What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Unconditional: A Story of Fatherhood, Lost Love, and Lifelong Friendship?
How and why I wrote it: First off, a bit of a surprise—I’m not a father… So, you’re probably asking, “Then why did you write a book about fatherhood?” It’s a fair question. Most stories come to me as fully realized ideas, but UNCONDITIONAL didn’t. It came to me in moments. And that first moment was the ending. I won’t spoil it, but it was a scene where the two characters were together—and they had a shared interaction—one that touched me very deeply… But I had no idea who these two characters were yet—or what the story was.
Then, a few weeks later, a second moment came to me in another scene. But it wasn’t yet connected to the previous moment. The scene was where an indecisive bachelor was heading to a hospital room to meet his just-deceased brother’s newborn baby. He’d been told there were two choices: either he adopt her, or social services would decide her fate. Being indecisive, he had no idea what he’d do with such a MAJOR life decision… But then he met her. And he fell in love. And for the first time in his life, he had no indecisiveness… He wanted to be her father.
So, for the second time in three weeks, I was touched very deeply by a moment that came to me. But even more importantly, I now knew who the characters were in the previous moment (the ending). It was a father and daughter. And with that, I had my story.
I’ve never been more compelled to write something in my life. With most stories, I primarily write them with my brain. This one I wrote with my heart. And that’s how and why I wrote UNCONDITIONAL.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Unconditional: A Story of Fatherhood, Lost Love, and Lifelong Friendship, what would they be?
“No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley, since it was Matthew and Allie’s favorite song in the book.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genres to read are mystery and fantasy. I like writing in every genre.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Up next is J.D. Robb’s “Imitation in Death.”
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The moment when Matthew met his orphaned newborn niece in the hospital fell in love with her and knew he wanted to be her father.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
My favorite time to write is between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Focus on the love of doing.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
To cherish and be grateful for their loved ones.
Stephen Kogon is the author of the new book Unconditional: A Story of Fatherhood, Lost Love, and Lifelong Friendship
Connect with Stephen Kogon
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