Category Archives: Interviews
Do What You Love
Posted by Literary_Titan

Singing Surya Dreams to Dance follows a young boy who loves to dance but hides his passion because of what others might think, till an encouraging teacher helps him learn that there is nothing wrong with following your heart. What was the inspiration for your story?
The premise of Singing Surya Dreams to Dance stems from age-old gender stereotypes. Pink vs. blue, dolls vs. cars, dance vs. sports, each of these stereotypes pigeonholes us from the time we are children. I wanted to create a story to inspire children to embrace what they love, explore what they are curious about, and the courage to share it with the world. I see Singing Surya Dreams to Dance as a path for children to give themselves permission to do what they love and share what they do. And the book can serve as a reminder to their peers and adults in their lives to support and encourage their journeys.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Foremost, giving voice to children (honestly, even teens and adults) who make assumptions about what they are and are not “supposed” to do forms the backbone for this book. I believe we can all use education and discussion around what we need permission for, whose permission do we seek, the cost of hiding your passion, and the assumptions we make about people. I also wanted to explore the theme of support and encouragement; being in tune with how others may feel, and being willing to ask for (and take) help. The idea of assumptions was very important to me. What assumptions do we make and why? What purpose do they serve? And how can they be addressed in a constructive way?
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Vidya Vasudevan?
Vidya does beautiful, heartfelt work. This is our second collaboration, and it was another joy just like our work on my debut children’s book Dancing Deepa. Aside from her experience growing up in the Indian diaspora and raising Indian-American children, she connected with Surya’s journey. As an author, it was important to clearly communicate things important to me about the visual elements. It was equally important to give Vidya creative space to flex, and see how she saw the visual representation of the story. She came up with some ideas that jump off the page. Once again, she created some absolute gems for this book. I’m so grateful to collaborate with her, it’s been a wonderful partnership.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I have 3 more stories connected with Surya and Deepa outlined, and I’m letting the ideas marinate in my head. I know one of them will jump out at me, and that’s what I’ll write next. I also have a non-fiction concept in mind, also connected to Indian culture in the diaspora. More to come there!
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
There’s only one problem.
Surya is a boy. And boys don’t dance.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Children's Asian & Asian American, Children's books, Children's Dance Books, Children's Diversity & Multicultural, Children's Multicultural Biographies, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Singing Surya Dreams to Dance, story, Suchi Sairam, Vidya Vasudevan, writer, writing
Explore Life’s Adventures
Posted by Literary-Titan

Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery follows three friends living in a new part of the woods who hear a strange sound in the dark, leading them to embark on a quest to discover its source. What was the inspiration for your story?
Bunny and Fawn are based on my two rescue dogs, Lulu and Pixie. I’ve drawn from their quirks, personalities, and even some of their funny habits to shape the characters and their adventures.
This second book picks up where the first one left off. After being separated during a storm, Bunny and Fawn find each other again with the help of their new friend, Bear. They decide to stay near Bear’s home by a pond, a perfect spot since swimming is one of their favorite activities.
As for the mysterious creature they meet later in the story, I won’t spoil the surprise, but the character was inspired by Pixie’s love of burrowing into blankets and making playful noises. This new addition will return in future books as part of the continuing story.
Much like my first book, I’ve woven in themes that children can relate to, but that also resonate with readers of all ages. Diversity is a central idea, shown through different species of animals sharing the forest and learning from each other as they explore life’s adventures.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
For all my books, I intentionally include themes that are applicable to children. In Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery, several main themes include friendship, resilience, and discovery. All three themes are truly universal. Our lives are shaped by those around us. We seek guidance from those who have the experience, like Bunny in my first book, when Fawn taught her ways to be safe in the forest. Life is unpredictable, and we need to be ready for various opportunities and obstacles that come into our lives. I want readers to understand that it’s important to learn from experiences, be it good or bad, and that taking away those experiences makes us stronger. Also, specifically related to discovery, there’s so much to our world, and to simply ignore opportunities to meet someone new or experience a new adventure will only serve as a disservice.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Damien Hall?
I’ve worked with Damien on both books, and the process has been wonderful. I shared my manuscript along with a short description of what I pictured for each illustration, but I encouraged him to bring his own creativity to the art. The process usually went from sketches to final renderings, with my feedback at each stage. Many times, he suggested changes that ended up making the illustrations even better than I imagined. Collaborating with him was smooth and inspiring.
Will this story be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature is the second book in the Bunny and Fawn series. I’m currently writing the third book in the series, which will be revealed in January of next year, marking the start of the illustrations phase of the process. I have no plans to stop writing books in the Bunny and Fawn series.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery, Children's Friendship Books, childrens animals books, Childrens beginner readers, childrens books, Damien Hall, ebook, friendship, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Lingo, nook, novel, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
Awe and Tenderness
Posted by Literary-Titan

Who Are We, Really? follows three inseparable tadpole friends who go on an adventure to figure out who they are meant to be and learn an important lesson in the process. What was the inspiration for your story?
As a mother, watching my little one grow, explore, and dream inspired me to write this story. One moment in particular sparked the idea for this book. I was walking with my son along a trail here in New England when we came upon a small pond filled with tadpoles. My son immediately scooped up a few into his hands. His eyes opened wide with wonder. It was the first time he had ever held tadpoles, and watching him study them so carefully, with such awe and tenderness, was pure magic. I knew then that I wanted to capture a part of that beautiful moment — to preserve the innocence, curiosity, and joy that childhood brings.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
One important educational aspect I wanted to explore in this story is self-discovery. While we all grow and change, who we are goes far beyond our appearance. It is our actions, choices, and character that truly define us. Another educational aspect that I also wanted to explore is creative thinking. Children learn through play, exploration, and imagination. Imaginative play is a vital part of childhood, helping them grow, make sense of the world around them, and discover more about themselves. In Who Are We, Really, the tadpoles imagine themselves as sharks, turtles, and dragonflies. This encourages children to play with different possibilities and outcomes and explore different perspectives.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene where the three friends discover they have become frogs. Joey, the most stubborn and spirited of the trio, continues to believe they are dragonflies, even though his reflection in the water reveals the truth. In that moment, I wanted to capture a simple yet powerful idea — that who we are comes from within. It isn’t our appearance that defines us, but our feelings, our choices, actions, and the kindness we carry inside.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I am currently illustrating my fourth book, and I started writing my fifth. It tells the story of a bear cub trying to make friends in a forest where all the animals fear him. At its heart, it is a gentle reminder about kindness, acceptance, and seeing beyond appearances.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Who Are We, Really? is a heartwarming adventure with three tiny tadpoles―Polly, Molly, and Joey―on a BIG quest to figure out what (or who) they’re meant to be. Sharks? Turtles? Dragonflies? The sky’s the limit when you’ve got imagination!
Along the way, they meet wise creatures, swap wild ideas, and stumble onto a truth bigger than any dream: the best thing you can be….is yourself.
With vibrant, handmade watercolor collages and a story packed with heart, humor, and the power of believing in yourself, Who Are We, Really? is perfect for little dreamers ages 0–7—and anyone who’s ever dared to wonder who they might become.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Children's Frog & Toad Books, Children's Frog & Toad Fiction, childrens books, childrens literature, ebook, friendship, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, life lessons, literature, Nielle P. Marques, nook, novel, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, Who are we really?, writer, writing
Quiet Doubts
Posted by Literary-Titan

The Infinity Within tells the story of Gabe, a man haunted by strange, otherworldly experiences from childhood through early adulthood. This seems like a very personal story for you. How hard was it to put this story out in the world for people to read?
In many ways, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—and also one of the most necessary. The Infinity Within may be written as Gabe’s journey, but much of what he experiences mirrors my own. To put those truths—those quiet doubts, soul-piercing questions, and hard-earned awakenings—onto the page was like pulling threads from the deepest parts of myself. It’s vulnerable. But I believe vulnerability is sacred, and if there’s even one person out there who finds themselves in these pages and feels less alone, more seen, or more empowered… then it’s worth every moment of discomfort. Sharing this story was never about telling people what to believe—it was about offering a mirror. One I wish I’d had during my own darkest nights.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
At the heart of The Infinity Within is the idea that fear, doubt, and emotional heaviness aren’t signs that we’re broken—they’re sacred signals inviting us to remember who we truly are. I wanted to challenge the mainstream narrative that healing is about fixing yourself. What if nothing is broken? What if the pain is part of the awakening?
It was also important for me to explore the concept that life isn’t random—it’s a soul-designed journey. One of remembering, not achieving. Through Gabe’s dialogue with Elias, I wanted readers to feel invited into their own inner conversation, where their intuition could guide them more than any external doctrine ever could.
Lastly, I wanted to help dissolve the illusion of separation. Between self and Source. Between what we’ve been told is real and what we quietly feel to be true. If I could offer even a moment where someone says, “I’ve felt this too,” then I’ve done what I came to do.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
“Stop trying to win the game—remember you designed it.”
That one sentence stopped me in my tracks. It reframed my entire perspective. I had spent years pushing, striving, fixing… believing life was something to conquer. But those words helped me realize that the obstacles, the fears, even the breakdowns—they weren’t punishments. They were invitations. Designed by me, for my own awakening.
That advice didn’t just shift how I lived—it became the foundation of The Infinity Within. It’s not about controlling life. It’s about remembering the deeper intelligence that’s always been guiding it.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Infinity Within?
That they are not broken—they are remembering.
We live in a world that constantly tells us we need fixing, healing, or improving before we can be whole. The Infinity Within offers a different message: what if everything you’re going through is not a detour, but part of a sacred design calling you back to your true self?
If readers walk away with just one thing, I hope it’s this:
You already have the power. You already hold the map. And the moment you stop running from your fear and instead listen to it, you’ll find it was never the enemy. It was the doorway.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Break Through Fear, Trust Your Inner Power, and Create a Life That Reflects Who You Truly Are
Have you ever felt the faint pull of something larger than day-to-day routines—like an invisible current stirring in your gut, urging you to see beyond the grind? What if that pull wasn’t a dream, but a call to remember you’re far more than you’ve been told?
In The Infinity Within, you’ll join Gabe on a journey that shatters the illusion of limitation. From an eerie childhood moment when a toy train appeared weightless in his hands, to a near-fatal car crash where time bent and fate reversed, Gabe keeps stumbling into events that defy logic. Again and again, these flashes whisper: Reality is malleable—fear and doubt alone keep it fixed.
Desperate for clarity, Gabe tests the boundary between “impossible” and “everyday,” venturing at dawn into a quiet orchard. Under a hush that silences his busy mind, he attempts small but audacious acts—summoning a cardinal by sheer intention, almost teleporting across the grass—and glimpses cosmic teachers, from ancient spiritual icons to modern disruptors like Elon Musk. Each one demonstrates how unwavering faith outsmarts “that can’t be done,” hinting that a single moment of pure trust can shift the universe to meet us.
Yet The Infinity Within isn’t a catalog of miracles; it’s a map for releasing illusions. Gabe’s leaps of faith peel away layers of doubt, revealing the quiet truth that we all harbor a spark of the divine. This isn’t about gaining power to show off, but reclaiming the essence we lost behind fear and social conditioning.
You’ll see:
Near-Death Expansions where crisis ignites improbable survival
Orchard Illusions tested in a tranquil field at sunrise, proving how quickly the “impossible” crumbles
Real-World Parallels in teachers like Jesus, the Buddha, Eckhart Tolle, and even Musk—each boldly brushing aside limits in different domains
Practical Steps to cultivate your own orchard hush, dissolving doubt and empowering you to co-create the life you truly want
By the final pages, Gabe’s story intersects with yours: the illusions that once caged him are the same illusions blocking your next transformation. As you read, you’ll discover how to break through fear, trust your inner power, and craft a reality that aligns with who you really are—in your work, relationships, and personal calling.
Ready to taste life free of self-imposed walls? With each chapter, illusions recede, revealing an infinite spark inside you that’s always waited to shine. Gabe’s journey will nudge you to question every “I can’t,” forging a fresh perspective where possibility opens at every turn. The Infinity Within calls you to see past the illusions you’ve carried too long, urging you to step forward, awakened and alive, into a future of your own making.
Open these pages if you’re ready to challenge your limits, tap the hush of dawn in your own heart, and claim the boundless capacity that’s always been yours. Your leap begins now. Let the orchard hush guide you and watch your world transform as illusions unravel and your infinite self stands revealed.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, dieting, ebook, fitness, goodreads, health, indie author, kindle, kobo, Kris Land, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Self-Help, story, The Infinity Within, writer, writing
True Prosperity and Abundance
Posted by Literary-Titan
Son of Osivirius follows a young pilot who crashes near a rebel base and forms a connection with the family that saves him, leaving him to decide what side of the battle he wants to be a part of. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It was one of those serendipity moments. I was struggling to come up with an idea for a scene writing exercise where the prompt was ‘three characters, all with different goals’. I was getting super frustrated, beginning and discarding idea after idea. Imagine a ‘rip the paper out of the typewriter, scrunch it into a ball, then toss it into the pile littering the floor’ scenario. I’d actually given up for the day and was cooking dinner when I suddenly remembered a short story idea I’d jotted down months before:
“A helicopter pilot in a WWIII scenario crash-lands near a valley belonging to some people who are a bit like the Amish and refuse to be a part of the war effort, but the government is trying to force them into it. They look after him, and when the government eventually comes to their valley, he has to decide what to do.”
Suddenly, neurons were firing in all directions. I combined that premise with the vibes of Avatar, and boom! I had my scene mapped out. Not only my scene, but almost the entire book.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities, especially the Masu. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I live in a rainforest, and have always been drawn to forest settings, and although I LOVE dragons, I wanted to do something a bit different. Big cats have always fascinated me–their power, elegance, and how they seem to stare into your soul–so giving them wings just seemed like the perfect choice. The intricacies of the world-building took several drafts to refine, but the Masu were the foundation for all the other elements.
I tend to discover things in the process of writing, and it was during the drafting of some dialogue in what was then chapter threed that I had Jayden ask, “How did you tame them?” In that moment, I knew what kind of creatures these were, and I had Flint respond, “We didn’t. They tamed us.” It was definitely not part of my original plan, but it just felt so right, and with those two lines of dialogue, my climax became crystal clear.
The dead zones evolved over the course of drafting. They were there from the start, but I encountered logic problems as I went along. At first, I ‘patch-fixed’ them, but that became more and more convoluted and complicated, which is never a good thing. It was during the beta reader stage that I talked to my daughter about the issues I was having, and that conversation opened up the simple, elegant solution that really brought the world alive.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was really important to me to highlight a more connected way of living with the world, and letting it be our teacher. We tend to prioritise our comfort above all else, but that comes at great cost. So I really wanted to explore the idea of contentment, and what true prosperity and abundance look like.
I also wanted to explore how fear can subconsciously control us, and that it manifests in different ways depending on things like status, childhood trauma, and personality. Exploration of fear responses also naturally led into exploration of trust and betrayal.
The idea of worthiness was an interesting thing that came up in the process of writing. I know a lot of people struggle with thinking they’re not worthy, but I discovered my characters were acting from a belief that they did deserve more, but their worthiness was unrecognised. That seems to me how all revolutions begin.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
There is potential there for a series, but I don’t have any clear plans yet. Right now, I’m switching my focus to a romantic fantasy trilogy. The world-building there also has a great emphasis on connection with the natural world and features a musical magic system.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Fledgling pilot Jayden is one of the first generation to be born on the newly colonised planet of Osivirius. Now he’s determined to get his family out of ‘Wormsville’, the part of the colony where people are little more than numbers. So when Commander Tun offers a huge reward for finding the location of the rebel base, he jumps at the chance.
Nettle hates everything to do with the colony-especially the military arm-and is fiercely protective of the simple, grounded ways of the rebels. So when she and her brother Flint discover Jayden after he crash-lands, she’s ready to slit his throat without a second thought. But as Flint nurses him back to health, Nettle’s antipathy turns to empathy, and then an unwanted attraction.
Jayden, meanwhile, has made secret plans to escape on a Masu, one of the giant flying cats the rebels ride, but when his chance to escape presents itself, he feels torn. His blood family still need him, but the lure of the valley might just prove stronger.
The connection to nature of Avatar and the dystopian political struggle of The Hunger Games meet in this action-packed and thought-provoking science fantasy novella.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Cathryn DeVries, ebook, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, novella, read, reader, reading, sci fi, science fantasy, Son of Osivirius, story, writer, writing
A Confounding World
Posted by Literary-Titan

Not Yet Your Time follows a self-deprecating office worker whose mundane New York life derails after a near-death encounter with a mysterious woman, leading him to question everything he knows about time, fate, and faith. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always felt that the best drama or comedy follows from individuals being placed in situations for which they are utterly unprepared. (Being trapped on Everest while climbing is not the same as crash landing on Everest in your swim trunks) I have also always had the sneaking suspicion that our history, our myths, and the foundations of our culture are on very wobbly grounds. Finally, as someone who spent a full career in marketing, I know that reality is just a press release away from changing.
I found Titus to be an interesting character who gets pulled into a strange situation and manages to adapt despite everything that happens to him. Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
When I embark on creating, in effect, an entire world, I need a central character to react to, digest, and pass through it. I needed Titus to be that person. I gave him the vulnerabilities and hidden strengths to attempt to deal with a confounding world that has sucked him in against his will, only because he was attracted to a mysterious woman. I was also pleased with Kanenas, my, in effect, flawed and reluctant messiah. A good man with ideas, totally unprepared for the greatness that is hung on his shoulders. (Inside secret) I patterned him after the attitude and speech mannerisms of the late actor Peter O’Toole, also a great and deeply flawed person.
I found this novel to be a cutting piece of satire. What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your novel?
Absorb all you can in life from as many sources as you can tolerate because no one person or philosophy has all the answers.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
The world’s greatest historian has a dark secret. He travels back in time and gets deathbed confessions from great figures in history. A Gesture to the Wind is narrated by the historian’s unsuspecting assistant, who is drawn into a world of illegal historic relic dealers, Russian spies, EPA investigators, and the Battle of San Juan Hill, all while developing a deep and abiding friendship with a time-displaced Ben Franklin. (As you can see, I’m having fun.)
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
This odd trio embark on a perilous odyssey that includes imprisonment in a labyrinthine security complex under the ruins of the World Trade Center; flight through a murky unfinished tunnel beneath the Hudson River, a safe house masquerading as a defunct museum; and a perilous train ride to link up with a terror cell. Ultimately, the reluctant Titus will face a rendezvous with life, love, death, and destiny in the green wilds of New York’s Hudson Valley.
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Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, dystopian, Dystopian fiction, ebook, fiction, Fiction Satire, goodreads, indie author, James Terminiello, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, Not Yet Your Time, novel, read, reader, reading, story, suspense, thriller, Thrillers & Suspense, writer, writing
Deadly Antagonist
Posted by Literary-Titan

The Whistle of Revenge finds Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler married and living under assumed identities, fighting to rescue their son who has been kidnapped by their nemesis. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to write book four of the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries with kidnapping as the premise. Finding a worthy adversary for Holmes was the tricky part.
I enjoyed the shifts in perspective. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of writing from various characters’ points of view?
After much deliberation, I decided on Jack Stapleton, the deadly antagonist from The Hound of the Baskervilles. Although Jack was presumed dead, meeting an a grisly end on the Great Grimpen Mire, his body was never found. He was such a great character to resurrect. I decided to give him his own POV so readers could get to know a bit more about the celebrated Detective’s old nemesis and discover what he’d been up to for the past seventeen years.
Writing from Jack’s perspective was the most challenging because so little was known about him. I enjoyed developing the character. Some of my readers told me they felt a little sorry for him at times.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
It’s tricky to balance the two. I am a panster writer, so plot twists and story development come to me as I go along. However, I did a fair bit of outlining for Whistle, mainly due to the complexity of the story.
Can fans look forward to more from Holmes and Adler? What are you currently working on?
I plan to start book five before the end of this year, which will find Sherlock and Irene in the USA, which will make a nice change from all those tricky Italian translations. It’s going to be another controversial story with a shocking plot twist that readers will not see coming, involving events from Sherlock and Irene’s past, which will have far-reaching consequences for our intrepid duo. I can’t wait to get started.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
If you loved Conan Doyle’s, The Hound of the Baskerville, prepare to be enthralled by KD Sherrinford’s captivating follow-up, The Whistle of Revenge.
The deadly antagonist, Jack Stapleton, makes a spectacular return to the city of Milan in pursuit of his old nemesis, the celebrated Detective Sherlock Holmes.
Adopting the enigmatic persona of Janus, a vengeful Stapleton, along with the Italian mafia, wreak havoc on the Italian horse racing fraternity and fledgling car manufacturing industry, and kidnapping Holmes’s beloved son as part of their evil and well-executed master plan—Operation Whistle.
Will Holmes, Irene Adler, and their trusted ally, Inspector Romano, crack the code, rescue the boy, and unmask the deadly Janus?
Set against the backdrop of modern Milan, mind games and misdeeds of the highest order play out as the story reaches its thrilling and memorable conclusion.
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Give the World a Consciousness
Posted by Literary-Titan

Wasp Oil follows a haunted cop as she navigates a web of corruption and faces off with an otherworldly presence that feeds on fury. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I’m a big Stephen King fan. In which some of his early novels had a messy direction and at times absurd riffing on certain subject matter. In the best way possible, of course. During the process of writing the first draft, I listened to the audiobook of his novel, Tommyknockers. It was strange, gripping, zig-zagged in theme and direction, basically, you had no idea where the story was gonna go, and there were so many moments where I paused and audibly said: WHAT? WHY STEPHEN, WHY?
Knowing he wrote the story while under the influence of drugs for the most part, I asked myself: What would a sober version of this story look like? Would it be tamer or in your face in such a stomach- clenching and suffocating way that the reader becomes swallowed by the atmosphere of the world and the character’s blood-curdling anger and anxiety?
In addition, when I was watching TV one day, totally spaced out from the program, becoming background noise while I was staring at my TV, I remembered the grossest injury I had. I was working at a zoo. Repurposing old shipping containers with lead-based paint and thinning rusty steel. I was cutting sections of a metal wall my co-worker and I had fabricated as a divider for the three black bears that were going to use these containers as a hibernating den. I had all my safety gear on and started cutting one of the center pieces with a grinder. Silly me forgot the blade spun in my direction and locked it on. Thinking I was safe. Well, a bur I couldn’t see snagged the disk, the grinder locked on it, then flew at my face. In a fraction of a second, I could’ve had my brain severed or my skull cracked. I swung out of the way as this red-hot tool flew at me, then bam!
The disk cut through my arm. Deep into my skin, fatty, and muscle tissue. I screamed my head off until I got paper towel to put pressure on my wound, then called for help while I was in shock. First aid came, giving me the courage to look at my gaping wound, which was surprisingly not bleeding, and then the rest was history. That moment of my life was so eye-opening and biologically invigorating, etched into my brain, that it inspired the brutality and ick factor in Wasp Oil.
What is it that draws you to the fantasy genre?
Fantasy allows me to embrace the level of imminent danger for mortal characters. While also creating questions of what the right circumstances are, I can impart on my characters and give the world a consciousness that could dictate what level of power and effectiveness it has on who or what drives the story forward. Fantasy also increases the reader’s interest, especially if I create characters with mortal limits. Furthermore, any characters with fantastical capabilities could either be seen as all-powerful or blind by the reasoning behind their otherworldly and even mortal agenda.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Anger was the most important theme. I spent so many years hating myself due to my belief that I had to behave a certain way to keep those closest to me happy. Give them a sense of trust in the version of me that makes them feel good in terms of what role I play in their life. Once I saw that my truer self didn’t bother anyone, and especially myself, I recognized how much toxic anger and energy I was wasting on destroying and even hiding from who I truly am. Even questioning if I ever was my true self. In my 20s I was actively dating and had friends come and go in my life. But none of those relationships were ever genuine because I was never kind to myself. I gave everyone I loved what I believed made them happy and feel safe. Hoping I’d get the same in return. Which I did in most cases, but the love and trust never felt real or steady.
Goods and evils of anger are what truly summarized all my thoughts as I was writing this book. I knew anger as the main theme, especially as an umbrella term for other themes such as anxiety, regret, and maddening drive, would rub people either the wrong way or be overwhelmed by the rawness of the extremes I put my characters through. Nevertheless, I fought my nerves that wanted me to stop writing and do it anyway. Even if some readers might be put off by how intense the story is.
Can readers look forward to seeing more releases from you soon?
I will be writing one more book taking place in Halburton. Making it third to Black Rose Cocoon and Wasp Oil. The book will be called: Dead Mirrors Follow. The theme being: How do we deal with the ghosts of our past? Be they people, our mistakes, and the moments in which we wished we reacted differently. As for the storyline, all I’ll say is that it won’t be as wonderfully messy as Wasp Oil, but it will surprise you, scare, and hold you in ways you might not know how to feel. Storytelling is not about making you feel, then move on with your life. It’s about giving you pause in the rhythm and pattern you created to reorient yourself and appreciate the good in your life.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: A.G. Flitcher, action, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, crime, ebook, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, series, story, suspense, thriller, Wasp Oil, writer, writing



