishiguro Kazuo, Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli, Hunger by Roxane Gay, and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I don’t believe in it!
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Read and write a lot. Try to break some rules. For example, never limit your answer to only 5 favorite books when they ask.
Thank you, author Kelly, for your insightful and honest answers!
About the Book
Taint
Rebecca White, a senior at the top of her class at Plains High School in 2001, is a Kansas girl going places…until the rape. She wants the rapist to pay for his crime and go to jail. Unfortunately, nothing is that simple, and she wasn’t the one raped. This is the story of how Rebecca seeks revenge for her best friend, Luke Warren, who was raped by the principal’s son, Weston. While the senior class chooses corsages and boutonnières for prom, Rebecca plots revenge against Weston. She must find a way to make him pay without revealing Luke’s secret. The solution she finds is chilling. Set in a small town in the American Midwest when the terrorist attacks in New York City brought life to a standstill, Taint by Janet Kelley portrays how friendship and justice are tested when the unthinkable happens.
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 Teri M. Brown, author ofSunflowers Beneath The Snow, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Teri M. Brown
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown graduated from UNC Greensboro. She began her writing career helping small businesses with content creation and published five nonfiction self-help books dealing with real estate and finance, receiving “First Runner Up” in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, finalist in the USA Best Books Awards for How To Open and Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorate, and Real Estate Staging Business and for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, and Honorable Mention in Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award for Private Mortgage Investing. In 2017, after winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story, she began writing fiction in earnest, and recently published Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others. Teri’s debut novel, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, is a historical fiction set in Ukraine.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I’m Teri M Brown, and I’ve wanted to be an author since I was a child, but at the time, it was linked with being a brain surgeon and Olympic ice skater! I loved to read and was always writing stories and poems. My mom recently gave me one she had saved that was written on the back of my grandma’s bank deposit slip! I read everything I could get my hands on and even had a special tree in the yard that I called my reading tree.
But then life kind of got in the way. I got married, had children, divorced, and homeschooled. I remarried someone who was emotionally abusive. By the time that relationship was nearing its end, I no longer believed in myself.
But, I was given an opportunity to go to a writer’s retreat, and from that moment on, the characters in my head wouldn’t shut up. I began writing again.
I’m now married (yes – again) to a wonderful man who supports me in all that I do. And he pushes me to be all that I can be. In fact, we recently rode across the US on a tandem bicycle from the coast of Oregon to Washington DC – 3102 miles. Not only did we raise $34,000 for Toys for Tots, but I found a way to heal from my past relationships.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The book is loosely based on a real-life story. I am friends with the granddaughter – Ionna – though that is not her name in real life. She was visiting my home and telling me this story that was too incredible to believe. I won’t tell you what it is because it would be a huge spoiler alert. But I knew that story had to be told. Unfortunately, there was no way to know what really happened – so I created a story to get to that ending!
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
I want people to understand that even when life is kicking you in the gut, you can still find joy and happiness. It’s all in the way you choose to see what is happening.
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
I like Yevtsye the most. She realizes she is gutsy and can do hard things. Plus, I relate to her in many of her experiences like postpartum depression, her angst with her mom, and the empty-nest feelings.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I pretty much answered this in #2. A friend told me an ending that needed a beginning, so I wrote it.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I was at Weymouth Writers in Residence in Southern Pines, NC for two weeks. I got the book out of my head and onto paper during that time. I then did a major edit, adding another 30,000 words during a one-week retreat I created for myself at my mom’s house while she was on vacation. The rest of the editing took about 80 hours of work over a month. However, it took me three years to get the guts to write the story!
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
This is my debut novel, and no one really knows who I am. In five years, I want all of that to change. I want a readership that looks forward to my next book because I have lots of books in my head.
Are you working on any other story presently?
My next novel, An Enemy Like Me, is set during WWII. It features a man who is a first-generation German American who fights for the US in the war but finds himself in Germany. It looks at the angst of loving his heritage and loving his country. I explore this topic from his point of view, as well as his wife’s and his young son’s.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
Sunflowers Beneath the Snow is a Historical Fiction/ Women’s Fiction. An Enemy Like Me is a Historical Fiction. However, I have two other stories that are Contemporary Fiction, and another that has a fantasy twist. I also have a great idea for a YA dystopian novel, a humorous women’s fiction, and two children’s storybooks. I don’t think I have a genre as much as I have characters in my head that need a platform. I tell people that I write character-driven fiction and the genre is chosen by the characters.
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?
It was very difficult to follow my passion. First, children and life kind of got in the way. I loved being a mom and homeschooled my kids, but that left little time to develop my own skills and follow my dreams. Marrying an emotionally abusive man sealed the deal. Although I wrote articles and blog posts for small businesses, I didn’t believe I was capable of writing a novel. But I met a friend who was a young mother and writing a book. She told me about this writer’s retreat, so I applied. I went for one week and wrote my first novel. It was no good. My characters had no depth. The story was too predictable. But I got it out of my head. Those fifty thousand words on paper gave me the courage to keep writing – and to leave my miserable marriage. Getting this book published is just the beginning of my dream.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I wish I had something crazy or unique to say here, but I don’t. I just write. If I have a computer and some free time, I write. I can write on the beach, in a coffee shop, in the car, or even in the middle of the living room with things going on. In fact, I tend to like a bit of household noise around me – complete silence is not my friend!
When writing a novel, I do what I call ‘word vomit.’ I simply let the story out of my head. I don’t worry too much about character development. I don’t do a lot of research for the setting. I just write the story down and get it out of my head. Once that is done, I leave the story alone for about a month and then begin the editing process. I prefer to have a big chunk of time set aside for this so that I can get the bulk of it done quickly.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I write almost entirely on a computer. I can type 80 words per minute, which is much faster than I can write longhand. Plus, when I go back to my notes, I don’t have to decipher my scribble! The only time I use pen and paper or dictation is to take a few notes that I will need later on or to capture an idea while I am out walking on the beach.
What are your 5 favourite books?
Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (The first book I read that made me realize there was more going on than a cute little story), and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
For me, writer’s block means that there are other things pressing on my mind and taking up the space I need to write. The only way to get rid of it is to clear up those other things. Or at least take care of them enough that they are no longer ‘top of mind.’ I rarely get writer’s block. I think I spent too long not writing so my characters refuse to shut up even when life is busy!
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
Write. Write. Write. If you have a story in your head, write it down. Don’t worry that it isn’t perfect. Don’t worry about anything. The more you write, the better you will get. It’s fine to take classes or get a degree, but don’t let that stand in the way of writing or be the excuse to keep you from writing. I also recommend learning a bit about marketing. You will love your book more than anyone else. It will be up to you to help people know it exists.
Thank you, author Teri, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Sunflowers Beneath The Snow
A Ukrainian rebel. Three generations of women bearing the consequences. A journey that changes everything. When Ivanna opens the door to uniformed officers, her tranquil life is torn to pieces – leaving behind a broken woman who must learn to endure the cold, starvation, and memories of a man who died in the quintessential act of betrayal. Using her thrift, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, she finds a way to survive in Soviet Ukraine, along with her daughter, Yevtsye. But the question remains, will she be strong enough to withstand her daughter’s deceit and the eventual downfall of the nation she has devoted her life to? Or will the memories of her late husband act as a shadow haunting everyone and everything she loves, including Ionna, the granddaughter that never knew him?
In Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, Teri M Brown explores the tenacity of women, showing that even in grueling circumstances, they can, and do, experience all the good things life has to offer – compassion, joy, love, faith, and wonder.
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 