Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Phantom Glare Of Day organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Author M. Laszlo will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!
And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
The Phantom Glare Of Day
by M. Laszlo
Genre: Historical (Metaphysical) Fiction / Coming of Age Fiction
Synopsis
In this trio of novellas, three game young ladies enter into dangerous liaisons that test each one’s limits and force them to confront the most heartrending issues facing society in the early twentieth century. The Phantom Glare of Day tells of Sophie, a young lady who has lived a sheltered life and consequently has no idea how cruel public-school bullying can be. When she meets Jarvis, a young man obsessed with avenging all those students who delight in his daily debasement, she resolves to intervene before tragedy unfolds. Mouvements Perpétuels tells of Cäcilia, a young lady shunned by her birth father. She longs for the approval of an older man, so when her ice-skating instructor attempts to take advantage of her, she cannot resist. Not a month later, she realizes that she is pregnant and must decide whether or not to get an abortion. Passion Bearer tells of Manon, a young lady who falls in love with a beautiful actress after taking a post as a script girl for a film company—and is subsequently confronted with the pettiest kinds of homophobia.
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Enjoy this peek inside:
London, 29 September, 1917.
Sophie paused beside a stock-brick building, and she listened for the unnerving rumble of an airship’s engine car. How long has it been since the last bombardment? Sometime before, as she had stood in this very spot, she had heard the Zeppelin clearly enough.
At that point, a Royal-Navy carbide flare had streaked heavenward. Then, from the neighboring rooftops, fifty or more pom-pom guns had opened fire–and the night air had filled with the odor of something like petroleum coke.
Yes, I remember. Now she braced herself for a salvo of fire.
No deafening tumult rang out. Neither did any sickening, stenchful fumes envelope her person.
No, it’s just my nerves. She glanced at the sky, and she whispered a simple prayer of thanksgiving.
From around the corner, an omnibus approached.
She climbed aboard and rode the way to Mayfair Tearoom.
The establishment had never looked so inviting as it did that night. By now, the proprietress had decorated the tables with Michaelmas daisies the color of amethyst, and she had adorned the china cabinet with ornamental cabbage. Moreover, how appetizing the scent of the fresh Eccles cakes.
The tearoom had attracted quite a crowd, too, the young ladies all decked out in silken gowns.
I wonder why. Sophie removed her coat, and she suddenly felt underdressed—for she had not worn anything too fancy that evening, just a puffed blouse and a fluted skirt. At once, she sat down at one of the last available dinette tables.
An eclipse of moths fluttered through the transom, meanwhile, and even they looked better than she did. What beauty the creatures’ wings—a fine royal purple.
Don’t look at them. Alas, when she turned her attention to the doorsill, a dull ache radiated up and down her left arm.
Not a moment later, a tall, gaunt lad, his eyes a shade of whiskey brown, entered the tearoom.
For a time, he glared at the patrons—as if at any moment he might remove a musketoon from beneath his frock coat and shoot everyone.
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Author M. Laszlo
- Laszlo is the pseudonym of a reclusive author living in Bath, Ohio. According to rumor, he based the pen name on the name of the Paul Henreid character in Casablanca, Victor Laszlo.
- Laszlo has lived and worked all over the world, and he has kept exhaustive journals and idea books corresponding to each location and post.
It is said that the maniacal habit began in childhood during summer vacations—when his family began renting out Robert Lowell’s family home in Castine, Maine.
The habit continued in 1985 when, as an adolescent, he spent the summer in London, England. In recent years, he revisited that journal/idea book and based his first work, The Phantom Glare of Day, on the characters, topics, and themes contained within the youthful writings. In crafting the narrative arcs, he decided to divide the work into three interrelated novellas and to set each one in the WW-I era so as to make the work as timeless as possible.
- Laszlo has lived and worked in New York City, East Jerusalem, and several other cities around the world. While living in the Middle East, he worked for Harvard University’s Semitic Museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and an M.F.A. in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.
His next work is forthcoming from SparkPress in 2024. There are whispers that the work purports to be a genuine attempt at positing an explanation for the riddle of the universe and is based on journals and idea books made while completing his M.F.A at Sarah Lawrence College.
NOTE: THIS BOOK WILL BE $0.99 DURING THE TOUR.
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I love the cover. Not sure how metaphysical features, but curious to find out.
Just dropped in to say thank you to everyone at fuonlyknew. I’m thankful to have Phantom as a humble part of this community. Mary, trust me there is a great deal of visionary/metaphysical content. The point-of-view characters utilize their minds to meditate on the big moral issues. At times, the tales are a little bit dreamlike. But there’s a meaningul point to all the brooding and soul-searching. I always loved stories like that.
M Laszlo is a new author to me, but I want to thank this blog for the introduction. I look forward to reading this book. What an intriguing bio.
Thanks for hosting!
Thank you for hosting!
I love the idea of a trio of coming of age novellas. They sound great!
Sounds like a great read.
Sounds like a great story and I really like the cover.
Captivating and intriguing stories. Very interesting author who is creative and talented.
Looking forward to following along the journey. I enjoyed the peek inside
Thank you to everyone for all your kind words and positive energy.
Sounds like such a good book.
Sounds very interesting. I liked that excerpt. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You’re all so kind! Cheers! Keep doing what you do, Laura.
This sounds like a really good book!
Interesting post!! I enjoyed reading it!!
Sounds like a great book. I enjoyed the excerpt.
Sounds like a great read
This sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
I loved the peak inside. I want more!
Not a book for me. But I have a good friend who would love this!
Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you, everyone.
This sounds like a really interesting book!
The cover is interesting. The black and white color scheme caught my eye.
My daughter would enjoy this book
Bill, this book is very daughter friendly. Young-adult women will be able to relate to the characters because the characters are strong and modern and unafraid about standing up for what is right. That’s the feeling I was going for.
The book sounds very intriguing. Great cover.
I enjoyed the synopsis. It sounds like an interesting book.
How was your New Year’s?
I enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
David, I had a good New Year’s. It’s always better to have a good one than a happy one because what makes us happy is not necessarily good for us. Do you know what I mean?
Have a great Tuesday!
Thanks for sharing
sherry @ fundinmental
The cover is so intriguing! It definitely sells the book for me!
Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?
My biggest resolution, if one can call it a resolution, is to just persevere. I suppose this follows from the fact that life has been so harsh and stressful of late. God only knows how many people were wiped out by Covid, for example.
How did you decide on the cover for this book?
When the publisher showed it to me, I just knew this was the cover. What I love about the two young ladies is that even though they are living through the harrowing WW-I era, there is so much courage and resolve in their faces and body language. These two young women are simply glorious—and they’re so genuine and real.
Looks like an awesome read!
What is your favorite book genre?
David, thank you for the question. For me the only genre is slipstream or trans-genre—with emphasis on elements from literary, historical, visionary/metaphysical, and fantasy, too. In a sense, I think I get this preference from ancient literature. Everything from the Bible to Greek myth and legend always seemed so free and unpredictable—with dozens of genres blending together. A lot we can learn from ancient literature!
Happy Friday and have a great weekend!
Thank you for your good cheer. Let’s all have a great weekend.
Do you have any books planned for release this year?
Janel, thank you for the question. I’m presently working with a hybrid from a foreign country and planning for another release in 2024. It feels like a good idea to take things a little bit slowly. This is because, as most authors would agree, it’s always best to make sure that each succeeding work is better than the one that came before. Remember, we’re always learning and striving for improvement. That’s the human spirit, it seems to me.
How many hours a day do you write?
That’s a great question. For me, it’s not necessarily more than three or four. It’s best to give oneself time to read other books!
Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Debbi.
Who is your favorite author?
David, hmm. That’s a very difficult question. A part of me wants to say Ray Bradbury. And another part wants to say Ian Fleming only because he is the author who made me realize that actual books really are better than comic books. Does that make sense?
Do you write on a schedule everyday, or just when you feel like it?
Janel, thank you for the question. I work on a schedule every single day. The reason why is because we’re all happiest when we’re working. At least that’s what I believe.
How was your weekend?
David, thank you for asking. For all of us here in Northeastern Ohio, the weekend was a bit dreary—due to the lake effect. Nevertheless, we must persevere. The sun will come out . . . eventually. At any rate, I hope you had a good weekend.
Have a great upcoming week!
Thank you. Let’s all have a great, life-affirming week.
What inspires your writing?
Janel, I think we’re all inspired by the setbacks we endure in life—along with a certain general, intellectual dis-satisfaction. Perhaps that’s why we strive to find a “better” way to describe the human condition. Maybe “better” is not the right word to use here. With regard to describing the human condition, perhaps we simply strive for a way that just feels right.
Have a great week!
Cheers to you, Debbi.
Hope your week is great.
Cheers!
Who is your favorite author of all time?
For me, it’s either Ray Bradbury or Ian Fleming. When I slip into their work, I just feel so good. I can’t explain it.
What is the best advice you’ve received as a writer?
David, that is an important question. I have a three-part answer: Keep doing what you do. Everything will align one day. Take care.
I enjoyed the excerpt.
Thank you, Jolanda.
Have you ever thought about making one of your books into a graphic novel?
Janel, that’s a great question. I have thought about it. Graphic novels can be a truly great medium. Maybe someday that would be the way to go. Who knows? Great question, though.
Do you have a favorite book?
Great question, David. Here’s my answer: Little Pictures of Japan, edited by Olive Beaupre Miller. It’s an anthology of exquisite Japanese haikus complete with beautiful illustrations. I can’t think of any kind of writing that soothes the soul quite like a classical, shogun-era haiku.
In the future, have you ever considered writing another genre?
Janel, thank you for that question. Honestly, no. To be true to my nature, I must write the kind of historical, trans-genre, moralist stuff that I write. Of course, there are plenty of writers who can and do different kinds of things. To me, though, writing is just too personal and too important. A person must be true to themselves. Do you know what I mean?
Your book sounds interesting!
Thank you, bro.
Have you considered writing with another author for a one off?
Janel, thank you for the question. No. Honestly, I’m just too reclusive. When I’m not with my cats, I’m in the page. Writing with someone else would never work for me!
How was your week?
David, I had a great week. Winter is solemn and beautiful if we just accept it for what it is. I hope you had a great week, too.
What is the best book you read in 2022?
Janel, wow, that’s a great question. What about Bel Canto? I had to read that one because Ann Patchett and I share the same Alma Mater. The Sistine Secrets is another one that I recommend to people. It’s not fiction, but I need to read art history. It makes me want to live.
How many books do you write a year?
David, thank you for the question. At this point, I’m hoping to put one out every two to three years. Suffice it to say, I work slowly. This is because one must balance writing with living—especially when one lives with very sensitive cats who need affection and companionship.
The book sounds wonderful. Love the cover!
Thank you for your positive energy.
What are your reading plans for 2023?
That’s a cool question. I just got an awesome book: The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr. It’s all about a Caravaggio that went missing—until a pair of sleuths located it in a monastery in Ireland. I love art history.
Sounds like a really great read!
Do you have any big releases planned for this year?
Janel, thank you for the question. Not this year. But next year, some time in 2024, I do hope to release my second work—a full-length novel that tackles and explains the riddle of the universe. I know that sounds hard to believe, but I really think I can do it. I’m a very philosophical person.
What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
David, thank you for the question. My favorite books are my anthologies of Japanese haiku and Chinese jade-terrace poetry. What mesmerizes me is the sheer beauty.
What writing goals do you have for this year?
That’s a cool question. This year I’ve got to finish my second work and make it substantially superior to the first. To do that a writer must show rather than tell. Everything must be more immersive. But that’s the thing: year after year, writers must keep growing by pushing themselves harder each time.
What upcoming books are you looking forward to reading this year?
Anything on art history—especially as it pertains to Italy. I can’t explain it, but that’s what makes me happy!
Do you like jazz music?
David, I love it. Sometimes I prefer the big swing sound of Count Basie, and sometimes I prefer for very complicated, intimate piano by Thelonius Monk. The Vince Guaraldi Trio is what got me hooked due to all that great music they provided the Charlie Brown cartoons. In a sense, we grow up with jazz.
What authors inspire you, if any?
Janel, great question! For the most part, the writers that inspire me tend to come from the past—the haiku poets of Japan, the short-fiction writers of the nineteenth century, and the novelists of the early twentieth century. Hermann Hesse is one that definitely comes to mind. I don’t know why. Taking inspiration is a mysterious and intimate thing—perhaps because it is our unconscious that really feels the inspiration.
Happy Friday and hope you have a great weekend!
Thank you. You’re so sweet.
Have a good weekend!
And you have a fine weekend yourself, David.
Have an amazing weekend!
Thank you, Debbi. Seize the day and seize the weekend!
Sounds vry interesting!!!
What’s your favorite fruit?
David, that question is impossible to answer. It’s between bananas and canned peaches, fresh peaches, nectarines, and perfectly round Chilean grapes. Also, cherries. We must not forget cherries.
Why do you enjoy writing?
David, that’s a very cool question. I think writing is the best way to heal old wounds and/or lingering intellectual dis-satisfaction. Put simply, writing = redemption.
What do you think about the world today?
Wow, what a question. There’s too much stress, confusion, desire, death, immaturity, deceit, mean-spiritedness, and childishness. And on top of all that, climate change and massive pollution. It’s not a pretty picture. : (
Have a great Thursday!
Thank you, Debbi. I hope we all had a good Thursday.
Did you read a lot when you were a child?
That’s a cool question. I read a fair amount, but television was a big distraction. In the seventies, there were so many great shows. Still, I’ll never forget Pickle Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield. That was a great book.
The historical fiction book looks very good and I enjoyed reading about it.
Cheers!
What is the best advice you have for fellow writers?
Believe in yourself. Everything will align someday. Take care.
What age were you when you first started writing?
Barbara, these novellas actually follow from a diary I made of a trip to England back in the summer of 1985. I had just turned 16, and before that diary, I’d never attempted anything. Perhaps it takes time to really prepare. Some of us are late bloomers. I do remember that in my junior high school, there were several good, serious poets—all of them girls.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Wow, that’s a very cool question. For me the most important thing is that the name “feel” right. And that is impossible to define. It’s just a feeling. Many name their characters after people that particular author knows, or maybe the author chooses the name because it actually means something significant or relevant to that character and his/her predicament. But for me, it’s all about feeling. I’m sorry if that answer sounds peculiar, but I do love the question.
How has your year been going so far?
January has me feeling like Schrodinger’s cat. In a sense, though, isn’t all of humankind a kind of Schrodinger’s cat?
I love everything about this book – genre title and cover!
Barbara, you’re so lovely.
I hope your week is great!
Thank you. Winter is long and dark, but we must persevere.
How are your weekends usually?
For me, the weekend is a time for solitude and hard work, sometimes even spiritual reflection.
I hope you are having a great Monday.
Thank you, Debbi.
How did you become a writer?
Cool question. I think I always knew this is what I ought to be doing. Most teenagers daydream about being a rock star, but for me, the impulse was to keep idea books and/or writing journals. And that peculiar habit never ceased.
How fast was January?!
I know what you mean. Still, I don’t think I’ll miss it.
How was your January?
For me January was just a touch too cold. This is due to the fact that we can’t use our fireplace at the moment. It needs some repairs. When your fireplace works, though, January is always much better. Sometimes it’s good to sleep by the fire with the cat.
Sounds fascinating
What is your favorite time of year?
Debbi, wow that’s one of my favorite questions because I feel so strongly about the answer. And for me the answer has always been: AUTUMN. Especially the second week of October through November. Whenever I see the leaves change and fall, I feel at one with the cosmos.
I am interested to see where these lives go. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jenny.
Happy Friday!
Let’s all have a good, spiritually-rejuvenating weekend.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Hey, Barbara. M. Laszlo is my pseudonym. I based it on Victor Laszlo, a character from Casablanca. My late father was a physician, and he had a patient who always used Victor Laszlo as an alias because the patient happened to be a notorious gambler. Also, isn’t Casablanca a cool movie? I love to watch it late at night with my cat.
I enjoyed the peek inside and The Phantom Glare of Day sounds like an intriguing read!
Thanks for sharing it with me and have an awesome day!
Thank you, Eva
Have a fabulous weekend!
Thank you!
How do you feel about Spring?
Spring is a time of rebirth and the affirmation of life. For me the best part of Spring would have to be the May breeze. All it wants to do is rejuvenate us and make us ready for summer. That’s my feeling anyway.
Do you have any plans for Valentine’s Day this year?
Great question. I’m too old for romance, so I’m planning to eat lots of heart-shaped cookies. Other than that, no plans. Still, this method of celebrating Valentine’s Day is not half bad.
Have a fun Sunday!
Yes. Let’s all have a fun Sunday.
How do you relax after a long day of writing?
That’s a great question. Here’s my answer: watch an old movie on TCM while cuddling with my cat and eating microwave popcorn. I do humbly recommend this to anyone who hasn’t tried it—but you’ll have to get your own cat, etc.
What do you think makes a great writer?
Awesome question, David. A great writer is someone who has something to say about the way of the world and/or the personal life of a humble soul. In addition, a great writer strives to help and/or to enlighten others by writing things that follow from personal experience. In short, great writing = people helping people.
If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
Wow, that’s a difficult question. The best job would be that of a humble fisherman with a humble little boat. Also, it would probably be best to live on a humble, little island. That type of work could be very dangerous, but at least a fisherman always feels at one with nature.
How was your high school experience?
That’s a great question, David. For me, the experience broke down into three parts. 1) Go to school and lay low. 2) Come home and listen to dreary British bands for a few hours so as to try to shake off the day. 3) Have supper and then do my homework.
Thank you for a great read!
Thank you, Barbara.
Do you like broccoli?
Yes, I do—and thank you for asking. At this time, I would also like to say a good word for cream of broccoli soup.
How do you come up with ideas for your books?
David, every manuscript I write follows from a journal or idea book written at a past time. That idea book is filled with memories, dreams, reflections, ideas, vocabulary words, ethical controversies, and philosophical queries. And then I blend everything together in some kind of narrative arc. For me, it’s all very natural. Stories don’t just come from life, they come from the journals and idea books that reflect real-life thoughts and experiences. Does that make sense?
What’s your favorite bad movie?
Awesome question. It’s hard to pick just one, though. Xanadu is way up there for me, as is Stayin Alive. Also, Summer Lovers is awesome and not really bad at all. I feel the same about Skatetown, U.S.A. But again, Xanadu may be the greatest of all time. It’s just so life-affirming and positive. And the songs are brilliant.
Besides writing, what else do you like to do?
David, that’s a great question. For me, the most enjoyable thing is to be at one with nature: hiking, long walks, rock climbing. I also love drinking Mcdonald’s coffee while sitting by the lake and interacting with all the Canadian geese waddling about.
Do you always enjoy being a writer?
Very cool question. Yes, I do. The song says it all: “There is no world I know to compare with pure imagination.” That’s from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Anyway, I totally agree. Perhaps the best part is the collection phase—traveling and jotting down ideas in an idea book. Carl Jung once wrote in his Memories, Dreams, and Reflections that the best thing a person can be is the observer—the one who sees himself as slightly alienated. This is what gives the individual the chance to think and to find real meaning in the phenomenological world.
I loved reading this well done excerpt!
Thank you!
Do you value intellect?
Yes. When I was very young, I always loved Mr. Spock and his logical way of doing things. Almost everybody else on Star Trek tended to be pretty emotional. At any rate, the great thing about intellectualism is that it demands that we isolate variables and really try to find the meaning in things—rather than argue with people.
Is it hard to think of names for your characters?
No. My idea books are filled to the brim with all kinds of interesting names that I hear—irrespective of the name’s cultural origins. As a matter of fact, I love your surname. Montag is a great name. Perhaps I should jot it down and use it sometime. Would you mind?
What’s your favorite quote?
David, that’s a great question. My answer could potentially offend some liberals, though. I think my favorite quote is by Margaret Thatcher: “The facts of life are conservative.” The reason why I love it is because she said what she said in order to try to admonish others to curb their urges. Politics aside, she did care about other people. Also, I think strong women in any democracy are fascinating and should be cherished.
What’s your favorite day of the week?
I don’t have one, but my favorite day-of-the-week word or name would have to be Tuesday. Isn’t Tuesday a beautiful word?
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
How do you cope with stress?
An important question, David. Many swear by prayer and/or meditation. But the discipline that works best for me is yoga-like stretching while counting out a pattern of numbers by which to measure how long I hold each stretch. It’s a discipline that I’ve kinda invented. My father was a successful physician, and his discipline was to swim laps every day. At any rate, we must all learn what discipline works best for us and helps us to relieve stress. Each person ought to trust his or her own judgment in that regard. That’s my feeling anyway.
Did you like math in school?
Yes and no. I could see the beauty of it, but I just wasn’t very good at it. Of all the math courses that I did get through, geometry was definitely the most beautiful. I cannot adjudge calculus, though, because I never got to it. I was just too lazy. One interesting fun fact: all the great Islamic philosophers loved math. That’s cool.
I hope you are having a great Thursday!
Thank you, Debbi. My cat and I are indeed having a great and restful Thursday.
What’s your best advice for new writers?
Great question. Here it is: Keep doing what you do. Everything will align one day. Take care. What I’m trying to say is: Believe in yourself.
Do you have a favorite book genre?
No, not really. It’s all good: historical, science fiction, steampunk, coming of age, visionary & metaphysical. For me, the best genre is everything blended together. Who cares what genre it is? It’s literature!
Congrats on your book release!!
Thank you!
Do you have a certain writing schedule?
Yes, definitely. Many authors suffer from writer’s block and probably don’t need a regular schedule. But for those of us who are drowning in ideas and compulsions, it is a good idea to make a schedule and stick to it. In so doing, the writer has a chance to get to every project or idea. Does that make sense?
Do you like to read horror books?
No, not really. Senior year of high school, I read Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby. And that’s about it. The book was very entertaining, though. The problem for me is that horror books deal with our fears, and fear is but one aspect of the human experience. That’s why, for me anyway, literature has to be cross-genre—so that it can address all emotions, not just any one singular feeling.
I hope your Monday is grand!
Thank you!
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
Great question. The hardest part was the storyline involving abortion. Even though my protagonist decides against going through with it, I had to write the tale very carefully. Of all the hot-button issues out there, there aren’t too many that can equal the pro-choice/pro-life debate. I didn’t really want to take sides or to politicize anyone. I just wanted to tell a story involving issues that really matter.
What’s your favorite ice cream?
Awe-inspiring question, David. If I were a dishonest person, I would probably name some really exotic flavor. The truth, though, is that I prefer vanilla ice cream with a melted candy bar poured over it. Simplicity is a beautiful thing.
Enjoy your day!
Thank you. Let’s all enjoy our day.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
At about the age of eight I began keeping a diary of my summer holiday in Maine. We had rented Robert Lowell’s house of all places. At any rate, that was when I think I knew. What could be more enjoyable than writing a diary about a summer in Maine?
Do you like literature?
Great question. It depends on the book. Some classic literature is quite relatable. And some things are not. Two pieces of literature that will always be awesome are Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver’s Travels.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Cool question. Here it is. Wake up early and write, write, write—until midday. Then, after lunch, when I’m too tired and frazzled to write, it’s best to just do editorial, secretarial, and incidental/research-related chores. In the evening, do nothing. Just get some rest.
Have an enjoyable day!
Thank you. : )
I hope your next book is a success!
Thank you, David.
What, to you, are the most important elements of good writing?
Thank you for that excellent question. Here they are: a character that we can learn from, a well-structured plot, interesting settings, realistic dialogue, a chronology that unfolds logically and is easy to understand, and finally, a tone of caring and concern and genuine morality.
Happy Thursday!
I think I would have a hard time putting this book down after starting to read it.
What do you do for relaxation?
Great question. Nothing can compare with sitting by my favorite pond while drinking Mcdonald’s decaf and interacting with the friendly Canadian geese.
Do you ever write in more than one genre?
Yes and no. For me, there is only one genre—slipstream or trans-genre. However, slipstream or trans-genre comprises anything and everything!
Do you watch the Oscars?
I can’t. I love only books, cats, and OLD movies.
The excerpt was so enjoyable to read!
Which is better? cookie or cake?
Beautiful and profound question. The proper intellectual answer is relative to the person in question and/or said person’s mood. For that matter, the answer is relative to the cookie in question as well as the cake in question. Relativity. There is no intellectualism without relativity.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Awesome question. I’d tell my younger self: “Don’t go to college. Just stay home and read books. There is no better way to learn.”
When did you discover you have the gift of
writing?
For some, it’s a gift. For me, it’s a very difficult challenge. And the challenge chose me in the summer of 1985. That’s when I wrote a diary of my travels in London, England. The compulsion to write that diary simply came over me. Who can explain it?
Do you write books by hand or type them online?
Everything begins with a hand-written journal/idea book. What a great feeling it is to write that way. It’s good for the soul.
I hope your Wednesday is grand!
Thank you. Cheers to you, Debbi.
I hope your Thursday is going well.
I’m hangin’ in there.
Do you use social media?
David, no. I never do. I’m a recluse. And a recluse tends to have a lifestyle similar to that of a cat.
Do you have any plans for Spring or Summer?
Yes, in a sense. Whatever happens, I plan to follow the Golden Rule and to be the Good Samaritan if called on to do so. Beyond that, there are no specific plans.
Do you ever write anything to do with your own experiences?
Yes, everything comes from my idea books and journals. This is because writing doesn’t just come from other books. In addition, writing comes from life itself.
Happy Sunday!
Thank you. : )
Just saying hello.
Hello, David.
Where do you get your ideas for writing?
Great question. The answer: Years and years of meticulous, obsessive thoughts, observations, and questions that arise from everyday events. All those thoughts and observations and questions go into a notebook and end up as parts of some or other manuscript. There have to be others who write that way.
Happy Tuesday!
Everyone loves Tuesdays. And everyone loves the song “Ruby Tuesday.” Tuesdays are great.
Do you reward yourself with something special when finishing a book?
Never. I’m too humble.
What do you think about Daylight Savings Time?
Magnificent question, David. Don’t we have Daylight Savings Time due to WWI? Or was it WWII? I always thought that some or other president wanted it so that our munitions industry could function more efficiently. At any rate, I have no actual opinion on whether to keep it. Generally speaking, I’m quite flexible on these things. As we go through life, we must learn to be supple.
It’s Wednesday!
Yes, Debbi, by my calculations you are right.
Did you get a lot of encouragement when you decided to become an author?
Great question. No. Most people just winced, as if I had said or decided on something really embarrassing. Who cares, though? A person must do what a person must do—no matter the negative energy. We must persevere.
What’s your favorite month of the year?
Very cool question. In answering it, the thought occurs to cheat a little bit. My favorite month is kind of a made-up month: Oct 7-Nov. 7. That would be the sweet spot—especially in terms of how the changing and/or falling leaves affect one’s soul. It’s a time of great beauty and oh so good for the soul.
I think the theme of bullying and disrespect is an important one.
Absolutely. Decent people must bring back the Golden Rule, Good Samaritanism, and civic-mindedness.
What is your favorite beverage to keep on hand while writing?
A humble, helpful cup of black coffee. That might be a predicable answer, but honesty is the best policy.
Enjoy your weekend!
looks like a fun one
Have you ever started a book that you decided not to finish?
Never in terms of writing. However, when it comes to reading a book, quitting is not uncommon. Though it is crucial to give the book a chance, sometimes it’s just not possible to really relate to the protagonist. We’ve all had that experience, no?
Have you ever had deja vu?
Yes. And it’s easy to read great significance into the experience. In my humble opinion, though, we shouldn’t do that. From time to time, we feel confused. Or the mind experiences a glitch. It’s no big deal. That’s my feeling regarding deja vu.
What inspired you to write this book?
The wounds of youth. When we come of age, we experience great and positive things and some bad ones, too. But we write so as to heal the wounds of youth. And then there is a sense of redemption.
Have you ever had blackouts?
No, David. I don’t drink; consequently, no blackouts.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
Cool question. The best part of this book is the way it makes the reader feel upon finishing each novella. The book is not meant to impress. It often tells rather than shows. The novellas move fast so that the reader can get through them quickly, and hopefully then find a moment to think about what just happened.
Do you get migraines often?
No. For me, public enemy number 1 is STRESS. Perhaps stress might play a role in some people’s migraines. Who knows? One must consult a physician.
sounds interesting
Is it warm where you are?
No, it’s still pretty chilly. And April is rarely any better. Late winter and early spring can be frustrating.
How do you come up with names for the characters?
For me, there’s no real process. The name just has to sound right. It’s a very subjective thing.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
The most fun part was also the most difficult part—that being the tale of Cacilia, the young lady who contemplates abortion. It’s just such an important issue, and something that stands out as a really crucial aspect of women’s history. It felt good to try to say something about it. Hopefully, I didn’t offend anyone!
Do you do anything special to treat yourself after finishing a book?
Honestly, no. I’m too humble.
I so enjoyed reading the excerpt- well done!
Thank you!
Do you have a favorite author and/or genre?
Great question. Honestly, I don’t have a favorite. I read all kinds of books and all kinds of authors and genres. Chinese and Japanese poetry in English translation never fail to soothe the soul. Books are beautiful.
Did you have any writing education?
That’s a great question. I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is that I did have a writing education. The bad news is that my MFA degree is in poetry. Not prose novellas. Yikes.
Which city and country was your favourite to live in? And which will figure in your future plans?
Great question. I don’t have a favorite, but London figures in more than one of my future releases. It makes sense, though. If you speak the English language, you are in a sense a Londoner. The Old Smoke is the cradle of the English language.