How did you develop your writing?
I made a commitment to become a great rewriter. In the beginning I deceived myself into believing that everything I wrote was great, and I mean the first draft. Then I realized that writing is all about rewriting. The more I rewrote the better writer I became. With that said, I'm still in the process of developing my writing and I do that through the process of rewriting.
If you could study any subject at a university what would you pick?
Well, I've already done quite a bit of studying. I've earned my BA in Language and literature, I have a Master of Professional Studies in Urban Ministry, and I've taken over nine college mathematics courses. At the same time, I love interpreting texts and deciphering complex ideas so I would have to say law.
What inspired you to write your first book?
A friend of mine wrote a manuscript and asked me to read it. I ended up editing that manuscript, and in the process I got this crazy idea that I had what it took-to write a novel. I was in college at the time, majoring in Language and Literature, and it didn't hurt that I was doing very well in a poetry writing course called Finding Your Voice.
Tell us about your current work?
Host Chronicles Volume 1: Devil's Offspring. It's Urban Fantasy. It's the first of a series that's set off by three complexly interwoven storylines: a forbidden love affair between a demon and a reaper that places humanity in catastrophic danger, a high-stakes battle between a pair of demon siblings vying to be top demon lord on earth, and a young man's lifelong journey to find the
angelic warrior who will restore hope and fight for the future of humanity. It's all set in our modern world, which accounts for the "Urban" in Urban Fantasy.
Why did you choose to write this particular book?
The question of identity lies at the heart of most of my writing. Host Chronicles is no different, but the fantasy element allowed me to explore that question in a different and much more interesting way. What makes us who we are? How do all of our relations and interactions with others (such as parents, siblings, friends, and loved ones) shape and mold how we feel about ourselves and how we understand who we are? What happens if or when we discover that who we are inside doesn't match up with who we've been pretending to be on the outside? But that's not it; this story also raises questions about the notions of love, security, rebellion, freedom, autonomy. I think all of these questions and notions are important. As the idea for Host developed, it kind of stumbled into being an Urban Fantasy novel, but the more I wrote the more I realized that introducing the element of fantasy was a great vehicle for raising and exploringl those interesting questions and notions in a very entertaining way.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
Keeping track of all the characters and their back stories. I'm used to writing stories that are I much more restrained and limited in terms of the amount of characters that are really essential to the plot. This story seemed to grow into this gigantic web of overlapping plots and back stories. It just kept spreading out on me. And every character seemed to be crucial to where the story was going.
What are your goals as a writer?
To provoke thought and introspection.
Do you have any advice for writers?
The moment you get an idea for a story, sit down and get it onto paper however it comes to you. Don't over think it. Don't get caught up on grammar or syntax. Have fun with it. Just get it onto paper. That's what we call the rough draft. That's where it starts. Then step back for a day or two, maybe a week or two, and then pick it up and read it. After that, start rewriting and reworking it. Trust me. New ideas, new plots, new characters, new situations will flow from your creativity like a river. But you have to get out of your own way and let your rough draft be a rough draft.
Have you ever had writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?
Unfortunately, I have had writer's block. It was after I wrote my second book. I was struggling to get a book deal and I got so depressed about writing that I couldn't write. Because I couldn't find a publisher, I felt like my writing wasn't worth being read. I simply made copies of my manuscript and handed them out to anyone who agreed to read them. The result was I got feedback from real readers. That feedback wasn't all good, but it helped me recognize that my writing had value. Simply believing that my writing can be valuable to some reader inspires me to write whenever I find myself in a slump. I almost feel obligated to put my best foot forward and write for potential readers. Potential readers, who I've obviously never met, are probably my biggest inspiration. I know they're out there and I don't want to disappoint them.
How often do you write? And when do you write?
I write every day. I write whenever the desire hits me, which is several times throughout the day. I'm also an editor who offers writing services to my clients, so I also write whenever a client requires it.
How do you think people perceive writers?
I think people generally perceive writers as tree-hugging, free-lovers, who have too much time on their hands. Many people just don't take writing serious as an occupation. They see it more as a hobby. However, the moment those people find out you're a published author, they-see you as a rich, prestigious, intelligent person. Because we all know you get big time advances when you
publish a book and you have to be super smart to get published.
In this Urban Fantasy, the devil’s daughter, SALEENA, and her reaper boyfriend, IZZY, elope to earth and seek to overthrow her estranged brother, SIMON CLASH, as the devil’s heir apparent on earth, but Simon is head of a powerful conglomerate, and he’s not going out without a fight. As the rivalry turns bloody, the warring siblings discover the devil has been manipulating their feud to advance his secret agenda and is using them as decoys to draw out a sword-wielding champion of humanity called the HOST, whom must be slain before the devil can unleash a reign of terror on earth.
Legend says the Host will emerge when humanity plunges into hopelessness and despair, and NATHANIEL BRENNER, the young man responsible for delivering a magic sword to the Host, hopes that is soon. Nathaniel has spent the last six years searching for the Host to no avail and has recently seen a drastic rise in demon activity on earth, which he knows could only mean one thing: humanity is running out of time. Saleena and Simon unite to save their own hides, but it may be too late—not only for the devil’s offspring, but for humanity too! The future of humanity hangs in the balance, and Nathaniel is determined to thwart the devil’s plans and find the Host.
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Rating - PG-13
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