Author Archives: Literary-Titan
Increasingly Public Topic
Courageous follows a woman tormented by the pain of her past who meets and develops feelings for two members of a Motorcycle Club while working in their tattoo shop, giving her a sense of hope for the first time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Mental health is becoming an increasingly public topic, but there is still much more to explore. We can gain valuable insights from each other and from stories like Courageous, which highlight how individuals cope with trauma and its impact on their relationships and daily lives. This was the inspiration behind Courageous.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
The mindset of the main protagonist, Clark: her emotions, how she handled triggers, and her ability to communicate these feelings to her friends, family, and readers.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I typically start with a broad concept or rough outline sketched in my mind, but more often than not, I end up going in a different direction. I allow my characters to take the lead. I try to put myself in their shoes and think, ‘What would I do?’ Naturally, I infuse the narrative with embellishments for entertainment.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Fearless is the upcoming book in the Iconic Sons MC series, set for release in 2026. Without revealing too much, it explores the lives of Mallory, Gage, and Pen. Mallory was kidnapped as a teenager by someone she trusted, and this traumatic event has made her guard her heart against love. Gage and Pen, however, are determined not to let this happen.
Author Links: Goodreads | Website | Amazon
However, Clark’s life takes a significant turn when she unexpectedly meets Vin and Gun at their tattoo shop, Blood Tattoos, and starts working for them. For the first time in a while, Clark finds a newfound sense of purpose and hope that inspires her to refrain from harming herself.
Vin and Gun, the quintessential alpha males, grew up in the Iconic Sons MC, a motorcycle club known for its strict code of conduct and brotherhood. Clark’s protective nature springs to life, and she tries to shield Vin and Gun from the dangers of the MC. But Vin and Gun, determined to uphold the club’s honor and traditions, will never allow Clark to interfere in their affairs.
Despite their initial conflicts, the simmering sexual tension eventually blossoms into a complex relationship between Vin, Gun, and Clark.
There’s one problem. Vin and Gun don’t know about Clark’s self-harming. How will they react when confronted with her disfiguring scars? Will they choose to run away, or can they accept her with all her flaws and imperfections?
Indigenous Resilience
From Taino Suns to Phoenix Flames: A Story of Haiti narrates the expansive history of Haiti, beginning with its Indigenous roots, through its revolutionary victories, and into its contemporary challenges, showcasing the resilient spirit of the Taíno people of the Caribbean. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Haiti’s story is often reduced to struggle or crisis in the public imagination, but that does a disservice to its depth. For me, this book was about restoring balance — showing Haiti’s roots in Indigenous resilience, its revolutionary brilliance, and its ongoing fight for dignity. I wanted people to truly see the amazing story that Haiti is, and has always been. The historic achievements are often overlooked.
Haiti is a country rich in history, traditions, and its own unique identity, which it has fought to bring back to the modern world. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to highlight three things: first, that Haiti has always been a place of innovation — political, cultural, and spiritual. Second, that its revolution wasn’t only about freedom from slavery, but about redefining what freedom means for the world. And third, that Haitian culture, from its music and art to its rituals and storytelling, continues to be a source of strength and creativity. Haiti has never been passive; it has always been shaping its destiny.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from From Taino Suns to Phoenix Flames: A Story of Haiti?
That Haiti is not only a story of survival but of leadership. The Haitian Revolution redefined human rights and liberty in a way that still resonates today. I hope readers leave with a sense of respect for Haiti’s place in world history — and with the awareness that its challenges today must be understood against that backdrop of extraordinary resilience.
What is the next book that you are writing, and when will that be published?
My next project is The Golden Mansaic Age: The Legendary Malian Empire. It’s a sweeping look at Mansa Musa, Sundiata, Timbuktu, and the rise and legacy of Mali. I’m aiming for publication within the next year. Like From Taino Suns to Phoenix Flames, it’s part of a larger effort to spotlight histories too often pushed to the margins, but which deserve the center stage.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames traces the history, culture, and enduring spirit of the indigenous Taíno people of the Caribbean and the birth of a nation compared once to the fictional Wakanda. This is Black nationalism and autonomy at its finest. Weaving together Taíno history, Haitian indigenous heritage, and personal journeys of cultural rediscovery, this book explores how a people once thought lost have reclaimed their identity, traditions, and pride in the modern world.
Inside, you’ll discover:
The history of the Taíno people before and after European contact.
Caribbean indigenous culture — from language to spirituality.
Stories of indigenous resilience and revival across Haiti, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The impact of colonization on Caribbean heritage and identity.
How the Taíno legacy inspires cultural pride and modern indigenous movements.
Rich with history, storytelling, and cultural insight, Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames is both a historical journey and a call to remember, reclaim, and rise.
From Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames: A Story of Haiti is a sweeping and powerful chronicle of Haiti’s soul-stirring journey—from its Indigenous Taíno origins to its revolutionary blaze of independence, through the shadows of exploitation, and toward the radiant hope of rebirth. Author Woody R. Clermont masterfully blends history, culture, revolt, and vision in this richly illustrated, deeply researched, and passionately written tribute to the Haitian spirit.
This book traces the sacred threads that run through Haiti’s past: the wisdom of the Taíno people, the courage of enslaved Africans who defied colonial empires, and the brilliance of revolutionaries who dared to birth the first Black republic. It confronts the devastations of foreign interventions, economic sabotage, and interference with unflinching clarity, while also lifting up the resilience, artistry, and ingenuity that define the Haitian people.
But From Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames is more than a recounting—it is a resurrection. Clermont envisions a Haitian renaissance where the nation rises like the mythical phoenix from the ashes of betrayal and despair. Through economic reform, education, diaspora engagement, agriculture, innovation, and spiritual renewal, he lays out a roadmap for turning Haiti into the “Caribbean Wall Street”—a vibrant hub of commerce, culture, and sovereign strength.
A rallying cry and a visionary blueprint, this book calls Haitians and the world to witness a nation not broken but becoming. It is a story of fire, but also of flight—soaring toward destiny with faith, memory, and the unyielding light of the Haitian sun.
Unique Voices
Winston the Titan Terrier: Adventures in Ancient Egypt follows a superhero dog who unexpectedly travels back in time to ancient Egypt, where he discovers dinosaurs are present and must figure out how they got there and fix history. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Mia and I approached the sequel with a clear goal: to deepen the engagement that readers loved in the first book. We focused on three main areas to achieve this.
The Power of Engagement: Puzzles and Fun
First and foremost, we expanded the interactive elements. Both Mia and I share a passion for brain teasers, so we wove numerous puzzles and riddles into the narrative of Book 2. This wasn’t just filler; it was a deliberate strategy to maintain a high level of reader engagement and, as our young audience told us with the first instalment, to genuinely ‘get their minds working.’ We see this as a way to make the reading experience active, not passive.
Weaving in Surprising, Up-to-Date Knowledge
Secondly, we made a point of ‘sprinkling in’ fascinating, recently discovered facts and snippets of knowledge. We didn’t want to rely on old, common knowledge. A great example of this is a scene where we highlight how a domestic cat, like our character Smokestrike, is actually capable of running faster than a fully grown Tyrannosaurus rex at its estimated speed. This is based on new research from fossilised footprints, which suggests that large theropods could only walk or trot due to the mechanical limits of their weight and bone structure.
Another discovery we used was acknowledging that Queen Cleopatra was not Egyptian but Greek, a descendant of Ptolemy, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. These details add unexpected depth and authenticity, correcting common misconceptions for our young readers.
Authentic Detail and Historical Context
Finally, we committed to integrating authentic historical details through our research. For example, we feature ‘biltong,’ the famous South African dried-meat snack, as Winston’s all-time favourite snack. Our research revealed that dried meat was historically very common in ancient Egypt for preservation, as there definitely weren’t any fridges back in those times. So connecting a modern detail to an ancient practice and adding a vivid, believable layer to the narrative, where we learnt something new about ancient Egypt.
Perhaps the most fascinating discovery we wove into the story was the Ahramat Branch, a now-extinct arm of the Nile River that once flowed right past the Giza and other pyramid complexes. This newly identified river branch may explain how the ancient Egyptians transported their massive stones to the pyramids. We featured this detail prominently in our cover artwork and several illustrations.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Most enjoyable character to write for…
Mia won a reversible yellow octopus at the arcade shortly after our first book was released. It was a yellow reversible super grumpy Octopus, that she instantly nicknamed as “Sadface.” I began speaking to Mia in character as the persona of a friend who used to complain about numerous events and situations on a constant basis, which sparked endless laughter from her.
We both kind of knew this work in the Winston universe and our readers as a formidable yet hilarious antagonist who could inject both chaos and entertainment into future storylines.
Most challenging character to write for…
We found great satisfaction in developing the full range of our characters, and it was rewarding to bring their individual personas and unique voices into the narrative of this book.
Where can your fans expect to find Winston, Diesel, and Teddy next?
Future Storylines and Book 3
One of the most enjoyable parts of the creative process for Mia and myself was the discussions and debates about future storylines. We’re currently mapping out Book 3, and it’s set to be our most ambitious adventure yet.
The Stakes in Ancient Egypt
The first half of Book 3 will address the cliffhanger from the sequel. Our heroes, Teddy and Diesel, are now equipped with their newly discovered superpowers, and they have some unfinished business: they must first save Ancient Egypt from the remaining dinosaurs and successfully retrieve Winston from that ancient timeline. This means facing huge, new dangers, such as the gigantic Mosasaurus lurking in the Nile and any remaining pteranodons still patrolling the skies with powers they haven’t really mastered yet, which could have some hilarious outcomes.
Expanding the Scope: A New Realm of Danger
From there, the scope of the story expands dramatically. Once they return to the future, their main goal will be to track down and battle their persistent foe, Sadface, and other infamous creatures known for destroying large ships. This chase takes them through a new, unpredictable realm filled with hidden dangers and legendary underwater locations that challenge the heroes’ new abilities.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | YouTube | The Chaos King | Amazon
From multiple award-winning storytellers Mia van Dongen and Colin van Dongen comes the next thrilling instalment in the “Winston The Titan Terrier” series!
Get ready for Winston’s new epic journey where futuristic chaos collides with ancient history! In Adventures In Ancient Egypt, our beloved superhero dog, Winston, and his best mate Teddy with his super-hyperactive dad Diesel, find themselves catapulted into more unbelievable new challenges against Smokestrike the naughty ninja cat and new intergalactic villains.
Following their discovery of a secret, magical tunnel system beneath the Bone Shop, Winston and his crew thought they’d seen it all. But when the mischievous alien Disco Duck unleashes a new time-twisting plot, Winston is hurled back to the scorching sands of 51 BC Ancient Egypt, under the reign of Queen Cleopatra herself!
Armed with his incredible Cosmic Bone, a shape shifting, language decoding, enemy outsmarting marvel, and a backpack full of transforming nanotech gadgets. Winston must navigate a world of ancient wonder and dinosaurs?! That’s right! A super grumpy, chaos-loving alien octopus known as Sad Face, is intent on destroying Earth by transporting prehistoric creatures into future timelines, with the help of a modified time twister device!
Can Winston, with the help of ancient allies and a surprise assist from a certain naughty ninja cat, stop Sad Face before he unleashes intergalactic mayhem and turns history into his own personal movie set?
Prepare for a laugh-out-loud, action-packed adventure filled with:
⏳🚀 Time-traveling escapades
🦖👽 Epic action packed chases with prehistoric beasts and alien villains
🧠🧩 Clever riddles and mind-bending challenges
❤️😂 Heart warming friendships and hilarious antics
🐶🐱 And a whole lot of canine and feline courage!
Perfect for young readers aged 6 to 10 years and families who love dogs, cats, dinosaurs, ancient history, and a good dose of intergalactic fun. Join Winston on his wildest adventure yet! From the imagination of a 7 year old.
Grab your copy of Adventures In Ancient Egypt today!
UK Book Band : Brown Level (7+ Year olds)
Year Group 3+
Oxford Reading Level 12
Big Cat Band : Copper
Suitable for shared reading for kids (Ages 5+) that love dinosaurs and adventure with parents and carers
A Mirror of My Own Power
Embracing Your Inner Villain is a manifesto for unapologetic authenticity, reclaiming “villain” as a symbol of power, independence, and resilience in a world that punishes those who dare to shine. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wrote it because I was tired of seeing people — myself included — punished for being too much, too bold, too outspoken. Society often labels strength as threatening, and the word “villain” becomes shorthand for anyone who won’t shrink to fit the mold. To me, writing this book was about tearing off that label and showing that what gets called “villainy” is often just self-possession, courage, and authenticity.
You reclaim the word “villain” as a badge of honor. What was the turning point in your life that made you see it as empowerment rather than condemnation?
There was a moment when I realized no matter how hard I tried to please, the criticism never stopped. That’s when it clicked: if I’m going to be called a villain anyway, I might as well own it on my terms. That shift turned “villain” from an insult into armor. It stopped being something I ran from and became something I leaned into — a way of saying, “Yes, I’m different, and I’m not apologizing for it.” I have gotten over it – that not everyone is going to like us, and we just have to wave and be that villain, because we deserve to be our true selves.
In your exploration of envy and projection, what insight surprised you the most while writing this book?
The most surprising realization was that envy is often admiration in disguise. People project negativity not because you’re wrong, but because you’re embodying something they secretly wish they could claim. That flipped the script for me — what felt like an attack was actually a mirror of my own power. It’s both unsettling and liberating to see envy that way, because suddenly it’s not about rejection, it’s about reflection.
What do you hope a reader who has been shrinking their light will feel when they finish your book?
I want them to feel unafraid. I want them to see that the parts of themselves they’ve been hiding — the sharp edges, the audacity, the brilliance — are not flaws but sources of strength. My hope is that when they turn the last page, they’ll feel permission to step into their full presence, even if the world calls them a villain for it. Especially if the world calls them a villain for it. It is okay to shine.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Embracing Your Inner Villain: Becoming Unstoppable is the unapologetic self-help guide that shows you how to claim your personal power, break free from fear, and stop living by other people’s rules. Packed with actionable strategies for building fearless confidence, developing an unstoppable mindset, and cultivating mental toughness, this book challenges you to own your ambition without apology.
Inside, you’ll discover:
How to tap into your inner strength and use it to achieve your goals.
The psychology of self empowerment and bold decision-making.
Ways to overcome self-doubt and stop being a people pleaser.
The habits of people who refuse to quit — and why they win.
How to transform your mindset for fearless living and long-term success.
If you’re ready to rewrite your story, set your own rules, and become unstoppable, Embracing Your Inner Villain is your blueprint for taking control of your life and winning on your own terms.
Embracing Your Inner Villain: Becoming Unstoppable is not about turning into the bad guy—it’s about rewriting the rules that have kept you playing small.
For too long, you’ve been told to be agreeable, humble, and harmless. But the truth is, playing nice has cost you opportunities, drained your energy, and dimmed your fire. This is the heart of stoicism.
This is your permission slip to reclaim your power.
In these pages, Woody R. Clermont—author of Strategic Microeconomics and The Black Wall Streets of America—delivers a bold blueprint for breaking free from the limits others place on you. With unapologetic honesty and razor-sharp insight, he shows you how to:
Build unshakable confidence without crossing into arrogance
Set boundaries that protect your time, energy, and purpose
Turn envy, doubt, and criticism into unstoppable momentum
Move strategically in silence while making power moves
Live a daring life rooted in purpose, not permission
This is not self-help fluff. This is a call to arms for the driven, the underestimated, and the underestimated—the ones ready to step into the spotlight without apology and without asking for approval.
If you’re ready to stop shrinking, start leading, and build a life so bold it can’t be ignored, it’s time to embrace your inner villain.
Because the world doesn’t need another hero—it needs you, unfiltered and unstoppable.
Deeper Truths
The Copper Scroll follows Joshua “Masa” Bennett, a young archaeologist whose quest for ancient secrets in Jordan entangles him in a dangerous struggle of faith, identity, and survival. What first drew you to the legend of the Copper Scroll, and how did it evolve into your novel?
I’ve been deeply immersed in researching Biblical history, from books to Hillsdale College classes. But I realized that my own pursuit of knowledge — while meaningful — would be rather dull to put straight on the page. I wanted to create something that could both entertain and motivate readers to seek truth for themselves. The Copper Scroll itself reads like a treasure map, hinting at hidden items and locations. That inspired me to craft a story where following those clues isn’t just an adventure for the characters, but also a way for readers to encounter deeper truths as the mystery unfolds.
Masa’s search feels both adventurous and personal. How much of his struggle with faith and belonging mirrors your own experiences?
Masa’s journey is very much a reflection of my own. His search for truth mirrors the knowledge I’ve pursued both through study and through life experiences. I spent years crossing the globe in the military, especially throughout the Middle East, and I witnessed how people everywhere chase life, death, faith, and family in unique ways. Those experiences left me with a deep respect for how culture and belief shape identity. In The Copper Scroll, I wanted to bring that perspective to life, connecting the historical events of the Bible with the very human struggles of belonging and purpose that transcend time and place.
The novel is rich with sensory detail, from food to city sounds. How did you research or immerse yourself in those environments?
In the Army, I experienced some of the most extreme environments on the planet. I once spent a night in a snow cave during cold-weather training where the temperature dropped to -59 degrees. Later, in Saudi Arabia, I stood in 125-degree heat with the wind hitting me like the blast of a hair dryer. Those physical extremes stay with you, but so do the everyday details—walking through markets and bazaars, hearing the sounds, smelling the food, seeing the colors and crowds. When I write, I draw directly from those memories. That way, the scenes in The Copper Scroll aren’t just imagined—they’re lived, and I hope readers can feel that authenticity in every setting.
The story balances history, suspense, and emotional resonance. Which of those elements came most naturally to you, and which was the hardest to craft?
The hardest part to capture was the emotion. Some of the feelings in the book come directly from my own experiences or from stories shared among veterans, and others I drew from watching how my wife responds to life’s challenges. Translating those emotions onto the page in a way that feels authentic was a real challenge.
The easiest part was the suspense and action. Writing the clashes between the Templars, ISIS, and Mossad was so much fun that I actually had to pull back at times. I also really wanted to highlight the relationship between the Rabbi and the Priest, showing how mutual respect can remain even while they challenge each other to look deeper into their own beliefs.
My biggest focus, though, was making sure the story stayed entertaining while also being clean and consistent with my values. I worked hard to deliver a thrilling story free of unnecessary profanity or messages that undermine the natural order. A few early readers pointed out places where language slipped through, and I’m grateful for that feedback, it helped me stay true to my promise of writing clean, exciting, and faith-rooted adventure.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
At the center of it all is the Copper Scroll, a cryptic Dead Sea artifact rumored to hold clues to an ancient treasure buried deep in the Judean desert. But Joshua soon learns it’s no ordinary scroll.
Hidden symbols, coded phrases, and whispers of a “shepherd’s path” point to something far more significant and far more dangerous.
As the clues mount, so do the warnings. A silent observer in the library. A cryptic priest with a knowing smile. A message slipped into Joshua’s backpack: The shepherd’s path is not for the faint-hearted.
A cryptic priest and a rabbi jump in to help understand uncovered information. As Mossad agents, Templar knights, and ISIS operatives close in, Joshua and his allies race to unravel the truth. But who seeks to unearth it, and who will kill to keep it buried?
Rich in historical intrigue and driven by sharp, character-centered suspense, The Copper Scroll is a gripping archaeological thriller where ancient secrets refuse to stay buried and the journey to find them could change everything.
Morally Compromised Characters
Street Brotherhood follows a teenage boy in 1970s New York, as his search for loyalty and belonging pulls him into a dangerous brotherhood where survival blurs the line between family and gang. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story is about building a family of choice when your family of origin has betrayed you. It’s about brotherhood forged in the face of adversity, boys who are thrust into bleak and dangerous situations due to familial and systemic neglect. But it also shows how these kids don’t just endure and accept their fate. They strive to exploit it. Street Brotherhood is the second book in the Street series, picking up where the first book left off, but each of them works perfectly as a standalone.
What drew you to set Johnny’s story in 1970s New York, and how did that time and place shape the characters’ lives?
The city plays a huge role in this book. New York in the 1970s was on the brink of financial collapse. Municipalities were struggling under massive layoffs, landlords were selling–or torching–buildings to get out from the debt, and crime was skyrocketing. Johnny’s story reflects all of that. He is cunning enough to see the cracks in the system and is able to use them to his advantage. The story could not have been told in any other place or decade without being inauthentic because the conditions changed. Many of the scenarios are tied to my own experiences, since I came of age at the same time, hanging out in those same streets.
Johnny is both sympathetic and frustrating. How did you balance writing him as flawed yet compelling?
From a writing perspective, the flawed and morally compromised characters are the most fun for me. I love pushing those boundaries for the reader: How bad can a character act while still commanding sympathy? Johnny is a street-smart gang leader, with lofty aspirations, living in a very adult world. But he’s still a teenager. Sometimes his youth is an asset, but other times it’s a liability. That becomes apparent in some of the choices he makes. His gang can also be loyal to a fault, by letting his decisions play out. Peppering in the scenes from Johnny’s childhood helped me make him more sympathetic, while also explaining some of his defects.
The violence feels necessary rather than gratuitous. How did you approach writing those scenes to maintain authenticity without sensationalism?
Great Question. Violence in movies and on TV is so pervasive we become numb to it. On the page, however, it translates differently. My early drafts were dripping with brutal details, but thanks to my beta readers, I toned a lot of it down. I learned that what’s not said can be even more ominous. In Street Brotherhood, the violence is necessary in order for the story to be realistic. But violence is also action, and too many details will slow down the pacing, so I tried to maintain a balance.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Johnny becomes involved with Marco, a tempestuous drug supplier who inspires admiration, but also rueful reminiscence of Johnny’s father. His demands challenge Johnny’s morals, but the payout is hard to ignore. As is Johnny’s aptitude for carrying out his lethal tasks.
Amid his nefarious entanglements, Johnny falls for Jessica. She is witty and self-assured, opening him to normalcy and tenderness for the first time. But as his worlds spin ever closer, will he escape the brutality of his past or be forced to embrace it?
Time to Tell Her Story
Beyond the Sky, written in two parts, follows a young woman through her college years and her involvement in the civil rights, and traces her ancestry from immigration from Ireland to the mountains of Hidden Valley. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When Tillie first showed up in Hidden Valley in my debut novel, New Tomorrows, I knew she would be the one whose mysterious background would take her away from the valley to be involved in the activism of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. My intent as a writer is to create engaging stories that readers can not only enjoy but also be drawn in to explore real, contemporary issues with characters they can relate to. I identified the racial tension our country has faced and dealt with, in one form or another, throughout our history, as one of several important issues I wanted to help my readers explore. I myself enjoy stories that have a touch of romance, but not in the traditional way romance is presented in many books in that genre. I see romance as just one aspect of human connections, and I wanted my stories to be about connections, especially in families and communities.
When I first imagined Tillie, we were witnessing legislative and societal changes influenced by my generation begin to erode or disappear. As a writer, I feel a responsibility to speak about the past to shine light on the present. It was time to tell her story.
I was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement myself in the 1960s. I decided to bring Tillie to the same University I attended, letting her arrive as a freshman the year I was a senior. Her story is not at all biographical, but I was able to write about a time period and events that I personally experienced. While the events are real, both those that are part of our well-known (and some not so well-known) history or the local events in Pittsburg, the characters all spring from my imagination.
What is it that interests you most about historical fiction?
Let me first share my perspective on fiction vs. non-fiction. I like to define fiction as learning through imagination, whereas non-fiction is learning through facts. Reading fiction gives us an opportunity to spend time in a life quite different from our own. I believe folks can often learn more history through fact driven, engaging fiction than they might from a history book. When that happens to us, we often come away with a new understanding or a wider perspective of what life is like living in another person’s skin, both figuratively and realistically. My hope with all my books is that readers might gain increased awareness, understanding, and empathy for the marginalized in our society who struggle daily for justice, inclusion, and dignity.
I have always been a bit of a history buff; my college degree is in Creative Writing, but my minor was history. If I am going to write about human connections, part of who we are is defined by where we can from – the ancestors of yesterday who built the foundation for who we are today. That was especially true for Tillie. Her story was not complete without the stories of the strong woman who came before her and the choices they made, along with the men who loved them.
How did you go about finding your characters’ voices while planning your writing?
First, let me say a word about my writing process. Some folks divide writers into two groups – the plotters, or the seat-of-the-pants writers. I’m a combination of both, but my plotting is very sketchy with only major plot turns in my mind. It’s no more a brief list, rather than a plot outline. My writing is very character driven and sometimes even those major plot turns change as I become more immersed in the life of a character. As I wrote and got to know my characters on a deep personal level, they often sent me off on an unexpected side trip. One such side trip was quite literal when Percy told me to take him back to Quebec because he had to talk to his grandmother and get the pearl ring she had promised him. I didn’t even realize the ring had a pearl instead of a diamond until Percy first heard Taynay’s song about the moon.
One of the greatest joys of writing Tillie’s story was getting to know the six generations of mountain women who came before her. I imagined these women, along with their families, making choices that were often difficult. Choices that went beyond the traditional thinking of their time period. Each one was different, so they spoke and acted in their own unique way.
My original intent was to reference their journals with quotes as Tillie was reading and learning more about her generations of grandmothers. As their situations and choices came to light, and as their words began to paint a picture of the challenges of her time period, I realized I could not merely include snippets of their lives. These women deserved to have their whole stories told, thus I created the entire second half of the book to include their entire first-person narratives.
Where will the next book in the Hidden Valley series take readers? When will it be available?
The next book is already in progress, but I have as usual, been doing a bit of research into its topic and only have a few opening chapters written. The title is One More New Chance: A Vet Tech Romantic Suspense. The male protagonist is Brink, but I won’t reveal the name of the female protagonist because it would be a spoiler. I will drop a brief hint that she is a character readers have met in a prior book, however briefly. Brink is struggling with two issues – his dedication to tracking down the criminal rings that are staging the dog fights in various remote hollers in the valley and his own personal identity conflict due to bullying he has experienced as a result of his bi-racial background. It will be out in 2026, but I do not have a firm date right now. In truth, it has briefly been placed on the back burner while I’ve been doing some minor revisions and reformatting of my first book in the series, New Tomorrows. That slightly revised book will be live soon, to coordinate with October being National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The passion of activism flourished on college campuses in the tumultuous sixties, and Tillie embraced it as a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh. Descended from Irish immigrants known in their Appalachian community as Granny Women – the healers – her compassionate nature drew her into the Civil Rights Movement. She could never have predicted how dramatically her life would change. When family journals reveal shocking news about her history and lineage, she’s forced to re-define her path to the future.
Which road will she choose?
After navigating new horizons, she may have to look for answers that lie Beyond the Sky.
Join readers on a thought-provoking journey through the divisions of the Civil War into the ardor of an era when our country’s youth led the way to a better national consciousness.
Empowered Readers
The Art of Thinking Critically with Clarity for Optimal Health: Your Longevity is Determined by How You Think! is a guide that addresses the challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers daily, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in healthcare decisions. What inspired you to write this informative book?
I find too many of my patients are not advocates for their own care, and I wanted to provide a framework and structure so they can be better advocates for themselves.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The concept of metacognition and how it can be applied to everyday life to improve our health decisions and provide improved healthspan.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about their ability to be actively involved in their treatment plans?
Many people don’t see the importance of being their own advocate in a broken and fractured health care system.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
Many readers let me know how the book has empowered readers to approach health challenges with confidence, clarity, and a structured mindset. This lets me know the mission of the book was accomplished!
Author Links: X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website
LITERARY TITAN 