Even Angels Wear Leather Jackets and Ride Motorcycles follows a man who learns his uncle is dying and reflects on cherished memories as he travels from Philadelphia to New Jersey to be with him. What inspired this story?

Inspired over a few years after I graduated college, this fictional autobiography, “Even Angels Wear Leather Jackets and Ride Motorcycles,” shares special moments experienced with my Uncle Eddie, our friendship, leading to his final days before unexpectedly passing.  When I received the phone call working in Philadelphia – from start to finish is exactly how this moment transpired. Overall: the wild trips, the shared wisdom, the meaningful inspiring conversations took place, along with the dramatic inner family conflicts play crucial roles within the telling of this story.

A few of the moments read within this novel, for entertainment purposes, are jazzed up a bit but roughly ninety percent of the novel is accurate down to the dialogue exchanges, feelings portrayed, and shared moments.  I took very close notes in a set of diaries I wrote throughout my life, next to many notebooks of poetry and prose, to serve as reference material. This novel is a memento to my uncle, who I loved and adored as a father figure, and a dedication to the concept so many don’t comprehend: when you’re standing up for what’s right, majority of the time, you will be standing alone. This concept comes from never letting anyone burn out your flame and to always keep the candle lit – whether: pursuing creative ambitions and endeavors, finding love, or discovering friendship.

Also, this novel serves as a testament to follow your dreams and never stop trying, even if only one person believes in the path you’re trailblazing – that is enough; sometimes, you won’t even be lucky to have one person and this novel serves as an awareness – if you’re lucky enough in this lifetime to find love, absolutely no one, should ever judge what it looks like. 

Eddie is portrayed as a motorcycle-riding rebel, loving family member, mentor, and source of wisdom. How did you develop such a memorable and layered character?

When I set out to write the novel, “Even Angels Wear Leather Jackets and Ride Motorcycles,” I didn’t want the character Uncle Eddie on his deathbed to serve as a catalyst for the story to be told, I wanted him to be the heart of the story and every shared moment are the beats leading up to his final poem. While writing, the focus would be primarily the affects Uncle Eddie had on Peter with each shared moment; however, the interactions with family members at different events, the discussions with trials and heartbreaks Peter was experiencing throughout the novel, and the contributed fun moments during holidays – all of these attributes would develop Uncle Eddie’s beloved character arc – and after reading the journey, admiration will be felt when the final page is turned.

This novel was penned in his honor for the good, strong, wise man he was and what he meant to me during impressionable and challenging points traversing life at the time. Originally intended, the flashback moments were meant to serve as memories but when I realized I wanted to open up more vulnerability for Peter, internally, I dug emotionally deeper for sincere, honest, difficult, and transparent moments. Readers will realize Uncle Eddie and Peter are just like any other person sharing similar conversations and the actions surrounding conflicts within the story are relatable too.

When I realized Uncle Eddie as the heart of the novel he truthfully became the entire theme which is why I titled the narrative after him because Angels don’t just wear gowns or plated armor and have wings; they too, can wear leather jackets and ride motorcycles. 

Eddie encourages Peter to follow his creative ambitions even when others may not understand them. Why was that message important to include?

The message following creative ambitions, whether others understand them or not, is extremely important – not from a point of seeking wealth with creative endeavors but to have a creative outlet even if just for yourself.

Many people don’t have creative ambitions or even talent and skills necessary to create original ideas in whatever form of art they would choose to explore. This being said, many people are jealous and envious and will discourage others not to follow their paths of self-expression or unjustly berate and shame an individual to quit. Unfortunately, this works for certain people and they put down their pen, paint brush, instrument, camera, sheet music, etc. – this is the most devastating and unforgivable act in my opinion – those unfortunate people, striving to better themselves and find a creative outlet literally didn’t affect anyone’s lives negatively with creating but now stopped from unnecessary bullying.

Personally, I’ve experienced this for twenty plus years between, “family,” “select friends,” “lovers,” “teachers,” “guidance counselors,” and the list could continue for an extremely long time. My journey included my Uncle Eddie, being the first person to start believing in me for most of the beginning of my artistic journey – I was lucky to have one person in my corner, most have none. It didn’t make it any easier struggling and learning to disconnect emotionally myself from so many people because of the shaming and insults I had to put up with but my uncle’s inspiring words and belief in me helped me continue to push forward one little step at a time.

It’s like one of my best friend’s, Joseph Fuoco, reminds me quite often – an old Japanese expression: When society tries to hammer you down, be the standing nail and never let them complete the drive. I’m grateful to my Uncle Eddie for believing in me and being supportive especially during my impressionable formative years which were extremely important while I was learning who I was to become, the journey I was trailblazing, and discovering my voice.

Are there other characters from the novel whose stories you would like to explore? 

This novel has many redeeming characters I could explore or to serve the purpose, in the end we’re all imperfect human beings, and that’s enough for me to understand each character’s symbolism within the narrative. Many of these characters would be revisited again throughout other books, especially within my diaries I will be publishing in the future.

The story’s various characters: positive and negative impacts, as I chose the path of becoming an artist – this would be a very personal exploration into their character arcs and themes. These themes and characters are meant for inspirational purposes and to help people who are artists continue their path even when the challenges seem too taxing. More importantly, these themes are meant to stand within the concept of love: if you’re lucky enough in this life to find love, who is anyone to tell you what it should look like. I stand behind this statement with my entire soul – coming from many struggling experiences with love – romances and friendships because it didn’t fit into other’s narratives and it took a long time for me to come to the realization, someday, everyone will be dead and gone and myself included – always, I want to make the best decisions for myself first, no one else and their opinions.  These select themes are to help others when reading know: even if they feel it, they’re not alone. With Love and Admiration, as my beloved Uncle Eddie believed in me – I believe in you.  Thank you for taking the time and energy to read “Even Angels Wear Leather Jackets and Ride Motorcycles” and this interview

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