As I begin to endeavour into the wide world of indie publishing, I have decided to introduce myself in a fun Q&A style post. If you haven’t already, you can check out my short short stories in the rest of this blog that inspired my book Creativity Brewing: 30 Short Stories Hand-Roasted to Perfection.
My most popular ones are :
Without further ado, here is my interview with myself!
You may purchase my book at the following link for only $2.99. “Creativity Brewing”)
- What was the first book you ever remember reading?
I am not sure the *first* book, but I remember being an avid reader. My mother would take us to the library for hours. I would bring home at least 10 books each time. My earliest books I can remember reading are : “Hank the Cowdog,” “Magic Tree House,” “Holes,” “Encyclopedia Brown” and a series about the Olsen twin sisters that I can’t remember the name of now.
- When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I started writing very early on. I was about 8 years old when I started dabbling in, what I later understood to be, fanfiction by writing Scooby-Doo stories. Once I realized that was essentially stealing other people’s work, I began to craft my own. My very own superhero story was born with “Kevinando” as the protagonist. This planted the seed for creative storytelling that would eventually blossom into several unpublished works.
- If you could be any animal in the world, what would you be?
I would be some sort of bird. Maybe a falcon or a hawk. I love the feeling of the wind in my hair and the sense of freedom that flying would bring. Being confined to walk upon the earth, I feel, limits perspective and growth. Flight, on the other hand, widens the possibilities of an endless future. Flying above the clouds, seeing the bigger picture, and having the freedom to travel great distances--that’s all appealing to me.
- What would you pursue if you weren’t a writer?
I would definitely pursue a life in the chef world. I might eventually still open up a small cafe/restaurant in the far future. I love to cook and, obviously, I love to eat! I love to cook people a meal prepared with love. But I also love trying out new recipes or shopping the international aisles for ideas for new creations.
- Do you have any writing rituals?
I wouldn’t say it is a ritual, as I don’t do it religiously, but I like to sit in front of my fan with a cup of hot coffee, turn on some sort of soundtrack (Today it’s the Legend of Zelda!) and alternate between marketing and writing. I often write 250-500 words then spend a few minutes in promotional efforts before diving back in.
Other days I throw in watching an episode or two of TV shows like Mike & Molly, Young Sheldon, or How I Met Your Mother. Most days…most days this is my ritual. But hey! It’s working thus far!
- Tell me about your works in progress.
I currently am writing a novella series that tentatively will be a trilogy of trilogies. Encompassing a legend with its secrets and mysteries, the series will be divided up into three sections highlighting certain aspects of narrative. The first three books in the first section, which I can freely discuss in very vague terms, are entitled “The Vial of Deziar,” “The Mount of Bigayel,” and “The Chains of Phae’t.” These books follow the journey of a band of youth in a village where a secretive and oppressive elder rule leads the youth to discovering dark histories and evil lurking in their peripherals.
The first book is set to launch in June and will be available for pre-order in May. More will be shared about these three stories later on, but I am really excited about their coming to life! The first book, “The Vial of Deziar,” was originally a short story that I wrote 3-5 years ago. It wasn’t until I published by first collection of short stories that I decided to expound upon the dark tomes and bring to life a series of shadowy turns and imaginative endeavors.
- What is your favorite story in “Creativity Brewing”?
It’s hard to say because I love them all, as would most writers say, but I must admit my mini-trilogy is probably my most preferred story. In three parts, it tells a story of a war veteran who went to war early in life. The first story “Reading in a Time of War” expresses how culture is often a casualty in war, but the protagonist fights for it by sneaking away into the underground tunnels of his war-torn orphanage. There, he fosters a deep friendship with another boy who eventually becomes his war mate as they are both drafted into the war. The second story “Contending for Culture” highlights their continuous struggle to rid their country of the invaders, sounding out a rally cry for the culture they fought for so valiantly. The final story “A Dust-Coated Letter” tells the solemn side of war. When the ashes fall, and the death toll has peaked, what happens then? A generation passes before the protagonist ventures a look into the dusty past that brings about a bright revelation into the next generation.
- Do you have any advice for fellow writers?
My biggest piece of advice is to believe in yourself. Enter a contest. Join a writer’s group. Develop your writing and get it out there. Nobody will ever know you to be the next greatest author if your work remains in a drawer of your bedroom. Don’t worry that you’re too inexperienced. Of course you are! This is your first book! But take that and turn it into passion. Try your hand a different genres. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt that you are amazing and ignore the doubts that say you may fail. Give yourself the leeway to receive criticism for your work. Throw yourself into situations where your name gets heard.
- I read your book…some of the stuff is really dark.
Like the theme of the entire book suggests, there are different levels of intensity this collection bolsters. There are light roast stories that are fun and imaginative; there are medium roast stories that make you think and touch on some general hard issues; and then there are dark roast that really delves into the darkness of the human soul. There’s murder, tragedy, demons, and bitterness. But in everyone there is a sliver of hope, a spark of light that we all must see in our own humanity. Sure we may be struggling with the darkest of nights, but there is some sort of light that guides us. Maybe it’s love or passion, maybe it’s vindication or forgiveness. But in the end, we all go through dark-roast moments in our lives. So, too, did this book.
- How can people contact you for blog tours or more questions?
With the launch of my next project “The Vial of Deziar,” I will be setting up a blog tour beginning sometime in May leading up to the release of the novella. If anybody wants to sit down and ask me questions, my email is always open! I’ll provide a link at the bottom.
If anybody wants to review my book, use the same email address provided to request a free copy and I will be glad to send it to you!
Any and all other inquiries can reach out any time.
Email : kevinmbarrick@gmail.com
Thank you for sitting down with me and hearing what I have to say! Stay tuned for more novella news and cover reveals!
-Kevin Barrick
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