Black Rose Writer, Tyler Klumpenhower, on a quest for truth

Tyler Klumpenhower was nice enough to stop by and share some information on his new release with Black Rose Writing.

1) Tell us something about your new release, and what genre would you say it falls under?

My latest release is called, 'We Live Dying.' It is the story of a clinical psychologist named Brian Cruse who is assessing a schizophrenic killer, Tucker Wilson. It's a story of self-discovery, twisted reality, and the quest for truth. It is a brutally honest work that's not afraid to show how life can be perceived, even at its darkest. 

I personally have a hard time knowing what genre to put my book in. It is under thriller/horror, but I feel as though those genres limit what it actually is. I don't know what it is. It's a weird mix of random poetry, journal entries, and symbolism.

2) So Tyler, I'm sure everyone wants to know how you came up with the idea of your new book?

The book developed over a 2-3 year period. I had always had the core idea of a young adult on the road to self-discovery, the quest for truth, and wrestling with what reality actually is. However, I never knew how I could actually capture the idea in an interesting way. I would daydream about different ways to portray the journey but nothing ever fit. The book is, in a way, reflecting the way I interpret the world around me, according to my imagination. The idea came from a heart that longed for the truth.

3) Do you know anyone who is a cutter or did you have to do extensive research?

This is a very personal question. As you know, ‘We Live Dying,’ closely examines the issue of self-harm. In the book, it is often referred to as "blade.” The main character is a blade addict. I have read many books and talked to many people about cutting but also other forms of self-injury. It is a confusing topic, which is sadly neglected and overlooked by many because it is scary. I wanted to learn what self-harm is rooted in, so I could help those who struggle with it; however, greater than that, I wanted to help myself. I struggled with cutting for a couple years. Many of the insights about cutting comes from a heart and mind that has been addicted, to a certain extent, to blade. One of my goals in writing the book was to tell those who struggle with harming that they are not the only ones struggling, they are not alone, and that there is hope and freedom to be found. Actually, this book has opened many doors for me to speak into different people's lives about cutting and to share my story; but more importantly, my hope in the blood of Christ. I no longer need to shed my own blood because Christ has shed His to cover all my shame and sin.

4) Thank you so much for sharing such a personal part of yourself with us. I dare to take a guess that Edgar Allen Poe was one of your favorite authors, but maybe I am wrong. Who are your favorite authors? What are you reading now? Did Poe influence you in any way with 'We Live Dying?'

You know, I've never been a Poe reader until recently when people started noticing his influence on my work. I find it interesting because he had no influence on this book at all. Ted Dekker and Joshua S. Porter were huge influences for this book. One of my favorite authors is Mary Shelley. I love ‘Frankenstein.’ Right now I'm reading ‘Cross Roads’ by Wm. Paul Young. I also love Vonnegut, Orwell, and other classic authors.

5) I understand that you are involved with a Christian theatre group called Unbreakable. Was there any pressure to write a Christian book instead of the one you wrote? I know that since I am a Christian, when I wrote a book about the mafia, many people were a little surprised.

I felt no pressure to write a Christian book. In fact, I purposely did not send my work to a Christian publishing house because I did not want that label. I wouldn't label my book Christian even though my faith has a very strong influence on the content. Many people in Christian circles may be disturbed at what I have written but I honestly don't care. I hope it breaks some people out of their safe Christian bubble and helps them become aware of certain issues, like self-harm. In the end, I am responsible to God for what I have written, not man.

6) Please share with us a little about unbreakable. I'm sure my readers would love to hear about what you do.

Unbreakable is a Canadian drama troupe with the sole purpose to spread the love of Christ through the tool of drama. We do biblical dramas, historical dramas, and drama workshops. We perform in homes for seniors, schools, youth groups, conferences, and other venues. We don't just do religious dramas because they are not accepted everywhere, especially in schools. This year we are touring Canada, with potential to go to the Eastern States and Germany. Right now we are touring Western Canada. The team is made up of volunteer actors who believe God has called them to leave the comforts of ordinary living and be on the road. It is not easy but when God calls He enables. I am excited to see what this year of touring has in store.

7) Is there something quirky you can tell us about yourself that most people don't know? For instance, I have an addiction to hot wings that my family is always laughing about. Is there something about you that we might find unusual or funny?

Haha… Well, I have this weird addiction to claw machines. I also love "wiggly death" (jello), untoasted strawberry pop tarts, and anything Captain America. Actually, the perfect combination is green tea and pop tarts.

8) That’s funny. The quirky things about writers are always fun to unveil. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I have a balance between the two. There has to be some structure in the writing process but the fun lies in the mystery of what is going to happen. Planning is very important but to be willing to throw out the plan is more important.

9) What's next? Do you have more books waiting in the wings?

Well, touring keeps me pretty busy, but I hope to start writing a new book soon. I am presently brainstorming.

You can find out more about Tyler and his books at

Amazon.com

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Indie writer, Anna Augusto, says joy and heartache inspired her story

Anna Augusto was kind enough to stop by and visit with us today. She is an author with Black Rose Writing and has an upcoming release scheduled for October 31, 2013.

1) Hi Anna. I understand that your new novel is getting ready to be released. Please tell us a little about it.My upcoming new release, ‘The Imbondeiro Tree,’ is the story of my father’s life growing up in the Azores Islands of Portugal, his adventures in Angola, Africa, and his experiences as an immigrant in the United States. It is a memoir told through his voice.

2) What a wonderful gesture. What did your father do and what makes his story unique? What inspired you to write the story?

My father had the courage to leave the only home he had ever known in the Azores and embark on a journey to the unknown, and untamed continent of Africa. There, he experienced joy and heartache.

3) That sounds interesting. Do you have any new projects in the works?

I have a few other projects going on at the moment. This includes ‘Mausoleum,’ a ghost story set in Hell’s Kitchen of New York City. In this story, I’ve interwoven the paranormal with history.

4) I love a good paranormal experience. Would you say that you a plotter or a pantser? Explain.

I think I’m a plotter. I don’t create organized outlines, but I do come up with the main, climatic event in a story and then build around that. I need the focus and direction; otherwise I tend to ramble on aimlessly when I write. For example, I thought up the main plot of ‘Mausoleum’ while dreaming. I woke up and wrote down all the things I could remember.

5) Where is your favorite place to write? Do you need total silence or can you write anywhere?

I can write anywhere as long as no one demands my attention in any way. I love to write while listening to loud 80's music and Hard Rock, though. Journey and Metallica, just to name a few, inspire me!

6) Well, that explains why you can write anywhere. Tell us something about yourself that not too many people know.

I was actually born in Angola along with my two siblings; we left when I was six years old. I have very vivid memories of it and would love to return someday to visit. I also speak fluent Portuguese and am a single mom with two great kids. Finally, I'm pursuing my master's degree in history. I love history! Almost as much as I love strong coffee.

7) Thank you so much, Anna, for agreeing to share your story with my readers. Please tell us where we can find your books.

My book will be available for purchase at www.blackrosewriting.com, www.amazon.com,www.bn.com, and hopefully anywhere else books are sold.

Mark Mason, Black Rose Writer, Says the Seven Year Wait is Over

Mark Mason, author at Black Rose Writing, was kind enough to stop by and visit with us today. His latest release, 'Our Endless Covered Ways,' is getting ready for release. Here's what Mark had to say.

So, Mark, tell us a little about your new release.

‘Our Endless Covered Ways’ is literary/contemporary fiction.The protagonist, Jack Edwards, is trapped in a life, which does not measure up to his dreams. He is stifled by the limited horizons of his hometown and compensates for the sadness he feels by over indulging. He is a terrible husband, helpless father, and unreliable friend. One Christmas he is given the chance to leave, but is torn as this would mean leaving the only thing he ever loved: his son, Tom. He eventually leaves to travel, to rid himself of some of the destructive urges, which are now full-blown habits. Jack’s frantic search for happiness and a way to be a better man and father lead him to question everything he has ever known.

This is my favorite question to ask. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m most certainly a pantser. Of course, every story must have a certain structural lucidity, but it is more fun, engaging and excruciatingly exciting to fly as fast and low as you can.

Do you have any writing rituals?

It’s funny; ‘Our Endless Covered Ways’ was written over such a long period of time, seven years in fact, that the idea of a ritual or even a modest routine is risible. I was plagued by self-doubt and a working-class inferiority complex for so long that the mere completion was in doubt for the longest time. This all sounds very tortuous, but the fact is you have to give yourself to the idea and do it; there is no other way.

Who are your favorite authors? Do you have a specific genre that you like to read?

I have been a fierce Kerouac advocate for so long, and you could say I followed the ghost of the Beats to San Francisco; but university opened my eyes to the power of economy. I reluctantly read Hemingway, who couldn’t be more different to the spontaneous prose of Kerouac, but now I happily dip in and out of Hemingway’s short stories and enjoy the sparse style of Raymond Carver.
As for genres, I am a sucker for contemporary/literary fiction. I love Paul Auster, Philip Roth and Jonathan Franzen. I have recently discovered Herman Hesse; I thought Steppenwolf was amazing. I studied genre fiction: Sci-fi, detective fiction and even chick-lit, and although I understand the creative spark that can result from genre limitations, I find it a little oppressive.

Tell us something about yourself that people think is quirky.

I don’t know if I’m really what you would call quirky, but I do semi-joke that I am a borderline misanthrope. If you take this idea as partly true and add the fact that I teach, then I guess you could say it is somewhat quirky.

What is your favorite food?

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like talking about food, although I do think that food has become increasingly fetishized. My American friends always throw the well-worn cliché at me about English food and it’s bland, unappetizing history, but the fact is Britain now has some of the best restaurants in the world.
I love Italian food and make a mean carbonara and pesto, but Indian food has a special place in my and many an Englishman’s heart. I would like to give praise to all the immigrants who have made England a more interesting place to eat and live. I must add that I have yet to find a good Indian curry here; take note, America.

Please tell us where we can get more information on your book. When is the release date?
‘Our Endless Covered Ways’ will be released on September 26^th by Black Rose Writing who will obviously help with any enquiries anyone may have about my work. There is also a Facebook page, which is updated with details as soon as they are available. I am also actively looking to take part in signings, interviews and readings.

 Interview with R.J. Mirabal

R.J. Mirabal was kind enough to stop by and answer a few questions for us today on his debut novel, published by Black Rose Writing.

R.J., what is your current project? Please tell us under what genre it falls and give us a short description.

I am currently working on the draft of the sequel to my first published novel, ‘The Tower of Il Serrohe.’ Titled ‘Extreme Dust Storms May Exist,’ it is a southwest contemporary fantasy set along the Middle Rio Grande Valley between Albuquerque and Los Lunas. The story centers on Esther Jiron, a sixteen year old honor student, who is drawn into an alternate valley, the Valle Abajo, which strongly resembles the Rio Grande except for the medieval lifestyles and the presence of a mild form of magic. Once again the clanspeople of the Valle are under the cruel siege of the Soreyes who terrorize and dominate the Valle. Esther is called to the Valle to help the clanspeople fight off this continuing threat, just as they had called Don Vargas more recently and a curandera back in 1905. It is my hope to conclude the saga in a third installment entitled, ‘Zero Visibility Possible.’

Is this your first book? If not, what else have you written?

‘The Tower’ is my first published book. Back in the late 70s and early 80s I wrote a number of stillborn science fiction novels that were neither original enough to publish nor skillfully written. But I learned a great deal about writing novel length stories, character development, plotting, etc.

Who are your favorite authors and what kind of books do you love best?

Since I first could read, I was always more fascinated by stories beyond reality. In Junior High, I got hooked on science fiction and I still admire the icons of that genre: Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, Jack Williamson, Kurt Vonnegut, and dozens more. Then along came J.R.R. Tolkien and fantasy was added to my list along with great mystery writers from Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie to many new writers such as Henning Mankell, author of the Kurt Wallander series. Two of my favorite writers are fellow New Mexicans: Tony Hillerman, the famous writer of Navajo detective mysteries, and Rudolfo Anaya, well known author of the Hispanic experience. Both writers have evoked the New Mexico landscape, culture, and lifestyle. I confess one of my all time favorite novels is ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Brontë who employed that wonderful Victorian style of detail and depth most of us modern writers are reluctant to attempt.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I start out as a pantser once I have an idea that intrigues me. I usually write one or two chapters (not always the first chapters) off the cuff, usually in a torrent. Then I step back and start mulling and plotting in such detail I can copy my notes to the draft and flesh out a few more sentences. Strangely enough, when I’m plotting, I’m still being a pantser because I seldom go back and make drastic plot changes, unless I’ve discovered a logical gap or have a revelation to spark up the story.

What writing rituals do you have, if any?

Unfortunately, life happens and a regular ritual for writing is seldom possible; however, I find I do best if I write after quickly checking email in the morning or first thing after lunch. Once I have my outline/plot notes, it’s easier to jump right in at any time since the hard thought is done.

What hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?

I love to travel though I don’t do as much as desired. I have a 4wheeler, which allows me to get out in the wilderness (desert and mountains) almost every week. I also love music and am learning to play the hammered dulcimer. I also volunteer in two organizations: a motorcycle club, and The New Mexico Dulcimer Festival. Watching good movies and engaging television, particularly PBS, is a favorite way to relax.

Please tell my readers how they can get more information on you and your books.

You can find out all kinds of information about me and my books at my website.

I’m also on Facebook, Google +, Amazon Author Central, and Goodreads. My book is available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, local bookstores in Albuquerque, such as Treasure House of Books, Page One, and Hastings (if not, ask and they will order) as well as my publisher, Black Rose Writing.