Blog Archives
An Homage To My Grandmother
Them Days follows a young immigrant teen who is sent to Winnipeg to work as a maid for the wealthy. What made you write a story about this topic? Was anything pulled from your life experiences?
My grandmother was a Ukrainian immigrant to the Canadian Prairies in the early 1900s. After my mother died just before my 14th birthday, I lived with my grandmother and she used to tell me stories about “Them Days”. As I got older, I realized that I had a debt of gratitude to my grandmother for putting up with me as a difficult teen, and her stories stuck with me. When I started to research the period I realized just what a difficult and interesting time it was in Canadian history and how badly the Ukrainians were treated. So the novel is an homage to my grandmother, to her family and to the tens of thousands of Ukrainian immigrants who persevered and helped build Canada into the country it is today.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
I did considerable reading on the internment of the Ukrainians in Canada during WW1, on Winnipeg during the war, on the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 and on the great Winnipeg General Strike. I also visited pioneer museums, watched documentaries and talked to older family members who also had memories from their parents about life on the homestead.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Firstly, the extreme discrimination experienced by the Ukrainian and other eastern European immigrants at the hands of the English Canadians. The degree of discrimination was shocking, as evidenced by the leading newspaper editorials of the day which routinely referred to them as ‘scum’, recommended locking them up in labour camps, and deportation without recourse to any legal rights – all recommendations which the Government of Canada implemented!
Secondly, the resilience of the Ukrainians to endure the hardships of pioneer life on hardscrabble ground in the bitter winters of the Canadian Prairies, followed by the ongoing discrimination they faced in their daily lives when they moved to the cities. They persevered and eventually succeeded despite everything.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
It is a departure for me in that it is a book for young adolescents based on the lifecycle of a robin. I hope it will be available by the fall of 2023, but I need to finish writing it first!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Sofiya, a young Ukrainian immigrant, experiences all of this and more. It could be 2022, but it’s Manitoba in the early 1900s.
Sofiya is the third consecutive girl born on a poor homestead near Gimli in 1903. She is bright and feisty but nothing more is expected of her than to be a domestic, and at age thirteen she is sent to be a maid to a wealthy family in Winnipeg. There, she experiences the condescension of the English towards the ‘Bohunks’, while her half-brother is interned during WW1, deemed an enemy alien.
While the Great War is raging in Europe, an undeclared war between the classes is being fought at home. This conflict comes to a head in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 when the working classes rise up against their English masters, shut down the city and demand a better deal. The city is divided and everyone must choose a side.
Them Days takes you on Sofiya’s journey, as she discovers what it means to be an immigrant and a woman, struggling to find love and her identity – at the same time that Canada is breaking free from Mother England’s apron strings.
Find the Beauty in the Tragedies
Walking with Spirits: Paying It Forward During a Global Pandemic shares your story about connecting to the spirit of your son and getting guidance on performing this amazing act of charity. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was important for me to write as I had young grandchildren, one who was entering the world during this time. As adults, we were having a hard time navigating our lives through the early days of the pandemic, with the country shutting down, many suddenly without income. The isolation from others, was difficult to handle as adults, so I couldn’t even imagine what was happening in the minds of our young children. I wanted them to be able to look back years from now and truly understand how the pandemic affected people’s lives. The good, the bad, and the ugly side of it all. I am not sure the history books will do that side of the pandemic the justice it deserves. This book was also my way of reminding them, that life can suddenly change without warning, and not always for the better. However, it is through our darkest moments, that we learn to find the beauty in the tragedies.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
This whole timeline and event was so emotional, that it made all of it very difficult to write. The sudden loss of income brought people from all walks of life through our doors. The emotions that came along with them were difficult to see, especially with the men. Who are taught from a young age to be the providers, they were now feeling like failures for not being able to do so for their families. the best part was the tears of embarrassment always turned to tears of gratitude.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The synchronicities during this time, were to incredible not to share with the world. The way spirit orchestrates a situation and brings it to life, is never anything shy of amazing. The day of the dog food story was my favorite day during this whole event, because it was filled with spirit and their mysterious, yet, magical ways.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
The one thing I hope everyone takes away from reading my book is that their loved ones who have transitioned to the other side, are still very much involved in the day to day events of your life. When My son transitioned, I set out on a mission to give a voice to those in spirit. Through Chayse, and his guidance, along with others, this book does just that. It shows the world that those we love, never go away. They walk beside us everyday. Guiding and protecting us, while unconditionally loving us through, this crazy ride!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
The Covid-19 pandemic that had been plaguing other countries was now wreaking havoc in the United States. When Illinois shut down in late March, the venue had to close, therefore canceling the comedy show. Devastated and once again lost, Jami spoke aloud to Chayse, asking for guidance. During a partial meditative state, Chayse gave her the answer. He was guiding Jami to start a food donation event for families impacted by the pandemic shutdown. An event, she believed, would only last a few hours. However, through God and Chayse’s amazing grace, it lasted for almost four months.
In the pages within, Jami shares with you the dream visits, signs and synchronicities from many spirits that allowed her to pull off one of the most amazing acts of kindness during the pandemic of 2020. When it ended, see how Chayse continued to walk with her for the remainder of the year—guiding her with his magical, mysterious ways. Providing the validations that those we love never go away; they walk beside us every day!
Dramatic Intervention Was Needed
The Orphan follows a man in his forties who has avoided dealing with his past and allows it to taint his present life till his conscience takes on a life of its own. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The inspiration for the set-up of the story was my desire to show how we can easily ignore where our conscious may be trying to lead us when it comes to the choices we make, only to become victims of our own deceit. Having been exposed to characters like the protagonist in ‘The Orphan’, in particular during my time with a former employer based in a predominantly agricultural sector of the state, I simply responded to an impulse one day, and felt it was fitting to create the mythical ‘Cabbage Patch Festival Sponsorship’ as the basis from which the story would evolve. The idea of ‘the out-of-body entity’ was an attempt to show how dramatic our alienation from sound thinking can truly become. The inference was that the success or failure of the Festival would depend largely on how well Omar could finally put in perspective the things that happened to him in his past, if ever he was going to move forward.
Omar is not a likable person, but throughout the novel, readers learn the circumstances that led him to become who he is. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Some of the driving ideals surrounding the development of Omar’s character were, the apparent absence of enough positive reinforcement for him as a kid trying to function with his respiratory deformity, and ultimately feeling like he wasn’t as good as the other boys his age. It set the stage for what would cause him to become timid and afraid, and he didn’t value himself enough to believe that he never deserved the mental or physical abuse that was doled out to him; He never realized he already possessed the strength to overcome it. He had become so comfortable with ignoring the warning signs surrounding his self-esteem, it had become routine to blame someone else for his troubles. Also, after having overcome his respiratory birth defect, he was still plagued by feelings of inadequacy as a young adult when he turned to alcohol to escape his troubles, and clung to his self-pity with repeated claims of deceit by his uncle Seth. His troubles were compounded when he was afraid he had lost himself following his violent attack on the guy that bullied him, and the permanent injuries the man had sustained. The unexpected daydreams into his past haunted him, and dramatic intervention was needed for Omar just as ‘The Orphan’ makes its appearance to help him set things right.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some themes that were important for me to explore were: In the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter-5, verse 7 in the King James Bible, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the people of Corinth, which reads, ‘For we walk by Faith not by sight.’.. As a person of faith, I’m a firm believer that we all are born with a conscience that may start as a ‘clean slate’, but forces that tend to corrupt it as we develop, just makes its work harder at trying to keep us morally centered. When we’re taught, and continually embrace, the virtues of things such as the value of friendship, honesty about one’s feelings, humility, hard work, a healthy self image, and the power of forgiveness, it truly does become an exercise of faith when we can stay the course believing that our challenges won’t have the last word concerning our destiny. I also wanted to illustrate that growing in stature is like a team sport; it means trusting others in your life to help guide you along the way, to a place of contentment.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book I’m working on will be entitled, ‘Wages of Sacrifice’…It is the first sequel to the 3rd story (novella) in my first book, and the protagonist is the same character. I’m about three chapters from completing the manuscript but it isn’t as long as this book. The genre is similar to ‘The Orphan’, but the story should prove to be more intriguing. I cannot give a projection at this time as to when it may be available to readers.
Author Links: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Love Goes Both Ways
Violet is a collection of poetry focused on the different kinds of love. What were some important ideas for you to share in this book?
The concept I drew up in 2017 was the book’s title had to be “Violet,” Since violet and purple are interchangeable, the book itself would represent creativity and maintain an aura of calmness and upliftment since love goes both ways. Within each title, I wanted a slash of red or blue striking through. The reasoning: red represents romance, love, passion, etc. So any poem that encapsulates those themes, red will go through it. Blue (my favorite color) represents calm, serenity, sincerity, sadness, melancholy, love as well, etc. Blue slash. Both combined, purple slash.
Overall blue represents me (calm stability), and red represents the love I have and hold (fierce energy). It’s fierce because I‘m “too passionate.” Hence, it creates violet/purple; the feelings and care I give and hope to get in return, and the magic that occurs, which lies within the poems, and speaks for itself, which is in the book, and what it’s about, but not limited to.
I had the concept early on, but I wouldn’t say I had specific ideas on what I wanted to share; all I knew was I wanted to create a book that was purely love poems. The only thing I focused on was ensuring the lyrics were relatable, authentic, compelling, and heartfelt. The way I carried out that task was by writing my emotions without reserve.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story about loving. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Looking back, the poems I have trouble reading at times are “PAIN.” and “PAIN II.” I wrote those in real-time, which is why it’s structured, and reads like a journal entry with the date and time stamp implemented. They take me back to when that heartbreak happened, and since I’m a sensitive being, it’s like entering a time machine, and the emotions felt give the illusion that I’m back in that moment, so I’ll skip those. I read them on rare occasions, but not as much.
“am I?” is possibly another because my insecurities are displayed. Overall, when writing about unrequited love, it’s always hard. It can be uncomfortable because, logically, if someone doesn’t reciprocate your feelings, you move on. Still, emotionally, when there’s an investment, it’s easier said than done so not knowing how it’ll be perceived and accepted will always be just as hard.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about love?
I love that question. This common misconception is what I had at 15, and I’m not sure when, but as I matured, it became a slow realization that my perception of love was wrong. My poem “808s & Heartache” highlights this perfectly. I called Love a disease, blamed it for unrequited connections, causing pain, saying it’s not beautiful, and sulking at the irony of me falling in love but love not choosing me, and I ended with, “I hate Love.” And we’ve heard love hurts, love is dangerous, love sucks, and love is the most violent act.
All those statements are misconceptions because love is pure, and like one of my favorite biblical scriptures, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, love is patient, love is kind. As humans, being complex, prideful, self-serving, and stubborn individuals make love more difficult than it should be. Love didn’t hurt me. Love didn’t cause the heartbreak I thought I would never get over; it was the person that didn’t know how to love me that hurt me and broke my heart. I confused the two.
In any friendship and relationship, love appears fresh and beautiful initially, but with our ability to taint things, taking advantage and taking for granted, not realizing what we have when we have it, love quickly rears its ugly head. It’s not to say there won’t be heartache in love, but it’s not love’s fault. So with that way of thinking, we close ourselves to potential new, healthier love experiences. I had to condition myself to learn and apply that recently, which shows itself in my later poems.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Currently, I’m not working on any books, and I’m not sure whether I will. This poetry book was a coming full circle experience for five years, so publishing was inevitable, but I never thought I would publish multiple. Things do change, so I can’t speak with certainty, but I know for sure with one completed screenplay I have, I’ll be working on more of those in the future, however authoring books I can’t say the same.
Author Links: Instagram | Amazon
Written during her teens, these personal poems are a window into her soul, an entrance into her mind, and journey into her lovelorn loner heart with a core of tender love.
Violet is poems for the ones who are willing to wait, idealistic in love, and love silently. It represents the true essence of intimacy: sensitive, emotional, authentic, and true.
This Has Always Bothered Me
Fearless follows a young Catholic girl who enters a Convent rather than having a family of her own. While serving God, she finds her voice to also speak out for women and reproductive rights. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I wasn’t so much inspired to write this story as the story found me and occupied space in my head for a long time. Eventually, Sister Maggie Corrigan’s voice became too strong to ignore and I decided to go ahead. Once I made that decision the story wrote itself.
The impetus to sit down and begin writing came from watching society deliberately and systematically erode women’s reproductive and other rights. The fire-breathing feminist in me knew I needed to push back. I did not, however, think Roe v. Wade was in danger of being overturned when I began the book, and the fact that it was just as the book was released is coincidence.
The seeds for the story were planted during years I was an active academic poverty researcher and met strong-minded, determined nuns who toiled in the trenches of poverty every day and were staunch advocates for women. They recognized that their Church’s position on women’s reproductive rights was wrong-headed, and quietly disregarded it as they helped poor women gain control over their lives, which included control over their reproductive choices. Some nuns were more forthright and outspoken than others, but all were strong feminists without realizing it.
Behind all this is the realization that while the Catholic Church is a major player in the American social welfare system, the Church’s core message toward women, and poor women in particular, creates dependency rather than fostering empowerment. Worse, the Church’s position against women’s reproductive rights is harming the women they are proposing to help. This has always bothered me.
Maggie grew up in a traditional Catholic community and enters the Convent. As time passes her views and beliefs start to change and she becomes a voice for change. What were some driving ideals forces behind your character’s development?
Maggie is a very complicated, conflicted personality who thirsts for justice, believes what she believes and doesn’t care who disagrees with her. I don’t think anyone can truly feel that way and proceed to do what Maggie tried to do unless they are deeply wounded and very angry, and those traits defined Maggie. She tried to turn these traits into a force for good—although if asked, she would deny this.
Raising hell just because she can is another of Maggie’s traits. A good fight is in her blood, and her ability to stand her ground, even if it means provoking one is the key to her survival in the world and the family she was born into. She lacks the ordinary social and emotional filters that cause most people to think twice about what they are doing or saying. Maggie doesn’t care how others view her and is prone to knee-jerk reactions rather than thinking things through. Emotionally, this works for her often enough to keep doing it.
Maggie also personifies the reality that nuns and priests are flawed people who possess all the faults and failings everyone struggles with. There is nothing about choosing religious life that elevates them above ordinary human beings. It’s hard not to respect Maggie for what she tries to do, but she’s not very likeable.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This is a story about the fight for women’s reproductive rights within the wealthiest, most powerful institution on the planet. To fully grasp this, one must understand that the Catholic Church is foremost a patriarchal political institution that operates off of a political agenda designed to preserve its power on the world stage. The more Catholics there are in the world, the easier it is to maintain its power, and the surest way to increase the Catholic population is to forbid Catholic women from exercising any choice over their reproductive lives.
As a patriarchal institution, the Church always acts in its own best interests, which clearly are not the best interests of Catholic women. It is also a business whose product is selling religion in the form of hope and the promise of eternal salvation, which is a very powerful and appealing message, especially to society’s most vulnerable members. The barriers to full social and religious equality women face as the result of patriarchal dominion over society’s major policy-making institutions are substantial and extremely difficult to overcome—and the fight for women’s reproductive rights is a perfect example.
All of this said, at the heart of this story is a strong woman who fights hard every day for what she believes in, regardless of the personal cost.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book also involves the Catholic Church, which I view as an endlessly fascinating, socially dangerous institution that both promotes ideals of goodness and mercy and advocates for policies that bring great harm to women. Tentatively titled “Conflicted”, the plot involves a Catholic priest with a golden future in the institutional Church who struggles with his vocation and a Jewish woman who forces him to confront everything he believes about Christianity, the institutional Catholic Church, and relationships with women. The first draft is about 80% complete, so don’t expect it to be released before sometime in 2024.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Challenge Their Paradigms
A Portion of Malice follows two men, one a journalist, the second an immortal looking to fulfill biblical prophecy, as the world prepares for the coming apocalypse. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The story came from a contemplation concerning Cain murdering his brother, being marked, then cast out. My entire life I’ve contemplated God’s nature, the nature of Humanity (created in God’s image, yet imperfect), and the reasons why the modern world is so filled with mayhem, avarice and despair. From that, the idea sprang and became richer and more provident as I explored. Thus, A PORTION OF MALICE was born.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
I think they all represent me in some way and were born from those facets. Emery as long suffering, in over his head, a metaphor for how I’ve felt through so much of my life. Cain for his dark side, his search for redemption while fulfilling a destiny even he can’t imagine. Longinus for his strength, his boldness, and the darkness that blooms when any single trait becomes too magnified. Igneus for his fear, his confusion, his self-doubt, surprised when he rises above his flaws to become the man he never knew he was. I am all of these and none of these. To me, that’s the thrill.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was important to explore the concepts of sin, redemption, religion, time, God, Man, history, legend, myth and folklore. Somewhere in there, truth lies (pun intended).
I wanted to write a story that challenges paradigms, that provokes thought and sparks curiosity about the world in which we live and how we all can improve that world.
I seek to give readers an abundance of fodder so they might discern, for themselves, their own truths, and challenge their own beliefs.
Some of my readers are elated, some get angry, but all experience emotions that challenge their paradigms. That’s the reason I’m writing the AGES OF MALICE series, to provoke, to confront, to bend the trunk and strengthen the tree.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
A MEASURE OF RHYME, book II of the AGES OF MALICE series, is complete and will release in spring of 2023. EMBERS OF SHADOW, book III, is complete and will release in fall of 2023. I’m currently working on Book IV, THE TEMPESTS OF TIME.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
A brazen, edge of your seat tale of God, humanity, and the battle between good and evil.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Emery Merrick presses a pistol to his temple. Then there’s a knock at the door. Billionaire Thaddeus Drake hires Emery to write his biography. But Drake has a dark secret, and Emery quickly discovers he heads an ancient, secret society which aims to fulfill prophecy and sacrifice the Earth to a bloodthirsty God. Deep and emotionally stirring, Emery finds himself plunged into an immortal world of darkness, deceit, and barbarity.
This thought-provoking thrill-ride chronicles one man’s explosive journey into the apocalypse and one man’s epic quest to confront God as an equal. A captivating odyssey through history and time, A Portion of Malice changes the conversation about spirituality, redemption, and the world in which we live.
If you enjoy works by Stephen King and Dan Brown, you’ll be blown away by A Portion of Malice’s controversial plot and surprise twist ending. It’s the first book in the epic series, Ages of Malice.
Humanity hangs by a slender thread!
Can one man make a difference?
Challenge your paradigms, buy your copy today!
Encouraged Kids to Dream
Dream Big… even when you’re small, follows a Sea Star who wants to travel and see different parts of the world; what he learns is traveling is fun but home is best. What was the inspiration for your story?
I was inspired to write a children’s story that encouraged kids to dream using their imagination and creativity. I hoped that the colorful illustrations would not only entertain but also, foster their ability to dream with a plan. I chose a sea star as the main character because like children, they are: beautiful, resilient and curious!
What came first when creating this picture book, the illustration or the story?
The script of the story came first but, was quickly followed by the Sea Star character along with his many quirky friends.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Children benefit from positive encouragement to use their creativity and think innovatively. Our ability to learn bravery, resiliency and self confidence develop from trying new activities and embracing new experiences. Children flourish and mature when they learn to appreciate the wonderful blessings that already exist in their life – such as family, friends and “home” .
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
A new book staring Sea Star and his friends is well underway! In this new book – Book One of a new Sea Star Series – our little star realizes he is “different” from his sea creature friends because he is not a fish. The story highlights how our differences make us each unique, special, and likable. The cheerful illustrations with rhyming and repeating verse demonstrate how positive words and actions build self confidence and a positive inner voice.
The publishing date for the new book is anticipated in early 2023.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
” Dream Big…even when your small ” is a whimsical picture book that children and adults can enjoy reading together. The colorful artworks gives the readers lots to talk about and point out, making the reading experience active for even toddlers. This is a perfect picture book for the pre school and kindergarten classrooms.
Writing Transgression Was A Catharsis
Transgression follows a boy and his parents as they escape the Nazis during WWII and face danger as they make their way to America. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I was the last American boy to leave Bulgaria in 1942 after the Nazi occupation of the Balkans. It seemed important to document that fact as well as life for Americans at ACS, the American College in Sofia.
The novel is in four parts: Sofia, Istanbul, the Middle East, and America.
Writing Transgression was a catharsis. I wanted to show readers how to expunge doxa,i.e., ready-made values and beliefs transmitted by family, schools and the church, especially when doxa interferes with the maturation and wellbeing of a teenager.
Transgression is part of a trilogy: The Eye of the Needle (Viking Books, 1967) and Valley of Roses (Trafford Publishing, 2003) are set in Bulgaria during WWII. They narrate similar themes. Like Virginia Woolf’s The Waves, cinematic montage in The Eye of the Needle frames the world through the mind’s eye of one person.
What scene in the book was the most emotionally impactful for you to write?
There were four scenes: a. Archangel taking the boy’s soul on a wild ride down the Himalayas, floating it on the Ganges River into and over the Indian Ocean, down the Nile, west across the Mediterranean Sea, and south through the Sahara Desert past Ouagadougou to the jungle in Central Africa. I wanted to communicate the “emotional hurt” that Archangel and Satan were inflicting on the boy.
b. The narrator’s and Mireille’s love scene after reading Baudelaire’s Flowers of
Evil; especially the poem “To One Who Is Too Cheerful.” There are two parts to the love
scene: one scene describes what happened and the other one describes what the boy
imagined would happen; both scenes were written with words. Was one more real
than the other, and, if so, which one?
c. The evening after the baptismal scene when the boy walks along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, looks at the stars in the sky, locates Orion, the hunter, who also walked on water, listens to the lapping of the wavelets, and feels a oneness with creation.
d. The Eureka moment when the narrator realizes that he is not going to hell because his soul is all around him, going everywhere and nowhere.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My answers above explore and explain four themes that were important to me. A fifth theme was structural foreshadowing: Describing the wind in the trees outside Sofia, the clicking of the palm fronds in Beirut, and the wind in the trees on the farm on Germany Hill, New York; these and others like them are all part of the boy’s experience. Throughout the novel I wanted events and images to echo each other, from beginning to end.
Flowers are also an important foreshadowing theme, beginning with the narrator’s botany collection and the language of flowers as metaphors of seduction by Mirka. Following that, Baudelaire’s Flowers of Evil play an important role in the boy’s relationship with Mireille; they echo Mirka’s earlier seduction.
Fear is a theme: fear of internment by the Germans, fear of going to hell, fear of a submarine attack in the Mediterranean Sea by a German submarine, and fear that the battleship Tirpitz will attack the fifty-ship convoy crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The Bermuda Triangle functions as a hoax fear.
Books and writing are important themes. From part one of Transgression to the end, the novels, plays, and poetry of American, British, French, German, Greek, and Russian authors help the boy navigate through mazes of doxa. The Bible is frequently invoked.
Nightingales are another theme: the birds warble in the woods outside the boy’s house in Bulgaria; they sing all night during his parents’ honeymoon in Shiraz, Iran; they trill in the foothills of Mount Sannine north of Beirut; and the narrator writes a paper for his English teacher entitled The Nightingales in Literature. He even builds a birdhouse, hoping to attract a nightingale.
Oriental rugs and the symbolic colors in their patterns are yet another theme. They appear in Istanbul, Aleppo, Beirut, and a friend’s house by the Sea of Galilee.Many foreshadowing images and metaphors are woven into the woof and weft of the writing process. They are the figure in the carpet–the golden thread.
Music is a theme, starting with Lily Marlene, a nostalgic song for the girl left behind. It was popular with both German and Allied soldiers who sang it in German and in English; also, the very popular and ubiquitous “dream” songs such as Dream, I Dream of You, Buy the Dream, and My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time–Big Band songs that were heard in Europe, the Middle East, and America.
Capturing the sounds and colors of an outdoor food market in Istanbul was a challenge. I tried to use the connotations of words and the rhythms of language to capture the auditory and visual impact of vendors hawking their foods in high-pitched melodious voices.
Another challenge was describing the song of a nightingale–its joyful warbling and trilling in Sofia and Beirut that awaken the boy in the middle of the night.
All kinds of sounds echo each other. So do colors.
Stars, particularly Orion, play an important role. You see them in the night sky above the Sea of Galilee, above the pyramids at Giza, and in many other places.
Hitler and war are constant themes. Transgression begins with Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939 and ends with the dropping of the A-bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the fighting scenes in Europe and North Africa are objective correlatives for the boy’s private battles with Archangel and Satan. Descriptions of the 1916 Turkish genocide of Armenians predates Hitler’s death-camps where Jews, Roma, and other “undesirables” were killed.
Flaubert uses foreshadowing images that anticipate future ones in Madame Bovary and so does Hemingway in A Farewell to Arms.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on a book entitled Baja: The Puma Drinks the New Moon. It’s a collaborative venture with Judith Palmer, my artist wife. Her pen-and-ink drawings and photo-etchings accompany my 70 haiku and illustrate our travels over the years, up and down the Baja peninsula. They embellish the topography, the flora, and the fauna of the region. The book will probably come out sometime in 2023.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
With compelling prose Stoltzfus makes each character come vividly alive: Mirka, a Gypsy, the family maid who seduces the boy, Mireille, a precocious French girl who introduces him to Sade’s Philosophy in the Boudoir, his devout father, a pacifist, Archangel and Satan fighting over the boy’s soul, which he thinks is going in one direction but, because soul is all around him, is going everywhere and nowhere.
Although Transgression describes war and seduction, it is also a trip through international literature. Throughout, the wind, flowers, nightingales and symbolic colors in Oriental rugs foreshadow things to come. Hitler’s rants, poetry and dreams appear as recurring tropes–images that are woven into the woof and weft of the writing process. They are the golden thread. Subtly honed with hallmark precision and keen insight, Transgression exemplifies the best in narrative art.
LITERARY TITAN 