Blog Archives
My Unhinged Humor
When a Phoenix Rose Nevermore takes readers on a journey through multigenerational stories about survival and the psychological struggles that one endures. What was the inspiration for your story?
I wanted to show how happiness doesn’t require joy, how fighting to not succumb to suicide can require every ounce of strength, and I wanted to display my unhinged humor where appropriate, without sacrificing serious themes. Furthermore, I wanted to write about grief, the coexistence of contradictory emotions, and how life is worth living despite the unreality of Happily Ever Afters.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some of the themes that I wanted to convey were as follows:
– Suicidal desires can blindside and exist within oneself despite a yearning to live.
– Grief can significantly affect one’s perception of reality.
– Loneliness can be steadfast for those whose social language is different.
– Depression can be so severe that it can make one bedridden.
– Empathy can overwhelm oneself to the point of self-destruction, while causing others harm, when it’s not paired with boundaries for oneself.
– Dehumanization can happen even under the guise of “love.”
– Over-sheltering someone can leave them poorly equipped to handle reality.
– LGBTQ+ joy and celebration.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
When Karlo Noelle sings this lullaby (of his creation) to his newly adopted baby daughter, Dahlia:
Worthiness arrives not from victories.
Nor can it be received from others’ praise.
It is free from Acceptance’s decrees.
You exist; therefore, you are wonderful.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am providing When a Phoenix Nevermore time to continue shining. However, I do have a tentative sequel in mind, and its title (for the time being) is The Extinction of Phoenixes; this book would be a tragedy, yet it would still manage to ultimately be life-affirming. Three of the major themes would be about experiencing a family member going through Alzheimer’s, optimism descending into cynicism, and love making life worthwhile, even when it feels like one has been irretrievably abandoned by happiness.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Another life-affirming journey between you and C.A. Nicholas awaits! In this standalone sequel to Cycles of the Phoenix, you will encounter tragic tales and surreal comedies, as well as degrees of horror. Yet the heroes of these diverse, interlaced, and multigenerational stories share a desire to show you how to find happiness amid persistent sorrow; their mantra is this: you are wonderful because you exist.
When a Phoenix Rose Nevermore: Cycles of the Phoenix II
In C.A. Nicholas’ compelling novel, When a Phoenix Rose Nevermore, readers are drawn into the turbulent world of Dahlia, a young woman ensnared by the insidious clutches of depression. With the haunting shadow of despair threatening to extinguish her life, Dahlia is confronted with a critical choice: grapple with her inner torment or capitulate to an icy, irrevocable end. It seems her path may tilt towards the latter, yet she may yet summon enough resilience, inspiration, and love to pen a more hopeful chapter to her tale.
Nicholas’ work serves as a courageous and heartrending exploration of depression and anxiety. It deftly weaves interrelated narratives within a broader storyline, each contributing to a singular, profound message: life, in its complexity, can be strenuous, but with the burden of melancholia, it can become nearly insurmountable.
The novel guides readers through the labyrinthine psyche of those grappling with despair, exposing the ceaseless dilemmas, the haunting questions, the paralyzing fears, the burdensome guilt, and the fierce battle to cling to life.
However, beneath the weighty themes, an unexpected beacon of hope permeates sections of the narrative. Profound reflections on themes such as beauty, acceptance, and love converge in uplifting affirmations.
Nicholas’ narrative style is deliberate and evocative, suffused with a poetic rhythm that commands attention. This immersive writing draws readers into the very heart of the story, focusing their senses on the palpable immediacy of unfolding events.
At times, the narrative can be so vividly intense that it can challenge even those with a high tolerance for emotional weight. However, this visceral intensity only serves to augment the overall immersive experience. Although the segmented structure may occasionally disrupt comprehension, readers can ultimately discern the pulse of the core plot. This is a testament to Nicholas’ skillful storytelling that continually draws one back into the narrative’s powerful current.
Pages: 119 | ASIN : B0BXN5TFHZ
LITERARY TITAN 