What can you tell us about your new release, The World of Ato?
Let's see, this is a culmination of a notebook that I have all of my original ideas that I'll probably never get to. It's currently about fifty different pages. The story came about when I was thinking how cool it would be to visit all of these worlds and I decided the next best thing would be to give one of my characters the experience. Obviously, I'm a big fan of art, and I decided that could be the perfect medium to visit these worlds.
What’s the last book you read?
"Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green. It was a good read. I love unique characters and John Green definitely delivered that with his book. From the few reviews I've gotten for "The World of Ato," it seems I might have accomplished it.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I'm currently an environmental chemist by day, and I started writing when I was at a job site. We were doing nothing and I was just waiting around. I always thought about storylines while running or working out, so I decided to start writing and immediately fell in love with it. I haven't stopped writing since that day.
BAM. You're a superhero. What's your superpower?
Gotta go with teleportation. I was asked this question last year on an employee questionnaire with the question: "What three items would you bring to a deserted island?" My answer to that question was: "I wouldn't need to because I can teleport."
Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
I'd have to go with the other Patrick in the world, Patrick Rothfuss. He is such a creative writer and I'd love to pick his mind. I need the third book of the King Killer Chronicle!
What's your favorite thing about writing?
Right now, I'd say seeing my writing improve. I've been writing for four years now, and after every new piece, I feel that is my best work. With the improvement of my writing, comes the larger and more creative worlds, which is extremely satisfying. I hope I never lose that feeling.
What scene in The World of Ato was your favorite to write?
This is hard. There are two scenes that are definitely my top two, but so I don't have any spoilers, I'll have to settle for one. I'll say the scene where Iro explains to Ato that no matter what she creates, people will never truly understand her art as she sees it. This applies to a lot of things in the world: art, music, food, philosophy, and politics. That is what I love about people. They can have so many different opinions and mindsets that originality should never die.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
"If you don't have any confidence in yourself, why should anyone else?" It's hard to take the first step, but what's harder, taking it or knowing that you never tried?
