Blog Archives
Family History Is Important
The Christmas Keepsake follows a young woman who must decide what’s more important, her dream job or her boyfriend, and seeks advice from her wise grandmother. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Years ago, my grandmother shared with me a few events from her youth. As a teenager, Grandma had begun to sing at a local theater in her small town. But when her mother was diagnosed with kidney failure (a death sentence in those days), my grandmother was shocked by the advice her mother gave to her—advice destined to change the course of Grandma’s life. I won’t give any spoilers, but around these tidbits I wove a story.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
I look back on time I spent with my grandmother, and wish I’d asked her more questions. Seniors, whether family or friends, are a wealth of fascinating stories, and the truth is, family history is important. The past is important. If we take time to pay attention, it can teach us a lot.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this short story?
Decisions often require courage. Especially when it means leaving a “safe” path to take a chance on what seems like an uncertain and scary future.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m very excited about my next novel, scheduled for release in February 2023. The Rose of Washington Square: A Novel of Rose O’Neill, Creator of the Kewpie Doll, is the story of the woman who wowed the world with her iconic creation. But Rose did much more than invent her magical elves. She was also a respected illustrator, artist, sculptor, novelist, poet, philanthropist, and passionate suffragist. I can’t wait to share her story!
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2005 – Just before Christmas, Janelle Young accepts her dream job which means a move from the Midwest to California. When the man she loves insists that she decline the offer or risk the end of their relationship, Janelle is stunned. Torn over what to do, she seeks advice from her octogenarian grandmother, who shares a long-ago dilemma of her own; one that took place in 1938.
1938 – During the final years of the Great Depression, Peggy Norwood is a promising soprano who yearns for a career on stage. She ignores the attentions of a handsome young stranger to stay focused on her dream. But when her mother receives a dire diagnosis, the future is no longer clear, and Peggy is forced to make an impossible choice.
Can a tale from the past, a treasured Christmas ornament, and a touch of magic, guide Janelle’s future?
This is an inspirational small-town story filled with the healing spirit of the holiday season.
I Needed An Outlet To Vent
The Conjurer’s Curse follows a young man who was born with a curse that causes those he loves to die prematurely. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I got the initial premise due to Covid. Mid-January of 2021, I grew disheartened with the social distancing and how many people acted like everyone could be carrying the “plague.” I experienced something to this extent firsthand, and it left such a bad taste in my mouth, I needed an outlet to vent. So, I laid in bed that night thinking, “What if a teenage boy bore a curse that actually did kill people if they stood in his midst?” I got up that morning and started writing what became the 1st chapter of THE CONJURER’S CURSE.
Also at this time, being shut in and with most places of “fun” closed, I was desperately in need of an adventure. My love for The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and its adventurous beats inspired me to make this book a fantasy-rich journey. Like Bilbo, I wanted Rowan to explore a new place, setting/environment, or people group in the early chapters, and of course, I had to through in skirmishes with scary monsters and dangerous creatures. Every good adventure story needs to have a monster to face, and THE CONJURER’S CURSE doesn’t shy away from it!
Rowan just wants to belong and not worry about everyone he loves to die because of him. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted Rowan to have a selfless and integrous heart, putting others’ well-being ahead of his own. He would rather live a solitary, lonely life, than for his life to cause harm to those he loves. I wanted him to be courageous and compassionate, despite the way he was ostracized in his village, and have a strong sense of perseverance.
It was important for me to demonstrate how a positive role model can impact the life of a young person’s identity and future. Many of the attributes Rowan exemplifies he owes to his fourth guardian-mother, Naja. It’s her teachings and her mantra that guide him as he faces tough obstacles.
I also wanted Rowan to have an innocence about him as he went on his journey, so everything felt new and foreign to him—to be naïve at times in the ways people can be treacherous or unscrupulous.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Hope is always a theme I endeavor to show in my stories. Even when circumstances are at their bleakest, the spark of hope is never absent. This has been the case in my own life, so it hits home when I incorporate this belief in my writing. And so, early on, I have a character remind Rowan that there is hope for him, even though he’s cursed. It’s simply an obstacle he must overcome.
I loved exploring Rowan’s search for belonging and acceptance. I think it’s a universal theme everyone can align with, especially young people. To find a home, a place of belonging, individuals you can call family even if they’re not related, is something people may search their entire lives to find. But when you do, to quote my character Tozrah, “Tis a special feeling.”
Rowan also struggles with the shame of who he is, how he looks, the stigma of his birth, his past. This is something I know many people wrestle with. A close loved one experienced the shame and rejection of being abandoned as a baby by his mother, and so much of his struggle to come to terms with this terrible reality is what inspired Rowan’s tumultuous past.
I felt it important to weave forgiveness into Rowan’s story, considering the actions of his mother and the devastation it causes in the lives of her sons—one who forgives and one who does not. Rowan realizes holding grudges or having hatred in his heart will only damage his soul. That is a lesson we can all learn from.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have finished writing the sequel to The Conjurer’s Curse, and I hope it will be ready a year from now. Aside from that, I am currently working on a YA steampunk fantasy that I hope to finish any day now. It will go through beta readers, and then I’ll be ready to pitch it off.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Since birth, Rowan has been the object of scorn in his village. The reason? He’s a dikyli-an outsider with albino skin and an ominous mark blazoned on his neck. So when his fourth guardian-mother is found dead, all blame falls on him, and he is banished before his life-draining curse can strike again. The only path left to Rowan is clear: He must discover who cursed him and alter his horrible fate-or forever lose everyone he loves.
From facing treacherous seas, soul-devouring Moonshades, and desert terrors, Rowan battles for his very survival to reach his homeland-the far-off kingdom of Shandria, a land rife with hostilities. Dark surprises and back-stabbing betrayals emerge as two devious Iron Barons-who know the scandalous origin of his curse-plot to imprison him in the Mountain of the Damned with the rest of the accursed.
To make matters worse, Rowan’s curse threatens to claim another life when he meets Tahira, a spunky, pertly persistent Shandrian who vows to aid him in his quest despite the overwhelming odds. Their alliance of trust and necessity develops into love-a love doomed to end in death if Rowan remains cursed. With the hope of a future hanging in the balance, he must overcome the greatest challenge of his life. For the only way to end his curse is to slay the Conjurer who cast the life-draining spell.
I Am An Author With A Disability
The Adventures of Bentley Hippo: Inspiring Children to be Patient follows an excited monkey who can not wait to ride on the new rocket in his town. What was the inspiration for your story?
I am an author with a disability. Since acquiring this new disability I saw a shift in how others treated me. I made a bold move and gave each of my characters a challenge/disability hoping to normalize them in the eyes of children so they judge less and accept more. Jaxon has ADHD and though there are different levels on the Spectrum, I wanted to bring out the character’s personality, more than the condition/challenge. I took one look at Jaxon and had to give him this adorable, fun personality that gets himself into trouble. He has been so very well received by children
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Michael Reyes?
The first two books were created by another illustrator. I had the characters, especially Bentley, as he is my creation. When I decided to seek out other talents, I approached Michael and after seeing the expressions that he captured so well, I knew that he would be completing the remaining 3 books in the series and re-doing the first two so that everything was uniform. We have built a good understanding of the style I like and well, he works his magic.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
As I wrote the story there were a few things I wanted kids to take away from the book. The first was for children to learn about others and their behaviours, this way they understand and appreciate them more. Second is that we sometimes need to practice patience with those who don’t have patience, and finally, I wanted to show kids that plans don’t always work out and that they should be flexible. Bentley didn’t ride the rocket that he envisioned but the friends had a great adventure on the ride they did take.
What is the next book in The Adventures of Bently that you are working on and when will it be available?
I currently have 12 stories for Bentley and the gang, including branching off of each character. I just released an all-in-one diabetes tracking journal for kids featuring Toby, my timid elephant that has diabetes, hoping to be able to donate as many as possible. The most popular question I get during book readings is, “where did Bentley get his shoes from“ that story will be released in 2023. It is a story where the characters do not believe in recycling and Jaxon just doesn’t get it. I have the one scene with Jaxon that I know Michael will capture beautifully and will ignite some good chuckles out of the kids. The book I hope to release very soon is the background of the characters. Their own stories. For example Marty the lion is not aggressive or loud and has alopecia. He was abandoned by his mother. Bentley befriended him and to boost his self-confidence, he gifted Marty a thick red mane. This book will help children familiarize themselves with the gang and also their conditions.
The reason I did not start with this book is that I wanted children to go through a few adventures to see that just because you have a disability or challenge does not mean you can’t do things.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
How can someone so small cause such a disturbance?
Stuck in a long lineup for a chance to ride a rocket ship to the moon, Jaxon grows impatient and decides to make a dash to the front. With little regard for those around him, Jaxon’s anxiety and excitement get the best of him, and he simply can’t sit still. In a matter of minutes, ice cream cones are flying everywhere.
Can Bentley and the others teach a hyperactive monkey how to calm down and wait patiently like the others?
Children will learn:
the importance of being patient and waiting their turn
understanding their emotions
identifying ways to reduce their anxiety and ways to stay calm.
paying attention to those around them
Inspiring Children to be Patient is part of this fabulous 5-book series of children’s picture books, following a bubbly, kind hippo and his diverse group of friends. It carries important messages and social-emotional values like friendship, sharing and teamwork, and kindness for kids. It is filled with colorful images that children will love, set out to become a firm favorite for your child’s bedtime read.
A must-have collection for any classroom, home, and library. Ideal for children ages 4-8. Toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten, and elementary grades will enjoy the benefits of this book and series.
*Be sure to check out the final book in the series Inspiring Children to Accept Each Other to find out what happens when Bentley is forced to choose between his space dream of going to the moon and his friends. Be sure to download activities for each of our titles at bentleythehippo.com
Note: this title and the other books in the series have been updated to bring you an even better version that earned each title multiple awards.
Poetry As A Literary Vehicle
Send Down the Master in Person: Reflections on Adolf Eichmann is a tribute to the generation of people who fought for the Allies against evil. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wanted to write this eBook for several reasons. I wanted to dedicate this book to my parents, family, and their contemporaries who sacrificed so much by fighting and participating in the war effort of World War II. I was raised by this generation and believe that they were remarkable and exceptional people to have waged war victoriously against the evil and might of the Axis powers. I think it is critically and vitally important that their service to the nation and to the world be memorialized.
I wanted to chronicle the evil perpetrated by the Nazis and the subjugation of peoples Eichmann committed to further the aims of Aryan superiority and Hitler’s agenda of cleansing the world to establish the one thousand years Reich.
I also wanted to inform people about the Holocaust and the toll it has taken on humanity then and now. I wanted to use narrative poetry as a literary vehicle to tell the story of Eichmann’s capture by the Mossad as a pivot point in portraying what he savagely committed in the Final Solution.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
I am surprised by people saying that the poem is easy to read and understand. I am pleased to know that it has a decided impact on younger generations who have read the poem and end notes and who did not realize the extent of horror Eichmann wreaked through Europe.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from the story?
The major moral understanding and/or idea I hope people take away from reading this work is to be aware of the dangers of meta-narratives that crush the human spirit and the human condition. It is important to be aware of our history so that it does not repeat itself, and to be empathetic to the suffering bigotry, intolerance, and hatred can cause to others.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am hoping to launch the fourth book, the Pilgrim – Part I, in my series, The Immortality Wars, between this Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am writing a planned, nine-book science fiction, fantasy, and spiritual thriller that is based on Christian themes. The first trilogy, the Penitent, was published in August 2019.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The perspective of the poem is from a fictitious Mossad agent who takes part in capturing Eichmann on 11 May 1960 in San Fernando, a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It is ironic that the face of evil seems often clothed in plain sight. Send Down the Master in Person: Reflections on Adolf Eichmann is dedicated to all those who suffer from such wicked bigotry, hatred, and intolerance.
Where Conflict Would Arise
Scars and Scales follows an Omni dragon as he embarks on a perilous quest to unite the lands against a sorceress queen. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The original idea for this story came from an imaginary game I used to play with a school friend. I liked the adventures so much I brought them home and played the same game with my younger brother and cousin. They would look forward to our sessions as I created more and more scenarios, lands, and creatures while continuing from our last point. It inspired me enough to do some sketches throughout my younger years. When I decided to finally write the tale, I obviously updated it and thought it out a bit more. Believe it or not the ending popped into my brain as I relooked at characters and notes I made. From there, it all clicked together. I could clearly see how many beings were going to be in this company, how each one would grow in their development, where conflict would arise from within their group, and most of all Xerxes. With him, I wanted to make a character who the reader doesn’t know whether to trust him or not. Give them the same feeling his companions have while traveling with him. Thus, why the viewpoint changes between a few of the characters. Beyond this, I didn’t want to write another adventure story where the protagonist slowly learns to become strong. Instead, I created a master of sorts who needs to learn something a plucky protagonist usually possesses, trust.
Your characters are diverse and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted to create characters which play against what one would think. An easy example is the bounty hunting leprechaun Donald. One would usually picture said creature as one who runs away from humans with the use of magic. Not so much in Donald’s case. In fact, he avoids it altogether by using tools and his wit. So, using this sort of basic thought I created each character with it, and this caused the surge in their development. Honestly, I could sit here and go on and on with each character… Alvilda being timid, but strong… Wolfgang with his struggle over his emotions, but controlling them enough to heal and save others… Sindri who speaks with a silver tongue, but isolates himself at the forge to create works he never finishes… Mjusnall the pacifist giant who defends others, including a bounty hunter… But I don’t want to make the answer too long.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Funny enough how this question melds with the other two. I wanted to write, at least with Xerxes, how difficult it can be to trust someone. Because I don’t know about anyone else, but I find it difficult to make friends. Heck, I think I can count the amount of them on one hand. So, I wanted him to show there are others who feel the same. At the same time, I didn’t want to make this bond grow easily… for we all possess some bad qualities, or we made poor decisions at some point in our lives which haunts us. This helps explore whether one can accept the worst in someone and still stay connected to them. Other than that, I’d say there are sprinklings of friendship, duty, and acceptance with a few drops of other themes throughout the story.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Good question. I find myself drifting between a few projects, but I focus way more on the second book of this series, Shimmer of Scales. The positive feedback gave me such a drive to work on it. So much so I’ve written over a hundred pages of it. When it will be available is the tricky part. Ideally, I’d say it’ll be available in a year. However, there are several factors which pour into it. Money is a big part of it. This book was only made possible through a combination of a relative passing away and working my butt off for years. So, if enough copies are sold (hint hint to the people reading this… though no pressure just thought it would be funny to put this here), or a publisher comes knocking with a decent offer… I can keep on this timeline.
Author Links: Website | Facebook
Ten years has passed since the slaying of the Omni dragons. These tyrannical beings subjected the world of Magitotum by the power they hold, the combined abilities of all other dragons. It was a celebrated day when Delsey, sorceress queen of Mendaxum, and her army slayed these beasts. But oh, how the lands were wrong in this thought. For soon after, the witch set her sight on conquering the rest of them. After destroying their oppressors, who else could oppose her?
Yet, there remains one hope. A single Omni survives known as Xerxes. Freed after ten years of torture, the dragon seeks to unite the lands against Delsey. He believes a mix of creatures in his own company will promote the change he seeks. Wolfgang from the healing werewolf tribe known as MoonClaw is the first to join and proves to be his biggest test. For the werewolf trusts him as much as the dragon trusts other… which is not at all. Who could blame him? Especially since the Omni’s former lover and friends were the cause of his torture and imprisonment. Yet through this journey, Xerxes needs to trust others including a silver-tongued dwarf, a timid yet strong elven princess, a pacifist giant, a bounty hunting leprechaun, and a lazy gargoyle. Together this group faces down the witch outside the fleeing city of Suregarde. The question is… do they possess the strength to succeed?
Raw, Sometimes Uncomfortable, But Realistic
Sit Down and Have A Beer Again is an unfiltered publication of poems, short stories, and narratives portraying life in the 1960s and 1970s. Why was it important to republish these creative works into an anthology?
Rich Soos, editor of Cholla Needles Literary Magazine was the impetus for this collection. He was the publisher of my 1977 chapbook “Sit Down And Have A Beer” and he reached out to me in early 2021 and suggested that we republish my original chapbook along with all the other poems and stories of mine that were published back in the 1970’s. We both felt that the poems and stories had withstood the test of time and were relevant today. The small press scene of the 1970’s was an exciting and creative period in American literature. Unfortunately, so little of the work and so few of the literary magazines have been collected and preserved for the historical record. Hopefully, this collection will inspire other writers, poets and editors from that era to do the same.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Every poem and story in this collection is meant to shed an honest light on the emotions, vulnerabilities and struggles that everyday people battle. I was in my twenties when I wrote these pieces and they are raw, sometimes uncomfortable, but realistic expressions of a young man trying to find himself in the 1970’s.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
Though the poems and stories are reflective of the era, my hope is that the reader finds the themes, the honest feelings and personal struggles as relevant today as they were back then.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My current focus is on poetry and short stories. I am working on pieces that reflect the times we live in and are written from the perspective of a person who has lived a full life and still has something to say. Stay tuned!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The Small Press world of those days was the precursor to the internet – insane editors and publishers who believed that the established publications had simply lost touch with the creative reality of our nation. And, just like the internet, the small presses were eventually bought out by the rich folks who figured out the best way to beat them was to buy them out.
The second chapter of the book contains the other poems that were published in these mags but never collected till now.
The third chapter represents a small sample from When Life Was Like A Cucumber, the great novel about the early 1970’s that tells the story of a young man’s journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening as he tries to find his place in
post-Sixties America. The complete novel is available here on Amazon.
Love Never Dies
Karl’s Diary: It’s a Dog’s Life is the memoir of a dog who was found alone in the desert and was adopted by a loving family. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have a gift—the ability to experience what a dog is feeling and to express those feelings into thoughts a human being can understand. With this connection to our fur-children we become more than an individual being. We have a new understanding of all life as we step behind a mysterious veil that is no longer hidden from us. Love never dies.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to answer the question: What does it feel like to love and be loved.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about pet adoption?
A common misconception is that a rescued dog isn’t as good as a dog from a breeder.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Karl’s story?
Dogs as well as other animals are sentient beings: They have feelings and emotions. The feelings of love they have are beyond our imagination.
And for those who are curious about what has happened the Charley (an eighty pound mixed boxer from a shelter) I have just published a children’s book about him: A Quilt for Charley. Hint—He is now my service dog. We couldn’t love him more.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
The Only Guarantee Of A Legacy
Kona follows a teenage girl who dreams of working with sea life and, while working at an aquarium, discovers friendship, learns life lessons, and finds romance. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
In my life, I have known at least a handful of kids who have had childhood cancer. Their stories are often heartbreaking and stay with you forever. After all these years, the advancements in treatments for childhood cancers are still very limited, while more publicized cancers have received more funding and research. My goal was to write a story that would allow their voices to be heard, to bring the cause to the forefront while also combining with it our love for protecting animals too. Giving voices to those that often are unheard is important.
Melanie has had many challenges in her life so far, and is trying to figure out where life will take her. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
One of the driving ideals behind Melanie’s character was providing a window into the heart and mind of a teen dealing with childhood cancer. Kids with cancer are often fighters, with smiles larger than life, as they put on a brave face for the world. Inside they are dealing with so many things that never show on the surface. As I was fleshing out Melanie, I was speaking with a family that had dealt with childhood cancer to get the heart of my character. These kids are not only fighting for their lives, but they are also fighting for their families, too, to keep everyone together. Melanie often does this with her little sister. She is always there to reassure Kimmie and let her know everything is going to be all right, no matter what happens at the end of her story.
Another driving force for Melanie is her ability to relate to Kona. Like the wild dolphin, Melanie feels suffocated by her circumstances. Kona feels trapped by the four walls of the aquarium when she is used to having an entire ocean, and Melanie feels like her disease is a prison that keeps her from living her life to the fullest. While Melanie cannot change her own situation, she could fight for Kona’s future and the safety of the marine life for years to come. In a way, Kona is the only guarantee of a legacy for Melanie.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was important to show the fighting spirit of these young heroes that often get swept under the rug. The tenacity and grit that children fighting cancer have been remarkable. Their motto to never give up, no matter the battle, is truly inspiring. It is heartbreaking that after all these years, the medical advancements for childhood cancers have not made as much progress as other cancers. I felt the need to put a face to the story and give it everything I had. Kona is an emotional rollercoaster ride from start to finish.
I also wanted to write a clean teen romance because there is still innocence in the world, even though our literature, movies, and mainstream media show us children who have grown up well before they are ready. That first touch of the teen spirit crushing on their first love was a breath of fresh air amidst the turbulent sea of emotions inside Melanie, showing that cancer kids are just normal kids trying to live a normal life through insurmountable odds.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
We are currently working on another heartfelt book called ‘Because of Lily,’ which is centered on a young girl in the heart of the Savannah in Africa. It is a young adult novel of self-discovery and a coming-of-age novel. We are hopeful that it will come out next Spring.
Author Links: Amazon | Website
Heart touching, witty, and at times heartbreaking, Kona explores the depths of friendship and love.
LITERARY TITAN 