Blog Archives
I Too Was Adopted At Birth
Discovering Mom follows an adopted teenage boy who, while struggling with a sense of identity, sets out on a search for his birth mom only to discover more than he anticipated. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Like my main protagonist, Daniel, I too was adopted at birth—though I’m part Italian instead of Native American—and I wanted to write about what it’s like to grow up being different than your brothers and sisters and all your schoolmates, feeling like you don’t belong, constantly wondering who and where your real parents are. I never managed to find my birth parents, but I thought it’d be fun and interesting for Daniel to find at least one of his. Thus, Karen Moss was created along with a huge obstacle for her and Daniel to overcome. The entire project was like a wish-fulfillment fantasy in a way, and I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
This book has many complex characters that are undergoing a lot of personal changes. What were the driving ideals behind the characters’ development throughout the story?
Daniel and several other characters are motivated by a need for love and acceptance. But additionally, he’s searching for truth, identity, and a sense of purpose. He feels trapped and miserable in his given role as the compliant, dutiful son because it’s all a lie, and he must break free so he can find his true identity. He’s a truth-seeker, and so is his adoptive mother, Mary, who also feels trapped in her role as a devoted housewife. She’s tired of being taken for granted and being suspicious of her husband, Phillip, every single night. So, she too makes a daring escape and discovers a new side to herself that she never knew existed. That’s what the whole story is about, basically, breaking social norms or stepping out of your comfort zone to find out who you truly are—plus, to be happy. Many of my characters are struggling to find happiness while stuck in impossible situations. My deuteragonist, Jasmine, is so shy and introverted that it prevents her from befriending Daniel—and vice versa. Her father, Roger, wants to be a surrogate father to Daniel, but he already has too much on his plate. Mary and Phillip must do the unthinkable act of splitting up in order to grow and ultimately shine. And Daniel’s birth mother, Karen, needs to free herself from a dangerous cult if she ever expects to have a real family.
Coming-of-age stories deal with a lot of different topics, especially during the critical development period of teens. What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There’s the themes that were already mentioned; searching for your roots and identity to find your purpose in life, the struggle for truth, happiness, love, and acceptance, breaking away from social norms and traps, and stepping out of your comfort zone. But the book is also about tolerance and accepting others for who they are. There are many instances where Daniel encounters people who are different than him, such as the lesbian couple who move in across the street from him and his family. He doesn’t demonize the couple, but he finds them strange and unbecoming and isn’t shy about treating them differently. Yet he grows so much throughout his journey that by the end of it he comes to accept everyone, which is directly linked to another important theme in the book: Developing from a self-centered thinking to a more worldly, other-focused thought. Plus, there’s the loss of innocence, learning where one fits in the larger world, and perhaps above all, coming to grips with the reality of cruelty in the world—death, racism, sexual abuse, etc.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
There might be a follow-up later on, but Daniel and Jasmine will be all grown up since that’s how I left them in the final pages of this book. The story I’m working on now is about a 49-year-old auto mechanic who’s forced back into the dating scene after his wife leaves him. At the moment, it’s called “Rupert’s Last Stand,” and I hope to be done with it within a year.
Author Links: Website | GoodReads
The book focuses on Daniel’s adoptive parents as well, especially his mother, Mary, who’s also having identity issues and feels so disillusioned with her life that she sets off on a journey of her own—an inward journey of self-discovery. Not to give too much away, but her ultimate transformation from doting housewife to a liberated woman of the seventies is astounding. The story is chock-full of such fascinating characters that are sure to make you laugh or cry.
Courage, Self-Confidence, and Fun
A Special Sweater follows a young boy who, after learning to knit, wants to take on the big project of making a sweater; he has to overcome several obstacles to make his vision a reality. What was the inspiration for your story?
I have always admired the enthusiasm and optimism that, at its best, helps children to grow as people constantly. They may have unrealistic ideas about their chances of achieving the desired results but still want to try.
I was a resourceful child who was constantly trying to outdo myself. Sometimes, I built a hut with insufficient supplies. My dream of the finished building was much more wonderful than the cabin I finally created from twigs.
I also collected a bunch of fragrant flowers and tried to make perfume out of them. Of course, it was a bit sad when the result was only a smelly gray broth, not the sweet scent of a rose.
Later, as a parent, I have always tried to encourage my three children to test their limits – and in moments of disappointment, I have comforted them when necessary. They were all very active and believed in their abilities as builders, cooks, merchants, and journalists from an early age. My daughter was a great example of an indomitable child who built herself sandals from pieces of wood, nails, and ribbons. And she didn’t mind even though she couldn’t walk on them. All in all, the sandals were a success, and we still have great photos of this unique project!
Adults should remember that the most important thing in a child’s activity is not a perfect result. Even more valuable is the opportunity to dream and create – and the chance to try again.
Do you enjoy knitting or doing any other craft work like Eddy?
I have always been enthusiastic about knitting. My skills only developed as an adult when I could do things at my own pace. School craft classes, at least in my childhood, were about following exact instructions and often suppressed your desire to create.
Later, when I could take responsibility for knitting all alone, I started to enjoy it. Knitting is simply inspiring if you can design freely and choose yarns, models, and colors. Of course, the results of my knitting are already more satisfactory today.
My specialty is woolen socks, which I give away to my friends. When I knit something warm and homemade for my loved ones, it feels like I care about them with warm thoughts.
I have also included the idea of knitting in one of my upcoming children’s books. In it, an old writer, frustrated with the results of his work and their reception, invents a new way to influence. That also includes knitting. But I won’t reveal the story more now. Let’s wait for the illustration and publication.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope children take away from the story?
The most important message of the story is that children should have enough freedom to realize their ideas and dreams. It’s not a question of them being allowed to do or get anything, nor about materials and excessive costs. Instead, adults should recognize situations where a child’s creativity and ideas just need a little support and encouragement.
I want to encourage children to try their ideas without worrying about whether they will succeed perfectly or what others say. Building self-confidence is one of the most important things I strive for when writing for children.
It is also important to identify various limiting factors. There can be many kinds of people in the environment, which prevents the child’s natural desire to experiment. Authorities in schools and hobbies set limits. People in one’s family circle, both parents and siblings, can block and doubt. Even among friends, some may criticize and discourage you. In the midst of all this, children must find their personal power and learn to use their judgment.
Although many of the children’s efforts do not lead to tangible results, something even more valuable follows. Children gain courage, self-confidence, and fun in their lives. A person who has not been needlessly restricted or suppressed in childhood grows into a strong and whole adult.
Your “I Did It” series is one of my favorites, I love seeing children work through problems and have success. Will there be more books in this series?
There are currently three books in the I Did It series. In addition to this story, A Special Sweater, I have written the books My Sunflowers and A Tree House Night. They also describe situations where the children face resistance and difficulties but find ways to overcome them and achieve their dreams.
Children take the reins to some extent in all of these books. They don’t exceed the allowed limits in any radical way, but the message is the same: The limits set by the environment can sometimes be too strict. For growth to be possible, you must be encouraged to go a little further. Of course, I am not inciting dangerous anarchy because the safety of children’s lives means a lot to me.
I think such environments, where the child’s ideas and enthusiasm are at odds with the environment, are interesting and important topics in children’s literature. Maybe I will write more parts in the series. At least, there are many delicious ideas from my childhood and the lives of the children around me.
Play is an excellent way to develop skills needed later in life. My goal is to help children grow into mentally strong adults with self-esteem. Cooperation with other people also becomes natural and equal from this starting point.
I have to admit that after writing each book in the I Did It series, I have felt proud of the accomplishments of the main characters. Witnessing their success and survival also makes the writer of the stories happy.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
At school, I already learned how to knit a potholder. I can surely manage a sweater now! Eddy thinks.
Eddy feels confident about his skills, although nobody else does. The result will be something unique-but not like the photos in the magazin
He’s Not Hard To Find
“Lesbian Vampire College Girls” plunges readers into a journey of fame, self-discovery, and unexpected advocacy, woven within a tantalizing tale that blurs the lines between the erotic and a discourse on gender inequality. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was looking for a topical subject that I could inject into an absurd situation. I wasn’t trying to take a side, I was only hoping to cast a humorous perspective on how we often stampede to judgements without really thinking.
How did you navigate the balance between the erotic elements and the deeper themes that emerged in the novel, especially the unintended feminist championing?
That was relatively easy. I simply took a real subject, introduced it into a ridiculous situation and gave it unwaranted attention and credibility. Then I threw fame and money into the mix. We see this all the time today in our discussions and disagreements on politics, religion, sexual orientation, professional relationships and media. I think today’s generation think that the day of the hard-sell ended in the1950s-60s with Mad Men. Sorry, but I’m afraid that the day of the hard-sell is just beginning.
Jack Knowles is depicted as an enigmatic protagonist with eccentric and whimsical behavior. How much of his character is drawn from your own experiences or people you know?
Let’s just say that I KNOW Jack Knowles, and that I see him everywhere I look in social media, movies and newspapers today. He’s not hard to find. He’s a good and decent guy that just got lost along the way and wants to find his way back. It’s a Faustian Tale in the 21st Century.
The comedic undertones in the novel, particularly with Knowles’ neighbors, add levity to the story. How important was humor in conveying the broader themes of fame, friendship, and self-discovery?
Humor is the glue that holds people together around the world. Humans are the only animal that shares this common bond. It crosses all cultural, religious, political and racial lines. Without looking at each other’s shared absurdities and laughing, this story would serve no purpose.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
at our culture’s worship of celebrity without
consideration of the merits associated with fame.
Basically, we have ceased to care about what the
celebrity contributes to society. In today’s WOKE world
fame and money alone, are all that counts.
We see this first hand through the eyes of Jack Knowles,
a writer of critically acclaimed books, but lacking rock
star fame or money he feels cheated. Dissatisfied with his
life he embarks on a Faustian contract seeking celebrity
and fortune without consideration for the personal
consequences. This leads him to the doorstep of Cyn
Poloski, a celebrated book publicist who knows the sort
of books that sell, and the kind of author Jack Knowles
has to become to become a celebrity. So, with the
seductive lure of unimagined success cast before him
Jack Knowles writes, Lesbian Vampire College Girls. But
rather than it simply becoming a pulp fiction best seller,
it miraculously becomes a critically acclaimed
cornerstone for the women’s movement. Jack Knowles is
seen as the champion for women’s equality. This bizarre
and totally absurd turn of events leaves him in a moral
dilemma; risk losing his newfound fame and fortune by
confronting this case of misplaced adulation, or go along
with it and sacrifice his artistic soul.
Lesbian Vampire College Girls, takes us on an absurd
comic ride making us look squarely at our obsession with
celebrity at any cost.
Characters Are What Drive A Book
The Story of Evil: An Epic Fantasy Saga takes readers on an epic fantasy adventure through the world of Element. What was the inspiration that drove the development of the world the characters live in?
In creating Element, I wanted to incorporate many real-world cultures to highlight their richness and uniqueness. I spent a lot of time researching how to best accomplish this without crossing the line into cultural appropriation. The finished product resulted in a world the characters can travel through that never becomes stale or repetitive. Each city is different than the last as well as the landscapes between them.
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?
Characters are what drive a book, so they need to be relatable and believable. I mapped out each character arc so I knew where each person began and where they ended up. That made it easy to chart out all the struggles and accomplishments along their journey. None of the protagonists make choices that feel out-of-character. Hopefully, readers find them easy to connect with and root for.
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?
This question brings up the idea of if an author is a “plotser” or a “pantser,” or as George R.R. Martin calls it, a “gardener” or an “architect.” I definitely fall into the camp of someone who plots/architects the story. Many of the plot twists in volumes three, four, and five were planned before I began writing the first one. Although some new characters, settings, and themes naturally arose during the writing process, most of what I wrote was plotted out early on.
When will Volume 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
An Epic Fantasy Saga is the full and complete story (five volumes in one book) so there won’t be a sequel, but I do have ideas for a prequel book. However, I have not determined when I will start that project.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter
During an annual jousting tournament, a mysterious villain attacks the capital with his army. Because of this disastrous event, Stephen Brightflame, an aspiring knight, embarks on a quest to save the kingdom from further destruction. He joins up with a convicted felon, an arrogant warrior, and a Halfling woman, but learns their tragic pasts are just as dark and disturbing as his own. This 430,000 word adventure features everything that makes the fantasy genre great: knights, castles, war, prophecies, magic, monsters, and dragons! After ten years in the making, experience the complete Story of Evil – An Epic Fantasy Saga.
Curiosity And Imagination
The Big Red Bird Feeder follows a young girl interested in birdwatching who wants to solve the mystery of what is happening to the food she puts out every night. What was the inspiration for this children’s mystery story?
This story was inspired by Nature – the happenings in my own backyard. It was a fun and amusing experience to see the bird food disappear faster than what I expected. The sequence of happenings eventually led to crafting the idea behind The Big Red Bird Feeder children’s story book.
Are you a birdwatcher? If so, how did you get interested in this hobby, and at what age?
Even though I am not a dedicated bird watcher, I have always been interested in bird watching from a very young age. For this reason, we have had a bird feeder and hummingbird feeder in our backyard. It is so delightful to watch them peck at the bird feeder or build a nest in my house on the top of the pillars.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
This story book intends to be a delightful read for young children who are learning how to read. I wanted to spark their curiosity and imagination and reinforce the belief that they can solve any problem or challenge when they put their minds to work.
What is the next book that you are working, on and when will it be available?
I have a story outline in the draft stage: a children’s fantasy story book about what young birds can do with the power of listening and learning.
I am working on the book and would like to publish it by the year 2024-25.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Read this book with your child to instill a lifelong love of reading or promote independent reading skills and a sense of discovery by encouraging them to read on their own.
This addition to the Reader Sprout Series is sure to become an instant classic in your home with beautiful illustrations, an exciting storyline, and a mystery that’ll delight young readers everywhere to solve. This book also makes a great gift!
My Own Family History Firsthand
Cuba, Your Children Cry shares your memories about growing up as a first-generation American of Cuban parents and your desire to experience Cuba for yourself. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I grew up with my parents having a love-hate relationship with Cuba. I did not understand why. The title came from my mom. My siblings would be at school, and I would be home with my mom. Under her breath, she would always say, Cuba, your children cry! And I used to think, why are there crying children in Cuba? I must have been 4/5 years old. We were a working-class family, so family dinners were a rare occurrence, and discussion of my parents’ time in Cuba was rare.
In my forties, I did quite a bit of traveling; I have traveled to over 100 countries. I had been to China and Russia but not Cuba. When the Obama administration started to open travel to Cuba, that is when I thought I should go to Cuba and close this family history circle. My spouse started working on his family history on ancestry.com and randomly asked me to do it too. At this point, I decided to travel to Cuba to discover my own family history firsthand. My parents were getting older, and none of my siblings had any information about my parents’ life in Cuba. On my first trip, I went alone; my parents refused to go; I journaled every day, and when I returned home, I made a photo book and included my journals, and gifted it to my family, thinking no one would ever go back to Cuba. My friend Laurin, who accompanied me on my first trip, also received the photo book, and she suggested I write a book. Brushing that suggestion to the side, I never thought of it again. My parents said they would go to Cuba when Castro died. When that happened, I started to plan our trip.
Two years later, I took my parents to Cuba and audio recorded their stories and journaled every day. When I returned, I completed another photo book and gifted it to my family. Laurin, who came with me on my first trip, asked me for a copy and again suggested I write a book. I did not think anyone would be interested in my book, so I said I would think about it. Then the pandemic hit, and my 50th birthday was right around the corner. And so, I thought, it would be cool to release a book on my 50th birthday. And the rest is history. In the process, I learned that my story resonated not only with Cuban refugees but also with anyone who was a refugee from different countries. It was important to me to discover my family history; writing the book was so cathartic, and in turn, it was important to me to tell this story of survival and tenacity.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The idea that love can be stronger than anything and it can be lasting. That being ousted from your country is probably one of the most challenging things that can happen to anyone, but perseverance and determination will get you through. That being different, having a different skin tone, and having an accent is ok. That even when English is your second language, you can still write a book!
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing to write about was interviewing my parents about their last days in Cuba. Then taking that information and putting it into words that told that story exactly as it happened. It took me a month to put it all into the correct words. I couldn’t imagine what my parents were feeling at that time. I remember taking pictures of them in front of their last homes before they left for the airport, not knowing about their future. It was such a sad moment. It was very difficult to get through that part of the book.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
I hope it encourages folks to investigate their own family history, travel to uncomfortable places, and have uncomfortable conversations. It will be worth every second and penny spent to complete their family puzzle.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon
It began when I was browsing through my parents’ vintage photographs of a free Cuba in the 1940s and 50s at my home in Hialeah, Florida. I learned everything about Cuba from them, but I had never visited the beloved island only ninety miles from Key West, Florida. They told tales of romantic nights on the streets of Havana, an island where Cuban music escaped from small cafes and filled the streets with people dancing and laughing. I was learning the lingo recognized only by fellow Cubans.
Political strife upended the Cuba of my parents’ childhood and ultimately prevented travel back to the island. It was a conflict so intense that thousands risked their lives to escape through shark-infested waters on man-made rafts to Miami, or anywhere for that matter, to reach land and claim political asylum.
Living this juxtaposition―love for the island and devastation at the collapse of a once beautiful society―was heart-wrenching. I felt as if I was being raised in a Cuban bubble while also being exposed to the elements of unfamiliar American traditions. A contradiction of sorts. For my entire life I craved a better understanding of where I came from, the details of how my parents fled Cuba and, most importantly, who I am.
I yearned to experience first-hand the Cuba of my parents’ memories, to stroll the Malecon, to immerse myself in the sights and sounds of that tropical paradise. After forty-six years of not knowing, I set out to learn the stories of the Iglesias family and to see the island through the tear-filled eyes of my parents. And finally, I accomplished that mission.
Responsibility of Pet Ownership
The Mystery of the Ball Python follows a snake-loving girl who discovers a ball python at a construction site and uses this experience to help educate her friends about snakes. What was the inspiration for your story?
Snakes are often misidentified and misunderstood, and frankly, I used to be afraid of them. The more I learned about snakes including how to identify the various local species, the less fearful I became. I got the idea for the series when my daughter and I went exploring a creek with friends, and we discovered several nonvenomous water snakes that a Snake ID group helped confirm. Seeing the girls so curious was a huge inspiration as was the content covered in the Snake ID group. Given the popularity of ball pythons as pets (and how they are occasionally found out in the wild due to escaping or being dumped), I knew I wanted to write a story centered around one.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
In The Mystery of the Ball Python, I especially wanted to write about the responsibility of pet ownership. I’m thankful a snake expert reviewed the story to make sure it addresses the proper care and keeping of ball pythons in particular.
When researching ball pythons for this story, what was the most interesting fact you discovered?
Goodness, there are so many interesting facts, though I was most surprised to learn that ball pythons can have, umm, loud flatus.
What is the next book with Naomi that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Naomi Nash: The Drama Noodle was recently released. Naomi, Emma, and Taylor are heading to drama camp, but the drama doesn’t stay at camp. Word is spreading about the snake-saving club, and when a local news crew asks to interview the club, things grow tense. Naomi wants to teach people more about snakes, but she’s not the only one who longs for a moment of fame. During the interview, things go from bad to worse. Can Naomi salvage the interview, her drama camp performance, and the club?
I hope to write more books in the series in the near future!
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Unique Mythology
The Blood Inheritance Novels Series Two-Book Set: Endow and Resist follows the journey of three friends as they make a dangerous trip through the realms. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have loved to write for as long as I can remember and although I can’t recall what exactly what inspired the Blood Inheritance Quartet, I believe one major influence was a paperback which I received called of Legends of the Fire Spirits: Jinn and Genies from Arabia to Zanzibar by Robert Lebling. Shortly after that, I began developing stories around the fictitious world of Sumir, in which the Blood Inheritance Quartet takes place. Like many legends, I find the mythology pertaining to Jinn and Genies fascinating and when creating the unique mythology for the world of Sumir, the Jinn were the main focus to start with. From there the idea continued to grow and before I knew it, I had planned a series.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
The situations in these books may be fictitious and take place in a fantasy world, but the self-questioning that occurs and the doubt, those are things we face every day. I like to say that the protagonists do the best they can with the information that they are given and have found out, especially as they learn and accept more about themselves and each other.
Regarding these heroines especially, I wanted them to be strong and believable characters that held different behaviors, ideas, and moral beliefs, and I strove to maintain their differences in order to show the distinct ways each young woman thinks.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some of the themes that I felt were important to explore were: BETRAYAL, LOSS, FEAR, SURVIVAL, COURAGE, HEROISM, DISCOVERY, POWER, MAGIC, ISOLATION, ACCEPTANCE, IDENTITY, and MORAL DILEMMA.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
I have a lot of ideas for the world of Sumir, but in regard to the main characters in this series, I would like to explore what would happen if Amanda came face to face with the guardian that she trapped in the space between the realms. The truth is, I am already working on a few short stories that take place in this fictional world. My hope is to include them in my next short story collection.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Experience the epic fantasy in book three Endow: A Blood Inheritance Novel
Picking up where Lost ended, Endow takes Emily, Amanda, and Kiami on a dangerous trip through the realms. Amanda is determined to prove that the stones they were given are the very ones from the ancient myth. To do so she may have to divulge a few of her dark secrets.
The fate of Sumir is sealed forever in book four–Resist: A Blood Inheritance Novel.
With the end at hand, Amanda seeks redemption. But the myths of Sumir are only half-truths, and the layers of deception go deeper than she ever imagined. After an unknown ally tips her off, completing the puzzle, a bargain is struck, and it’s a race against time.
Once the half-bloods are united, the celestial will come at them with everything he has…
Included short Stories:
Bavmorda Part One: The Journey
Bavmorda Part Two: Lessons
LITERARY TITAN 