Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Poems, poetry, Self-Help

‘There’s no such thing as good writing, just good editing’: 12 Questions with Kevyn LeShane

Today I’ll be hosting author Kevyn ‘LeShane’ Teape on my blog. His newly published poetry collection Discontinued: A Short Film is now available on Amazon.com

Kevyn ‘LeShane’ Teape is a critically acclaimed spoken word artist, poet, and entrepreneur. He began professional writing at the age of 16. By the time he graduated from The College of New Jersey at 22, he had self-published his first full-length anthology, two chapter books, and had won an Outstanding Book Award from the American Education Research Association for his contributions to the book “Open Mic Night: Campus Programs That Champion College Student Voice and Engagement”.

Kevyn is passionate and outspoken about social reform. He has worked and volunteered for a variety of equal rights, feminist, and mental health awareness advocacy organizations. He continues to push for social reform in his daily life and regularly uses his platform to discuss social issues, grief, and healthy ways to cope with hardship in his written works.

It is my pleasure to welcome author LeShane to this episode.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t think I had come to a realization that I wanted to be a writer until I was maybe 18 or so despite the fact that I had already marked becoming a published author on my bucket list for years. At about 15, I started dreaming about being a successful director but I didn’t start writing until a year later when I began writing a trilogy that I would have liked to be adapted into film.

Even to this day, the term writer doesn’t seem to encompass what I really desire. I do refer to myself as a writer, but what I really want is to be a storyteller. I want to tell stories and use every medium at my disposal to do so. I perform spoken word, I’m invested in music production, and I am involved in visual arts as well. I want to combine these mediums and more to create more complex and rich stories that elaborate on some of my thoughts and spark discourse for people to engage in.

  • How long have you been writing?

I started writing about 9 years ago. During this time I’ve had a few hiatuses and there were a couple of times when I told myself that I was in ‘retirement’. Over the past two years though I’ve become more consistent and found a process that works well for me.

When I was younger my English teachers complimented me on my creative writing and poetry in particular. I thought if I’m good at writing poetry, maybe it would be romantic to write my girlfriend a poem every month for our anniversaries. I realized that I enjoyed creative writing during those times where I would write for her. Once our relationship ended, I continued to write. I took inspiration from what was going on in the world around me, things I learned in school, and the conversations that I took part in or just overhead. Eventually, my writing preferences grew to include conceptual stories.

  • What inspired you to write Discontinued: A Short Film?

In simplest terms, I was inspired by the present.

On a personal level I was experiencing strong feelings of despair, frustration and sadness when I began to write this book. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in May of 2020 in the midst of a recession, I had lost my job and a family friend because of COVID, and everyone in my life was experiencing hardships as a direct result of the virus.

On a broader level, I was extremely discontented with the current state of affairs in the world both domestically and internationally. The prevalence of police brutality, racism, misogyny, & ethnocentric ideologies in the United States tears me apart inside. I don’t see how anyone can watch someone get choked to death by someone whose responsibility is to ensure public safety and not find an issue with it. I can’t fathom how someone can be blind to how someone’s racial, gender, and sexual identities play a role in how much they are compensated at work to their likelihood to be victims of violence and abuse. These factors impact our lives and that’s just reality. I grew more frustrated as COVID 19 continued to spread, the lack of political leadership, and how people showed a lack of accountability for the safety of others as many people continued to disregard safety protocols, regulations, and recommendations from healthcare organizations and officials despite the growing number of casualties and hospitalizations.

All of the frustration drove me to write about what was going on. The overarching theme that was showing itself through most of my writing around the time was a sense of pain and grief. At least in American society, we don’t talk enough about dealing with hardship and grief and it’s so counterintuitive. We are exposed to positive and cheery emotions all the time in the media but in comparison we are seldom exposed to a more realistic depiction of life and the full spectrum of emotional experiences. Everyone in life will go through trying times, experience the death of a loved one, experience some form of trauma, etc. These things are all a part of the human experience and it is crucial that we learn how to navigate them. I wanted to write a real story about overcoming grief in a relatable way. There’s material that shows what it may look like to process the events that have happened, the destructive coping mechanisms someone might engage in, uncovering the underlying emotions, constructive ways to cope, positive thinking and more. I just really wanted to frame a fictional narrative that people could relate to and could maybe help someone dealing with hardships overcome them. Powerful stories can really have that kind of impact on people.

You can now purchase Discontinued: A Short Film on Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover formats from Amazon.com

  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The most difficult part of the process is the final editing stages. I don’t know anyone in their right mind that enjoys it. Personally, by the time I get into that phase where I don’t believe there’s much of anything to add but before the final edit, fatigue starts to set in. That’s when I start awaiting the finish line: that time when you can finally rest knowing that the book is done, in production, and soon to be published. Once that happens you can fully reinvest your time and energy into all the other projects and creative efforts you are still excited for but haven’t been able to allocate most of your time to because you’ve been so hyper-focused on putting the final touches on this one project.

For me this always takes at least two months or so to complete because I find myself rereading and overanalyzing what I’ve written in the pursuit of that mythical destination we refer to colloquially as artistic perfection. Like all artists and creatives that share their work with the public, I take pride in releasing the best quality content I can. I think I put even more pressure on myself when I write these conceptual anthologies as each poem doesn’t just have to stand on its own merit but also has to add something of value and fit within the larger story. I find myself constantly hovering my cursor over the same lines trying to find the exact words, the exact style, and the exact phrasing to get not only the point across but the emotion I want to convey.

I think one thing that helps though is to put things back into perspective. You’ll never articulate exactly what your initial vision was. That’s the thing about art. It starts off as an idea in your head with no tangible elements and you have to reinterpret that thought into something that represents it as closely as you can. It’s like painting Van Gogh’s Starry Night, it’s not going to be an exact replica but you’ll get most of it and what you create is unique and beautiful in its own right.

  • What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

I discovered that it’s possible. The biggest reason why writing a book was on my bucket list was because I once thought that it was an impossible task for someone like me to stay focused enough to follow through a long-form cohesive narrative. I have always struggled with staying attentive and I have been accused of not being detail-oriented enough in the past so it was a huge step for me to write and publish my first full-length book last year. After I published my last book I didn’t really know if I could do it again. I was lost and didn’t know what to do next for a few months and the fear that I wouldn’t be able to write another book that could even compare in quality loomed over me until I just started writing without a purpose in mind. This year I took on an even bigger project that is significantly longer in duration, deals with a broader scope of issues, and is every bit as detail-oriented if not more so than my last book. This book has proven to me that I can not just replicate what I did in the past but also venture further and go every bit as far as my thoughts can take me.

  • Who is your favourite author and why?

Alan Moore is my favorite author of all-time. Everything he writes is so compelling and intriguing. I don’t really enjoy happy endings in fiction. I prefer hyperrealism because that’s more relatable and applicable to real life. From V for Vendetta, to Promethea, to Watchmen, he utilizes a hyper-realistic approach to tell complex stories that have rich social commentary. There’s such a strong existential element to all of his writing and his writing is always thought-provoking and pushes the reader to really engage with their own beliefs, life choices, and to the extent that any of it matters. I’m not at all suggesting that his works are nihilistic either as that would be a gross and inaccurate oversimplification. There’s just so much to be said that any short summary of his works can’t possibly do them justice. Alan Moore might actually be insane in all the ways that are perfect for a writer to be. He’s an absolute genius and a legend. If you enjoy philosophy and thought-provoking books you need to read his catalog.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I would have to say books like Watchmen, The Great Gatsby, 1984, Disgraceland: Musicians Getting Away With Murder and Behaving Very Badly, A History of the World in Seven Glasses, and Storynomics have influenced my writing the most. Each has had an impact on me and not for reasons that you may initially be led to believe. Watchmen is influential to me because it doesn’t primarily rely on plot to drive the story and the story provides a lot of open discourse to ponder and that’s one of the biggest things I try to provide my readers with. 1984 is influential because it is a dystopian novel about the future. Often when we think about the future we assume that our situations will improve but it won’t unless we actively do something to improve our way of life. If we stumble, the future can be the present with improved technology or worse we may find ourselves in more disadvantageous situations. The Great Gatsby has such a powerful feel and I love F. Scott Fitzgerald’s use of voice. Something about the voice of the story is so emotionally resonant with me in a melancholic way and it’s a feeling I try to replicate in some of my work. Similarly, I love Jake Brannan’s Disgraceland book and subsequent podcast of the same title for his use of voice. A History of the World in 7 Glasses is influential because of the perspective. It uses drinks, something so simple, to really extrapolate and share their impact on different societies and cultures over human history. Storynomics by Robert McKee because it’s helped me venture out from traditional three act structures while being able to hone in on what’s important to a story. 

  • What is the best piece of advice you received about writing?

Just do it. There’s no such thing as good writing, just good editing. I was watching a writer discuss her writing process in a Ted Talk interview on Youtube years ago and this piece of advice really stuck with me. You know as writers, it’s common to feel pressured to convey your thoughts perfectly from the start and that’s just not a realistic expectation. Writing anything exactly how you envisioned in one take is like catching lightning in a bottle. It’s just not sustainable and something you can rely on to happen often enough as a writer. I’ve written over a thousand poems and I can honestly say I might have written 3 poems in one take.

There are a few different strategies that you could implement but here’s my typical process. I typically get inspired by things I think about or come across during the day. For example, an interesting line or phrase that I think in my internal monologue, a discussion on a podcast, or the sound of someone’s voice can inspire me to write. I’ll write any lines that come to mind and then write a quick one-liner, or several bullet-point summary about what my thoughts were, the emotion I’m trying to invoke and the conclusion in my iPhone notes app. When I get a chance to start fleshing out my thoughts I’ll just write a couple trial lines that encapsulate the feeling first then experiment with rhyming schemes or stanza structures. I am really busy and I have attention span deficit related issues so by this time I’ve completed this task I’m ready to move on to something else. At a later time or date I’ll revisit the rough draft I’ve created and will find the words and format to really convey what I was trying to get across. Just start writing and trust in your editing process. If you can do this you’ll eventually flesh out your thought and be proud of what you’ve come up with.

  • What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Death. I don’t fear death, I fear not making the most out of every chance I get until that day comes. Not to be incredibly morbid but it can happen at any time too. I’ve witnessed so many people die in my life over the years from youth to old age. Witnessing friends die in high school and cousins die in their early 20’s provided me with an additional sense of urgency. Every day I’m just trying to be the best person I can be, help someone if I can, grow interpersonally and professionally, and just try to be alive. To me being alive is about being active, venturing out of my comfort zone, taking risks, finding out more about myself through exploration and putting myself out there.

  • If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

I would describe myself as ambitious, compassionate, and open-minded. For better or for worse I have a number of goals that I would like to achieve and I’m unwavering in my pursuit of what I want. I would describe myself as compassionate as I don’t have any problems with showing sympathy. One of my biggest desires is to spread love and to receive love. I meet my friends and family where they are, that’s a boundary of mine. You can have as much love and support as you need as long as you are also bringing love and support in return. Also, I try to work towards contributing to progress on social issues that I care about. I’m pretty open-minded, I like to explore academically and learn about other perspectives, ideas, and engage in hypothetical what-ifs. Even more, than exploring beliefs, I’m into epistemology which is the study of why you hold the beliefs you do and if they’re justified. I think that’s part of being an artist of any sort. What can you create if you don’t first venture out into what’s new or lightly explored?

  • Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Sometimes you just have to be reminded why you started writing in the first place. When you do anything for the primary purpose of making money it will get stressful. It’s something that stressed me out for 3 years in college as I struggled to justify writing on the side if it just was going to take up my time and not contribute to me financially. Yet writing does indeed contribute, maybe not financially right away but for me, writing can be relaxing and a fun way to convey what’s on my mind. Getting back to the core of why you write and focusing on that will help you stay on task and help your writing out as well. It only feels like work if you view what you’re doing as work, and not as something you’re doing because you want to accomplish something.

  • Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

My annual goal is to write and publish at least one book per year. I started this goal with my first full-length book for mass release in 2020 and I’m holding myself accountable to hit that target. With that said I’m roughly 30-40% done with what will be my next full-length release titled “Skyscrapers..” for 2022. I’m really excited for the finished product and this project has spawned some of my most creative and favorite poems to date.

In the meantime, I have a lot of content that is ready to be released once I come up with a solid plan. I am selecting one of a few finished conceptual anthologies to release in 2022. I am also in the process of creating a shop where my readers can buy merch. So stay tuned for more big news to come down the line.

You can follow me on my blog to keep up-to-date on the progress of these projects.

LeShane|Linktree

About Discontinued: A Short Film

A Global Pandemic, Unprecedented levels of Social Unrest, and The Loss of Family & Friends. These are the seemingly insurmountable forces that a young man from Tulsa, Oklahoma must face as he attempts to both grieve and heal.

As the young man navigates through his current circumstance, he battles with a variety of human emotions. Full of deep and resonant poems that invoke melancholia, thoughtfulness, hope, and encouragement Discontinued: A Short Film is a masterful depiction of the grieving process from initial denial to acceptance and growth.

A remarkable successor to Our Chemically Altered Romance, this poetic anthology will cause you to evaluate your perspective on the current state of the global society, reflect upon the past in thought provoking and meaningful ways, and cause you to marvel at our ability as humans to showcase resiliency and push forward through hardships to create a brighter future.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Poems, poetry, Quotes, Self-Help

Discontinued: A Short Film by LeShane | Review

A Global Pandemic, Unprecedented levels of Social Unrest, and The Loss of Family & Friends. These are the seemingly insurmountable forces that a young man from Tulsa, Oklahoma must face as he attempts to both grieve and heal.

As the young man navigates through his current circumstance, he battles with a variety of human emotions. Full of deep and resonant poems that invoke melancholia, thoughtfulness, hope, and encouragement Discontinued: A Short Film is a masterful depiction of the grieving process from initial denial to acceptance and growth.

A remarkable successor to Our Chemically Altered Romance, this poetic anthology will cause you to evaluate your perspective on the current state of the global society, reflect upon the past in thought provoking and meaningful ways, and cause you to marvel at our ability as humans to showcase resiliency and push forward through hardships to create a brighter future.

Title: Discontinued: A Short Film

Author: LeShane

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 110

My Review

Discontinued: A Short Film is a collection of beautifully written, thought-provoking poems. They express human emotions in their raw, unadulterated, unapologetic form. The words contain so much pain, anger and they spill the truth about our world. The author lost a dear friend and this event is marked in the first poem. The rest of them reflects his pain on this insurmountable loss. His grief leads him to unexplored places. He becomes less reactive and more of an observer. This leads him to inner conflicts and they are overflowed through these poems.

The poems are written in a unique style. Every verse brings out an incident from the author’s life and his perspective on them. Death and life is another recurring subject in these poems. Overcoming trauma is not an easy subject to write or explain. Everyone has their own way to heal. Nevertheless, the author has penned his thoughts and process through these poems.

I really loved how he structured his poems. Every poem tells you a story. Sometimes, it is about family, friends, experiences etc. It comes to a full circle at the end. He returns to where he began. In a way, these poems represent the uncertainty and unpredictable nature of our lives. Even the title of this book makes sense at the end. It is the discontinued chapter of life but only a short one. The collection ends with a beautiful poem on hope. It evokes courage within our souls. No matter how painful life is, it must continue and we all are bound to survive.

Really loved this piece of writing. One of the best works in poetry!

Rating: 5/5

Purchase here: Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Uncategorized

“If you are afraid of failure and rejection, writing is not for you” Brendan Wilson on the process of writing and launching his debut novel

Today I’ll be hosting author Brendan Wilson on my blog. His debut novel The Achilles Battle Fleet is now available on amazon.com

Following 25 years of military service as a US Army ranger and paratrooper, Brendan Wilson retired as a lieutenant colonel and then joined NATO where he served as a defense planner and diplomat for the next 15 years. During the course of his 40 years of work as a soldier and diplomat, he saw service in war-torn Libya, Ukraine, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Iraq. A former coach and team captain for a military martial arts competition team, he holds master ranking (8th Dan) in three different martial arts, and won the silver medal in the 2009 US Open for Taekwondo.

In retirement Wilson turned his efforts to filmmaking. He wrote and produced two award-winning short films (Doug’s Christmas, A Child Lies Here) and served as executive producer for ten episodes of the award-winning web series, Greetings! From Prison starring SNL’s Chris Redd. Moved by seeing human lives upended in war-torn areas, Wilson is earning his law degree and, once qualified as an attorney, plans to volunteer to help refugees. A former assistant professor who taught military history and the Univerity of Colorado, Wilson holds a Ph.D. in international relations and has about a dozen publications on defense-related topics. He is the father of two adult children.

Wilson lives a quiet life in Sycamore, Illinois. He spends his days writing, hiking, studying law and practicing his martial arts.

It is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Wilson to this interview.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, and how long have you been writing?

I first started writing magazine articles about martial arts in the early 1990s. A few years later I wrote for professional journals about defense policy, terrorism, and NATO. About that time, I wrote some short stories, two of which later got made into short films (A Child Lies Here and Doug’s Christmas). In 2011, I started writing my science fiction novel, The Achilles Battle Fleet. So in answer to your question, I think my desire to write fiction developed over time. Until very recently, I had a full-time job, so writing always had to take place in my spare time. Now that I am retired from work, and with the publication of The Achilles Battle Fleet, I am a more fully engaged in my writing, al least when I’m not working on my law degree!

  • What inspired you to write this book?

For The Achilles Battle Fleet, it started with a scenario in my mind, drawn in part from my own experience in Iraq being awakened by the announcement that incoming fire was imminent. Chapter 1 starts this way, and I used my own experience to sort of get that story out in the open. I did not know at that time that I would be writing a novel. Once started, the the characters seemed to have their own path that I just followed.

You can now order Paperback and Kindle version of  The Achilles Battle Fleet from Amazon.com 

  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Like many writers, I think it is getting started. For me, it is always best just to start writing, even if there is no clear path at the beginning.

  • What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

For me, the surprising thing is that the characters develop in ways that I hadn’t really envisioned when I started. For example, for the three major characters introduced in the prologue: Lieutenant Mei Ling Lee, Admiral Chambers, and Warrant Officer Nemuth, I did not know how they would develop over time in the novel.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing, and who is your favourite author and why?

I don’t really have one favourite author. I’ve read widely over time both classical literature and also popular fiction. Some 20 years ago, I read Harold Bloom’s The Western Cannon. That lead me to Cervantes, Nietzsche, Dante, Milton, Ibsen and of course Bloom’s favourite, Shakespeare. For science fiction, I think I have to say Heinlein is a central writer for me. I loved Time Enough for Love, Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Space Cadet.

  • If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

I don’t think I can describe myself, or anyone, in three words. People are more complex than three words would permit. I can give you three words that are ideas that I aspire to achieve. These would be perseverance, creativity and integrity. I’m not saying I have arrived, but I want to engage those parts of my personality. To me, each of those three concepts is key to being successful as a writer.

I can see that only those who persevere ever get their creative product into print. There are so many obstacles and people who would discourage me if I let them. If you are afraid of failure and rejection, writing is not for you. When I first joined the Army, I fought to get into the US Army Ranger School. It was extremely demanding, and everyone is given the change, or at least the temptation, to quit. I stayed with it, and with the help of my Ranger Buddy, I graduated. It was the hardest and best lesson of my professional life.

Creativity is key. That requires me to draw upon my own experience, my inner view of what should be happening in the text, and also an openness for where the characters lead me.

And integrity means a coherence between what I say is important and what I do. I don’t think I could be a good writer unless I aspired to that. The story line can be fantastic, but it also needs to be honest. If it’s not honest, the reader will see through it and reject the characters. My characters need to be forced to make difficult decisions under stress. Those decision, like real life, must have consequences. The character has to both own those consequences, but also experience the doubt that every person faces when choosing a course of action.

  • Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

I’m an aspiring writer myself, so I hesitate to give others advice. For me, I take some of my inspiration from the writings of Epictetus. On the topic of writing he said, “If you want to be a writer, write.” On living he said, “Decide what you would be, and do what you need to do — now.”

  • Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

The Achilles Battle Fleet is Book One of the Mei Ling Lee series. I am in the process of writing the second book in the series. I’m also in my final year of law school, which I confess is way harder than I thought it would be. It’s also very time consuming. And of course the law professors don’t care that I am a soon-to-be famous writer! I’m scheduled to complete my law degree next spring, and then I hope to devote more time to writing fiction.

You can follow me on Instagram @brendanwilsonwrites to keep up-to-date on the progress for this project.

For more information on author Brendan Wilson, visit his website

About The Achilles Battle Fleet

Naval Academy and martial arts champion, Lieutenant Mei-Ling Lee serves in a backwater assignment as an aide to the inspector general of a rag-tag group of starships thrown together as a convoy evacuating civilians from a contested area of the galaxy. When the convoy is attacked, she finds herself thrust into the center of a galactic struggle as the chief of staff for the newly formed Achilles Battle Fleet. As the conflict continues, Lee is forced to draw upon her martial arts skill and her inner strength as she fights alongside the Fleet’s marine commando unit. Struggling with budding romance, new friendships and startling betrayals, Lee becomes the warrior she was meant to be.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Review, Book Tour, Fiction, Thriller, Young-Adult

‘Read as often, and as many different books, as you can’: 10 Questions with Kayleigh Hughes

Today I’ll be hosting author Kayleigh Hughes on my blog. Her debut novel Meanwhile…  is available on Amazon.com

Kayleigh Hughes first discovered her passion for writing stories in her teens, them being
mainly drama, thriller, with the occasional bit of comedy. She is the author of the first part of the Meanwhile… series, with the second and third currently in the works. When not immersed in her characters and their worlds, she is absorbing yet another piece of film or television trivia, or jamming on the guitar and bass.

It is my pleasure to welcome the author Kayleigh Hughes  to this episode.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In my teens.

  • How long have you been writing?

Since I was about fifteen.

  • What inspired you to write Meanwhile…?

I had been reading Good As Dead by Mark Billingham, which depicts a hostage situation in a newsagent. The whole hostage situation type of story has always interested me, and whilst reading that book, I realized I wanted to write one of my own. I just didn’t plan on it developing into the story it did.

You can now order paperback and Kindle version of Meanwhile… from  Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

At times, finding motivation.

  • What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

In all honestly, that it seemed to be as good as others have said.

  • Who is your favorite author and why?

I don’t have just one – I couldn’t. Among my favorites are Ann Cleaves, Mark Billingham, and more recently, I have taken a liking to Richard Osman’s work (and am quite looking forward to his upcoming book). I just like their styles.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Well, whilst writing Meanwhile…, I binged a lot of Stephen King’s books, so possibly The Stand and 11.22.63 . Also, Mark Billingham.

  • If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Analytical. Diligent. Procrastinating.

  • Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Keep practicing. Don’t give up. Read as often, and as many different books, as you can, so as to familiarize yourself with different writing styles. Make sure you have your main plot points outlined. Take on board any (and I mean any) feedback you receive – get at least one other set of eyes to read your work, regardless of what number draft it is, because it will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a writer – be it dialogue or characterization – and help you to hone your craft. Try not to edit as you go along. The biggest one: just write.

  • Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

The next book in the Meanwhile… series

You can follow me on Instagram @kayleighhughesauthor and Facebook @kayhughes  to keep up-to-date on the progress of this project

About Meanwhile…

It’s one bad day for Samuel Manson and Caroline Cleaver – Samuel’s running late with a train to catch, while Caroline has a score to settle. Placed together in a compromising situation, how long will it be before either one cracks?

First in a three part series. The next will follow in due course.

Purchase here: Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Review, Book Tour, Fiction, Self-Help, Young-Adult

“Jealousy destroys creativity, and I have to constantly remind myself to move beyond it and just write!” Ruth Rotkowitz on the process of writing and launching her novels

Today I’ll be hosting author Ruth Rotkowitz on my blog. Her novels, Escaping the Whale and The Whale Surfaces are available on Amazon.com

Ruth Rotkowitz is the author of two novels: Escaping the Whale and the prequel, The Whale Surfaces. Both novels feature a daughter of Holocaust survivors who struggles with a legacy of inherited trauma. Readers’ interest in the background of the adult protagonist in Escaping the Whale, which was published first, inspired the creation of the prequel, which describes the woman’s childhood and adolescence. As a daughter of survivors herself, Rotkowitz has experienced, observed, and researched inherited trauma. In the talks she has conducted via Zoom this past year, she has been heartened by the reactions of many types of readers of varied backgrounds who relate to her protagonist’s struggles.

Rotkowitz has published fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in various literary journals and has been a staff writer and member of the editorial board of the (now defunct) Woman’s Newspaper of Princeton, where several of her feature articles garnered awards. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in English and has taught English on both the college and high school levels. She currently conducts book talks for the Phoenix Holocaust Association in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she resides.

It is my pleasure to welcome Ms. Rotkowitz to this interview.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I always knew. I felt the “calling,” so to speak, as a little girl, because I always loved reading and marveled at the power and beauty of the written word.

  • How long have you been writing?

I was always writing. I got serious about trying to get my work published in the seventies, when I left teaching and was home with a child.  I started with small pieces – fiction, nonfiction, poetry. I began framing ideas for novels a few years later, and began working at novel-writing in the eighties.

  • What inspired you to write these books?

 I was visited by the idea of a troubled young woman as a protagonist. As I began writing of this woman’s life and her attempt to conceal her fears and delusions in order to appear normal, I connected her problems with the problems of children of Holocaust survivors as well as the struggles of women to be taken seriously, in their relationships and careers. I was inspired to set the first novel, Escaping the Whale, in 1980 because women were just beginning to break out of the passive role set for them, and because I vividly remember the fascination that year with the Iran hostage crisis. I saw a connection between that situation and my protagonist’s.

 The creation of the second book, The Whale Surfaces was inspired by the questions readers of the first book asked. They were curious about the protagonist’s upbringing and wanted a picture of how she became this woman haunted by demons, trying desperately to banish them herself. Thus, during the lockdown, I wrote the prequel, a novella, which fleshes out this character’s story.

You can now order Hardcover, Paperback, eBook and Audible version of Escaping the Whale from Amazon.com and Hardcover and Paperback version from Barnes & Noble, The Whale Surfaces is available on paperback and eBook version from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The most difficult part is getting away from the artistic process. When I become obsessed with what I perceive as the success of other writers who have also published late in life with small presses, I become discouraged. How did they get that review? How did they get on that show?  Etcetera etcetera. That is the kiss of death, leaving me angry and discouraged. I have to remember that I must not compare myself to anyone else. Just do my work, enjoy what I do, and feel pride in what I have achieved. Jealousy destroys creativity, and I have to constantly remind myself to move beyond it and just write!

  • What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your books?

What surprised me, and still surprises me, is the total immersion I experience in my character’s life. I become her. Her problems, fears, obsessions, and joys become mine. I actually dream about her. I think, in those dreams, I am working out some parts of the story.

  • Who is your favorite author and why?

There are many authors I adore, but Alice Hoffman is by far one of my favorites. I love the way she weaves myth, legend, and the supernatural into her tales of human characters. As you might surmise from the titles of my novels, I feel a connection with the Biblical story of Jonah and the whale, and I employed that as a metaphor for my character’s dilemma. Myths from all cultures have so much to teach us, and I am inspired by Hoffman’s ability to create a smooth flow between that world and the real world.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

As a young girl, I was enamored of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I loved how the book drew me in so that I truly cared about the characters. The emotional connection I felt with Jo, the main character, and the pain I felt at Beth’s death, made me realize that writing has the power to connect with readers on an emotional level.

As an adult, I devour novels that portray a female character struggling with mental illness and/or butting heads with others who do not understand her. How To Be A Good Wife by Emma Chapman, The Pleasing Hour by Lily King, Beloved by Toni Morrison, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, Illumination Night and The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare, and Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver are some of the books that have inspired me to explore the stories that reside in my head.

  • If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Sensitive, creative, searching

  • Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

If you love your character or your story, focus on that. Let it come to life on the page. Don’t be distracted by other worries about what you are creating. Enjoy the writing itself!

  • Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers?

I have begun two other novels. One deals with a woman who has inherited a castle in which she grew up and that she has spent her adult years trying to maintain. At some point, she will begin to question why she is doing that, since it has prevented her from having a life of her own. The other novel I have begun features an installation artist who teaches art in high school to pay her bills. She meets a charismatic, dysfunctional couple who fascinate her.  They are both successful actors and they worm their way into her life, helping her but also controlling her.

You can follow me on Instagram @ruthrotkowitz to keep up-to-date on the progress for this project.

For more information on author Ruth Rotkowitz, visit her website

About Escaping the Whale

To everyone who knows her, 28-year-old Marcia Gold leads the perfect life. A high school guidance counselor in 1980 Brooklyn, New York who specializes in helping pregnant teens, Marcia thrives in her work. She also has a handsome, successful boyfriend who has won the approval of her Jewish, Holocaust-survivor family – no easy feat.

However, beneath the shiny surface lurks another reality. Plagued by frightening and debilitating panic attacks brought on by her family’s wartime legacy and exacerbated by the Iranian hostage crisis in the news, Marcia becomes convinced that “demons” are occupying her closet and her mind. Determined to keep her terrifying secret life a secret, Marcia is pushed closer and closer to a breaking point.

A series of crises finally forces the explosion Marcia can no longer contain. Determined to rid herself of her “demons,” she concocts a plan, desperate to be reborn as a new person. Unfortunately, she discovers that her plan creates its own problems. Can she find another path out of her psychic pain, one that will lead her to true normalcy?

Purchase here: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Apple Books

About The Whale Surfaces

Marcia Gold is the daughter of Holocaust survivors whose lives have been defined by their painful experiences in Europe. A sensitive child, Marcia has absorbed this history as her own, and the Holocaust looms over her childhood like an ever-present cloud. Despite caring parents and a safe life, Marcia’s childhood is filled with panic and delusions.

Marcia realizes early on that her fearful imaginings are upsetting to others. Yet demons are haunting her and she feels them infiltrating her life, making her ‘different.’ No one can understand her sense of alienation and her frightening ‘visions.’ Mortified by them herself, she believes her only hope lies in escaping the scene of her childhood and beginning an independent life. Only then, she concludes, will she vanquish those demons whose tentacles seem to be sliding relentlessly through the inside of her brain, poisoning all that they touch. Marcia’s search for independence is really a search for mental health.

Read after Escaping the Whale, the prequel explains Marcia’s journey to adulthood. Read as a stand-alone, it provides a picture of a child struggling to be ‘normal.’ Marcia Gold, in both books, is waiting to be understood.

Purchase here: Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

Your Marketing Content Planner Guide by Izabela Cottle | Review

Title: Your Marketing Content Planner Guide: 8 Steps to Supercharge Your Content Plan and Build a Social Media Strategy that Sells

Author: Izabela Cottle

Pages: 100

Genre: Business, Marketing

My review

Content marketing is the driving force of a business. If there are no customers then there will be no business. Converting an audience into potential buyers needs effective strategies. Being a sought after marketing strategist, the author, Izabela Cottle draws her wisdom from years of experience to this book. This is a concise summary of effective, foolproof, battle-tested tactics. Because of that, I find these techniques, believable, practical, and most importantly converting.

This book mainly addresses small business owners and entrepreneurs. It gives a thorough knowledge of content planning, execution and monitoring. But you can still learn a lot if you are an experienced marketer. Because the author has written very valuable and unique content that actually drives the sales. These strategies analyse our business to the core. It gives a structured and proper content framework focusing on the audience.

Marketing is now all technology-driven. Making your mark on every social media platform is a game-changer. But every platform is different and we have to customize our content to tackle down these algorithm-driven platforms. First, we have to identify our business goal. It is important to decide where to go before starting the journey. The next step is knowing your audience and creating the content. But creating content is inseparably related to monitoring and analyzing its performance. This is the most important part of a strategy. Most authors don’t stress this part. But here, the author explains this part in detail.

This 8 step content planner creates a full circle. We can easily repeat the process by changing our goal in the first step. With new data, we can customize this strategy accordingly. Undoubtedly, this is an all-in-one solution for content marketing.

One of the best features I found in this book is simplicity. The author explains A-Z details with utmost clarity, without giving any chance to raise doubts in between. But this is not a book with theoretical concepts. It is an implementation plan. This unique feature separates this one from others.

The completeness of this book is fascinating. The author has left no stones unturned. A must-read for everyone who wants to learn or innovate their marketing skills.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Uncategorized

“This is the greatest time in history to be a writer!” Derek Barton on the process of writing and launching his 3-book horror suspense thriller series, Evade

Today I’ll be hosting Derek Barton on my blog. His 3-book horror suspense thriller series, Evade is available on Amazon.com

Derek Barton was born in northeast Indiana in 1970.  The typical introvert kid; closer to books than people, but grew up with a fascination for horror novels (Stephen King, Dean Koontz) and medieval fantasy (Piers Anthony, R.A Salvatore). In April of 1996, he moved out to Phoenix, Arizona to find his own path.  He has been married to his wonderful wife, Erika since October 5th, 2012.  They have three children, Jenna, Johnathan and a five-year-old baby girl, Jessiena!

It is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Barton to this episode.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I became engrossed with horror, sci-fi, and fantasy books while in high school and knew I had a storyteller within me dying to come out.

  • How long have you been writing?

In 2012, I took up writing – mainly for my own entertainment. By early 2015 I completed my first full-length rough draft of a manuscript. In 2016, I published my first epic fantasy novel, Consequences Within Chaos. Followed up by In Four Days, my first horror-suspense tale.

  • What inspired you to write Evade series?

Like a lot of my story ideas, this one grew from a very vivid dream/nightmare. I use lucid dreaming to “live out” stories in my head and this one actually woke me up. I knew it was too intense to leave alone and had to bring it to life for my readers!

Grab your copy Amazon.com

  • Are your characters created from scratch or are they based on people from your life?

All of the characters are developed and fleshed out with their own backstories. I do sometimes use people as characters or I’ll borrow their names for my works. A few of the characters were carried over from In Four Days and gave some insight to what became of their lives after the events of the Foxworth Mines. For anyone interested in a sneak peek at the character sketches see my blog of October 2019, https://authorderekbarton.blog/2019/10/13/character-sketchs-from-evade-derek-barton-2019/

  • Were there alternate endings you considered?

Without giving away the story’s final climatic end, I did backtrack from my much darker original ending. This worked to the benefit of some major characters and not so good for some minor ones…in other words, blood was still spilled, just a difference in whose!

  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Fulfilling my ambitions for the story. Sometimes when I’m writing my first draft, I’ll look at my outline and think, How the hell am I going to describe that?? For example, battle scenes can be especially daunting to work out.

  • What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

I stretched my writing into some areas I had very little actual knowledge of – my research for the novels were more complex than ever! I’m speaking about story elements like the motorcycle gangs and the air prisoner transport systems as well as emergency military interactions. I feel they all came across well and true to life which I take pride in that.

  • Who is your favourite author and why?

I grew up in the 80s and 90s which to me was a golden age for horror and science fiction. Every book Stephen King wrote was a must-have to me and to this day I still read a lot of his work. Mr. Mercedes inspired me to develop and write Elude, my own crime/horror suspense story.

Connect with Derek on Instagram

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

As I stated King guided a lot of horror stories, but so did writers like Dean Koontz and Peter Straub. My fantasy work was crafted and influenced by R.A. Salvatore, Stephen R. Donaldson, and George R.R. Martin.

  • What is the best piece of advice you received about writing?

It’s critical to take a serious look at your story pacing and to work out your whole plot outline before you try to tell the actual story. If you don’t pinpoint your destination and know where you’re going, your writing will meander and most likely stall down some unexpected dead end!

  • What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Without a doubt it is my family. They support my endeavours and give me the extra strength to keep telling my stories.

  • If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Ambitious. Ernest. Creator!

  • Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

If I hadn’t learned how powerful and how important a good outline can be to the structure of a story, I would never have been able to complete any of my tales. This is the greatest time in history to be a writer! There are thousands of sites and reference books on word crafting – take full advantage of what the internet can teach you!

  • Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

The incredible sequel to the harrowing werewolf tale, The Hiddenwill be published by the end of the year. Perhaps The Hidden Within will even see the light from a full October moon!!

You can follow my page @rivyenphx and website to keep up-to-date on the progress for this project

About Evade series

FIND YOUR ANSWERS IN THIS THRILLING SEQUEL TO IN FOUR DAYS!

The balance for Evil has tipped in Hell’s favor…

On the day Detective Lindsey Korrey should be celebrating the closure of her biggest case, The Nurse Catcher, she’s caught up in an intense police car chase.

Rory, a missing child case of three years, has fallen under her protection. Someone — or something — wants him back.
Chased down and hunted by a supernatural enemy, Lindsey must evade capture at any cost.

Yet their road is full of hidden dangers. The Seekers emerge out of every shadow…around every corner…

With twists and turns, extraordinary characters, action, suspense, and a mystery with pulse-pounding revelations, EVADE will take your breath away and leave you wanting –needing to know more!

Purchase here: Amazon.com

For more information about Derek Barton, visit https://authorderekbarton.blog/about/

Amina Thajudeen Uncategorized

“Never allow rejection to take away the joy of doing what you love” Andrea Hintz on the process of writing and launching her spy series, Perception and Deception

Today I’ll be hosting Andrea Hintz on my blog. Her novel series Perception and Deception is available on Amazon.com

Andrea Hintz is a Christian first, wife, daughter, fiction author, screenwriter, songwriter, video game writer, blogger, website designer, and audio engineer. Her goal is to create action, adventure, mystery, thriller, comedy, and romance stories through several avenues of art. Andrea began college at the age of thirteen and graduated at seventeen with a Bachelor’s degree. Her favorite projects at the moment include working on reading through the entire Bible, her books in the Perception and Deception series, her books in The Tesoro Series, her screenplay projects, her music, and her blog called, “Interviews With Professionals!” where she interviews and showcases other professionals in any artistic industry.

It is my pleasure to welcome Ms.Hintz to this episode

Me: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Andrea: I was certainly a bookworm. Aside from reading books, I also came up with a lot of stories in my mind and enjoyed those just as much as I enjoyed reading. Stories were made via several outlets including writing, drawing, music, playing dolls, etc. One night, I thought of a beautiful scene with endless green fields, clear blue skies, a horse, and myself just…exploring all of it. I kept thinking, “if only there was a way I could share what I’m seeing in my mind right now with other people so they can enjoy how beautiful this is.” At the time, I thought it would be amazing to make a movie. But with the resources I had available at just twelve years old (lol) I decided to write instead! That scene ended up being the inspiration for the first chapter book I ever wrote (but I never published it – at least not yet).

Me: How long have you been writing?
Andrea: I’ve been writing in varying forms ever since I first learned how to! Before that, I just used my imagination hahaha.


Me:  What inspired you to write Perception and Deception?
Andrea: You know those stories I was making up in my mind? Well, Perception and Deception: A Spy Series came from pieces of those stories I’d been webbing together in my brain for years. I had a lot of different genres playing in my head, but Perception and Deception came specifically from the “spy” center hahaha. After working on my treasure hunting books, The Tesoro Series, for quite some time, I decided to dig into some older story material and take a try at writing a spy book. And I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I mean, I was daydreaming about the life of spies ever since I was ten years old, and now I was finally getting to “experience” it through my writing.

You can now order paperback and Kindle version of Perception and Deception from  Amazon.com

Me: Are your characters created from scratch or are they based on people from your life?
Andrea: Pretty much all characters are created from scratch, but I joke that they’re all varying versions of my own personality hahaha. However, I would say that the “relationships” between different characters are often inspired by the relationships and the way I feel about real people in my life.


Me: Where there alternate endings you considered?
Andrea: All the time. Although, I usually have the endings in mind from the very beginning. I do think about and consider alternatives constantly though as I’m writing.


Me: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Andrea: Repetitive editing. A lot of writers don’t like editing, but I actually quite enjoy it. I think because it’s fun for me to “see” the story “alive and constant” as I read through it again. When you’re writing, there’s a lot of stopping and moving around the story (at least for me) so it’s nice to finally see the entire story flowing together from start to finish. However, where it gets difficult for me is once the editing gets repetitive. I read through my books several times before publishing to make them some version of “perfect.” And sometimes, reading the same story several times in a row can quickly become exhausting and even, dare I say, boring. It’s like watching your favorite movie back to back to back to back to back. So the way I’ve solved this is by allowing for a nice break between read-throughs (usually 1-3 weeks).


Me: What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?
Andrea: That the characters I come up with on a “whim” end up becoming the most important and beloved characters to my readers. And that these particular characters seem to just take over their own stories hahaha. God given, that’s for sure!


Me: Who is your favourite author and why?
Andrea: Well, of course the best author(s) of all time are those who wrote the Bible! They had an incredible responsibility to record and deliver historical information to us in an accurate and understandable matter. It also demonstrates just how important the written word really is.


Me: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Andrea: I’ve found that my writing is completely different than what I usually enjoy reading! From writing styles, to genres…it’s all very different. I’ve enjoyed a lot of books with lots of detailed descriptions including the Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island series by Terri Farley and The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart. Although my writing styles are different from those, I’d say I learned a lot about characters, groups of friends, and storylines with heart through these reads.


Me: What is the best piece of advice you received about writing?
Andrea: Just get the ideas down on paper. Organize, edit, and perfect later.


Me:  What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Andrea: To see what adventure God has in store for me today! Whether that’s in my relationship with God, my marriage, my family, or my writing, I’m always looking forward to progressing and developing in all areas!


Me:  If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Andrea: Godly, faithful, and ambitious.


Me: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Andrea: I’ve been pursuing these dreams for years, and the number one, most important piece of advice I can give is to pray and trust in God’s plan. As long as you’re putting God first above everything else (including your dreams) He will handle the rest. My greatest times of success have always happened when I’ve set my dreams aside and devoted my time to worshipping and studying the Word of God. Honestly. Now, that’s not the reason you should be doing so, but God will suddenly start bringing “favor connections” your way (i.e. people who suddenly pop into your life and can tell you how to be successful). Next piece of advice is to never allow rejection to take away the joy of doing what you love. Easier said than done, I know. I went several years with no success for my books. There were many times that took the joy away. I re-prioritized and made a deal with myself that I would do my part by creating the content and putting it out there for people to see, and then let God do with it what He desired. It would get in front of the right eyes when it was time. And that’s when I began noticing a difference.


Me: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?
Andrea: I am! First of all, Perception and Deception 5: A Spy Series is on the way! The cliffhanger is almost over! You can expect to see it hit shelves this summer.

You can follow my page @andreahintzstoryteller and website to keep up-to-date on the progress for this project


Also, I’m working on producing a full cast, cinematic-styled audiobook for Perception and Deception (Book 1). The YouTube trailer / commercial was released and went viral right away! Check it out here:

Then the audiobook got featured on Market Watch, a Dow Jones & Company website!

Here it is:
https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/andrea-hintz-is-set-to-release-a-newaudiobook-for-her-hit-spy-fiction-series-perception-and-deception-2021-06-01

You can find more details about the audiobook production here on my website: https://andreahintz.wixsite.com/andreahintz/audiobooks

About the book

Ashton Mathis lives in a rural yet cliquey town in Vermont. As the owner of the town’s only grocery store, his life is successfully simple. But life begins to teeter towards something unusual after a strange yet beautiful woman named Felix moves into town. Swearing he will marry this girl someday, his pursuit of her proves to be successful…until she suddenly dumps him and he gets attacked in an alley. His rescuer is surprisingly Felix herself, revealing that she’s really a special agent for a top-secret division of the FBI and has blown her cover. Ashton suddenly finds himself thrown into a mission involving destructive weapons blueprints that could lead to worldwide catastrophe, running from the bad guys who are now after Felix and himself, and trying to win back the heart of this dangerous woman.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

Connect with Andrea on Instagram Website

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Science Fiction, Young-Adult

Songs From The Other Side by Robyn Bernstein | Review

Newly orphaned, Jayne reads her father’s physics notebook to comfort herself. The journal is filled with private lectures and hand written theories. These writings mirror the darkly restrictive circumstances unfolding in Jayne’s life, but also foresee the chance encounter with Jonah, another science nerd who may guide her through her grief. Despite the punishing judgment inflicted by Aunt Pauline, a religious zealot and Jayne’s new guardian, Jayne believes the contents of her father’s journal provide secret messages for her, encouraging her and Jonah to enroll together in a science contest that takes place in New York City. Jayne and Jonah’s friendship grows as they begin to plan their escape, hoping to win prize money for proving the science of salvation. But is Jayne willing to betray the lessons in the journal when they no longer align with what she and Jonah ultimately intend to do? Only Jayne can decide if new love is worth the risk of losing her last connection to her Mom and Dad

Title: Songs From The Other Side

Author: Robyn Bernstein

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 254

My review

What a story this is! A heartwarming young-adult romantic drama. But, I must not tag this as a cliche romantic drama. It will be an injustice to the story and the beautiful storytelling efforts of the author. This tale is more about the depth of emotional bonds between parents and children.

Jayne is a newly orphaned teenager who is trying to find solace. She tries to find some peace by reading her father’s journal. A chance encounter with a fellow science nerd, Jonah opens a new realm of aspirations for her. Will she able to find hope and meaning, once again in her life?

Death is always an uninvited guest in our life. Its unexpected visit shatters our deep-seated bonds beyond repair. Grief is one of the hardest emotion to surpass. Especially when someone walks away without saying goodbye. Then the people who are left behind with the curse of memories has to find the answers to thousands of questions by themselves. Even then we can’t know anything for sure. The author has conveyed these raw emotions perfectly through words. It is not easy to pour these complex emotions into words. But we can clearly feel the pain Jayne is having, as we read through. This clearly shows the talent and craft of the author.

I really liked Jayne’s character. She finds her comfort in music and science. She shows maturity beyond her ages. Her hopeful outlook is one of the best element in the story. Because of that, I really loved the climax. I like the warriors who never bows to their circumstances. She is an ordinary character with extraordinary grit.

Every scene is scripted flawlessly. The author explains every minute detail with utmost clarity. Her vivid description paints the exact picture of every scene. She only introduces characters or their interactions after this description. Reading this tale is like watching a steady paced movie by frame-to-frame.

The strength of this story lies in its originality. The plot is really unique. We can easily relate to this story. But telling a relatable story without being overdramatic is another level of the game. The author has proved her abilities beyond doubts here.

Overall, this is a very well-written story. I highly recommend this one.

Rating:5/5

Purchase here: Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Tour, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller, Young-Adult

‘A pen gives me a voice in the world’: 13 Questions with Peter Gray

Peter Gray was born in Toronto, Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Education but has always felt the lure of classic English literature. Peter published his first story in 2020; a paranormal romance called “Cursed.” His first full length novel “The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven” was released in the month of September 2020. As a self-published author, Peter specializes in the genres of Gothic horror, paranormal romance, and historical fiction. His first historical romance novel “Awakening” debuted in the month of March 2021; he plans to continue writing in this genre for his upcoming novels “At Peace” and “Far from Home” series which will premiere later this year.

It is my pleasure to welcome the author Peter Gray to this episode.

Me: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Peter Gray: Unfortunately, I cannot recall an exact time that I wanted to be a writer. I was always a daydreamer, ever since I was a little girl. As I grew older, I began to write these stories down on paper. They were short drabbles at first, but by the time I was in University they began to expand in scale. It is only recently that I decided to publish my stories under a male pen name and share it with the rest of the world. The accessibility of self-publishing through platforms like Amazon or Google Play was the main motivator for me to put my work out there.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Peter Gray: I have been writing all my life, it started with journal entries after school, and then poetry in my teenager years. Once I was in University, I stumbled into the wonderful world of fanfiction, and I think that is where I was able to explore writing stories in different genres. Being heavily immersed in the fanfiction world also allowed me to network with fellow artists and writers, so it gave me an opportunity to meet people that shared the same interests as me. It wasn’t until Covid-19 spread across the world and left my life at a standstill, that I sat down one day and took a serious look at all the stories I had written so far. This period of reflection gave me the confidence I needed to research the advantages of self-publishing, create a pen name, and eventually publishing my novels on Amazon.  

Me: What inspired you to write your first book?

Peter Gray: There were several motivations for me to write “Cursed.” It was Halloween season at the time, and I promised my friends that I would write a short horror story for them. I have always had this strange fascination with werewolves, so it was easy for me to pen “Cursed.” The story was originally a fanfiction, but I liked the storyline so much that I decided to change it up and publish the story on Amazon to reach a wider audience. I am aware that there are a lot of werewolf stories out there, but I believe “Cursed” is significantly different because it mixes elements of comedy and horror to give it a more light-hearted feel. I believe the classic 1981 film “An American Werewolf in London,” was another motivator for me to write this novel. I had the pleasure of watching it after I published “Cursed,” and it gave me some sense of pride to see that my book shared the same vibe as that insanely comedic eighties film.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

Me: Are your characters created from scratch or are they based on people from your life?

Peter Gray: Thus far, all the characters that I have written have been created from scratch or vaguely inspired by other fictional characters. One of my future published works “At Peace,” is autobiographical in a way, which is both intimidating and unnerving for me. I believe that is the reason I have been repeatedly pushing back the dates so far, but I know for certain it will be published at the end of this year. This historical romance focusses on a budding romance between two teachers. A lot of the scenes in the first few chapters are a dim reflection of my own life, so it is an eerie experience to see my life suddenly penned upon a page. I think it is the best story that I have produced so far, probably because it correlates with that age old saying: “Write what you know.” I work in the education profession, so detailing the daily lives of a teacher’s duties and their classroom expectations was incredibly easy to do. This story is romantic and emotional evocative, and I believe it will be a favourite for many of my fans.

Me: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Peter Gray: The hardest part of writing during a pandemic is finding a quiet, isolated place to work. I currently live at home with my family. Lately it has been difficult to find a place to write new stories or market my published works. This inconvenience has made me wake up in the early hours of the morning, in the hopes of writing a chapter or two. Afterwards, I go out for a long walk among nature to clear my mind and allow my creative thoughts to wander. It is through these tranquil-like moments that I generate more ideas for a story. When I return home, my mind is full to the brim with new ideas, and then I am off, typing at my keyboard like a madman. My work habits, however strange they might appear, have allowed me to produce multiple novels within a short period.

Me: What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

Peter Gray: I discovered that I like to integrate social justice issues into my novels. I never want to shy away from issues such as racism, environmental issues, or social injustice. A pen gives me a voice in the world, a vocal piece for me to fight for the rights of others.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

The philosophical topic of existentialism heavily influenced the “Far from Home” book series. The main characters in these novella’s often question their religious beliefs in a time when the Protestant faith was sacred, and the church heavily aligned with the British Monarchy. We see a lot of philosophical questions that plague the character’s mind, such as: “Why am I here?” or “Where will I go when I die?” In this book series, vampires’ chips away at the once firmly held religious beliefs of the Reeds’ family. It is apparent that the sudden emergence of vampires, those demonic creatures that possess the power to live beyond the grave, have a significant advantage over those people that cherish the Enlightened period and refuse to believe in the fact that vampires are free to roam throughout London, England. When penning “Far from Home” I was heavily influenced by Bram Stocker’s “Dracula,” and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” novels, as well as John William Polidori “The Vampyre.” The book series, “Far from Home” starts off as a black noir, detective styled novella, but over the time the story evolves to focus on the tragically dark romances between the vampire, Aodhan McVeigh, and the woman he has chosen to be his lover.

Me: Who is your favourite author and why?

Peter Gray: An incredibly difficult question, but if I had to choose a single author it would be Charlotte Brontë. Her books influenced me in my late adolescence, and it helped me go through some difficult times in high school. Only when I entered University and began to study English literature, that I began to truly appreciate her writing style. There are a lot of similarities that I share with her life, such as writing under a male pseudonym or working in the education profession. When it was time to choose a pen name, I thought about all the female authors that influenced my life growing up and the hardships they faced to get their work published because they are a woman. It was the lives of the Brontë sisters during the nineteenth century that influenced me to write under a fictional male pen name, in the hopes of echoing the troubling time period for female authors because of their sex. 

Me: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Peter Gray: Edgar Allan Poe’s “Ligeia” and “The House of Usher” are two major influences for me when I decided to partake in the Gothic horror genre. I also absolutely adore dark romanticism literature! I love stories with an ill-fated heroine being preyed upon by a sinister villain; dark moors, haunted houses, vengeful ghosts, those are the things that continually spark my imagination. In terms of light literature, I am highly inspired by the Romanticism period and the famous poets that wrote about sublime scenery and landscapes in England, Italy, and other parts of Europe that had not succumbed to the wave of the Industrial revolution. Another writer that has influenced my writing style is the lyrical poet, John Keats. He is my hero! I worship the very ground he walks upon, and he is one of the main reasons I fell in love with poetry at an early age. Recently, I have been enjoying Gothic novels by Renee Ross, a fellow indie writer with a penchant for all things dark and maniacal. I would suggest “The Ghost of Emily Grey,” a short horror novel I binge read in two days. I could go on for days, of course, but those are the writers that have influenced me the most so far.

Me: What is the best piece of advice you received about writing?

Peter Gray: I don’t remember a time when anyone gave me writing advice. I am quite headstrong, incredibly so, and I think that is the reason I went into the self-publishing business instead of falling into the long line of writers waiting to be noticed by big publishing companies. The best piece of writing advice I saw online was by Charles Bukowski. He is so raw with his words, so much grit and frankness that he knocks the reader over with the truth. I find his life inspiring too, it was just a few months ago that I watched a documentary detailing his daily writing habits. It just proves that you have to live everyday like it’s your last and make no excuses when it comes to writing. Bukowski’s writing philosophy is seen in this quote, when he says: “There’s nothing to stop a man from writing unless that man stops himself. If a man truly desires to write, then he will.” As a writer we have a choice; we can settle and write down stories that society dictates as acceptable or popular at this time, or we can listen to our intuition and tell a story that is deeply meaningful to you. When I first started to write stories it was to cater to a certain audience, but now I am at the point in my life where I think “How much longer will I be here? What legacy am I going to leave in the world?” and it is those types of questions that makes me want to put my best work out there.

Me: What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Peter Gray: That’s an easy one! To write!!!

Me: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Peter Gray: Bold, emphatic and a leader.

Me: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Peter Gray: Have a network of people that you can rely on. They can be fellow writers or people that know you intimately and will call you out if the story can be improved upon. Writing is a lonely process, but it does not always have to be that way. Social media allows me to connect with fellow writers and ask them for advice. I am still new here, and yes, I have published four novels in less than two years, but I am still learning the intricacies of this business. When you are an indie writer it is essential to get your name out there. The books won’t sell by themselves! It requires work, patience, and a little bit of luck. The best advice I can give to an aspiring writer is to network with fellow artists and believe in yourself.

Visit the author’s website https://www.gray-blog.com/

Me: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

Peter Gray: I am in the middle of rewriting “Far from Home: Book Two,” since it was penned over two years ago. My writing style has drastically changed, so I am basically rewriting the entire story from scratch. I want to add more foreshadowing this time, especially when it comes to the dark, twisted relationship between Aodhan McVeigh and the woman he cleverly seduced, the young Victoria Reeds. I believe the first edition had a lot of Hades and Persephone vibes to it, but their storyline begins to change, and the reader starts to see the consequences of their actions after Victoria abandons her home and turns into a blood-thirsty vampire.

My romance historical novel “At Peace” is completed, so it is currently waiting to be published in the winter of 2021. I am still debating whether I want to submit it to a publisher or take the normal route and self-publish online.

“Far from Home: Book Three” was completed two months ago, during a burly Canadian winter with lots of snow and extremely frigid temperatures. Book three is hands down my favourite, and I am extremely impatient when it comes to publishing it next year. This story will generate a wide array of reactions from the audience. “Far from Home: Book Three” deals with issues of human morality, our spirituality, possibilities of reincarnations, and existentialism themes, which will clash with a lot of people’s worldview. Aodhan McVeigh also becomes very desperate in the final adaption of this book, and I believe more dangerous than ever before, especially with the supernatural powers he possesses since he is a century old vampyre with a single-minded purpose to destroy anyone that stands in his way.

You can follow my page @petergray_writer to keep up-to-date on the progress for my projects!

Other Books by Peter Gray

Visit the Amazon page of Awakening &The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven