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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Red Dust (Gods & Assassins Book 1)?

I have basically watched the first-person protagonist of this series grow up! He began as a teenage runaway turned terrorist in a series of short stories which helped form the basis of my nine-book series “Beyond the Impossible.” In that series, we see Ryllen Jee (aka Royal) morph into a vengeful assassin, a soldier, a psychopath, a lover, an immortal, and ultimately, a god. As in the omnipotent variety (though only for a short while). He’s charming and menacing in equal doses. He was also the only character to appear in every book of the series. His fate, along with that of his partner Moon, was established in the series climax. That story is now being told in “Gods & Assassins.” Fortunately, the reader doesn’t have to know his backstory before starting “Red Dust.” But be warned: You’re going to be living inside the mind of a narcissistic manipulator with a healthy dose of snark, a demonstrably bad attitude about humans, yet equipped with masterful diction.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Science fiction is the genre most beneficial because it keeps me grounded as a writer. But I find fiction doesn't intrigue as much since I spent so much of my day writing it. Thus, I prefer to read non-fiction (including great long-form journalism.)

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

It's all stuck on my iPad. In no particular order: Space opera titles chosen from Kindle Unlimited and a presidential biography.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Royal uses five shot glasses to manipulate a cantina owner in his efforts to take over the town of Desperido. You had to be there.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I fill my Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) thermal mug full of ice-cold water before starting up at 8 a.m. each day.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Live to learn, and you'll learn to live.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Other than that there are five books in the series and that they arrive every three weeks? I'd say, "You have no idea what's going to happen next."

Frank Kennedy is the author of the new book Red Dust (Gods & Assassins Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Convergence?

Convergence was a story two years in the making all in my head. It comes from many years of dealing with interpersonal grief and how I learned to overcome that. It is based off the relationship between my wife and I, and how we’ve both dealt with her diagnosis of a progressive heart disease. Those who know me personally will immediately recognize that the main character, Jay, is based on my personality, life, and experiences.

It is both a cautionary and informative tale about how the loss (or prospective of loss) of a loved one can truly twist one’s reality. I was inspired to write this novel in the hope that those who have felt this grief will find solace in knowing they are not alone.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Convergence, what would they be?

As I was writing, I kept daydreaming of an emotional trailer for my book featuring Jay, the main character, set to “Future Days” by Pearl Jam. Benu, his traveling partner, would definitely have her theme be “It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Horror and Sci-Fi are the two I read the most. If both are mixed in a compelling way, then you’ve got the perfect book for me. I’m mainly planning to specialize in writing horror.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I still have the final Dune book in the original 6 to finish. Right now I’m reading Neil Gaiman’s “Neverwhere” which has been excellent. American Psycho by Bret Ellis has been sitting on my desk for a while… hopefully I can get to it before the library bars me from another extension.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

About two-thirds into the book, there’s a very quiet scene where Jay nurses Benu back to health with the aid of an insightful motherly figure. I really enjoyed the ideas and scenes I formed between the three of them, and I think the messages I was trying to get across came through in an interesting way. Also, the finale of this arc contains a twist that none of my readers saw coming!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I love cats and own three. So, you will always find at least one cat in my stories. It isn’t entirely unique, but I tend to make them godlike figures.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Oh, “Live, Laugh, Love” for sure... But in all seriousness, I suppose I live by the philosophy of “being on time means being 15 minutes early.” This basically translates to having the principle of always being prepared and forward-thinking in all aspects of life, that way you’re ready for anything in life. Well… mostly anything!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

There is a quote from my book that I feel everyone needs to remind themselves of, especially in times of hardship: “You’ve already done everything you need to by simply existing.”

Jesse Clary is the author of the new book Convergence

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