The Diary of Vivienne tells the story of a society through the eyes of Vivienne and Richard, as they navigate strife, natural disasters, and moral decay while following the teachings of a mysterious entity called Neferatu. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The spirit world is enmeshed in our physical existence whether or not we are aware of it. Much of what we witness in the world has a spiritual basis. There is the famous dictum: “The devil made me do it.” We often speak of a good angel sitting on one shoulder while an evil one perches on the other. These are telling. What drives us has its origins in the subtle realms – the spiritual world. Having a figure like Neferatu playing such a significant role in the life of the protagonist and other characters is indicative of this reality.

This is an intriguing setup to a novel that is high in social commentary. What was your moral goal when writing this novel, and do you feel you’ve achieved it?

The goal has always been enlightenment, meaning, our awareness of life’s purpose. The novel strives to promote this through the centrality of the mythic figure, Neferatu. Amid greed, selfishness, and the violence we create out of ignorance, there are seeds of goodness that grow in us, if we but allow them. The dissolution of evil is always imminent. The ‘Diary’ never swerves from this truth. 

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

Suffering. We all suffer – no matter our station in life. This is indisputable. Suffering is arguably the nature of the human condition. We suffer not only physically, but morally, emotionally, and psychologically. And throughout, we strive to surmount this enduring pain using every method known. This is in itself is intriguing and the basis of every literary endeavor that captures the imagination.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Diary of Vivienne? 

That we are spirits experiencing a physical existence; and that ultimately we must journey home to our origins – pure and unblemished; that our experience here is transient but significant, for without its many challenges, we cannot attain enlightenment. Without surmounting our every challenge, we cannot journey home victorious.

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