Interview with Sylas Graham, Author of Tou-Pac-A-Lous!

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Tou-Pac-A-Lous!?

I’ve loved Shakespeare since high school and have been a Tupac fan since grad school. Once I realized that Tupac’s lyrics followed similar patterns and that he loved Shakespeare, I began researching similarities in their writings. This is the culmination of that research. In my analysis, it was important to show the genius in both men, whose works still resonate with people today.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Tou-Pac-A-Lous!, what would they be?

A good theme song might be Tupac’s “Something Wicked”, which makes a direct reference to Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

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

I’m a fan of mystery novels like “The Name of the Rose” and anything by Agatha Christie. However, I write within the non-fiction lyrical critique genre.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Barbara Hambly’s, “Free Man of Color”, which is a mystery set in pre-civil war New Orleans; “Pride and Prejudice”, just because it’s Jane Austen; a self help book titled, “I Can’t Get Over it”, which struck a nerve, so I put it down; and a re-read of Agatha Christie’s, “Ten Little Indians.”

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I don’t have scenes in this book, but my favorite part is the exploration of onomatopoeia, where the word itself represents the sound it makes, like “drip-drop”. Analyzing how Shakespeare and Tupac utilize this device in their own way to give the narrative more impact.

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

I have no quirks, but I go to bed early, and my favorite time to write is early in the morning. However, my ideas usually come in the evening, which I jot down in my journal to explore the next morning.

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

I don’t believe in regrets, and I accept people for who they are – quirks and all. It’s best to be true to yourself, because in that vein, you attract like-minded people.

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

I want readers to remember that yes, I love and admire both of these prolific authors and hope readers feel the same. But, I also wrote it as a learning tool that readers can use as a structural foundation to create their own narrative works which may inspire others to write.

Sylas Graham is the author of the new book Tou-Pac-A-Lous!

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