Blog Archives
The Creation of an Anti-hero
One Way In, No Way Out follows an underworld figure who gets mixed up with the DA’s daughter and unwittingly lands in the middle of a dangerous situation. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
There was no true inspiration to this story, other than the story itself. I did my best to think outside of a pre-set step-by-step process; instead, I let it happen organically. To give it a more simplified answer: take four wheels, two axles, stick them on a crate, jump in at the top of a large hill, and see what happens next!
Mann Walker is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
The creation of an anti-hero: Mann Walker is NOT the usual suspect. He is not the ‘good guy’ as easily identified in most novels. Mann Walker knows who he is and the dangers of his profession. All he wants is to make money and to stay alive while doing it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
That the line that separates ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’ isn’t as solid, as thick, or as clearly black or white as people think. In this novel, sometimes your best friend can be your worst enemy, and this is applicable to Mann’s businesses, his people interactions, and how the characters and individuals treat themselves.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
As an author, I’m having fun with the fictional life that the story has created! Book Two of the Mann Walker trilogy is “Mann In The Middle,” which is currently available on the http://www.MannWalker.com website, as well as at http://www.Three-LeggedElephant.com, and on Kindle in e-book format.
I am currently wrapping up Book Three of the Mann Walker trilogy, “Good Night, Bad Day”, and it is slated for an early Summer 2021 release.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Books That Solve Problems
From Grunt Work to Light Work provides homeowners with practical guidance they can use to attract home buyers. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important to share my story because I’ve gone through the process of buying a home. I knew how exhausting it felt. So when I went through selling my home I knew the things I did to speed up the journey could help someone else. I enjoy assisting others, which is why I’m a social worker. Once I became an author, I decided to write books that solve problems. Selling a house is a huge problem! Wouldn’t you agree?
What is a common misconception you feel homeowners have about selling their home?
Either it’s never going to happen or they expect it to happen overnight. Everyone’s experience will differ. However, my book makes it easy to go through the process and makes it a more enjoyable journey.
What were some key ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to be honest. When I was left with my house it was a huge life change. It took time and patience to get it ready for sale. But utilizing the help of others definitely helped make the process easier. Plus, having a clear, realistic idea of what my house was worth made pricing it easy. Being flexible when selling a home is key. If the price needed to be lowered I was willing to do it, but thankfully it never came to that.
When and where will your book be available?
My book will be available on Amazon and Kindle on May 5th.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
The Most Important Number
A Dog Named Zero and The Apple With No Name is a wonderful children’s book that teaches counting in an fun and imaginative way. What inspired you to write this book?
My older brother is a mathematics professor, and he said to me one day that he has spent a lifetime with numbers because of the number zero. And when I did my research and checked on what kind of counting picture books used the number zero, I didn’t find any. I am sure there are some, but I couldn’t find any, and the number zero is the most important number of all numbers.
How do you see this book being used by teachers and parent to educate their children?
That’s difficult to say. I hope teachers and parents will enjoy the humor in the book and use the boohooing and sniffing words in a way that will make children laugh. There is no better way to learn than through laughter.
Did the art in the book follow what you had already written, or did the writing follow the art?
That’s an excellent question. It happens both ways for all of my children’s picture books. I might draw a quirky character, and then the story comes from the drawing. There are times when the story comes first, and then I decide the art style I’ll use that fits the story.
Do you have plans to write more educational picture books?
I feel all children’s picture books are educational. Some are more specific with one point to be made, as in A Dog Named Zero and the Apple With No Name, than others. I have a new picture book that was published March 1st titled Letting Go. It’s about a leaf that doesn’t want to let go, a cycle of life story. And I have another picture book coming out titled Birds Fly, A Cat Tries on June 1st. It’s a wordless picture book about a cat who wants to fly. Each time the brave tabby tries, he fails. But in the end, with some help, the cat finally takes flight.
Both stories have a message, and although they are not as educational as a counting book, my point is, there is always a lesson to learn from every one of my picture books. Or at least, that is my hope.
My plan, though, is to publish at least one picture a year. This year is different, as I will have published the two I mentioned above, Letting Go and Birds Fly, A Cat Tries.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
And once, there was an Apple with no name.
Will they meet?
And if they do meet, what will happen?
Join Zero and his friends, and you will find this book adds up to be on of the most enjoyable ways to count from zero to ten.
Intergalactic Saviours? Mysterious Spy? You Got It.
The Rise of The OMEGA Empress is a unique and entertaining continuation of your riveting science fiction series. What were some new ideas you wanted to explore in this book that was different from book one?
After the completion of the first book (Echoes for Celia)? I decided to combine the genre with space Adventure taking it to the limit as much as possible. After having a talk with an Author of Ancient Mysteries. Thought to explore the universe full of freedom, equality, calm, and no problem with colours or sexuality.
I really enjoyed all the unique and intriguing characters in your story. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Some times one wonder what would have happened or will happen if part of our past was so different or we had proper plans set in motions for the future? Personalities I created for the Protagonist were my driving force and were mentoring me throughout the creation of the novel during one incident involving one character as I had to combine past with the present? I had to experience drops of tears falling. Enough to say excitements of the next series will surpass anything I tried hard to add in this short novella. I was writing the book with the character called Ardan as an Alien? Without giving too much away? most of his unique features and personalities were developed honouring Leonard Nimoy, AKA Spock. (illustrations of Protagonist and rest of the cast now visible on tweeter, website and other social links).
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I left enough tips and clues for lovers of cosmology and stars to wander about if this fiction can become fact one day. Word OMEGA has explained what it actually is, but I deliberately didn’t go to one chapter detail as I thought it wouldn’t be fair, although few more pages would have been fun. For those who are quick or especially into archaeology? They may notice a character resembling the name given to the fossil of a 3.2 million-year-old woman, which up to a few years ago considered to be the mother of mankind. Although I tried not to create a sweet love story like the first book? I equally showed a better side of the relationship after some sacrifices were made and some hard decision had to be executed by the ruling Empress. Hope to ascertain if this was an absolute law on Earth?. There would not be any hate or disrespect between couples.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
When I published the first book, I quickly went on to this book, however as for the 3rd book, I have not named it yet, but all I can mention. Adding Alpha twins who want to rule with a fist is terrible enough. Now you are someone who born on Earth now in another Galaxy. How would you help all Earthling as their cousins / friendly Aliens without creating worldwide panic? Likely as a student of nature and Educated Astronomer. I am working on theories that can make sense, even though the story supposed to be fictional. The following book likely to be 70 to 80K words. My 3rd book should be available by August. Currently, my two publish novellas are priced as 2 for 1.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Having received warnings of terrible things to come, Celia and Avalyn are made Empresses of Omega – protectors of a great vessel containing all of the secrets of creation. However, the two sisters are thrown into a war with the mysterious and foreboding Alpha twins. Will Celia and Avalyn win the day or will the dire warnings come to pass?
Click the button for your preferred reading format, purchase and enjoy Rise of The Omega Empress, a unique story with it’s own mythology – the second book in the Meet our Destiny and Cherish series by Moeez Hatanian.
A Lot of Interesting Twists
Karik’s First Battle follows a group of exiles who seek shelter and work in a small northern village, but they learn the village holds a dark and dangerous secret. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I’ve always been fascinated by dragons, from Fafnir to Smaug, and something that I’ve only seen hinted at is the idea that dragons would build a sort of network around themselves. Whether its to collect more treasure, to provide protection, or just to make life easier…why wouldn’t they? They’re always described as super intelligent, so I figured that it only made sense that a dragon would use those around them for their own benefit.
I’ve been playing with the tale of Vranr for a long time, and it has a lot of interesting twists that I’ve enjoyed exploring. I think knowing our history, where we come from, what it says about who we are is something that everyone has to grapple with to some degree,
The characters in the story were all interesting and well developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
There were two things that drive a lot of my character development, the first being the idea that everyone is looking for security in some way. Everyone wants to feel safe, not just for themselves, but for their loved ones, and when people don’t have that security, it drives them to take risks and make choices they otherwise wouldn’t. The second idea is that people can often have differing opinions and come into conflict without being bad people, and if handled improperly, those conflicts can distract from those who are actually causing harm and creating problems. Those two ideals drive a lot of the developments not just in Karik’s First Battle, but through the whole series.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There were three themes that I wanted to look at in Karik’s first battle, the first one being the idea that people can have different solutions to the same problem without being villains. It’s easy to argue with someone when you believe they are evil or a fool, its much more difficult when they are presenting a valid solution to the problem you are both facing.
The second thing that I felt was important to explore was the cost of challenging the status quo. There is a price to be paid when we change how we do things, and a lot of times the push back we face is based on this price. But there is also a price to maintaining the status quo, and often that price is even higher.
The final theme, and one that is woven through all the books, is the idea of anticipating consequences. Karik is smart enough to know that there is more than one possible outcome if he challenges the dragon but guessing what all the possible outcomes are and planning for them is something he’s going to have to grapple with as the series continues.
This is book one in The Legends of Karik series. What can readers expect in book two?
More! Ylmi’s Saga is both longer, and deeper, than Karik’s First Battle. Ylmi’s Saga will begin with Ylmi as a young child, tell a bit about her life before Karik’s arrival in her village, and then show her as she grows into a fearsome warrior. We’ll see some of the adventures that turned her into the young woman we’ve met, how she deals with Unhost now that the dragon is dead, and we’ll follow her and Karik as they continue to try to find a way through the Black Isles. We’ll meet the other rulers in Vrania and learn a little bit more about the mythical figure of Vranr. Ylmi has a number of challenges and battles that she’ll have to face, and together with Karik she’s got more than a few adventures in front of her.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Karik is sick of the hunger slowly killing his village. And after watching his brother die of starvation, he fears the icy winter will claim them all. So when the jarl declares they need to reduce the number of mouths to feed, the tormented young man bravely volunteers to leave.
With his small group of fellow exiles stumbling onto a tiny settlement, Karik gladly accepts an invitation to stay and work. But he isn’t there long before sensing the jarl is keeping deadly secrets… including dark dealings with a dragon.
Behind it all lurks the legends of Vranr, their mythical forefather
Can the desperate hero survive his formidable quest and live to see the spring?
Karik’s First Battle is the action-packed Book 1 in The Legends of Karik fantasy series. If you like courageous characters, treacherous journeys, and epic battles, then you’ll love Evan Oliver’s perilous adventure.
I Needed to Write the Truth
Tales of a Butterfly details your emotional journey being a first-time mother and learning that your child has deafness. Why was this an important memoir for you to write?
This book is a personal reflection of my raw experiences, I originally started to write this story for my daughter. But then once I finished the Memoir, I realised I may not be alone in these feelings and experiences. That other first-time mums may have had these feelings and gone through the same or similar diagnosis for their baby or child. I also believed other people in our society needed to see the impacts and challenges we face every day, there choices plus reactions reflect on our children’s learning and development.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest experience for you to share with readers?
My hardest experience to share with my readers would have to be the public view on disability and hard of hearing children, how I have encountered it myself with my butterfly girl. It was raw to write, and I felt I needed to write the truth for people to really feel how we felt at those particular moments. I share my frustration loudly and the truth behind the effects of it in the pages of my story. I wanted my writing style to come through as though I was sitting there next to you telling you a story. As though I was talking to you.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I really wanted to share the process from birth to getting the final diagnosis of hard of hearing, I wanted to share the emotional strain from the beginning to the end; and the fact it is still happening today with many challenges though living in the country. I wanted people to view my story and relate to it in their own way but also reflect how it must feel and be in my or my butterfly girls’ shoes. I emphasised how she grew older in my memoir and how she learned from the environments around her which then helped shape me as the mother and teacher I am today.
I wanted the readers to really feel…
I wanted the readers to feel the emotions I felt, I wanted to express the experiences we went through in details so you could feel and imagine it yourself. Wanting the readers to laugh out loud but also feel sadness and reflection upon themselves. I want the readers to feel what it’s like to be in my shoes and highlight deaf perspectives, from a mothers view and the child.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your memoir?
I hope readers reflect on the small things around them, to be grateful and respect everyone’s differences. Above all I want people to realise disability and deafness does not restrict a person from growing and learning it just changes the growing styles and learning perspectives, a new outlook on life learning. I really hope people enjoy my memoir ‘Tales of a Butterfly’, it is heartfelt and raw, full of my true experiences with my butterfly girl.
Author Links: GoodReads | B&N | Instagram | Facebook
Truth and Vulnerability Inspires Me
Seasons (I’ll Be Seeing You) is a collection of poems exploring heartbreak and healing. What inspires you to write poetry?
Truth and vulnerability inspires me to write poetry. I turn to poetry when I feel pain and joy and love and disappointment and hope and fear and peace. When it’s me and my poetry journal, I can be my authentic self without fear of judgement. Writing “seasons II’ll be Seeing You)” and then publishing it has been the ultimate act of releasing fear and allowing my poetry to have a life of its own. I will always value and cherish that ♥
My favorite poem from the collection is ‘I Still Believe’. Do you have a favorite poem from your book?
Yes! That one brings me a lot of joy, thank you for sharing that it’s your favorite! Hmmm…for me, it’s difficult to pick a favorite because they all mean so much to me. But if I had to name one that I continue to go back to on a regular basis, it would have to be the poem, “Finally.”
What are some literary devices you are fond of using in your poetry?
Ooof – I love this question! I am a big fan of enjambment and refrains. Alliteration is something I’ve been experimenting with more lately, as well, which has been a lot of fun.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your poetry?
When a reader puts down my book, I want them to feel hope. Hope that they are not alone in their circumstances. Hope that there is light on the other side of darkness. That would be the most meaningful thing a reader can take away from my poetry.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Website
AzzaNation Was Born
The Chronicles of AzzaNation follows a collection of unlikely heroes who must face a sadistic King to save their nation. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The world of AzzaNation was born out of a high school creative writing assignment. At the time I was struggling with ideas of perfection and legacy, so I created a world where humans were expected to be perfect or near-perfect for the good of the species. Anyone who didn’t live up to this standard during their educational years was executed. Harsh I know! But sometimes I feel like that is the pressure we put on ourselves, especially in those formative years. The short story was well received by my instructor and he encouraged me to keep writing. So, I decided to develop this world further, and worked on it off and on as a passion project for the past ten years or so.
I’ve always been inspired by epic and melodramatic stories where the fate of an entire world hangs in the balance. Larger than life stories like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings always leave a huge impression on me, and I wanted to create a world for myself and for readers that would emulate that immersive experience. I fall in love with well-developed worlds and intriguing characters, so that is where I started. I wanted heroes that you love and a villain that is terrifying. In the case of the latter, I made King Grindaull who has led humanity down this dark path. He is a man who represents lust for power, greed and cruelty, and I think that when we are faced with someone like that we have two choices: put your head down and let them continue, or stand up to them in whatever way you can.
Leo Exe is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
In many ways Leo reminds me of all my insecurities. He’s full of fear, and he constantly doubts himself. Which may not sound fun at first glance, but the more I explored these traits of his, the more I was able to help him work through those insecurities. He’s put into situations that test him at every turn, and through these moments he gets to face those insecurities head on and decide if he’s going to let them define him. Will he run or will he fight? Will he survive at all costs, or is there something he is willing to lay down his life for? These are the questions I asked myself, and in turn asked Leo, and I didn’t often know what his response would be.
Out of all the characters in The Chronicles of AzzaNation Leo feels the most real to me because he is constantly learning and adapting how he sees the world, and I look forward to exploring his development further throughout the series.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Family, Loss and Grief were big ones for sure. I also wanted to explore the idea of holding onto hope and belief in yourself, even when things seem too dark to handle. There is always a reason to keep going, and even if that reason changes throughout your life, you need to hold onto whatever it may be in that moment, and if you really need help, then look to those you love, because I guarantee they will never lose faith in you.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on the second installment in the Chronicles of AzzaNation series, which is titled The Final Storm. It takes place in the aftermath of the first book, as a new threat to AzzaNation emerges. It should be ready for release next year in 2022!
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook
Once a battleground between angelics and demons eons ago, AzzaNation became known as a safe haven for all the sentient species in the galaxy. That came to a violent end when humanity arrived, fleeing their dying planet of Earth. Waging war on the other inhabitants, the human leader Grindaull took AzzaNation for himself. Now, a hundred years into his reign as king, the planet that was once known for peace and prosperity bleeds with pain and sorrow.
During this dark time, the young human Leo Exe finds himself at the heart of a plot to overthrow the tyrannical despot. To do so, he must join forces with Diandra, a woman who can wield the living energy of the universe, as well as a pair of unlikely saviors and a rebel group known as the Brotherhood of Light. Only together can they hope to defeat the sadistic King and bring AzzaNation back into the light.
DAWN OF A NEW AGE is the first instalment in The Chronicles of AzzaNation, an epic and thrilling series that bridges the gap between dark fantasy and science fiction.
LITERARY TITAN 