I am thrilled to bring a short Q&A to the online blog by C.H. Armstrong author of "The Edge of Nowhere" and "ROAM". In this short interview, author C.H. Armstrong will give us some insight on the inspiration behind her novel "The Edge of Nowhere."
I read "The Edge of Nowhere" about two years ago and it has been a novel that stays with me. Every triumph and pain was felt. I loved learning more from the author and what inspired her to write this masterpiece, makes it more of a personal read. You will understand why this story lingers longer then most after reading this interview.
The main character Victoria is a true survivor, not only a survivor but a powerful women that lived her life many times over. The tragedy that Victoria faces is painful to read but she continues to move forward. With that, this novel reminds us that through the struggles and the wins some scars still are left behind and can never be forgotten.
Please read on to hear more about "The Edge of Nowhere" from the author herself!
First question : What factors or events in your life inspired you to create Victoria?
A million thanks to Janice Jones for taking her time to answer this Q&A! I was so excited to get my hands on this book and onto my online shop. I love anything vampire and not of this world.This book is diverse as well and represents the black community. Something that this genre needs more of. I love that there are more stories and story tellers to convey another narrative that this world needs to see! Thank you Janice Jones for being that voice.
"In her blood" is the first book of Janice Jones series "The Dagger Chronicles" followed by "By Blood Sworn." I am excited to see what the future holds for Janice Jones and her book series! Please read on to see to hear more about this author and her future endeavors.
Janice's book "In Her Blood" is available in our paperback collection! If you love action, suspense and super natural twists,this book is for you. Get your copy today!
What was your inspiration behind this supernatural novel that has ‘not’ of this world characters?
I was a big Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, so when that ended, I decided to see what I could do with the genre. Creating a world led by a black female was first and foremost. Having her be an adult was also a must. Placing her in a world where her existence is always threatened could open the door to doing a lot with the character and this story. It just seemed natural for me to develop a more visual way for people to get a glimpse of Alex Stone’s world, so I started working on a television script and graphic novel ideas.
As an author, having two books under your belt, how do you keep on task? What do you do each day to continue your motivation to write?
Staying on task for these books was easy for me because I hand write everything first. I’m a technical writer by trade, so it was easy for me to jot down ideas and scenes as they came to me, then go home and put them in my computer later. I make time to write almost every day, in some way or another. My motivation comes from the all the ways I can get my work in front of readers, whether its with books, making connections with booksellers and authors or with the television script I’m developing based on the first two books of the series. I’m already pitching and writing the first season with my brother, so who knows, we may see Alex Stone and her world on the small screen very soon. This series was always intended to be a trilogy. But this is a business after all, so getting the first two books out there and seen is top priority right now as well as finishing the television/streaming project.
Who was your favorite character to create?
Tristan Ambrose was my favorite character to create. In fact, he came to me first. His voice was very strong when I first started thinking about what kind of world I wanted to create and who would inhibit it. Not only did I need a strong main character, but a character equally as strong with an opposing view of the world. I don’t see my main character and my main bad guy as opposites. I see them as extensions of each other and therefore more likely to understand the other’s motivation in this world.
What book or books have shaped you into who you are as an author, reader and human?
The Vampire Chronicles by Ann Rice really got me interested in writing in this genre. I’ve always been a reader; anything I could get my hand on, really. Shakespeare, Poe, Butler, Angelou, King; and everything in between. My parents made sure we had access to literature and made sure we understood the importance of a good education. The book that really inspired me to create a black female lead in this genre was Octavia Butler’s Fledgling. It was her last work and I love it!
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Madame Burova! Tarot Reader, Palmist & Clairvoyant!
I am so thrilled to finally have this interview on the blog! Ruth Hogan is a beautiful writer and if you have not done so yet, grab a book of hers to bless your mind. I actually listened to to Madame Burova on my long drive from Idaho to Pennsylvania and could not get enough of the story. Madame Burova is a complex person with many layers. She is kind, humble, smart, accepting and so much more! After finishing this book I still felt as thought Madame Burova had more to share. She is a character that I will keep close to my heart. She was not a lady of her time. She was a rare human being. If you are looking for a wholesome, uplifting read, that will make you cry when the last word is read, this book is for you. Ruth Hogan was so kind to do a quick Q&A with me and I appreciate her time. Take a look below to read more about this author!
Also check out her novel "The Keeper of Lost Things" which is also a beautiful masterpiece as well!
What was your inspiration behind the magic of Madame Burova?
One of the wonderful things about my job is that I can choose to write about things that I have a real passion for. I’ve always been fascinated by ghosts, clairvoyancy, Tarot, crystal balls and palmistry. On a visit to Brighton (a place I love) I saw the booth of Eva Petulengro, a famous Tarot reader and clairvoyant who worked on Brighton seafront for many years and whose clients included celebrities and even royalty. It sparked the idea for a book, and I then read her two autobiographies, The Girl in the Painted Caravan, and Caravans and Wedding Bands. Back home in Bedford, I decided to have some readings myself and I found the most amazing woman who has been reading cards and practising clairvoyancy for over thirty years and has clients all over the world. She not only agreed to act as an adviser while I was writing the book, but also to teach me how to read the cards myself. I did a beginners’ course and found myself completely hooked, and so continued for several months to complete an advanced course. I knew that to write the best book that I could, I needed to understand not only how to read the cards, but also what it feels like to do readings for complete strangers. I’ve done many readings to date, and I can’t imagine that I will ever stop reading the cards now!
I was also keen to write about a holiday park because it gave me a wonderful opportunity to include a host of interesting characters – particularly if they are entertainers by trade! I wanted to set the book partly in the 1970s, in a place and time where I grew up because I had experienced first-hand the cultural, social and political climate that prevailed on the streets, in the playground, on the TV and radio and in the press. Society was openly racist and sexist, and attitudes and actions that were commonplace then, are painfully unpalatable and rightly condemned today and so it was an interesting and challenging time period for me to explore.
What is your main goal or objective that you would love readers to take away from your novels?
Well, firstly I hope that they enjoy them! I also hope that they inspire people to live their lives in a positive way and make the most of everything that life has to offer. I’m a great believer in taking the time to notice small joys every day. I also hope that my characters highlight the importance of inclusivity – the acceptance and even celebration of differences.
Lastly, what book has changed or inspired your life & how?
A lovely little book which hardly anyone has heard of called Morning’s at Seven by Eric Malpass. It’s a beautifully written story about a multi-generational family all living in the same house. When I first read it, I was completely drawn into the lives of the characters. I wanted to live in their world and be their friend. The author had managed to create a world that was completely real to me which is such a gift. This was the book that made me want to be a writer.
So much thanks to Ruth Hogan and her time. I look forward to reading her next novel and will keep my eyes peeled! "Madame Burova" is available in our paperback collection!
It has been officially Fall for a few weeks. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season by than reading a SCI-FI fantasy novel written by author Tenaya MKD, who is also very inspirational to follow on her social media account on Instagram. Her book “New Identity” which is part of a saga (so exciting!) is about a woman named Nova who finds herself in a different body very suddenly. Not understanding what’s happening she finds herself in the same situation again. She eventually links up with what would seem to be a stranger but also someone who is familiar with her power. From the beginning I am impressed with the way Nova is able to handle the unknown right away. She navigates her surroundings & the people around her smoothly. I loved the way the author wrote each chapter, I could vividly see each situation in my mind. I loved the interactions between the characters of “New Identity” as well. Tenaya MKD was so kind to take a few moments to answer some questions about her book and her writing process as well!
What inspired you to write New Identity?
One day, I was speaking passionately about a book with my husband and he said “Why haven’t you written one?”
I couldn't give him a good answer.
So, later that evening as I laid with my son to put him to bed, I thought about “what story would I tell? Where would I start?”
Then the first line just came to me. I had no idea where that line would take me, what kind of story it would be or even who the main character would be, but I went with it. A few months later, I unsurprisingly had a superhero fantasy draft. I wish I could remember that first line that started it all… but it got scrapped in editing pretty early on.
How did this story come to you?
It was just what I had inside of me. Thanks to my dad, I have been influenced by superheroes and sci-fi ever since I was old enough to watch television or read a book. It's just always been what I loved. I sat down to write a book, and this story is what came out.
What organizational tips would you give to aspiring authors?
Organization is everything; particularly if you plan to self publish. I think it can be especially difficult for us creatives to adjust to the life of an entrepreneur that you are thrust into as an indie author, so it’s extra important to find a system of planning that works for you. I highly recommend the HB90 system by Sara Cannon / Heart Breathings. It's a goal setting/planner system created by a successful indie author, for authors, and it’s how I keep from falling apart haha.
What would you like readers to take away from your novel?
First and foremost, I want them to have had a good time. I started reading when I was young as a method of escape. I was going through a lot at home and I just needed to go to a different world for a while. Reading got me through so much. I hope to provide a method of escape to anyone needing a break from reality.
Of course, I’d love it if people recognized themes within this story, particularly as the series progresses, but that is secondary to my main mission to entertain and connect. <3
What book has inspired you or changed your life?
Oh, so many. But the first that comes to mind is The Giver by Lois Lowry. It was an assigned book in elementary school and it turned out to be the first novel I read and thought, “Ooh, I want to do more of this.”
It made me the reader, and writer, that I am today.
Thank you Tenaya MKD, for your time & for your work. I am always so impressed with the way Tenaya plans and organizes her work! If your an avid reader or an aspiring author, pick up a signed copy in our paperback collection and check her out on social media. Also, be on the lookout for her second book “Powered Identity” which releases the 7th of December this year!
]]>" Learning to Fly" is a beautiful collection of poems written by Stefano Fonseca. I have had the privilege of getting to know Stefano through social media. In a day and age where it feels like you want to turn it off, there is always a light and a purpose to everything. Without social media I would of never known Stefano, who was generous enough to send his book to my small, budding dream! I have read through his book and it spoke to me dearly. Poetry is a lost art and those that have the talent to connect with their audience truly possess a rare magic, which poetry is. Poetry is magic. Poetry bares your soul. You are essentially a open book that touches on experiences, feelings and dreams etc. The amazing thing about "Learning to Fly" is that you feel connected to another persons perspective and emotions. You do feel that you are not alone in dark and light moments in your life. Which is also such a validation. We are not alone. We have each other. If you are looking for magic, if you are looking to connect, to grow or to be inspired, this beautiful collection of poems is for you.
Read Below to hear more from Stefano Fonseca!
Happy Reading!
When did you start writing poetry?
Around when I was 14 or 15 years old. Even though, I would not define it as poetry rather scribbling some words together. It was the way I found to cope with my sensitivity and deal with the strong emotions I started to face at that age. Somehow, I never had anybody to talk about my feelings, or someone to guide me; I am not sure if it was due to my inability to express myself or shame, or because nobody would truly listen to me but since I can remember, I struggled with deep loneliness and somehow, writing would ease my physical pain – and still does.
What motivated you to publish your first collection of poems?
Believe it or not, it was a higher calling. Don’t ask me how but since a very young age my intuition tells me writing is my life’s purpose, yet I never truly committed to it – there was always something more important or exciting happening in life. And, well, when in my early twenties I went through a severe depression, to a point where I was about to commit suicide… call it god, angels, spirits… all I can say is, something higher got through me, showed me my souls mission and in this moment I entirely committed to write. I would abandon all blocking me from my purpose; I renounced to everything distracting me.
Last year, a sort of inner voice started screaming in me, pushing me to go through old poems from my adolescence and young adulthood, rewrite them if needed, write some additional poems, and publish it as a book. The entire purpose behind it was to leave the past in the past and free myself from the burden of suffering; I needed to stop being the child who hides in his room and writes for himself, living in his own world; exposing myself, sharing my pain, and showing myself as I truly am without fearing to show my shadows, made me grow a lot.
Writing poetry is soul work & leaves the writer honest and open. What trials or emotions have you stumbled upon on your writing journey?
Dealing with my emotions is genuinely the hardest challenge I face in life – it’s very hard for me to digest what I feel because it’s goes very deep and there are many layers I need to peel off before coming to the true essence. For example, men often are thought crying is a sign of weakness, which leads to shutting down sadness and overcompensate it with anger; I struggle a lot with allowing sadness to surface, it requires a lot of time and patience until all the anger goes out the way and I can see clearly what is there.
Besides my emotions, the biggest hurdle I face while writing is obsession and control. As you say, it’s soul work and controlling the output is highly counterproductive. So, I wish I would focus more on having fun and enjoying the processes rather than being obsessed with getting it finished, and published, and selling, and recognised.
What poem from you current Learning to Fly was the hardest or easiest to pen down and why?
Hardest? The poem on page 39, definitely! One can only understand the type of madness I have been through if one has gone through it too. Being unable to leave the bed for 6 weeks, not eating, sleeping, showering… being isolated and helpless… to a point where I distortedly came to believe there was no way out… I am not ashamed because I know it changed my life profoundly, yet I haven’t forgiven myself. It thought me that life is such a blessing and each day a gift, and it hurts to have considered ending it all (permanently).
Easiest? The poem on page 61. “Easy,/ Lightly,/ But always evolving./ Change is slow,/ Take your time to grow”. It came to me so naturally and effortlessly.
What would you hope and want for your readers to take from Learning to Fly?
Above all, hope. I wish nobody would ever go through the extreme experience I went through. In the impossibility to avoid it, I hope the readers feel understood, seen, felt, and allow me to connect with them through my words so they don’t feel alone. I wish it eases their pain, that they know no matter how heavy, dark, and confusing life gets, there is always hope and a reason to go on; that they know it’s not permanent and will get better eventually; that I can spend them a little light in their darkest time. I would have given everything to have had somebody besides me to help me feel less lonely and help me ease my pain, help me trust that all was alright, help me to understand it’s okay.
And last but not least, what book has inspired you, or changed your perspective in this life?
"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It amazes me how simple a book can be written and yet offer such complexity. I read it once a year and each time I do, I read a different book. It connects me with a joyful and playful yet very conscious perspective about life. It reminds me to not take life too seriously, let things be as they are and enjoy the process more rather than being obsessed with things I can’t control.
A million thanks to the author Stefano Fonseca for his time and patience through this whole process! You can find his book in our Spoken Word Collection, I hope you find what you may need in his words.
One of my favorite poems from his current book " Learning to Fly" is Chapter three, page 47. Words I am still actively applying to my life.
" The places where
Your heart breaks
Are the same places
Where you need
To cultivate love the most."
- Stefano Fonseca
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A million thanks to the author L.B Simmons for writing this beautiful book. Please read below for a Q&A from the author!
1) When did you start to write " We, the Wildflowers?"
Interesting story that. I started writing We, the Wildflowers in 2016, with expected release date of Spring 2017. Unfortunately, my mother, who was so excited for this book, passed away before I was able to finish. I kind of put everything on hold, knowing that the seasons of “Winter” and “Spring” in the book needed to be written. When I was ready, I started back up and it actually ended up being very cathartic for me to write those seasons. I felt every emotion with the characters as I wrote and experienced their story firsthand, and felt pride alongside them when they weathered their storms by the end.
2) What was the inspiration behind your novel?
Having finished my new adult series (Chosen Paths), I had written about death and depression, eating disorders, as well as physical and sexual abuse. My goal with We, the Wildflowers was to share similar stories of character growth that a younger audience could not only relate to, but also connect with in a way to help them during their own times of struggle. And I’m proud to say this book has touched many that have gone through similar situations. It was meant to be a message of hope for youth today, and I’m beyond thrilled that message has been well received.
3) What motivated you to continue to write this story?