Category: Author Interview

Posted on

Interview with author Rebecca Christo

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Hello! I’m Rebecca Christo, author of the fictional novel Mirrored Wounds. I live in Wasaga Beach, Ontario and have a passion for reading and writing.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Mirrored Wounds”?

A2. The biggest challenge I faced while writing Mirrored Wounds was probably finding uninterrupted time to work. Between my job, family and social commitments, it was difficult to carve away time on a daily basis.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. I grew up collecting and reading the Nancy Drew series. These books fueled my love for reading and writing from a very young age. As an adult, some of my favourite authors include Margaret Atwood, Agatha Christie and Mitch Albom.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. Toronto, Ontario. My daughters both live there, I love the Toronto Blue Jays, and I’m obsessed with the culture and the night life.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Mirrored Wounds’?

A5. I’ve always loved writing short stories and I wanted to challenge myself and try writing a novel.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Mirrored Wounds’?

A6. The entire process from start to finish was about a year and a half.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7 Amazon, Chapters / Indigo, http://www.rebeccachristo.ca

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Mirrored Wounds’?

A8. I had a clear vision for my cover from the beginning of a dark night and fireworks. The image is significant towards the end of the novel. The title was much more of a struggle. The book begins in 2007 and then jumps to present day so I wanted something that would suggest the similarities between then and now.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. I have several “idea” notebooks that I’m constantly making notes in for future projects and characters.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Walk away if you’re struggling and clear your mind, but come back to it the next day. Keep writing.

Buy Mirrored Wounds on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Ashton Khoury

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Hello! I’m Ashton Khoury, the author of my sci-fi thriller novel, FIND ME. Writing has always been a deep passion of mine, but it was only through a recent journey of self-discovery that I realized it’s the path I’m meant to pursue. Before diving into the world of writing, I lived in Australia, where I worked as a flight attendant. Now, my greatest inspiration comes from my beautiful daughter—everything I do is for her. I’m excited to share my journey and the stories that have emerged from it.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Find Me”?

A2. One key challenge in writing FIND ME was finding time, as I wrote during my daughter’s naps. I used my phone for most of the first draft because my computer was too slow—turns out, mobile writing apps are quite handy! Balancing writing with learning the publishing process was tricky, but the experience was a rewarding lesson in perseverance and creativity.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. My writing for FIND ME has been influenced by a range of sources. I’ve always admired the engaging storytelling in James Dashner’s books, especially his knack for creating suspense and intrigue, which resonates with the thrilling elements in FIND ME. Additionally, my style is inspired by shows like Dark and Westworld, which delve into complex narratives and challenge perceptions of reality. Their ability to weave intricate plots and explore deep philosophical questions inspired me to infuse similar themes of reality and illusion into my own work.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. One of my favorite places to visit is my hometown. Having lived in Australia for a significant part of my life, returning to my hometown holds special meaning for me. It’s filled with cherished memories and provides a comforting sense of nostalgia, reminding me of where my journey began and the roots I hold dear.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Find Me’?

A5. My inspiration for FIND ME came from my fascination with the theory of bubble universes—where infinite versions of ourselves might exist across countless realities. This idea sparked a story in my mind about a woman chasing a light that keeps getting further away the more she searches. Combining these concepts, I developed FIND ME into a thrilling narrative that explores the boundaries between reality and illusion.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Find Me’?

A6. From the initial concept to the publication, the process took about nine months. I began working on it in December 2023 and saw it through to publication in September 2024. It was a challenging yet rewarding journey that allowed me to develop and refine the story over that period.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Readers can purchase FIND ME on major platforms such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. These are the best places to find both physical and digital copies of the book.

Barnes&Noble

Amazon

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Find Me’?

A8. The cover design for FIND ME was inspired by a key element in the story: shattered glass. The image of the main character’s face behind shattered glass symbolizes the fractured reality and the complex journey she faces. I collaborated with a talented cover designer who skillfully brought this vision to life, capturing the essence of the story and its themes visually. The title, FIND ME, reflects the central quest of the novel—searching for truth and connection amidst the chaos.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. To keep things fresh while writing, I simply follow my imagination and drive. I don’t have a specific method; instead, I focus on what I want to achieve and pursue it with passion. My deep drive for success and a vivid imagination guided me throughout the writing process, allowing me to maintain engagement and excitement from start to finish.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. The most valuable advice I’ve received is, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” This quote encourages me to dive into projects and trust that solutions will reveal themselves as I go, without letting fear or uncertainty hold me back.

Posted on

Interview with author Chet Baker

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Dear readers. First and foremost, I want to say I treasure you all wherever you are. Readers like you are special: Lofty intelligence, voracious appetite for interesting stories, and articulate.

I live in Northern Colorado, USA. In a small town north of Denver. I just recently retired from career counseling as an executive recruiter, (headhunter) for large companies needing senior executives. Texas was my birthplace. Growing up in a military family, I’ve moved around from many states, to London to the Philippines. Being an outdoor type, Colorado offers everything I want: beautiful mountains, lakes and streams, for hiking, biking and fishing. I play pickleball, and play golf when not snow skiing in the winter. I’m a good cook, especially Mexican food. But writing fills most of my time these days.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Natalie’s Way”?

A2. I had just finished and published my debut novel BLOODLINE RUN which was a six-year endeavor. Without any experience in writing, I had to learn on the fly with that first book. Beginning NATALIE’S WAY I assumed I had learned so much with the first book, I assumed NW would be easier. Maybe I had figured out so many of the basics like the tools to use, I had studied the 3 Act structure and other craft basics. My own writing voice (especially narrative) was becoming easier to lay down. But the structure, the architecture of the plotline needed help. That was the biggest issue. With a development editor’s advice, I completely rearranged chapters, plot reveals, backstory, and character arc into a finished plotline. A big deviation from the first book.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. Cormac McCarthy mesmerized me with every one of his books. Then Falukner, Dennis LeHane, Stephen King, Patricia Highsmith, Dean Koontz, Patricia Highsmith, Margaret Atwood, Michael Connelly, Sarah Pinborough, and newer writers like Gillian Flynn, and Kelly Braffet.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. Colorado spots: Vail, Steamboat, Telluride. And towns along the Gulf Coast to Florida.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Natalie’s Way’?

A5. The MC in Natalie’s way was a character in BLOODLINE RUN. I had so much fun writing her then that it was easy to craft a story around her for the 2nd novel. There will be a follow up to Natalie’s Way after the book I have in development now.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Natalie’s Way’?

A6. About two and a half years.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Currently only the Amazon platforms.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Natalie’s Way’?

A8. The cover and title are hard for me. BLOODLINE was my creation. Maybe not the best to sell the book. I have design ability and the application to create it. But it’s like why a lawyer doesn’t defend himself in a lawsuit. You need someone at arms length to look at it as a reader. And it’s what they do day in and day out. They constantly watch the market and know what’s trending and how to design the market. Not something I’ve fallen in love with. So I went to a professional group for NATALIE—DAMONZA. Great group.

Titles might even be harder. What to say in three words, that hasn’t already been taken. I’ve made the mistake of settling on a title too soon. Big mistake b/c I might change my mind later after I’ve mentioned the first title in promos. As I write the story there are always bits of narrative or dialogue that makes for a good title. From now on, I’ll wait until the final stages of the writing to finalize a cover and title.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. If I find that I’m in a scene and it’s hard to write. I stop and walk away. B/c I’m not writing creatively. All I’m doing is laying down ink. If I’m getting bored, then I know for sure the reader will feel the same. Generally, I will go back and start over with a fresh approach to keeping the story moving with something new in that scene. I quickly read the last couple chapters (my chapters are short) and familiarize myself with the story from high above, like I’m a reader. It generally energizes me to replace an exposition heavy narrative, with action. Or find that I’ve been telling instead of showing. This always works!

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. There are a few worth mentioning: ‘Write Without Fear, Edit Without Mercy’; Write every day; read, read, read. Somewhat quoting Stephen King: “Writers are Readers.”

Buy Natalie’s Way on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Forbes Johnson

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. I am a serving paramedic. I love my job being able to make a difference in people’s lives I have 2 small children. They’re my world . I used to be in the military for many years. I survived travelling to Afghanistan and Iraq and gained my medals from this.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Silent Sirens”?

A2. I wanted to share with people. My story and were not invisible. We all struggle but there’s always a better way.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. My inspiration is my partner shes a published author on teen books and inspired me to write.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. My favourite spot is Wales as peace and quiet make me much more relaxed.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Silent Sirens’?

A5. I was inspired and I was just out of a horrible time and felt people should know the power and endurance that is expected of us.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Silent Sirens’?

A6. It took me 2 weeks to write. I was up at 3 am writing, during work time and whenever I had time. I needed to finish it before I lost the courage.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Can find paperback, hardback. E book is free

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Silent Sirens’?

A8. I came up with Silent Sirens as siren means danger or something imminent. So this emergency siren happening to Joe is totally silent but still dangerous.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. It’s a mixture of funny stories to the most serious with a focus on mental health and support available.

Silent Sirens on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Michael Shandler

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Karma and Kismet with Michael Shandler Award-winning, multi-published author, life coach, and organization development consultant Dr. Michael Shandler has spent the better part of the last forty years coaching individuals in their psycho-spiritual development and well-being. Growing up in a dysfunctional family during the apartheid era in South Africa, Michael spent most of his childhood and teen years surrounded by conflict, abuse, and guilt. Filled with poor self-esteem and serious psychological damage, Michael reached adulthood, lost with no real sense of meaning or purpose. Setting out on a transformational personal journey that would span over the next 15 years and across many continents, Michael experienced life through many cultures, lifestyles, and settings that eventually helped him discover a deep meaning of place and purpose, earn him a master’s and a doctorate, and eventually help him find a sense of home with the love of his life. Now, in his new book “Karma and Kismet: A Spiritual Quest Across Continents, Cultures and Consciousness,” Michael shares his journey in this heartfelt memoir about overcoming bad karma and the role of kismet, or fate, and how it shapes your life and destiny.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Karma and Kismet”?

A2. Since Karma & Kismet is a memoir, challenges arose regarding content to be included and/or excluded. I worked to an algorithm that helped make the necessary choices of inclusion in terms of how they furthered the story. Because it is such a deeply personal book, writing about difficult scenes and episodes meant being scrupulously “clean”

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. Bryce Courtney — The Power of One, Rian Malan — My Traitors Heart, Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception,

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. Cape Town and the Western Cape Province in South Africa where I was born and spent the first twenty years of my life. It is arguably one of the most dramatic geographical areas on the planet. I don’t live there anymore, but I like to return to the southerly tip of Africa from time to time.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Karma and Kismet’?

A5. The stories in Karma & Kismet have been with me my entire life. Only when I reached a ripe old age did I have the perspective necessary to understand what had happened. I knew that some remarkable things occurred, but it took a lifetime (now pushing eighty) to gain perspective and write about it.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Karma and Kismet’?

A6. About eight to ten years

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Amazon, B& N, BAM

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Karma and Kismet’?

A8. The manuscript was completed before the cover was designed by Suzanne Bradshaw, a designer at my publisher – Koehler Books. The book’s structure — Part One — “Karma” covers the challenging karma of my childhood and youth. Part Two — “Seeking” details the internal and external journey undertaken in search of belonging and reconciliation with my painful past. Part Three — “Kismet”- shows how the negative karma of my youth was transmuted and transformed by fate or the unseen hand of God, including the miraculous reconciliation with my abusive father and my finding love and belonging.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. I strived to be completely present in my writing sessions, to be patient, to write and rewrite until I was satisfied, and writing in the present tense, except for flashbacks.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Be true to yourself. Write honestly even when it is embarrassing or challenging in some way — trust the truth as the ultimate arbiter.

Buy Karma and Kismet on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Molly Arbuthnott

  1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

A1. I am Molly Arbuthnott and I write. I write poems and stories. They convey more than just my observations of life. They are a way I share hopes, dreams, wishes… everything really. I have written hundreds of poems and published twelve picture books. I like to think that three books are the equivalent of one child so technically I have four children!

  1. What is the inspiration behind your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat”?

A2. We lost our cat on the ferry. I was feeling a bit lost in London myself at the time so decided to write a story conveying a sense of belonging and hope centred around our cat.

  1. When did you realize you want to be an author?

A3. I don’t and I am not sure I really am. I just find it is an enjoyable way to pass time and it brings amazing people into my life too. It is a way I can observe the world and share and give. I love what I do and feel happy every hour of every day. I used to spend a lot of my life pining to be somewhere I wasn’t. This is not a very healthy way to be and so I can now imagine I am somewhere different sometimes through my stories and teach others about different places too.

  1. Please tell us something about your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat”?

A4. It is a story about hope, the courage to try new things and always be open to new experiences and adventures and bringing new people into your life. It is easier to write about human experiences in animals because one is not restricted to a human’s way of being; breakfast, work, lunch, tea, bed, marriage, children etc etc. It is very prescribed. Writing humans as animals gives one much more freedom.

  1. For which age group is your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat” suitable for?

A5. I like to hope that the sign of a good book means that any age can enjoy it so I like to hope it is a book suitable for all age groups.

  1. What is your favorite Quote?

A6. From my book – “Oscar thought for a while and then said ‘Ok.” Life- “I have that I might give.”

  1. What do you like the most about your country?

A7. The traditions- the dancing, the food and the multi-cultural environment.

  1. What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?

A8. Don’t force it. It will come naturally if it is supposed to. Do not feel you need to progress on from picture books to chapter books in order to be a ‘good reader’ either. So much can be learnt from reading a picture book. I think the reading progression we teach in our Schools is so wrong for this. It encourages children to not really concentrate on what they are reading, just get though it so they can get onto the next book which is so wrong, I think. It is much better to inspire a ‘love of reading’ whatever it is in a young child as this will stand them in very good stead for the future.

  1. What does literary success look like to you?

A9. Encouraging someone to read a book who maybe wouldn’t otherwise and encouraging a different way of looking at the world.

  1. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?

My mother. We have a fairly up and down relationship; we are so similar you see. But she is one of the smartest women I know and she has always encouraged us all to follow our dreams and never give up and not worry too much about what other people think.. just do what is right for you.

Buy Oscar the Ferry Cat on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Louise Glass

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Hello. I’m Louise Glass, the author behind the popular, two-time award-winning Dream Lover series. I am a clairvoyant empath with an abiding interest in the supernatural and the afterlife, so I write paranormal romance. I made the life-altering decision to give up my career as an interior designer to pursue my true passion: writing books.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Dream Lover”?

A2. My biggest challenge during the writing process was formulating a solid and captivating storyline. As I delved deeper into the writing process, the characters came to life, describing the experiences of three best friends navigating between two worlds. Like many authors, I had to make numerous revisions, delete chapters, and write extensively. But it is worth it to see the characters resonate with the readers.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. There have been many authors through the years. Linda Howard was an eclectic writer, and several books dealt with paranormal romance. Death Angel, being a memorable example, stands out in particular. Another author I greatly admire for her descriptive prose is Kristin Hannah. Ira Levin, the mastermind who wrote Rosemary’s Baby and the Stepford Wives, is a favorite.

Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. New Orleans, an enchanting city in the USA, is a favorite place to visit. The charming French flavor permeates the city. The Garden District and the architecture are astonishing, and the cuisine is superb. The native New Orleanians are ingratiating, and it’s a beautiful place to visit if you are a Francophile like me.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Dream Lover’?

A5. When I woke one morning, I didn’t have just one idea for a book but several―an entire series. I was excited and could not get to the computer quick enough and I began typing. I wrote Dream Lover and Book Two in the Dream Lover series; Arianna’s Story needs the requisite rewrites, edits, and formatting. The outline for Book Three is already taking shape in my fertile mind.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Dream Lover’?

A6. Dream Lover took approximately eighteen months of dedication, hard work, and late nights to complete. Book two, Arianna’s Story will hopefully be finished in under a year. I plan to get it out before the end of 2024.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. https:// www.amazon.com/author/louiseglassdreamloverseries and my website. www.louiseglassauthor.com for autographed copies.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Dream Lover’?

A8. I create the book covers and the book trailers for all my books. I have always been artistic and enjoy working with Canva Pro. I use Shutterstock, Pinterest, and other venues to put together my covers entirely myself. The cover art has to resonate with potential readers, drawing their eyes to the cover and making them inclined to purchase the book.

The book’s cover depicts the principal friend of the trio, who is psychic and fantasizes about a dream lover. The man shown in the background of the cover is in silhouette. The breakout star of the book is a

toddler-like verbose cockatoo. Fred the Cockatoo is a fan favorite, and I have readers in social media writing me for more information on Fred the Cockatoo!

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also you?

A9. That’s never been a problem for me. My paranormal romances are about real people and spirits as human as you and I. They have relationships and go through real-life problems. Some are dark, frightening, and sad, but the humor of pets in the books and the people themselves helps blend the light and the dark, forming a cohesive whole.

I added LGBTQ characters in book two and plan to expand on them and other ethnicities in book three. My Dream Lover series is diverse, like our world, and my books reflect that. Writing fiction, paranormal in particular, allows the imagination to go to unique places a nonfiction author could not do. I research everything in Dream Lover and the subsequent novels. In book two, Arianna’s Story, I discovered a 1940s wartime Hollywood tragic love affair between two top box office stars. I included that in my book and gave them a happy ending because book two is time travel. Honestly, the ideas are overflowing.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. There are two. One is to avoid repetition, which drags a story down and creates boredom for the reader. Additionally, it is essential to focus on the dialogue. I become the character I am writing about, which is a great help. I also read the dialogue aloud to check if it flows well.

Buy Dream Lover on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Dan Watt

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. I am a self-published author, personal fitness trainer, and English tutor with a BA from WLU double majoring in Anthropology and History.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone”?

A2. BARD, as it was originally called, was written over a number of decades. The pith of the story has always remained the same, however my style and knowledge has changed over the years. Re-working the story so it flows seamlessly has been the biggest challenge.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. The books and authors that have influenced me the most are J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”; Frank Herbert’s “Dune” series; Joe Haldeman’s “Forever War”; Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars “Heir to the Empire” trilogy (Admiral Thrawn); and William Stevenson’s “A Man Called Intrepid” (non-fiction).

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. When I was younger my parents would take us to Mikisew Provincial Park where we could canoe all day and make new friends every summer.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone’?

A5. I was writing poetry in high school and decided I wanted to write a book. Dungeon and Dragons was very popular then but when I asked my one brother what I should write about he said nature. So I combined the two. However, like the Inuit carve out the image that already exists in the soapstone, BARD started dictating to me what to write.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone’?

A6. The original book BARD, started more than thirty years ago. However, when I told a friend I was struggling to write a synopsis for the story she suggested I split the book in two. BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone is the first book.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. The book is published as an e-book and paperback on Amazon.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone’?

A8. For a while now I’ve been following https://fantasy-art-z.com/. She did two covers for me and I chose the one you see as the cover.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. I like books that teach me something so there’s information on blacksmithing and lute making. However, to keep the story interesting the information is intertwined with the storyline. The river of emotions runs from fear to dark to humour.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. The reader should feel your fiction is real.

Buy BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Carissa Taylor

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Hi, my name is Carissa Taylor! I graduated from Huntington University with a double major in Film Production and film Studies, but I refer to it as a professional storytelling degree. When I was in elementary school I wanted to be an author and would constantly be coming up with new story ideas. I even got picked to read one of my stories over the loudspeaker to the entire school when I was in 3rd grade. In 5th grade I was asked to read one of my poems at one of our school-wide performances. I began writing poems more consistently when I was 13 years old.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Chronic: A Healing Journey through Poetry”?

A2. I have autism and ADHD. I didn’t realize how difficult it was for me to communicate my emotions until I started my healing journey. Most autistic people have something called alexithymia, which basically means you have trouble recognizing, expressing, and describing your emotions. A lot of my poems in the Before section I can tell I was holding back from my feelings. The poems in the Healing and After sections are a lot more vulnerable and I think I did a better job of feeling my emotions while I was writing the poems.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. My favorite author is John Green. My favorite books by him are Turtles All the Way Down and Looking for Alaska. I admire how he doesn’t shy away from the more uncomfortable and difficult topics of the human experience.

Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. I live in the United States of America. I would say that I really enjoy visiting theme parks or places that have roller coasters. I’m not too good at standing in lines anymore because I have chronic illnesses now, but I really do enjoy getting roller coasters when I’m able to. It’s the closest thing to thrill seeking on a safe level without having to do anything crazy. I have been skydiving, and that’s about as crazy as I’ll get with high adrenaline activities. I usually go to theme parks with friends or family, and I enjoy spending time with them.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Chronic: A Healing Journey through Poetry’?

A5. One day, in early 2024, I read my poem “Failure Mode” to my roommate and she encouraged me to publish a book of my poems. I already had a lot of material for it since I had been writing and posting poems since 2017, so I decided to self-publish a book of poetry and organize it into my healing journey. I got some advice about self-publishing, since I had never done it before, and I learned a lot. I’m hoping the process will be a lot easier for my next books.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Chronic: A Healing Journey through Poetry’?

A6. I started a trend called “Poetry Wednesday” on my FaceBook page in 2017. In 2019 I started having major health complications and then began my healing journey in 2020 where I went to weekly therapy sessions. My poems range from the year 2017 all the way to July 2024. They’re organized into Before, Healing, and After, with the majority of the Before poems coming from my “Poetry Wednesday” posts. So this book took about eight years before it was finished.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. My book is currently available on Amazon.com in paperback. I’m hoping to come out with an ebook and a hardcover copy eventually.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Chronic: A Healing Journey through Poetry’?

A8. I drew a concept picture for the book cover with stick figures and shared it with one of my artist friends, who then drew the cover illustration. The cover picture is based on Ezekiel 37 “The Valley of Dry Bones” in the Bible. In that story the Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones and tell them that He will make breath enter them and they will come to life. One of the things I wrote in my concept picture was “skeletal to eternal, dead to alive.” I feel like the cover art captured my journey from feeling dead to then feeling alive during my healing journey. The definition of Chronic means long-lasting and difficult to eradicate, and being chronically ill I definitely feel like the pain is long-lasting and difficult to eradicate. A Healing Journey through Poetry is basically describing how I healed over time throughout my poetry, and you can really tell that there’s a difference in my poems between the Before, Healing, and After sections.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. That’s a good question. I started keeping journals in 2016 and I have a ton of journals that I keep in a giant storage container. (I still have a ton of empty journals that I need to use and constantly buy more to sit in the pile.) Whenever I get a new idea, or think of a phrase, I always write it down. (Sometimes I wake up in the middle of sleeping and write an idea down in my notes app before I forget. That has been a lifesaver because I usually don’t remember the idea by the time I wake up.) I tend to watch popular shows, movies, and listen to new music and that helps me come up with ideas and get inspired with my writing.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. While I was taking screenwriting classes in college, I was constantly told to “write what you know.” I think I was afraid of writing about my experiences because I hadn’t processed them. Once I finished going through my healing journey I found it much easier to talk about everything I had gone through in my life, and it was a lot. I’m even working on writing a fantasy trilogy series, and the main plotline has to do with experiences I have personally gone through that weren’t necessarily the best. I think it’s important to write about your experiences, but not necessarily get lost in them. I think processing them through beforehand definitely helps with writing, especially if they were traumatic.

Buy Chronic on Amazon

Posted on

Interview with author Jay Davis

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. My name is Jay Davis. I am a writer, producer, film maker, actor, and now author from Bellwood IL. I have been producing films since 2010. Comedy is my first love, but horror / thriller is a close second.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Cornelian Dilemma”?

A2. I write screen plays which is much easier than writing a book. So the Cornelian Dilemma is from a screen play I wrote about 6 years ago that I haven’t had the opportunity to film yet. So that transition from screenplay to book was the biggest challenge for me.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. Stephen King

Q4 What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. I’m from Chicago, but I really enjoy California whenever I get the opportunity to go. The sun and the overall atmosphere. Plus I have a few friends who live there.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The Cornelian Dilemma’?

A5. I’ve always enjoyed the Creep Show series and I wanted to make my version of that.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Cornelian Dilemma’?

A6. It took by about a month and a half to write the original screenplay, and a month to convert it into a book.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Amazon

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Cornelian Dilemma’?

A8. I had an Idea about one central evil enity and I let my graphic designer work his magic. After a few revisions we came up with what I feel is an eye catching cover.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. make the subject matter relatable as possible.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Be patient. If an idea isn’t coming to you, stop writing, take sometime to reset your brain, and come back to it.

Buy The Cornelian Dilemma on Amazon

Create your own website, free on WordPress.com.Create your own website.
Start free