Books for Life by Romelia Lungu

6THEDITION 26/ 01/ 2021

FEATURING: 15 AUTH ORS ALL GENRES

BOOKS FORLIFE

ROMELIALUNGU

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Rom elia Lu n gu st ar t ed h er w r it in g car eer in 2019 af t er h avin g alw ays dr eam ed of w r it in g a book . As a ch ild, sh e w r ot e poet r y, bu t sh e n ever sh ow ed it t o an yon e becau se sh e t h ou gh t sh e w as n ot ver y good. Yet w r it in g is h er biggest passion . Rom elia Lu n gu w r it es m u lt i-gen r e book s, bu t h er f avor it e is h or r or . Sh e lik es t o play w it h w or ds an d cr eat e u n iqu e st or ies in spir ed by h er lif e in on e w ay or an ot h er . In each book sh e h as w r it t en , you w ill f in d a bit of h er an d h er jou r n ey in lif e. Sh e lik es t o spen d t im e in n at u r e, especially in t h e m ou n t ain s. Rom elia w as bor n in Rom an ia, bu t f or t h e last 15 year s, sh e h as t r aveled all over Eu r ope. Sh e loves t o t r avel, an d sh e doesn't lik e t o spen d t oo m u ch t im e in on e cou n t r y. Her f ir st book w as w r it t en in 2015, bu t sh e f in ally decided t o pu blish it in Febr u ar y 2020.

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BOOKOF THEMONTH byauthor RODERICKEDW ARDS

An adopt ee's accou n t of separ at ion an d r eu n ion f if t y year s lat er . Th e st r u ggles of f it t in g back in t o a f am ily w h ile t r yin g n ot t o lose all t h e people ar ou n d h im . Re-aban don m en t by r elat ives f ou n d w h ile bu ildin g a r elat ion sh ip t h at all of u s en vy. Roder ick Edw ar ds (ak a Roder ick E) w as bor n in 1968 an d adopt ed at age 4. His adopt ed f am ily w as ch aot ic an d vir t u ally n on -exist en t m ak in g f or a u n iqu e per spect ive of lif e. Du e t o h is ver y t h in ph ysiqu e, as a you n g boy, doct or s su spect ed Roder ick h ad a m u scle det er ior at ion disease w h ich cau sed h im t o spen d m an y year s in t r eat m en t . How ever , t h e pr ogn osis w as w r on g. As an adu lt at age 50, Roder ick f ou n d h is biological f am ily. M u ch of h is ear ly f or ays in t o w r it in g cam e via t h e adven t of M OOs an d M UDs (on lin e, t ext -based com m u n it ies bef or e t h e In t er n et h ad im ages). Th e t ext -based n at u r e of t h ese com m u n it ies r equ ir ed ver y descr ipt ive w r it in g, especially as m an y of t h e ear ly u ser s w er e blin d an d w ou ld u se scr een r eader s. Th is at t en t ion t o descr ipt ive an d im agin at ive det ail h as led t o t h e st yle Roder ick dem on st r at es. Fu r t h er , Roder ick h as an in t er est in t h eology, 3 ph ilosoph y,3an d polit ics an d even on ce r an a m ock pr esiden t ial cam paign

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Lar r y Sm it h III Un it ed St at es Age 38

I w as bor n an d r aised in Hou st on Tx, I gr adu at ed f r om Gu lf Sh or es Academ y High Sch ool, Wh er e I lat er w en t of f t o college in Balt im or e M ar ylan d. Af t er at t en din g college in Balt im or e I cam e back h om e an d lat er at t en ded Hou st on Com m u n it y College f or Bu sin ess M an agem en t in 2015, I h ave been an au t h or f or 10 year s an d m y pu blish ed book s ar e called ?Th e Ot h er Side of Ecst asy ? an d ?Th e Pow er of Ach ievem en t ? Alon g w it h m y n ew u pcom in g book t it led ?BLACK GOLD DOWN UNDER?.

Rom elia:

WHAT IS THE M OST DIFFICULT PART OF YOUR ARTISTIC PROCESS?

Lar r y Sm it h : Lear n in g t o cope w it h h avin g sch izoph r en ia an d balan cin g ou t m y lif e in or der t o k eep w r it in g. Rom elia:

DOES YOUR FAM ILY SUPPORT YOUR CAREER AS A WRITER?

Lar r y Sm it h : M y im m ediat e f am ily does su ppor t m e, t h ey t h in k I am doin g a gr eat job! Rom elia: IF YOU HAD TO DO SOM ETHING DIFFERENTLY AS A CHILD OR TEENAGER TO BECOM E A BETTER WRITER AS AN ADULT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Lar r y Sm it h : Rom elia:

HOW LONG ON AVERAGE DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?

Lar r y Sm it h : book . Rom elia:

I w ou ld h ave paid m or e at t en t ion in m y En glish classes.

On aver age, it t ak es m e abou t a year an d a f ew m on t h s t o w r it e a

DO YOU BELIEVE IN WRITER?S BLOCK?

Lar r y Sm it h :

Yes I believe in w r it er s block . 4

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?Th e Ot h er Side of Ecst asy ? is abou t a gu y w h o sold m e a bad ecst asy pill back in 2004, Af t er t ak in g t h is pill I dr if t ed of f in t o a w or ld u n k n ow n , Also t h e dr u g m ade m e at t em pt su icide in m y r oom , Af t er bein g adm it t ed in a h ospit al a pr iest per f or m ed an exor cism on m e t o see if I w ou ld r egain m y n or m al com posu r e, Af t er all of t h is h appen ed, on e m or n in g I lef t m y h ou se an d w alk ed acr oss t h e st r eet t o cat ch a cab t o t h e n ear est bu s st at ion , Af t er sligh t ly f eelin g bet t er I decided t o cat ch a gr eyh ou n d bu s t o Las Vegas Nevada w h er e I r egat h er ed m y t h ou gh t s an d began t o st ar t livin g m y m ost pr om in en t lif e again .

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An it a Kir k UK, Yor k sh ir e Age 44

Th e w or ld of pr esen t , f u t u r e an d past , In a Qu ar t er of a secon d, an d t h e Glow in g r in gs. Bot h book s w ill be in t h e sam e book . It is m agical, w it h m agical w h ist les, m agical places, an d people, t h ey t im e t r avel, an d m eet t h eir f u t u r e selves, t o save t h e w or ld. M y n ext book , Sexy Sh en an igan s, t h at is also called Sh en an igan s is available on Am azon you can im agin e w h at it is abou t w it h t h e n am e. Th is is f or adu lt s on ly, w it h gr aph ic det ail in it , t h er e is f ou r sh or t sexy st or ies w it h h or r or as w ell as er ot ica in t h e last .

Rom elia:

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER?

An it a Kir k : M y m u m h as w r it t en 2 ch ildr en?s book s ju st over 10 year s ago, I decided t o h ave a go at w r it in g m yself as a h obby abou t 10 year s ago on h oliday in Wh it by, Nor t h Yor k sh ir e, I h ave n ever look ed back en joyin g ever y secon d w r it in g, I h ave alw ays h ad a good im agin at ion , w r it in g lit t le bit s as a ch ild t h at I n ever pu blish ed an d I n ever k ept u n f or t u n at ely, w r it in g is m y passion , I can see dif f er en t w ays t h at m y book s en d, it can be h ar d t o ch oose w h ich en din g t h at I ch oose. Rom elia:

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?

An it a Kir k : It depen ds on h ow m u ch t im e spar e t h at I h ave t o w r it e, w it h m e w or k in g f u ll t im e, I do n ot get m u ch spar e t im e w h en I am n ot f eelin g t oo t ir ed t o w r it e, it can t ak e a f ew year s f or m e t o f eel t h at t h e st or y is f in ish ed. Rom elia: BOOKS?

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORM ATION OR IDEAS FOR YOUR

An it a Kir k : I get m y ideas f r om dr eam s6 t h at I h ave, ever yday lif e som et im es, an d m y t h ou gh t s, a com bin at ion of t h in gs.

7 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

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Th e Wor ld of Pr esen t , Fu t u r e, an d Past . In a Qu ar t er of a secon d pr ologu e. Th is is a t ot ally dif f er en t u n iqu e adven t u r e, a you n g gr ou p of Space bow lin g Ph oto Caption f r ien ds get t r an spor t ed t h ir t y year s in t o t h e f u t u r e, goin g on a st r an ge adven t u r e/ m ission t o r ecover it em s f or t h e cit y people, t ak in g t h eir lif e in t o t h eir ow n h an ds, exper ien cin g st r an ge dif f icu lt ies alon g t h e w ay, on t h eir jou r n ey. In t h e f ir st adven t u r e Jak e Tr ain h ad in ven t ed t h e eye f in ger , t h at t h e gr ou p of bow ler s h ave t h em per m an en t ly, at t ach ed t o on e if t h eir f in ger s, each eye f in ger , t ak es ph ot os, an d t h ey can view ar ou n d cor n er s, t h at t h is t ool is also u sed in . Th e bow ler s h ave a w h ist le each , t h at does dif f er en t m agical t h in gs, in clu din g Ph oto Caption t alk in g t h r ou gh t h em , f lyin g t h r ou gh t h e air , t im e t r avel, a com pass, st r an ge w h ist le n oises w h en blow n , t h at con n ect w it h t h in gs in t h e adven t u r e, a ligh t , an am n esia bu t t on , an d a sk at e bu t t on t h at h elps t h em sk at e. Th er e is a m agical sh ow er cap, f or each of t h em in side t h e w h ist le, t h at h elps t h em t o ch an ge t h eir size, an d in t o dif f er en t it em s. Som e of t h e bow ler s, h ad w on a m agical pock et w at ch , t h at t h ey u se w it h it em s, t h at com e t o lif e, t h at can com e ou t of t h e pock et w at ch , w h en t h e pock et w at ch is open , or you can en t er in t o t h e pock et w at ch , t o do lot s of dif f er en t t h in gs, t h at ar e t h eir t o h elp t h em , w it h 7st r an ge, u n believable t h in gs h appen in g.7

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Kat h leen Bach u s Lak e Ch am plain in Ver m on t , USA Age 60

Or igin ally f r om Ch icago, K. A. Bach u s h as lived in En glan d, Lit h u an ia, an d Japan an d h as visit ed sever al ot h er cou n t r ies, som e du r in g len gt h y st ays. Wit h in t h e Un it ed St at es, sh e h as lived in or visit ed all r egion s w it h t h e except ion of Alask a. Sh e is an Air For ce vet er an an d r et ir ed cr im in al def en se law yer an d on ce w or k ed br ief ly as a n ew spaper r epor t er . Sh e lives an d w r it es in Ver m on t , w h er e sh e ador es t h e sn ow u n t il M ar ch , at w h ich t im e sh e w ish es it gon e, f or God?s sak e. Rom elia: WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS ARE M OST LIKELY TO BE AN ACTIVIST, AND WHAT KIND? K.A. Bach u s: In t h e ser ies as a w h ole, w om en f igu r e f r equ en t ly an d all ar e act ivist s in on e w ay or an ot h er , som e def ian t ly, ot h er s w it h m or e su bt let y. In Br evet Wedge, Th er esa Vilseck veh em en t ly st an ds u p f or t h e lif e of a f r ien d, bu t I t h in k t h e r eal act ivist is h er m ot h er , M ar yan n . Sh e is an u t t er ly t ypical m iddle class Am er ican h ou sew if e an d m ot h er of seven , bu t h er w isdom , st r en gt h , sacr if ice, an d n o-n on sen se appr oach t o t h e pow er f u l, dan ger ou s m en w h o su r r ou n d h er h as m ade h er a h er o t o m an y r eader s, an d r igh t ly so. Rom elia: DO YOU PLAY M USIC WHILE YOU WRITE ? AND, IF SO, WHAT?S YOUR FAVORITE? K.A. Bach u s: Absolu t ely. Rach m an in ov 2n d pian o con cer t o is a f avor it e, an d becom es par t of t h e st or y in m y secon d book , Cet u s Wedge. AC/ DC an d M et allica ar e t w o of m y f avor it e ban ds. M et allica?s son g Not h in g Else M at t er s is m y an t h em an d w ou ld m ak e an appr opr iat e t h em e f or Ch ar lem agn e, t h e t eam n am e of m y ch ar act er s. Rom elia:

HAVE PETS EVER GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF YOUR WRITING?

K.A. Bach u s: No. Ever ybody else does: f r ien ds, f am ily, t elem ar k et er s, t h e [explet ive] t eleph on e, bu t n ot m y pet s. Th ey cu r l u p an d en joy t h e peace as I t ap 8 t h e k eyboar d.

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Ph oto Caption

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Fr an k Car dova n ever br in gs h is w or k h om e w it h h im , becau se h is job en t ails su ppor t f or a h igh ly ef f ect ive t eam of deadly oper at ives k n ow n as Ch ar lem agn e. Th e last t h in g h e w an t s t o see is a t eam m em ber an yw h er e n ear h is h om e, let alon e sit t in g at t h e k it ch en t able dr in k in g t h e m ar t in i m ean t f or h im . Fr an k h ad t r ied t o design at e St eve Don ovan as t h e t eam ?s n ew babysit t er , bu t St eve is u n der t h r eat f r om an ot h er sou r ce, an d t h e t eam sh ow s u p in su ppor t w it h a n ew job of f er . Labor Day w eek en d becom es t h e pr obat ion ar y per iod of St eve?s can didacy as t h e n ew est m em ber of Ch ar lem agn e. Fr an k w at ch es as St eve t u r n s in t o a k iller an d as h is ow n w if e an d dau gh t er discover w h at h is t h ir t y year car eer h as been all abou t . In t h is u n au t h or ized, of f t h e book s op, it becom es a m at t er of savin g t h e lives of St eve?s w if e an d you n g son w it h ou t en dan ger in g Fr an k ?s f am ily. 9

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Spar k le Riley Age 45 Un it ed St at es

Spar k le Riley is a Sin gle M om of t w o f r om Rosedale, M ar ylan d. A Healt h -Car e Specialist at Un ion M em or ial Hospit al in Balt im or e, M ar ylan d. Spar k le is a Cr eat ive an d Visu al St or yt eller , Poet , an d Aspir in g Scr een w r it er ! Spar k le st ar t ed w r it in g in Au gu st 2019-Pr esen t ! Ur ban Fict ion Au t h or of Rom an ce, Dr am a, Cr im e, M yst er y, an d Su spen se St or ies! Spar k le is n ot sh y t o Er ot ic Th r iller s. Her m ost popu lar ?Don?t Facet im e? an d ?Th e Flow er Gir l an d Th e Br ide?.

Rom elia:

WHAT?S YOUR FAVORITE UNDER-APPRECIATED NOVEL?

Spar k le Riley:

St ar .

Rom elia: HOW DO YOU BALANCE M AKING DEM ANDS ON THE READER WITH TAKING CARE OF THE READER? Spar k le Riley:

By en gagin g t h em in t o m y st or y.

Rom elia: AS A WRITER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS YOUR M ASCOT/ AVATAR/ SPIRIT ANIM AL? Spar k le Riley: M y Avat ar w ou ld be a Spar k lin g M agen t a Flow er . It en ch an t s an d m yst if ies t h e im agin at ion . Rom elia: WHAT DO YOU OWE THE REAL PEOPLE UPON WHOM YOU BASE YOUR CHARACTERS? Spar k le Riley: Rom elia:

Th eir voice an d eyes.

HOW M ANY UNPUBLISHED AND HALF-FINISHED BOOKS DO YOU HAVE?

Spar k le Riley: get in t o it !

On e. Lik e I h ad t h is f an t ast ic idea in m y m in d an d n ow I ju st can?t 10

11 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

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If you r h u sban d st ill played w it h Doll Hou ses, w h at w ou ld you do? Or w ou ld you let t h at slide a lit t le bit ? He is som e sw eet car am el eye can dy, r igh t ? Sh ou ld you excu se h is sick beh avior becau se h e su f f er ed a t r agic ch ildh ood? Th e qu est ion is w h at w ou ld h is w if e an d k ids do abou t t h at ? Delr ico Vict or is a sin ist er , cr eepy an d ver y dan ger ou s Toy Salesm an by day. He t or m en t s, h u n t s an d pr eys on t h e m ost vu ln er able cu st om er s. Delr ico can becom e ext r em ely violen t if you don?t sh ow in t er est in h is Doll Hou ses. At n igh t h e?s a delu sion al psych opat h ic f at h er an d Toy M ak er . His w eir d, t w ist ed obsession is t ear in g h is f am ily apar t . His scar y en t an glem en t w it h dolls w ill sh ock you ! He is a t h r eat t o h is com m u n it y an d t o h im self . Be pr epar ed t o en t er in t o t h e dar k m in d of Delr ico Vict or . Th r ou gh h is im agin at ion , h e w ill en t ice an d in t im idat e you ! He w ill f or ce you t o love h is Doll Hou se, ju st as m u ch as h e does! M r . Sw eet an d deliciou s is n ot t ak in g n o L?s! in t h is Psych ological Th r iller . If you see h im , r u n t h e ot h er w ay! Please don?t get h ypn ot ized by t h ose sexy gr een eyes!

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Nelson Din o San dak an , Sabah , M alaysia Age 42

Nelson Din o is f r om San dak an , Sabah , East M alaysia is t h e r ecipien t of Sabah Lit er ar y Pr ize, 2017/ 2018. His t w o n ovels ar e pu blish ed by In st it u t e of Lan gu age an d Lit er at u r e, M alaysia (DBP), Jan ik ar Oh Jan ik ar , 2020 an d Sapi M an dan gan dan Apu k Dagu an , 2018. His t h r ee book s of poet r y ar e pu blish ed in Jak ar t a, In don esia. He h olds a M ast er of Ar t s in Visu al Ar t s, w it h h is icon ological r esear ch on t h e Su lu k In digen ou s M ot if s on car vin g. Rom el i a: H OW L ON G DOES I T TAK E YOU TO W RI TE A BOOK ? N el son Di n o: I t d ep en d s on t h e m ood . bu t I m ak e i t su r e t h at I can f i n i sh t h em i m m ed i at el y , u n ed i t ed . M y f i r st book w asn ?t abou t cr eat i v e or f i ct i on . I t w as n on -f i ct i on . W as i n 2013. I t i s abou t a cu l t u r e of t h e Su l u k an d t h ei r st r u ggl e. L at er I got an ot h er book w r i t t en i n 2008 w h i ch I f i n i sh ed w r i t i n g i n on e m on t h d u r i n g Ram ad an (f ast i n g m on t h of t h e m u sl i m ). Th en i n 2015, on e book cam e ou t . I st ar t ed w r i t i n g i t i n 2013 w h i ch I f i n i sh ed w r i t i n g i n on e m on t h becau se t h at ?s al w ay s m y t ar get . I t w asn ?t p u bl i sh ed u n t i l 2015, af t er ser i es of ed i t i n g an d p r oof r ead i n g. Rom el i a: W H ERE DO YOU GET YOUR I N FORM ATI ON OR I DEAS FOR YOUR BOOK S? N el son Di n o: M y i d eas u su al l y I t ook f r om m y ow n ex p er i en ce, an d f r om m y f am i l y an d p ar en t s. M y m ot h er al w ay s gi v es m e i d eas. Sh e i s v er y st r on g an d h av e an op t i m i st i c t h i n k i n g i n l i f e. Th i s ex p er i en ces su p p or t ed by m y r ead i n gs of d i f f er en t gen r e of book s. N ot on l y l i t er ar y gen r e bu t n on -f i ct i on s t oo, l i k e book of p eop l es cu l t u r e; m u si c, m ot i f s, v i su al s, son gs, d an ces an d soci al an d econ om i c si t u at i on s, an d an t h r op ol ogi cal n u an ces of t h e p eop l e. Rom el i a: W H AT L I TERARY PI L GRI M AGES H AVE YOU GON E ON ? N el son Di n o: Basi cal l y on l y i n M al ay si a. I on l y joi n m an y l i t er ar y p r ogr am s h er e. I on ce v i si t ed t h e h ou se of p oet r y i n Tai w an , t h e qi d on g p oet r y sal on . I t 12of h ow t o m ak e p oet r y p ar t of m y l i f e. w as on l y a v i si t t o l ook f or an ot h er i d eas H ow t o em br ace t h em sou l f u l l y.

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Th e sm u gglin g of pet r ol in t o n eigh bor in g cou n t r ies an d t h e r obber y of f ish in g boat s by pir at es becam e a can cer in t h e local f ish in g in du st r y. Th is cr im e m ast er m in ded by t h e locals cau sed t h e ow n er s of t h e f ish in g boat losses du e t o t h e r obber y. Th is n ovel is abou t pages of h u m an lif e t h at is lik e t h e pages of w aves in t h e blu e ocean w at er s. Som et im es in a m om en t of calm an d a m om en t of t u r m oil.

14 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

Sh ar on Sw at h i Gaddala Hyder abad, In dia

I w r it e poem s an d qu ot at ion s w h en I get in spir ed. M y m ood sw ays m e t o som e bin ge r eadin g, a Com plian ce Au dit or by pr of ession .

A gigan t ic f an of Tr evor Noah . I f ollow Nabeel 14 Qu r esh i, David Woods, Ravi Zach ar ias an d m an y ot h er Spir it u al leader s. I dr aw in spir at ion f r om m y Dad, B.R. Am bedk ar , M ot h er Ter esa, Abdu l Kalam , Opr ah Win f r ey, Tr evor Noah , Dw ayn e Joh n son , Ar n old Sch w ar zen egger an d, Sm r it i Ir an i an d Kylie Jen n er . Wit h m y qu est t o lear n an yt h in g n ew , I con sist en t ly st r ive t o becom e a bet t er per son t h an yest er day!

Rom elia:

DO YOU BELIEVE IN WRITER?S BLOCK?

Sh ar on Sw at h i Gaddala:

Splen didly, I do.

Rom elia: AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK SOM EONE SHOULD CALL THEM SELVES A WRITER? Sh ar on Sw at h i Gaddala: Th e m om en t som eon e w r it es som et h in g w h ich can be ver if ied an d at t est ed pu blicly. Rom elia:

WHAT DIFFERENCE DO YOU SEE BETWEEN A WRITER AND AN AUTHOR?

Sh ar on Sw at h i Gaddala: Wr it er is m or e liqu id an d f low y t h ey ar e open t o w r it in g an yt h in g lik e blogs, ar t icles or st or y. Au t h or is som eon e w h o f ocu ses on w r it in g som e sor t of book . Rom elia:

HOW DO YOU PROCESS AND DEAL WITH NEGATIVE BOOK REVIEWS?

Sh ar on Sw at h i Gaddala: Th e w ay I per ceive a n egat ive r eview is t h at t h ey ar e f r om on e of m y r eader s an d ar e h is/ h er obser vat ion s w h ich is absolu t ely accept ed. I r ead an d absor b w h at w ill h elp m e f r om t h at r eview an d discar d w h at w ill n ot h elp m e t o be con st r u ct ive. A n egat ive r eview does n ot af f ect m e sin ce I can n ot con vin ce ever y m in d an d t h ou gh t pr ocess w h ich is su bject ive t o ever y 14 in dividu al.

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Ar e you GREAT? Do you h ave DREAM S? Ar e you r dr eam s BIG ENOUGH? M y com pr eh en sion of becom in g gr eat , does n ot m ean you h ave t o be t h e n ext Pr esiden t of you r cou n t r y, a Beau t y Pagean t w in n er or becom e a Celebr it y. Becom in g gr eat is n ot a com pet it ion w it h ot h er s, it is a com pet it ion w it h you r self , by dar in g t o dr eam , h avin g a plan t o ach ieve t h em in you r ow n w ay, w it h you r ow n r u les, f r om you r ow n pow er you m ak e you r ow n ch oices an d con qu er you r w or ld by con sist en t ly evolvin g w h o you ar e. It is w h at you OWN, you r UNIQUE pow er , as u n iqu e as you r f in ger pr in t s. I h ave a pu r pose, w h ich com pelled m e t o w r it e t h is book . Fr om 1.3 billion (an d cou n t in g? ) people in In dia, I am t h at on e gir l, you can r elat e t o, f r om a m iddle class f am ily (I r eally don?t k n ow w h er e t h is m iddle is bu t ..) w it h n ot so aver age bu t su per am bit iou s dr eam s. 15

16 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

KARIN THOM PSON SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA AGE 61

As an au t h or , I h ave a passion f or w r it in g book s t h at w ill k eep people t u r n in g t h e pages an d t o give t h em som et h in g a lit t le deeper t o t h in k abou t lon g af t er t h e last page h as been r ead. M y passion is t o en cou r age t h e Body of Ch r ist in t h eir f ait h an d h elp t h em gr ow closer t o God, an d h elp t h em f u lf ill t h eir God-given assign m en t s f or lif e. To h elp people r each t h eir f u ll pot en t ial in Ch r ist .

Rom el i a: W H OM DO YOU TRUST FOR OBJECTI VE AN D CON STRUCTI VE CRI TI CI SM OF YOUR W ORK ? K ar i n Th om p son : M y h u sban d an d m y cl osest f r i en d s. I h av e l ear n ed t o ap p r eci at e cr i t i ci sm as i t i s t o h el p y ou w r i t e bet t er an d p r od u ce a bet t er book . Rom el i a: H OW DI D YOU BECOM E I N VOL VED W I TH TH E SUBJECT OR TH EM E OF YOUR BOOK ? K ar i n Th om p son : M y f i r st book w as abou t m y p ast an d h ow I ov er cam e abu se, so I w as t h e su bject . M y secon d book w as ad v i ce t h at I h ad f ou n d ou t abou t d u r i n g m y l i f e?s jou r n ey. Rom el i a: W H Y DI D YOU CH OOSE TO W RI TE I N YOUR PARTI CUL AR FI EL D OR GEN RE? I F YOU W RI TE M ORE TH AN ON E, H OW DO YOU BAL AN CE TH EM ? K ar i n Th om p son : I w an t ed t o ad d v al u e t o som eon e?s l i f e an d h el p t h em . I l ov e t o en cou r age p eop l e, an d w r i t i n g n on -f i ct i on i s a gr eat w ay t o d o t h at . Rom el i a: W H AT CUL TURAL VAL UE DO YOU SEE I N W RI TI N G? K ar i n Th om p son : M y f ai t h i n God an d h ow I h av e p l aced m y t r u st i n h i m . Al l ow i n g t h e scr i p t u r e t o be m y com p ass f or m y l i f e. 16

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Ar e y ou d i scou r aged ? Cou l d y ou d o w i t h a Pep t al k ? Th en t h i s book i s f or y ou . Do y ou f eel l i k e gi v i n g u p ? M ay be y ou ar e ex p er i en ci n g w ear i n ess an d ?sp i r i t u al bu r n ou t .?Ar e y ou l i k e a w ou n d ed sol d i er n eed i n g som e R & R? H el p i s on t h e w ay. Fi n d h eal i n g, h op e, an d i n sp i r at i on i n t h i s col l ect i on of en cou r agi n g w or d s f or W ear y Sou l s. Pr ay er s an d Scr i p t u r es t h at of f er h el p an d su p p or t as y ou ov er com e t h e si t u at i on s y ou f ace. You d o n ot h av e t o l i v e y ou r l i f e w or n ou t an d con f u sed . As y ou st u d y God ?s W or d , y ou r qu est i on s w i l l be an sw er ed . Th er e i s com f or t f or t om or r ow . You w i l l w an t t o r ead t h i s book ov er an d ov er t o f i n d p eace am i d st y ou r n egat i v e ci r cu m st an ces. Th r ou gh ou t t h ese p ages, d i scov er en cou r agem en t an d st r en gt h t o car r y on . Th i s i s t h e p er f ect book f or Ch r i st i an s l ook i n g f or st r ai gh t f or w ar d an sw er s. An u p l i f t i n g r ead y ou can t u r n t o agai n an d agai n d u r i n g t ou gh t i m es. 17

18 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

Dan ial Don ai Qu een slan d, Au st r alia Age 51 Wr it er Dir ect or Pr odu cer

As a cou n t r y boy in Au st r alia, lik e m ost k ids I didn?t k n ow w h at I w an t ed t o be w h en I gr ew u p so I w ou ld pr et en d I w as a cow boy or a su per h er o. You see, back t h en I didn?t h ave a TV or a com pu t er , on ly com ics an d book s, so I w ou ld h ave t o u se m y im agin at ion a lot an d it w as so m u ch f u n playin g dif f er en t ch ar act er s ou t t h er e in t h e bu sh .

Rom elia: WHAT OTHER AUTHORS ARE YOU FRIENDS WITH, AND HOW DO THEY HELP YOU BECOM E A BETTER WRITER? Dan ial Don ai: I r eally don?t k n ow an y ot h er Au t h or s ot h er t h an m yself . I h ave n ever t ak en a w r it in g class an d basically k eep t o m yself in t h is r ealm . Rom elia: DO YOU WANT EACH BOOK TO STAND ON ITS OWN, OR ARE YOU TRYING TO BUILD A BODY OF WORK WITH CONNECTIONS BETWEEN EACH BOOK? Dan ial Don ai: M ost of m y w or k h as an open en din g t o t h e st or y. I get at t ach ed t o a lot of m y ch ar act er s in a book or scr een play an d en joy br in gin g som e of t h em back in t h e sequ els. Rom elia: IF YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER WRITING SELF-ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Dan ial Don ai:

Dar e t o dr eam an d n ever st op r each in g f or t h e st ar s?

Rom elia: HOW DID PUBLISHING YOUR FIRST BOOK CHANGE YOUR PROCESS OF WRITING? Dan ial Don ai:

It h asn?t ch an ged m y 18 w r it in g pr ocess.

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Th is book does n ot t ell you w h ich r oad t o t ak e, t h at ?s f or you t o decide. Th is book is all abou t t h e on e-st ep back t h at ever yon e sh ou ld t ak e bef or e t h ey ch oose t h eir pat h . I t r u ly h ope ?For k In Th e Road?w ill h elp you an d t h e you n g adu lt s w h o ar e h eaded in t o t h e r eal w or ld, ach ieve all t h e gr eat joys t h at lif e h as t o of f er . If t h is sm all book h elps ju st on e-per son h ead in t h e r igh t dir ect ion , w h et h er it be in h appin ess, w ealt h , su ccess or im pr ove t h eir lif e in som e w ay, t h en w r it in g t h is h as all been w or t h it .

Allow t h is book be t h e k ey t h at t u r n s on t h e en gin e in you r lif e an d k ick st ar t you r car eer so you can st eer you r veh icle in t h e r igh t dir ect ion .

20 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

ANTHONY. O. OKO NIGERIA COUNTRY OF RESIDENT :U.S.A AGE 39

Rever en d An t h on y O. Ok o is a you n g an d t alen t ed t each er , cou n selor an d a m in ist er of t h e Gospel. He h old bach elor degr ee f r om n at ion s u n iver sit y U.S.A an d a M ast er degr ee f r om Om n is m ission academ y Lagos Niger ia. Rev Ok o is a m em ber of w or ld act ion evan gelism Flor ida U.S.A an d Gr eat com m ission m ission ar y allian ce pan Af r ica. He is h appily m ar r ied an d bless w it h 3 k ids an d a w on der f u l w if e.

Rom el i a: AT W H AT POI N T DO YOU TH I N K SOM EON E SH OUL D CAL L TH EM SEL VES A W RI TER? AN TH ON Y O. OK O: Rom el i a: AUTH OR?

W h en on e i s abl e t o con n ect t o h i s t ar get ed au d i en ce.

W H AT DI FFEREN CE DO YOU SEE BETW EEN A W RI TER AN D AN

AN TH ON Y O. OK O: A w r i t er ex p r ess i d ea i n w r i t i n g, w h i l e an au t h or i s a com p oser of a l i t er ar y w or k . Rom el i a: H OW DO YOU PROCESS AN D DEAL W I TH N EGATI VE BOOK REVI EW S? AN TH ON Y O. OK O: Rom el i a: PROCESS?

W H AT I S TH E M OST DI FFI CUL T PART OF YOUR W RI TI N G

AN TH ON Y O. OK O: Rom el i a: START?

I accep t cr i t i ci sm , i t st r en gt h en m e.

Ar t i st i c p r ocess.

H OW L ON G H AVE YOU BEEN W RI TI N G OR W H EN DI D YOU

AN TH ON Y O. OK O: A y ear ago.

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Th e book exposes t h e secr et s t h at m ak e a su ccessf u l an d f u lf illin g m ar r iage. Th e Au t h or ?s in -dept h r esear ch an d good pr esen t at ion of f act s m ak es t h e book a m u st h ave f or m ar r ied an d in t en din g cou ples.

22 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

Pau let t e Har per Un it ed St at es Age 59

Pau let t e Har per is an aw ar d-w in n in g st or yt eller , speak er , cer t if ied em pow er m en t coach an d st or y st r at egist w h o u ses h er gif t t o equ ip t h ou gh t leader s, coach es an d f ir st -t im e au t h or s w r it e an d pu blish book s, t o be t h e cat alyst f or t r an sf or m at ion in t h eir sph er es of in f lu en ce. Sh e h as r each ed m an y aspir in g au t h or s, en t r epr en eu r s an d m in ist r y leader s ar ou n d t h e w or ld t h r ou gh h er book s, cou r ses, w or k sh ops an d podcast s.

Rom elia: AS A WRITER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS YOUR M ASCOT/ AVATAR/ SPIRIT ANIM AL? Pau let t e Har per :

As a w r it er m y avat ar is a w ar r ior .

Rom elia: WHAT DO YOU OWE THE REAL PEOPLE UPON WHOM YOU BASE YOUR CHARACTERS? Pau let t e Har per : M y ch ar act er s deal w it h r eal lif e issu es ju st as t h e r eader s. Each ch ar act er h as in t er n al bat t les t h at t h ey h ave t o f ace, st r u ggles t h ey f igh t bu t a w ill t o be t r an sf or m ed by t h e lesson s. Rom elia: HAVE?

HOW M ANY UNPUBLISHED AND HALF-FINISHED BOOKS DO YOU

Pau let t e Har per : Rom elia:

Lol. Gr eat qu est ion ? Um m m ? abou t six.

WHAT DOES LITERARY SUCCES LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

Pau let t e Har per : For m e lit er ar y su ccess is leavin g a legacy of w h at I?ve been able t o accom plish w it h t h e gif t ?s God h as blessed m e w it h , it ?s leavin g a m ar k on people?s h ear t f r om m y st or ies an d it22?s bu ildin g a bu sin ess t h at br in gs m e f in an cial f r eedom .

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He w asn?t look in g f or love. Sh e w as r u n n in g f r om t h e pain . On e en cou n t er ch an ged it all. Sin gle? an d ver y con t en t ? r eal est at e developer Aar on Black m an is det er m in ed n ot t o becom e in volved in an ot h er r elat ion sh ip. He?s exper ien ced en ou gh dr am a t o last a lif et im e. Th e on ly t h in g gar n er in g h is at t en t ion n ow is h is gr ow in g bu sin ess. An d h e plan s t o k eep it t h at w ay. Th en Sim on e Her r on w alt zes in t o h is lif e, beau t if u l an d con f iden t . Figh t in g t o k eep h is pr om ise t o h im self ? t o r em ain sin gle? h e soon discover s t h at w h en it com es t o love, som e pr om ises m u st be br ok en . Af t er losin g h er f ian cĂŠ in an u n t im ely deat h , Sim on e Her r on r elocat es. Sh e desper at ely n eeds t o pu t t h e past beh in d h er an d st ar t a n ew ch apt er in h er lif e. Wh ile love is t h e f ar t h est t h in g f r om h er m in d, sh e exper ien ces an at t r act ion t o t h e h an dsom e Aar on Black m an t h at f r igh t en s h er . Sh e?s bu ilt a w all ar ou n d h er h ear t , bu t can sh e f in d t h e st r en gt h an d cou r age sh e n eeds t o w elcom e love again ? To do so, sh e m u st con qu er h er f ear s an d allow God t o pu t 23 all of h er br ok en pieces back t oget h er .

24 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

Elean or Wagn er Un it ed St at es, New Jer sey Age 55

Elean or Wagn er h as ser ved t w ice on t h e Rom an ce Pan el f or t h e M ilf or d Au t h or s an d Wr it er s Fest ival. Recen t ly, sh e w as n am ed on Fr an Br iggs Best of Win t er Readin g 2019 List an d h as h ad on e of h er in vest igat ion s f eat u r ed on ?Par an or m al Cau gh t on Cam er a.? Her secon d book , Su ssex Cou n t y Hau n t in gs an d Ot h er St r an ge Ph en om en a, w as h er f ir st n on -f ict ion n ovel.

Rom elia:

DOES YOUR FAM ILY SUPPORT YOUR CAREER AS A WRITER?

Elean or Wagn er : M y f am ily is ver y su ppor t ive of m y w r it in g car eer alt h ou gh it can t ak e it s t oll on t h em at t im es. I am lit er ally on t h e com pu t er ever y t im e I get w h et h er it be f or w r it in g m y book s or f or m ar k et in g it in var iou s plat f or m s. Th is n at u r ally t ak es aw ay f r om t h e t im e I spen d w it h t h em . I h ave h ad t o ju ggle an d balan ce w or k an d f am ily lif e in or der t o accom plish m y goals. Rom elia: IF YOU HAD TO DO SOM ETHING DIFFERENTLY AS A CHILD OR TEENAGER TO BECOM E A BETTER WRITER AS AN ADULT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Elean or Wagn er : I w ou ldn?t do an yt h in g dif f er en t ly as a ch ild t o becom e a bet t er w r it er , bu t as an adu lt , I w ou ldn?t h ave w ait ed so lon g t o get m y f ir st book pu blish ed. I lit er ally w r ot e m y f ir st book over t w en t y year s bef or e I act u ally su bm it t ed it t o a pu blish er . I t h in k it w as t h e f ear of r eject ion t h at k ept m e f r om doin g so. In h in dsigh t , ever yt h in g h appen s f or a r eason an d so, w h en I f in ally did get m y book pu blish ed, m y ch ildr en w er e f u ll-gr ow n an d m or e in depen den t an d able t o car e f or t h em selves h en ce allow in g m e m or e t im e f or w r it in g. Had it h appen ed ear lier , it w ou ldn?t h ave been possible t o w r it e as m u ch becau se I w as f ocu sed on m ot h er in g an d r aisin g m y dau gh t er s. 24

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Wh o w ou ld ever t h in k t h at Su ssex Cou n t y is h au n t ed? Som et h in g is def in it ely st ir r in g in t h e bu ildin gs of Su ssex an d all ar ou n d t h e cou n t y, an d t h e st or ies abou t t h em can be f ou n d w it h in t h ese pages if you ar e f ear less en ou gh t o r ead t h em . Have t h e dead r et u r n ed t o t h eir beloved h om et ow n t o r ecover som et h in g t h ey lost ? Or , h ave t h ey n ever r eally lef t at all? Read in dividu al t r u e accou n t s f r om aver age m en an d w om en lik e you r self .

26 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

Rober t Egglet on Un it ed St at ed Age 69

Rober t Egglet on h as ser ved as a ch ildr en?s advocat e in an im pover ish ed st at e f or over f or t y year s. He is best k n ow n f or h is in vest igat ive r epor t s abou t ch ildr en?s pr ogr am s, m ost of w h ich w er e pu blish ed by t h e West Vir gin ia Su pr em e Cou r t w h er e h e w or k ed f r om 1982 t h r ou gh 1997.

Rom elia: IF YOU HAD TO DO SOM ETHING DIFFERENTLY AS A CHILD OR TEENAGER TO BECOM E A BETTER WRITER AS AN ADULT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Rober t Egglet on : I began w r it in g sh or t st or ies as a ch ild, sh ar in g t h em in t h e com m u n it y ? peer s, n eigh bor s, sh op k eeper s, ser vice st at ion at t en dan t s? . In t h e eigh t h gr ade, I w on t h e sch ool?s sh or t st or y con t est . I w r ot e poet r y in h igh sch ool an d m y f ir st year s of college, on e of w h ich w as pu blish ed in ou r st at e?s college poet r y an t h ology. Th ese w er e t u m u lt u ou s t im es in Am er ica w it h an t iw ar pr ot est s an d polit ical u n r est . I sw it ch ed t o w r it in g essays f or local zin es as par t of t h at m ovem en t . Look in g back , if I cou ld do som et h in g dif f er en t ly, I w ou ld m ain t ain f ict ion as ar t ist ic expr ession in st ead of m ean in g t ot ally su ck ed in t o t h is m ovem en t . In gr adu at e sch ool, I f ocu sed on w r it in g class assign m en t s an d t h e t h esis. I didn?t r et u r n t o f ict ion f or m an y year s, w ay t oo lon g. Rom elia:

HOW LONG ON AVERAGE DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?

Rober t Egglet on : It t ak es m e abou t six m on t h s t o f in ish t h e f ir st dr af t . Self -Edit in g can t ak e an ot h er six u n t il I?m r eady t o su bm it it t o an exper ien ced Edit or . Based on r eview s, on goin g edit in g f or Rar it y f r om t h e Hollow con t in u ed u n t il M ay 2018 w h en a n ew edit ion w as pu blish ed. A cou ple m or e n ovels ar e in 26 t h e w or k s w it h Ivy bein g r eady f or in depen den t edit in g.

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Lacy Daw n?s f at h er r elives t h e n ever -en din g Gu lf War , h er m ot h er ?s t eet h ar e r ot t in g ou t , an d h er best f r ien d get s m u r der ed by t h e m ean est daddy on Ear t h . Lif e in t h e h ollow is h ar d. Sh e h as on e advan t age ? an an dr oid w as in ser t ed in t o h er lif e an d is w or k in g w it h h er t o cu r e h er par en t s. He w an t s som et h in g in exch an ge. It ?s u p t o h er t o save t h e Un iver se. Lacy Daw n doesn?t m in d savin g t h e u n iver se, bu t h er f am ily an d f r ien ds com e f ir st . Rar it y f r om t h e Hollow is adu lt lit er ar y scien ce f ict ion f illed w it h t r agedy, com edy an d sat ir e.

28 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

Tim ot h y M in n eci Un it ed St at es Age 46

I am cu r r en t ly t h e co-h ost / cr eat or of t h e w eek ly Dig M e Ou t Podcast , w h ich lau n ch ed in 2011. We r evisit albu m s f r om t h e 1990s (m ost over look ed, u n der appr eciat ed an d lesser -k n ow n ), h ost r ou n dt able discu ssion s an d con du ct occasion al in t er view s. Fr om 1998 t o 2008 I w as in t h e ban d Th e St epf or d Five, w h o r eleased t h r ee albu m s an d an EP. I?ve r eleased sever al albu m s of elect r on ic/ am bien t in st r u m en t al m u sic u n der m y ow n n am e on Rever bose Recor ds, a label I st ar t ed w it h som e f r ien ds in 2003. M y com plet e discogr aph y is h er e.

Rom elia:

HOW LONG ON AVERAGE DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?

Tim ot h y D. M in n eci: I?ve w r it t en f ou r n on -f ict ion book s an d on e f ict ion book , an d t h ey h ave all var ied w ildly. Th e f ict ion book (Th e black sk y) is t h e m ost r ecen t , it t ook abou t a year t o w r it e t h e com plet e f ir st dr af t , an d an ot h er year t o do a ver y t h or ou gh r evision , w h ich in clu ded t w o com plet e r ew r it es of t h e open in g ch apt er . Rom elia:

DO YOU BELIEVE IN WRITER?S BLOCK?

Tim ot h y D. M in n eci: M aybe som e people exper ien ce it , bu t I?ve f ou n d t h at w h en I?m st u ck , it ?s becau se I h aven?t r eally developed t h e idea I?m w or k in g on t o t h e poin t I can w r it e it . Som et im es I h ave t h e edges of an idea, bu t n ot t h e en t ir e pict u r e. It is u su ally becau se I h aven?t r eally n ailed dow n ever yt h in g ? t h e st ak es, t h e em ot ion , t h e st or y bein g t old, t h e per spect ive, et c. Th er e is u su ally a piece m issin g, an d t h at ?s is w h at t r ips m e u p. I?m n ot af r aid t o pu t som et h in g dow n an d let it sit . Som et im es I ju st n eed t o spen d a f ew days t h in k in g or daydr eam in g abou t w h er e I?m at in t h e st or y, an d let t in g m y m in d w an der . If I can get t o a28 place w h er e I can t h in k f r eely an d w it h ou t in t er r u pt ion , I can u su ally w or k m y w ay t h r ou gh an y pr oblem s.

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Bish op an d Tessa Daw es su r vive on opposit e sides of t h e M an h at t an Islan d seaw all, on e of f if t een cor por at ion -con t r olled cit ies acr oss t h e Un it ed St at es in t h e post -ast er oid apocalypse. Wh ile Bish op w or k s of f cit izen sh ip debt in t h e dr on e com m an d cen t er , slow ly bu ildin g cr edit t o secu r e h er en t r y in t w o year s, Tessa su r vives in t h e law less bor ou gh s su r r ou n din g t h e cit y, r econ dit ion in g k n ives f or t h e black m ar k et Fr ee Zon e con t r olled by bu llet gan gs. On a cold Jan u ar y day, an of f er f r om m an agem en t ? Bish op h as f or t y-eigh t h ou r s t o dr ive t o t h e f r ee cit y of Ban gor , M ain e an d k idn ap a doct or capable of savin g t h e lif e of M an h at t an?s ill CEO. Upon h is su ccessf u l r et u r n , h is debt w ill be w iped clean , an d Tessa w ill be gr an t ed en t r y, t h eir year an d a h alf separ at ion en ded, a n ew lif e w it h in t h eir gr asp. Bish op depar t s f or Ban gor u n aw ar e of t h e f or ces w or k in g f or an d again st h im , t h e cor por at e back st abbin g an d decept ion at t h e h igh est levels of M an h at t an?s gover n m en t , of t h e f at e of t h e soldier s sen t bef or e h im , an d t h e im m ediat e t h r eat t o Tessa?s saf et y. Th e Black Sk y is u lt im at ely a st or y abou t f am ily by blood, by cir cu m st an ce, an d by com m u n it y, w h ile explor in g t h em es of 29 ext r em ism . econ om ic, t ech n ological an d su r veillan ce

30 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

C.J. Rose USA Age 42

C. J. Rose r esides in Cen t r al Illin ois; or igin ally f r om ju st sou t h of Ch icago. Th e passion f or w r it in g t ook r oot in h igh sch ool w h er e sh e began w r it in g son g lyr ics an d poet r y. C.J. f ou n d h er in spir at ion f r om ot h er f an t asy an d YA n ovels su ch as Per cy Jack son , Har r y Pot t er , Ch r on icles of Nar n ia, an d m or e. On t op of lit er at u r e, Rose h as a k een love f or all t h in gs n er dy an d sci-f i.

Rom elia:

HOW DO YOU PROCESS AND DEAL WITH NEGATIVE BOOK REVIEWS?

C.J. Rose: I k n ow t h at you w ill alw ays h ave n egat ive r eview s. Not ever yon e h as t h e sam e t ast es, an d you can n ot please ever yon e. Tak e it lik e a gr ain of salt . Use t h at t o f u el you r ef f or t s t o con t in u e t o be bet t er at it . Rom elia:

WHAT IS THE M OST DIFFICULT PART OF YOUR WRITING PROCESS?

C.J. Rose: For m e, t h e m ost dif f icu lt par t of w r it in g is r em em ber in g w h at I w r ot e so w h en I am w r it in g abou t it again lat er , I get m y f act s r igh t . Rom elia:

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING OR WHEN DID YOU START?

C.J. Rose: I act u ally st ar t ed w r it in g in h igh sch ool bu t it w as son g lyr ics an d poet r y back t h en . Wh en I lost t h e n ot ebook I h ad all m y w r it in g in , I st opped an d didn?t st ar t again u n t il abou t 15 year s lat er w h en I st ar t ed w r it in g son g lyr ics again w it h a f r ien d. Fast f or w ar d t o 2013 an d t h at is w h en I st ar t ed m y f ir st n ovel. Rom elia: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A WRITER WORKING ON THEIR FIRST BOOK? C.J. Rose: On e piece of advice I w as given 30 t h at I pass on is t o w r it e f or you f ir st , t h en w r it e f or you r au dien ce.

31 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

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M ove over Per cy Jack son ; Lu t h or M cAlest er is h er e. Br idge of t h e Gods, t h e f ir st book in t h e Gen er at ion Ch r on icles ser ies, f ollow s Lu t h or M cAlest er , a t een age boy livin g in San Diego, Calif or n ia. His f at h er , dyin g w h en h e w as a ch ild, lef t h im t o becom e m an of t h e h ou se, t o car e f or h is m ot h er an d you n ger sist er . On h is 18t h bir t h day h e discover s a pow er t h at h as been h eld dor m an t u n t il n ow ; u n su r e w h at t o do w it h it in t h e absen ce of h is f at h er ?s gu idan ce. His best f r ien d Gw en , w h o claim s t o be obliviou s, k n ow s m or e t h an sh e is t ellin g. Wit h ju st t h e h elp of h is best f r ien d, can Lu t h or f igu r e ou t h ow t o u se h is pow er an d h elp t h e Gods lik e t h ey ask ? Or w ill t h e lack of gu idan ce f r om h is f at h er pr ove t o be m or e t h an Lu t h or can h an dle?

32 | BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

E M Rich m on d is a pen n am e M y n am e is Lean n e War r I live in New Zealan d I?m 49

I?ve w or n m an y h at s over t h e year s, f r om jou r n alist t o cu st om er ser vice r ep. Wr it in g h as alw ays been m y passion bu t I also love t o w or k w it h t ech n ology. I?m f ar f r om an exper t at it . I gr ew u p in a sm all cit y n ear t h e bot t om of t h e Nor t h Islan d of New Zealan d, ot h er w ise k n ow n t o Lor d of t h e Rin gs f an s as M iddle Ear t h . I lef t m y h om et ow n f or a f ew year s bu t r et u r n ed t o it t o be closer t o f am ily.

Rom elia:

HAVE PETS EVER GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF YOUR WRITING?

E.M . Rich m on d: Ha, h a, yes. I h ave a cat t h at loves t o cu ddle. Sh e?ll eit h er h op u p on t h e desk if I?m w or k in g on t h e desk t op or sh e?ll w an t m e t o cu ddle h er w h ile I?m w or k in g on t h e lapt op an d sh e?ll st ep on t h e k eys. Rom elia: IF YOUR BOOK WERE M ADE INTO A M OVIE, WHICH ACTORS WOULD PLAY YOUR CHARACTERS? E.M . Rich m on d: Th is is a h ar d on e, sin ce I?ve w r it t en a f ew n ow. I cou ldn?t even t h in k of an y act or s w h o w ou ld play t h e ch ar act er s in m y cu r r en t w or k in pr ogr ess. M ost ly becau se on e of t h e ch ar act er s is som eon e I t h in k ever y r eader w ill h at e, even t h ou gh h e?s r eally good look in g. I did on ce h ave t h ou gh t s abou t w h o w ou ld play ch ar act er s in Ph oen ix. I?d h ave t o act u ally see t h e act or s u sin g t h e w or ds I?d w r it t en , of cou r se, bu t som eon e lik e Ju st in Har t ley (Sm allville, t h is is u s) w ou ld be good f or t h e m ale pr ot agon ist , M ich ael. I did on ce t h in k abou t Cr yst al Low e (Sm allville, su per n at u r al) t o play Abby. It w ou ld depen d on h er abilit y t o play a ?du al?ch ar act er as Abby32becom es Ph oen ix in t h e book .

33| BOOKS FOR LIFE 26/ 01/ 2021

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Dean n a h as spen t h er lif e t r yin g t o please ever yon e. Th en Rich ar d Car t er ask s h er t o m ar r y h im an d sh e accept s, becau se w h y n ot ? He?s sm ar t , good-look in g, an d su r e, t h er e ar e a f ew r ed f lags bu t h e claim s t o love h er . Th e m ar r iage is again st h er f at h er ?s w ish es bu t sh e?s t ir ed of sacr if icin g h er ow n desir es f or h er f at h er ?s sak e. ? Sh e slow ly begin s t o r ealise t h at h er h u sban d?s ch ar m in g ext er ior h ides a m on st er ben eat h . Sh e escapes h er abu sive m ar r iage an d begin s an af f air w it h an ot h er m an ? h er h u sban d?s f or m er best f r ien d. He?s k in d an d t h ou gh t f u l ? su r e, h e m ay n ot be as good-look in g bu t h e?s a good m an an d h e m ak es h er lau gh . Sh e loves h im bu t k n ow s it ?s n ot en ou gh . ? Sh e h as t o m ove on f r om t h e past an d lear n t o love h er self . Wit h h is h elp, sh e w ill. ? Lear n in g t o love you r self is t h e gr eat est love of all.

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