Blog Archives
Overcoming Bad Decisions
American Jukebox follows a young boy and his father, Dancer, a baseball pitcher whose life takes an unexpected turn, leading them to a small town where he learns life lessons about shattered dreams and the challenges of growing up. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My first novel, American Past Time (published in 2014) is the prequel to American Jukebox. American Past Time is primarily Dancer Stonemason’s story – his fall from grace, and his recovery. It ends in 1973 when Clayton Stonemason has just returned from Viet Nam. American Jukebox, revisits those early years, but from Clayton’s perspective as a boy growing to adulthood. The second half of the novel follows Clayton on his journey.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
I think so. Clayton was a challenge. He had idolized his father as a young boy, and when Dancer was disgraced that wounded Clayton, and he didn’t want anything to do with his father. He didn’t want to be compared to him, but as he grows up it is obvious that he is much like his father and despite his protests he doesn’t hate him. He loves him. The challenge was showing his evolution from wounded child to an adult who through his own bad choices and failures comes to understand that no one is perfect.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
All of the Stonemason stories – not just American Jukebox, but also the prequel, American Past Time, and the third book in the trilogy, Everyone Dies Famous are about people making bad decisions and their struggle to overcome those decisions. In Jim Stonemason’s commencement address to his high school, he finishes with this exhortation:
“When we fail, it doesn’t have to be forever. We have to forgive ourselves. Let me repeat that. We have to forgive ourselves. As long as we’re still breathing, we have a chance to make things right. But we can’t if we’re spending all our energy blaming ourselves. So when you stumble, give yourself a break.”
Forgiveness. Perseverance. The opportunity for redemption if we keep trying. If we stay in the game. I guess I would call those the themes I explored in all of these novels.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The novel I am working on now is titled, “Nothing Left to Lose” and it is the sequel to my novel, “Freedom’s Just Another Word…” which are lines from the late, great Kris Kristofferson’s classic song, “Me and Bobby McGee”. I am hoping it will be available next fall, but I have a lot of work to do.
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Clayton Stonemason idolized his father, a hometown hero in their small Missouri town. But when his father’s life unravels, Clayton loses his way, too. He tries to escape his father’s legacy but discovers he can’t run from his destiny.
AMERICAN JUKEBOX, a story of small-town America in the last decades of the twentieth century, explores the many ways our relationships, hopes, and dreams can alter the course of our lives.
American Jukebox
American Jukebox, by Len Joy, is a heartfelt exploration of childhood, family, and the bittersweet transition into adulthood. Set in mid-20th century America, the story centers on Clayton, a young boy, and his father, Dancer, a baseball pitcher whose life takes an unexpected turn. Through snapshots of Clayton’s childhood, the narrative delves into his relationship with his father, who eventually leaves baseball and faces a series of personal and financial hardships. As Clayton navigates the complexities of family life, he learns tough lessons about shattered dreams, harsh realities, and the inevitable challenges of growing up. The story vividly portrays small-town life and the struggles families face when their aspirations falter, weaving a tale of resilience and emotional growth.
In this literary fiction piece, Len Joy captures the essence of how personal choices, family ties, and unforeseen events shape one’s future. Readers are taken on Clayton’s emotional journey as he wrestles with his father’s downfall, his mother’s endurance, and his own coming-of-age. The book’s nostalgic tone, coupled with its vivid depiction of 1950s and 60s America, paints a picture of a time when baseball symbolized not just sport, but hope and heartbreak. Each chapter is concise, making it an easy read, yet packed with emotional depth.
The theme of a dysfunctional family makes for a poignant and, at times, difficult read, with Clayton’s relationship with his father serving as the novel’s emotional core. Dancer’s fall from the pitcher’s mound to working in a factory is a tragic arc, one that resonates with anyone who’s experienced the disillusionment of seeing a parent’s dreams crumble. Clayton’s idealization of his father is gradually dismantled as he confronts the painful truths of adulthood. This depiction of family turbulence and childhood disillusionment is delivered in a subtle yet powerful manner. Joy’s writing is simple yet descriptive, offering vivid imagery without over-complication. Clayton’s emotional growth is paced perfectly, making his journey feel both intimate and relatable. The book touches on universal themes: the fleeting moments of childhood, the bonds within a family, and the inevitable loss of innocence.
American Jukebox is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with relatable characters and a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged. Len Joy’s storytelling brings to life the joys and sorrows of growing up in a world where dreams and reality often collide. It’s a touching and simple read, deeply resonant with anyone who’s ever grappled with the complexities of family and the passage of time.
Pages: 326 | ASIN : B0DF5B3QV4
The Beautiful Ugliness of Being
In The Beautiful Ugliness of Being, Joe Maldonado presents an evocative collection of poems that delve into the profound solitude that can sometimes accompany existence, the radiant beauty inherent in life and nature, the ebullient yet sometimes heart-rending experience of love, and the enduring optimism for brighter days. Maldonado eloquently articulates the intricate nuances of our existence, emphasizing the limitless potential of the human mind and body.
The volume incites readers to contemplate the age-old existential inquiry: What, indeed, is the essence of being human?
Maldonado’s poetic expressions echo the universal longing to liberate ourselves from the burdens of yesteryears and dissolve into the boundless expanses of the cosmos. The craving for refuge from life’s relentless rhythm and the yearning for solace in a serene sanctuary away from the unending anxieties that bedevil humanity will resonate with many. In the face of life’s myriad adversities, we often find ourselves feeling marooned in a crowd.
His exploration of love is equally captivating. Maldonado depicts it as a two-edged blade, with the potential to be simultaneously the most exhilarating and the most crushing experience, depending on the recipient of our affections.
Furthermore, Maldonado probes into the quintessence of poetry and the role of the poet. He discloses that the poet’s duty transcends the realm of mere verbal craftsmanship. It encompasses the challenge of meeting elevated reader expectations and divulging intimate aspects of one’s self. Maldonado boldly exposes his innermost feelings to forge a deep connection with his readers. He has even dedicated poems to his valued readers, further emphasizing his dedication to this bond. His collection sheds light on the transformative power of poetry as a prism for better comprehending the complexities of our world.
While Maldonado’s expressive style is to be lauded, his selection of language may present some obstacles for certain readers. However, his prowess in eliciting profound emotions and stimulating contemplation is indisputable. This book is a recommendation for those who recognize and appreciate the beauty and profundity inherent in the art of poetry.
Pages: 37 | ASIN : B0C6P6GLYT
The Resilience Of The Human Spirit
ManuScrita: Poems on Life, Love, & the Nature of Reality is a collection twenty years in the making intended for readers to reflect on and dive into the depths of their own consciousness. Where did the idea for this collection of works come from?
Growing up a proud Jewish Latino in Puerto Rico, in a Cuban-exile community, deeply shaped my identity as a double minority, and gave me a strong sense of personhood and perspective to see the differences that divide people as well.
In college, I majored in philosophy and comparative religion as a way to uncover universal truths across all world religions and cultures. It was when I took an introductory poetry class that my 20-year writing journey first began. Many of the poems in the book were writing assignments from the class or poems I wrote while walking the city streets of Boston and Cambridge alone at night. I continued to write in my 20s and many of the poems are a direct result of conversations I had with friends and strangers over the years.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
As a philosopher and student of all Eastern religions and Western religions’ mystic traditions, I have always been interested in the mystic belief that all of reality is one thing. There is the universe we can see in this moment in time and the unseen universe which is infinite. The connection of an individual life to a Deity or the absolute can be attained through contemplation and eventually in post-mortem.
These ideas are universal across all major religions and relevant to all people. In the modern world, it is much easier to forget the interconnectedness of everything, and people can feel isolated and alone. My hope with ManuScrita is to provide mini-meditations through the psalms I wrote to allow readers to reflect on their own lives, relationships, and choices. In our fast-paced world, it is vital to pause and contemplate the consequences of our actions, the power of forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit. I believe that exploring these themes encourages empathy and understanding in an increasingly disconnected world.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
It’s been a lifelong goal of mine to publish so that my words could become part of the world’s permanent record. The work reflects years of new material and rewrites after every time I would re-read them.
When the pandemic lockdowns occurred in 2020, I made the decision to finally self-publish my book and began putting together the manuscript of all my poems, hence the name of the book. It’s been a long process of rewriting and editing the past three years.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your collection of poetry?
One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1901. She said, “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” Many of us have outlets for discussing events and people. Most people don’t read poetry, philosophy, or spiritual works, so this book hopefully allows readers to take in some of life’s big universal ideas and themes in an intimate, simple format for self-reflection.
Each poem reflects a piece of my soul. My hope is that at least one of them resonates with each reader and that the recommended works at the end of the book help guide people on their own personal journeys.
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Featuring poems composed during the Poet-in-Decadence Writer’s Residence for O, Miami Poetry Month in 2016, alongside experimental formats, short free-form essays, and stream-of-consciousness exercises, ManuScrita offers an immersive experience that invites readers to delve into the depths of their own consciousness. Prepare to be transported, challenged, and moved by this debut publication, which celebrates life, love, and the nature of reality through a mystic’s lens.
Tribulations of the Marginalized
Richa Gupta Author Interview
Slices of Life is a collection of stories that explore life from various perspectives. Where do you find your mind often wandering when writing?
When writing, my mind wanders to several places, people, events and incidents I have either witnessed or heard about, any of which may trigger my imagination to create a plausible scenario. Sometimes, an idea or an issue I feel passionately about acts as the trigger, and I develop the characters and events subsequently. Writing each of the 12 stories in the collection from October, 2018 to April, 2020 has been a distinct process usually based on contemporary incidents. While the initial episodes described in ‘The Young Visitor’ are inspired by my own experiences while searching for a suitable cook, ‘Dusk’, written in April, 2020, is based on the tribulations of migrant workers during the lockdown due to the pandemic in India. My mind also wanders to the different genres of fiction I have read. So, while ‘Future Love Story’, in the tradition of Sci-Fi, depicts a future dystopian society in the year 2090, ‘Knots’ is a whodunit, in the genre of detective fiction, in which the murderer’s identity is revealed at the end.
My favorite story from the collection was ‘The Incomplete Story’. Do you have a favorite story from the book?
It’s like asking a mother who is her favourite child. I am deeply invested in each story and want my readers now to tell me which story appeals to them most. Each reader gives me a different answer. So, I would like to believe that there’s something in it for everyone.
What were some themes you wanted to explore while creating your characters?
Some themes I wanted to explore include the suppression of a woman’s individuality (‘Mother and Daughter’ and ‘Watershed’), the aftermath of infidelity (‘Disclosure’ and ‘Knots’), a society based on eugenics and social distancing (‘Future Love Story’), tribulations of the marginalized section of society (‘Dusk’ and ‘The Theft’) and misguided priorities in life (The Choice). In a few other stories, the intention was to create authentic vignettes of life that evoke hilarity and social satire (‘The Young Visitor’ and ‘Bridal Wear’).
Are you continuing to write short stories? Will you be publishing another collection of stories in the future?
I love the process of writing short stories, which is a different experience from writing a novel. The gestation and maturation of a story is a shorter process, and I can write it on the go. I will definitely bring out another collection of stories in the future, but I am still deliberating on what will be my next publication.
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Slices of Life’ is a collection of short stories or vignettes that provide an immersive and entertaining experience of diverse scenarios of life in motion. They are slivers of existence with the ingredients of plot and characters, sprinkled with human emotion, pervaded by the aroma of human dilemmas and served in the platter of lucid language. Sometimes searing with agony and often pervaded with beauty and yearning in the midst of travails in a contemporary or futuristic reality, they explore relationships and the human struggle to find meaning amidst chaos. They describe the consequences of our choices and characters who are at the threshold of a discovery or have reached the zenith of tolerance. The universal themes and enduring images of commonplace individuals in the swirl of life are embedded in a mixed bag of genres ranging from bathos and futuristic SciFi to grim Realistic fiction and a suspenseful Whodunit.
Love, Loss, Long Beach
![Love, Loss, Long Beach by [Pasquale, Christiaan A.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4146LkTXxWL.jpg)
Love, Loss, Long Beach by Christiaan Pasquale tells the journey of Christiaan, and his endeavour to find true love. Set in the USA – predominantly Los Angeles; the story follows Christiaan, from his early twenties surviving as a musician and truck driver into his forties, overweight, on disability and living in Long Beach. The question is – will he be successful in his hunt for true love?
The story opens with a Trucker’s Mantra, “Aces never fall, they may slip, but they never fall. And I’m an Ace, and that’s that!” Christiaan is driving a Peterbilt, the sounds and sights of the trucker’s view realistically described.
He then describes his journey from The Slanderin band member to truck driver. Lured by the promise of money and the chance to improve his life he accepts a position with a local LA truck company. There he learns to drive a truck and gains his licence. Christiaan soon learns why his father tried to discourage him from a truck driving career. The hours are long and erratic and soon take their toll. I felt like this part of the story was realistically and authentically described. Descriptions were easy and vivid and always depth to the story.
The American Hotel becomes his home for a while. The squalid conditions are described in detail, again the nuance and detail is something that much enjoyed in this book. Dark, dingy and smelling of piss. Drug deals were common, as were a trail of women. The people and setting are described in depressing, realistic detail. From junkies to prostitutes to long legged nurses. The descriptions of both add to the authenticity of the story. The dialogue is raw, distinctive and realistic making it difficult not to empathize with Christiaan and his circumstances.
Christiaan is saved from this existence by his sister – who rings him and asks him to move in with her and his niece. However, after a while his old acquaintances catch up with him. They bring old habits with them, and I thought the idea of a man trying to escape his past is uniquely captured in this moment and in Christiaan’s character overall. Christiaan escapes most of this as he is spending more and more time in the inside of a truck cab. I always empathized with the hopeless situation, the long and unsociable hours and the vivid descriptions of the depressing neighbourhoods. However, the large number of characters can be difficult to follow, particularly friends coming into his life from his early years. But these characters also give the story a realistic feel, as people often come in and out of our lives when we least expect it.
By chance he reconnects with Lourdes and is thrilled to form a friendship with her. Eventually she encourages him to move to Long Beach and he leaps at the chance. Will he finally find the love he has been yearning for or does the ace finally fall?
This story leaves me with only one word to describe it all; authentic. I enjoyed the characters and appreciated the journey that Chistiaan has been on.
Pages: 214 | ASIN: B07QCYDBQJ
We All Have A Story
Georgina Lucy Kemm Author Interview
The Spell is a captivating memoir about your life, the obstacles you faced, and your perseverance. What was the inspiration that made you want to put your story into a book?
It’s not that I wanted to put my story into a book; I was compelled as you will find out at the end of Book III. I see my journey as archetypal and no longer my personal story. I have had many people connect with me about how one thing or another from the story affected them—something similar that they faced in their life. When I wrote it, I had no idea why I need to share this story.
You retrace your steps through some painful years in your life. Was there anything that you see different now that you have reflected on it?
Back then, I was another person. I often look at how ridiculous and childish I was. Many times I wanted to chop out the parts in the story that were embarrassing and what seems to me now, as ridiculous! But the character arc, my arc changes across the span of the three books. The thing I remind myself to do is to hold me, the person I was back then and the character of the story with tremendous tenderness. I can not discount how my life shaped me and the challenges I’ve overcome. Like a migrating Sandhill Crane, I have a perspective from a higher vantage point that spans across space and time.
I felt that you did a fantastic job of revealing the truth, no matter how painful. What do you hope readers take away from this book?
Thank you! There is no point in hiding behind your shame and your fears. And, no one has the right to judge another’s life and their choices. You don’t know what they’ve been through. You don’t know how much courage it takes to face themselves each day. We all have a story. That is what links humanity together. We all have our role to play and the only thing I can do, you can do, is make sure your life is an Oscar-winning performance.
This is book one in the The Shaman’s Lover Trilogy. Where will book two pickup and when will it be available?
The Shattering, Book II is gestating as I write this. It will be out this year. Here is a blurb from The Shattering.
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What are you willing to risk to become who you really are?
As Georgina’s life faces a disastrous implosion, her best friend Sandy invites her to a healing center deep in the Peruvian Amazon where she naively enters into the mysterious world of ayahuasca-a potent visionary plant medicine also known as the “vine of the soul”. Magical journeys and other-worldly adventures submerge her into the shadow world where she discovers her demons and uncovers the lie she has been living. Just as she begins to reconnect with the Divine, Georgina meets with an unexpected twist of fate, when the healing center’s shaman casts a powerful enchantment on her. In order to unbind herself, she must face her past and strip away an imprisonment that is not only hers but shared by women world-wide.
Travel with Georgina as she takes you into an extraordinary reality. The Spell, Book One of The Shaman’s Lover Trilogy is a mesmerizing memoir about healing the Wounded Feminine and embodying the Divine Feminine. This personal account will inspire women to free themselves from the patriarchal program of shame, guilt and low self-worth and awaken to their power, radiance and beauty. Join Georgina and an unforgettable cast of characters as she takes you on a journey of magic and paradoxically, what it means to be ordinarily human.
LITERARY TITAN 