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‘Don’t Write for Other People’

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Alan R Warren discusses his unexpected literary career and the power of authentic storytelling

INTERVIEW

‘I certainly never intended to become a full-time author; it just grew into that,’ Alan R Warren says, beginning his interaction with Literary Harbinger. What started with a few short newspaper and magazine articles gradually turned into a long journey through true crime, history, cults, and investigative storytelling. Today, the Canadian author has 39 published books to his name, released through a combination of traditional publishers and self-publishing.

Writing About Crime, History, and Cults

Warren began writing around sixteen years ago, though his first book was not published until 2016. Since then, all of his books have remained firmly rooted in the non-fiction genre, covering subjects such as true crime, historical events, and cults. Alongside books, he has also written articles for publications including Scoop Magazine and Serial Killer over the last decade.

‘Nine of these books are books of interviews that I did with people who were involved in a particular event,’ Warren explains. ‘These include interviews with several of the Charles Manson followers, journalists, and witnesses of events such as the JFK assassination. My work has consistently centred around people who experienced major events firsthand, allowing me to build narratives through direct conversations rather than distant observation,’ he adds.

Understanding the World Around Charles Manson

Warren’s latest book is titled Peace, Love, & Murder: The Charles Manson Story. Rather than focusing only on the murders themselves, the book explores the wider social and cultural atmosphere of the late 1960s. According to Warren, who holds a Master’s degree in Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, understanding Manson requires understanding the world around him.

‘It really tells the story of the late 1960s in San Francisco and what was going on in the city, country, and the world,’ he says. ‘Charles Manson was reactionary to everything that was going on around him.’

For Warren, the cultural environment of the time played a major role in shaping both Manson’s influence and the people who followed him. He believes the events connected to Manson could only have unfolded during that particular period in American history. ‘I believe that Manson could have only done what he did and got away with it during that time and in that place,’ he explains. ‘He would have never made it work today.’

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Researching the People Behind the Story

Alongside writing books, Warren produces and hosts the House of Mystery radio show for several radio stations and podcast platforms. Through the programme, he interviews writers, publishers, producers, and others connected to the writing and entertainment industries. Between radio work, interviews, publishing, article writing, and books, his schedule remains consistently busy. ‘Between setting up, recording, and publishing those radio interviews, I usually write about five articles per month for different magazines and work on a book daily,’ he says.

Despite the workload, Warren continues approaching each project with careful preparation and detailed research. His process begins not simply with the crime or historical event itself, but with the people connected to it. ‘After deciding on a story, I have to be able to locate as many of the people who were part of the case as I can,’ he explains. ‘This would include survivors, victims’ families, detectives, doctors, and even the culprit.’

Without direct access to the people involved, he believes the work would remain incomplete. ‘Without the major players, the book would be second- or third-hand information and not complete,’ he tells us, adding, ‘So I would not write it in that case.’

Building Characters in Fiction

Although Warren mainly writes non-fiction, he also enjoys discussing fiction and character creation. According to him, fictional stories require the same emotional depth and understanding as real-life accounts. Character development, in particular, becomes central to the entire process. ‘This would mean that I have to create the main character and develop their own life story before I could put them into a plotted story,’ he says.

Sometimes, Warren explains, story ideas come long before the characters themselves. ‘Only after finding personalities that truly fit the narrative can the story fully come together,’ he asserts, adding that sometimes he has some different ideas for a story thought up way before any characters. ‘Only after I have some new characters, which I think would not only fit into the story but be great to watch as they handle the story, can I put it all together,’ he says.

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A Love for Historical Stories

Warren says he generally prefers both fiction and non-fiction historical books over modern stories. Among the works he particularly admires are Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Like many readers, he first encountered these stories through film adaptations before later reading the original novels. ‘It is really quite amazing how we grow up with these stories by watching movies that were made from the books,’ he says.

Be that as it may, Warren believes reading the original novels offers a far richer experience than watching adaptations. ‘Only when you read these books do you realise that there is so much more within the book,’ he tells us. ‘Even if a really well-made movie about it was released, you would still not have enough to capture what the authors wanted us to.’

Learning From Old-Time Radio

Another major influence on Warren’s creative life comes from old-time radio programmes, particularly mystery stories. He says he still listens to them every single night and continues finding inspiration in their storytelling techniques. Shows such as CBS Mystery Theater and Richard Diamond remain personal favourites.

‘The CBS Mystery Theater or Richard Diamond are in heavy rotation on my Audible player,’ he lets on. For Warren, these programmes help preserve the atmosphere and behaviour of earlier decades in ways modern storytelling often cannot. ‘Listening to them allows me to better understand how people communicated, behaved, and viewed the world during those periods,’ he says. Dated pieces of work, according to Warren, really help capture the time period in which they were made. ‘You can hear how they behaved around each other, what was important to them, and what they were living for,’ he adds.

Warren also credits these programmes with helping him improve his own ability to communicate mood and emotion through writing. ‘They really taught me how to convey to the reader what it is I am trying to say,’ he lets us know. The influence of those broadcasts appears not only in his interest in mystery and crime but also in the strong sense of atmosphere present throughout his work. For Warren, older storytelling forms continue to offer valuable lessons even today.

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Writing Without a Fixed Schedule

Unlike writers who follow strict daily routines, Warren says his writing process depends heavily on mood and mental clarity. He usually completes his radio work and other responsibilities first before attempting to write in between those tasks. Rather than forcing himself into rigid schedules, he prefers working when ideas naturally come together.

‘If I am not in the correct mood, or have too many things on my mind, I probably will not get my good work done,’ he explains. Ideas often arrive unexpectedly, especially while walking his dogs or handling completely unrelated activities. According to Warren, creativity works best when everything around him feels balanced.

‘For my writing to work, everything around me has to come together in the right way,’ he says. ‘That flexibility allows me to move naturally between interviews, articles, radio work, and books without separating creativity into strict compartments,’ he adds.

How Writing Became a Career

Despite interviewing writers for nearly fifteen years and attending numerous book events, Warren says becoming an author was never part of a larger plan. The transition happened gradually and unexpectedly through opportunities that emerged during his radio career. Looking back, he still speaks about it with a certain sense of surprise.

‘It began while I was hosting a radio show in Seattle, and a few newspapers and magazines had asked me to write some short articles for them,’ he recalls. One of those articles eventually attracted the attention of a publisher, who approached Warren about writing a book. What followed was a steady expansion of opportunities and projects.

‘After my first book became a hit, I began to get some offers, and the journey began,’ he recounts. Over time, writing transformed from a side activity into a full-time profession. Even now, however, Warren’s description of that transition remains grounded and straightforward rather than dramatic.

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A New Crime Fiction Project

Warren is currently working on a crime fiction story inspired by a real event that took place in Seattle during the 1960s. The story follows the murders of the Chapman family, who were mistakenly targeted by an anti-communist group. As with much of Warren’s work, the fictional narrative remains closely connected to historical reality. ‘It follows the murders of the Chapman family, who were mistakenly murdered by an anti-communist group that believed they were someone else,’ he reveals. Several characters in the book are based on real individuals Warren interviewed over the years. His tendency to combine research with storytelling continues even when writing fiction.

Outside of writing, one of Warren’s major interests is operating a small dog rescue, where he takes in older small- and medium-sized dogs from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The work remains an important part of his life away from books and broadcasting. Clearly, it also reflects a quieter and more personal side to someone whose professional work often focuses on crime and violence.

‘Write for Yourself’

When asked what advice he would offer aspiring writers who become discouraged by rejection or criticism, Warren answers immediately: Keep going back every day. Persistence, according to him, matters far more than outside approval or temporary setbacks.

He believes writers should remain focused on their own voice rather than becoming distracted by trends or public expectations. ‘I would ask them not to lose focus on what they want to say or why they want to say it,’ he explains. ‘Try to avoid as much of the surrounding noise as possible. It will only take you off your game.’

Most importantly, Warren believes authenticity matters more than pleasing others. ‘Do not write for other people, or what you think those people would like,’ he says. ‘Write for yourself, and what you would like them to know about you,’ he declares, signing off with a smile.

Do not write for other people, or what you think those people would like. Write for yourself, and what you would like them to know about you.

~ ALAN R WARREN

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PS: The author’s remaining books can be found here.

How Maria Jane Found Her Voice Through Fiction

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Maria Jane speaks to Literary Harbinger about creative freedom, emotional storytelling, vampire lore, and finding inspiration in everyday life

INTERVIEW

Maria Jane began her fiction career under the pen name Tricia Copeland. A confessed hater of writing until graduate school, she initially entered the world of publishing through scientific papers. ‘It was not until I penned my experience with, and recovery from, an eating disorder that I came to love creative writing,’ says the award-winning author of Perfect Office Pact, beginning her interaction with Literary Harbinger. Fast-forward fifteen years, and Maria has authored more than twenty novels.

Reinventing the Romance Formula

Never one to adhere strictly to convention, Maria conceived her Perfect Romance series with the idea of creating a different kind of romance novel. ‘I challenged myself to create a new format and wrote an alternate-ending story about a co-ed named Chloe traversing her life, choosing different paths along the way,’ she reveals. ‘Each of these decisions leads the main character to a different happily-ever-after.’

While the first instalment experimented with form, the second book, Perfect Always, along with the other standalone entries in the series, follows a more traditional romantic arc. ‘In Perfect Always, we learn Chloe’s final path to happiness as she chooses her perfect landing spot and partner,’ shares the Denver-based author, who holds a Master’s degree in Microbiology.

Crafting Characters and Worlds

The latest addition to the series, Perfect Secrets, introduces readers to Elle, a woman attempting to rebuild her life with a new job in a new city. Enter Tanner, her co-worker and co-owner of the company, for whom she feels an immediate attraction. ‘Their connection grows fast and bright until Elle meets Tanner’s mother. Accusations fly. Old wounds split open. Suddenly, Elle is tumbling through a flood of hidden ties and painful truths, each one cracking the fragile trust between them,’ the author explains.

When it comes to her writing process, Maria, who also does a full-time job as a technical writer, enjoys allowing creativity to unfold organically while still maintaining a structured foundation. She maps out major plot points, develops characters and their backstories, and builds the world before diving into the manuscript. ‘Once these components are in place, I am ready to fill in the blanks between the plot points and generate scenes that create drama between the characters and their worlds,’ she tells us.

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Literary Influences and Vampire Lore

Among contemporary authors, Maria counts Emily Henry as a favourite, with A Million Junes standing out as one of her most memorable reads of the decade. Much like Maria’s own literary tastes, the novel seamlessly blends romance, fantasy, and historical fiction while exploring a Romeo-and-Juliet-style love story haunted by generational curses. She also admits to being fascinated by vampire lore and enjoys exploring the many interpretations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

As for her writing schedule, Maria says inspiration tends to strike outside regular working hours. ‘My fiction side comes alive in the evenings and on weekends,’ declares the former research scientist. ‘But my characters are always in my head, waiting to create their next lines and speak to me while I am driving, walking the dog, or doing all those mundane chores that round out our days,’ she adds.

Falling Into an Authorial Career

Asked whether becoming an author was a conscious career decision, Maria says she largely ‘fell into’ writing professionally after receiving enthusiastic encouragement from friends and family who had read her first manuscript. ‘I quickly jumped into the realm of fantasy fiction and now intersperse my romances with YA fantasies,’ she says.

When she is not writing, Maria can often be found trail running, hiking, or walking her dog. She also nurtures a love for flowers, gardening, and drying bouquets. Currently, she is immersed in writing the next novel in the Perfect Romance series, tentatively titled My, Not-so-Perfect, Cop. ‘With a backstory created and the beginning chapters already written, I am weaving a love story for Dani and Gareth,’ she shares. ‘I am also percolating ideas for the next book in the series, which will follow an enemies-to-lovers trope. I hope to make writing my next full-time career.’

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‘Do Not Let a Single Opinion Discourage You’

A firm believer in pursuing one’s passion, Maria offers thoughtful advice to aspiring authors. She believes that refining one’s craft and creating work that resonates emotionally with readers can help even niche fan-fiction stories reach broader audiences.

‘Getting feedback from peers, assistance from cover designers and editors, as well as learning marketing and publicity best practices, can help establish a base of readers,’ she stresses. ‘One can get fixated on that one negative review within the hundreds of good ones, so do not let a single opinion discourage you,’ she says, signing off with a smile.

Getting feedback from peers, assistance from cover designers and editors, as well as learning marketing and publicity best practices, can help establish a base of readers.

~ MARIA JANE

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From Comedy Sketches to Creative Pursuits

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Drawing inspiration from history and personal experience, the Cyprus-based writer continues to pursue storytelling with unwavering dedication

INTERVIEW

Myron Edwards’ first real excursion into writing came during his twenties when he and a close friend began submitting comedy material to the BBC. ‘One of our comedy lines got picked up by The Two Ronnies, the most successful comedy duo on television at the time,’ the author tells Literary Harbinger. Encouraged by this breakthrough, the pair went on to write for radio and television programmes, an experience Myron describes as the true beginning of his creative journey.

An Epiphany in Cyprus

Now residing on the island of Cyprus, Myron traces his journey into book writing to a life-changing moment at Aphrodite’s Rock. ‘That began my journey; my books focus on the ancient and contemporary worlds,’ he explains, reflecting on how the historic landscape inspired his imagination. While the septuagenarian confirms that he is currently working on something new, he remains intentionally tight-lipped about the project, preferring to keep details under wraps for now.

Writing Through Discipline and Adversity

Myron reveals that his first book originally began as a screenplay before eventually evolving into a novel. ‘I used to write when inspiration was at its peak,’ he says. ‘But now I write four hours three times a week because of my dialysis treatment,’ he adds. Despite the physical challenges, the author continues to maintain a disciplined writing routine, explaining that his technique is to ‘think in pictures’, allowing scenes and ideas to unfold naturally as he writes.

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Literary Influences and Storytelling

Among the writers who have left a lasting impression on Myron are the great literary classics, particularly Charles Dickens. However, he singles out George MacDonald Fraser, creator of Flashman from Tom Brown’s School Days, as one of his greatest influences. ‘What is so unique about his books is the way he takes real facts and history and moulds them into each story,’ Myron remarks, praising Fraser’s seamless blending of historical truth and fiction.

From Copywriting to Authorship

For Myron, becoming an author was less a conscious decision and more a gradual progression from earlier creative pursuits. ‘After I had my comedy adventure, I continued writing, but in a different field, namely copywriting,’ he explains. While working for JWT in London as a travel manager, Myron was encouraged to apply for a copywriter’s position because of his BBC background, and within ten days of securing the role, he had already created his first television commercial.

Reflections on Retirement and Writing

Being retired and undergoing dialysis treatment three times a week, Myron admits that he currently has few hobbies beyond watching football. Still, he describes himself as an ‘unrecognised full-time writer’, a phrase that captures both his humour and enduring dedication to literature. Although he remains secretive about his current work, the author continues to approach writing with the same passion that has shaped his life for decades.

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Advice for Aspiring Writers

Myron also offers candid advice to aspiring authors, emphasising the importance of commitment and perseverance. ‘Be prepared to sacrifice your private life, and once you start, make sure you finish it,’ he says, noting that too many writers abandon their manuscripts midway through the process. He further advises writers to seek agents who specialise in their chosen subject once a book is completed, stressing that determination and endurance are essential qualities for anyone serious about writing.

A Final Word on Sacrifice

Before signing off, Myron leaves aspiring writers with a final reflection on the realities of the creative life. ‘If you want to write, do it, but if you start, make sure you finish it because along the way you will have to make many sacrifices,’ he says. Pausing on the thought, he adds one final piece of wisdom: ‘So ask yourself whether it will be worth it.’

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Inside the Imaginative Worlds of Drema Deòraich

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The Virginia-based author discusses science fiction, ethical dilemmas, independent publishing, and why compassion matters more than ever

INTERVIEW

Drema Deòraich has been writing for as long as she can remember, but it was only in 2014 that she decided to pursue the craft with renewed seriousness. Speaking with Literary Harbinger in an exclusive interview, the Virginia-based author, who holds an Associate’s Degree in Education, recalls how attending a writers’ conference in her city transformed her understanding of storytelling. Over the following years, she learnt how to make her writing ‘tighter, more focused, and more dynamic.’

Her breakthrough came in 2018, when her first published short story, Last Call, appeared in Silver Blade Magazine. The moment remains unforgettable for the writer. ‘I remember being so excited that I danced around my apartment for a solid ten minutes,’ she says with a laugh. More published short stories soon followed, and in 2022, she released her first novel. Soon afterwards came her ambitious science fiction trilogy, a project she had nurtured for years.

A Pandemic Novel Written Before the 2020 Pandemic

Drema’s debut novel, Entheóphage, arrived in 2022 and immediately stood apart for its chilling premise. Though centred on a pandemic, it was not inspired by the global crisis that gripped the world in the early 2020s. In fact, Drema completed the first draft in November 2019 — mere months before reality mirrored fiction in unsettling ways.

‘It was weird,’ she admits. ‘For a few months after the real pandemic began, I could not work on this book, or even look at it.’ The story’s emotional and thematic weight suddenly felt far too close to reality. Yet Drema eventually returned to the manuscript with renewed determination.

She later submitted the novel to the prestigious Pitch Wars competition in hopes of refining it further. Published UK author Anna Kaling selected the manuscript as her Pitch Wars project, and together they strengthened the tension, pacing, and overall marketability of the work.

However, when Drema began pitching the novel to agents and publishers in 2021, the publishing world was reluctant to embrace pandemic narratives. ‘No one was willing to take on a pandemic story,’ she explains. Undeterred, she decided to publish the work independently. ‘The climate message felt too important to put off until agents and publishers would be interested again,’ she says firmly.

Building The Founder’s Seed Trilogy

Drema’s second published novel, Fallen, marked the beginning of The Founder’s Seed, an expansive science fiction trilogy she had spent years developing. The workshops she attended at writing conferences, coupled with the lessons she learnt during Pitch Wars, proved instrumental in shaping the trilogy into publishable form.

The subsequent instalments, Broken and Driven, followed soon after, further cementing her place as a distinctive voice in speculative fiction. Drema later published two novelettes — Jane Doe #7 and Deer in Headlights — both of which are currently available through Kindle Unlimited.

Her latest publication, meanwhile, is a compelling short-story collection titled Murder of Crows and Other Consequential Tales. The anthology gathers stories centred on the idea of ‘consequences,’ ranging from full-length short fiction to flash fiction pieces. ‘I have had a lot of fun with these stories,’ Drema says enthusiastically. ‘They do not encompass all my published short works, but they are all focused on the theme of consequences.’

For readers interested in multiple formats, Drema notes that all her works are available as ebooks. Murder of Crows and her four full-length novels are also available in paperback, while the novels themselves have been adapted into audiobooks narrated by the award-winning Stacey Lind.

Planning, Structure, and the Unexpected

When asked whether she outlines meticulously or writes instinctively, Drema answers without hesitation: she is fundamentally a planner. ‘Writing by the seat of my pants results in stories that wander far and wide from the story’s focus,’ she explains. ‘I prefer to outline and use that as a roadmap.’

Having an ending in mind, she says, gives her a destination towards which the narrative can steadily progress. Yet she is not rigidly attached to structure. If her characters begin steering the story in a different direction during the writing process, she is more than willing to abandon the original outline and begin anew.

Balancing writing with a day job at a local attorney’s office is not always easy, and she often writes whenever time permits. Still, storytelling remains the centre around which her life revolves.

Literary Influences and Ethical Questions

Among the writers who have profoundly influenced her work are Frank Herbert and Ursula K. Le Guin. Drema greatly admires Herbert’s storytelling and praises his son’s continuation of the legendary Dune saga.

What draws her most strongly to Herbert and Le Guin, however, is their willingness to confront ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions through fiction. ‘They wrote stories that asked questions and posed ethical quandaries for their characters to resolve and for their readers to ponder,’ she explains. ‘This is what I try to do in my own work.’

From Private Passion to Published Purpose

For Drema, writing itself was never really a choice. ‘It was always a given that I would write,’ she says.

Publishing, nonetheless, was a deliberate and conscious step. She acknowledges the immense labour involved in independently producing books that are professionally edited, polished, and well-presented.

Be that as it may, she ultimately felt her stories carried themes and emotional truths worth sharing with readers. ‘I decided to stop writing stories just for myself and share them with others,’ she reflects.

Finding Joy in Nature

Outside literature, Drema finds peace and inspiration in the natural world. She enjoys observing birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife in their native habitats, often gravitating towards ponds and streams in hopes of spotting turtles and water birds.

She also maintains a small garden focused primarily on native plants, hoping to create sustainable habitats for local wildlife. Watching caterpillars thrive on the plants she has cultivated gives her immense satisfaction.

‘It is quite rewarding when I see caterpillars from the butterflies growing and thriving on plants I placed in our yard as an offering!’ she says warmly. Daily walks and spending time with her two cats also remain among her favourite pursuits.

New Worlds Still to Come

Drema is currently working on a new trilogy tentatively titled The Nexus, which will serve as a continuation of The Founder’s Seed universe. Characters who once occupied secondary roles in the earlier trilogy will now take centre stage. Where the previous books explored acceptance, survival, and the meaning of humanity, this new series will focus more deeply on trafficking and the complicated bonds of family — both biological and chosen.

Book One has largely been written and now awaits revision, while the remaining instalments are already mapped out. Alongside this trilogy, Drema is also developing a novella titled Cleanup Crew. The story follows a protagonist who is unknowingly immortal, gradually uncovering truths about systems of power and control that silence dissenters and eliminate challengers.

Advice for Indie Writers

Having navigated the unpredictable terrain of independent publishing herself, Drema deeply understands the discouragement many writers face when their work struggles to gain visibility. ‘You are not alone,’ she says reassuringly. ‘Most of us are in the same boat at one time or another.’

She strongly encourages aspiring and independent writers to seek out supportive writing communities, whether online or in person. Such groups, she believes, can provide not only emotional encouragement but also practical assistance — from beta readers and ARC reviewers to marketing advice and creative guidance during difficult periods. ‘Sometimes all you need is someone who can listen and understand,’ she says. ‘Author groups can fill that space.’

A Final Reflection on Compassion

As the interview draws to a close, Drema is asked what one thing she would change about the world if she could. Her answer is thoughtful and measured. ‘It is not easy to pick just one thing,’ she says, acknowledging how difficult it can be to predict the long-term consequences of even the best intentions. Yet if forced to choose, her answer becomes beautifully simple: ‘I would change hate to compassion. We need more of that in this world.’

Before signing off, she leaves readers with one final appeal — a reminder of how vital reviews and ratings are for independent authors, particularly on platforms like Amazon. Even a brief review or star rating, she explains, can dramatically improve a book’s visibility and help connect writers with potential readers. And for lower ratings, she urges readers to explain their criticisms constructively. ‘We writers can usually take constructive criticism,’ she says with sincerity. ‘And so, we appreciate it!’

With her profound love for storytelling and her unwavering faith in compassion, Drema Deòraich continues to create worlds that challenge the mind, stir the conscience, and linger in the reader’s imagination long after the story ends.

Sometimes all you need is someone who can listen and understand. Author groups can fill that space.

~ DREMA DEÒRAICH

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Writing Beyond Retirement

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At 67, Maurice Perkins is turning personal memories and hard-earned life experience into compelling fiction

INTERVIEW

Author Maurice Perkins wrote short stories at school in the 1960s and had others published during the 1980s. Nevertheless, he says writing was never his primary profession for most of his life. ‘My writing career for many years was limited to business development and submitting tenders for contracts,’ he lets on, speaking with Literary Harbinger in an exclusive interaction. The 67-year-old, who currently lives in Stockport in Greater Manchester, the United Kingdom, says it took the Covid pandemic in 2020 to reignite his passion for storytelling. Spending more time reflecting on life encouraged him to return to creative writing after decades away from it.

Turning Real Life into Fiction

Speaking about one of his latest books, Revenge, Maurice says the story was inspired by something he witnessed years ago. He says he expanded the idea dramatically to make it more gripping and intense. ‘Old ex-military men with dormant skills stumble into a gang turf war with disastrous consequences,’ he shares, revealing that several characters in the novel are based on real people he knows personally.

Although the individuals do not possess the dangerous skills seen in the book, he borrowed their personalities and mannerisms to shape the characters. ‘It allowed me to incorporate all of their idiosyncrasies into some humorous dialogue. They also acted as the initial beta readers. It is quite brutal and has some tough dialogue,’ Maurice lets us know.

Many Thanks to Social Media

The author says social media unexpectedly played a major role in his return to writing. He had been sharing personal experiences online, many of them funny, difficult, or emotional, and people encouraged him to document them properly. According to Maurice, that support made him realize his stories deserved a more permanent home.

‘It also made me realize that my grandchildren may never hear me tell those raucous stories as they grow old enough to hear them and I remain compos mentis enough to tell them,’ he says. That thought eventually pushed him to write three books based on his life experiences. ‘So, I wrote three books about my life so far, told through a series of funny and sometimes sad stories. It was so they could hear them in my own words and not retold by others,’ he lets on.

Building Worlds and Characters

Maurice admits he never expected his books to become as successful as they have been. The positive response from readers gave him the confidence to pursue larger fictional ideas that had remained in his imagination for years. One of those ideas became his dystopian novel Quest.

The novel explores survival in a world where resources are steadily disappearing. ‘A motley group travels west in search of answers while trying to survive against the odds,’ Maurice explains. ‘However, there are others, from a different time and a different place, who are also trying to survive. The futures of both groups are inextricably linked.’

Taking Unexpected Directions

Asked whether he carefully plans his plots or writes more instinctively, Maurice says he begins with a rough structure. He usually creates a simple outline featuring the chronology of events and the key characters he believes the story requires. From there, the process becomes far more flexible and organic. ‘I then overlay that with set-piece scenes or events that I want included,’ he explains.

The notes are either pinned to the wall in front of his writing desk or organized on a spreadsheet displayed on a separate screen. Even then, he says the original structure rarely survives unchanged. ‘It could be that the chronology does not work or I need to introduce another character, or eliminate one during editing,’ he tells us. According to Maurice, stories naturally evolve during the writing process and often take unexpected directions. ‘The story then evolves as it must to create the image I want the reader to understand,’ he adds.

Inspired by Lee Child & Frank Herbert

Lee Child, creator of the Jack Reacher series, happens to be Maurice’s favorite writer. He admires Child’s ability to combine dry humor with action-packed storytelling and problem-solving. Maurice says those qualities strongly appeal to him as a reader and writer. ‘I also like Frank Herbert, who wrote the Dune series, which was recently adapted into films again,’ Maurice shares, adding that the scale of Herbert’s fictional universe and its theological depth left a strong impression on him.

Maurice insists that becoming an author was never part of his long-term plan, as he usually writes only when he feels genuinely inspired and prefers to work away from distractions. Instead, he describes it as an accidental consequence of sharing stories online and discovering that readers connected with them. Even now, he admits balancing writing with family life and friendships can sometimes be difficult.

‘Remain Creative and Be True to Yourself’

Currently, Maurice is preparing a rough outline for another novel while also gathering ideas for a fresh collection of humorous personal stories. Despite his growing readership, he insists writing remains a passion project rather than a business venture. ‘I am retired and being an author is a hobby,’ he says, adding that he has set the price of his books at a modest level and therefore it will never become a sustainable source of income. According to him, financial success was never the motivation behind his work. ‘It is about sharing the stories in my head,’ he tells us.

For aspiring indie authors, Maurice believes authenticity matters more than perfection. He encourages writers to trust their instincts and avoid overthinking the process too early. ‘Remain creative and be true to yourself. Write what you want to write and, somewhere out there, you will find the right audience,’ he says.

Final Say

Maurice also believes excessive research can sometimes damage creativity instead of strengthening it. ‘You need to write the story down as you see it and then review it afterwards,’ he explains. ‘If you spend too much time researching when you should be writing, it can limit your creativity, in my humble opinion.’

Finally, when asked what he would most like to change about the world, Maurice’s answer is immediate and deeply personal. He says he would eliminate wars of every kind because innocent people are always the ones who suffer most. ‘It is always the innocent who suffer in wars, and rarely the people who start them. People in the military can only do what they are commanded to do,’ he says, signing off.

If you spend too much time researching when you should be writing, it can limit your creativity, in my humble opinion.

~ MAURICE PERKINS

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‘Fulfil Your Dream, For Your Time Is Shorter Than You Realise’

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INTERVIEW

Author Gavin Prinsloo did not begin writing with publication in mind. Writing emerged instead from a deeply personal struggle during one of the most uncertain periods in recent memory. ‘I started writing in 2020 with the pandemic after suffering a mental health challenge,’ the South African poet tells Literary Harbinger. What began as an emotional outlet gradually transformed into a prolific literary journey rooted in imagination and introspection.

From Emotional Catharsis to Published Poetry

Since beginning his writing journey, Gavin has authored four books, all centered primarily on poetry and free verse. The series, Pieces of My Mind, is available on Amazon and spans an eclectic range of themes and moods. Volume One explores a mixed-genre approach, while Volume Two delves into gods, myths, and legends. Volume Three, Eros Awakened, ventures into more sensual and adult territory. A fourth volume, Philosophy & Sharp Stones, is nearing release.

Alongside these collections, he has also recently published Souls Desire, a collaborative hardcover project that combines original color photographic art with descriptive poetry. The work stands apart for its visual-literary fusion and high-end presentation, reflecting an ambition to create poetry not merely as text, but as immersive experience.

Writing Without Maps or Blueprints

Unlike authors who meticulously outline plots and characters before writing, Gavin’s process is instinctive and immediate. ‘No, I publish what comes to mind,’ he says simply. There are no elaborate frameworks or carefully engineered structures behind the work. Emotion leads, and the writing follows.

This spontaneity is perhaps what gives his poetry its rawness and immediacy. Rather than constructing stories from a distance, he allows thought and feeling to arrive unfiltered onto the page.

Influenced by the Masters of Melancholy

Among the writers who have left a lasting impression on him are Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Frost. ‘The pinnacle of poetic skills,’ he calls them.

The admiration is unsurprising. Both poets are remembered for their emotional intensity, rhythmic command, and ability to confront darkness without losing lyrical beauty—qualities echoed subtly in Gavin’s own outlook toward writing.

An Emotional Writer Without a Schedule

For Gavin, writing is not something confined to a timetable. ‘I write all the time. I am an emotional writer,’ he explains. Inspiration is not summoned artificially but emerges organically from lived experience and emotional states.

This refusal to compartmentalize creativity has allowed writing to become inseparable from daily existence rather than merely another task to complete.

Life in Cape Town and Beyond Literature

Currently residing in Cape Town, the 56-year-old writer describes himself as ‘56 years young.’ Outside literature, much of his emotional energy is devoted to helping others. He spends time on TikTok and speaks warmly about his affection for his dogs.

Becoming an author, however, was never part of a carefully designed plan. ‘Not actually,’ he says when asked whether it was a conscious decision. Encouragement from poetry groups gradually persuaded him to take his work seriously and move toward publication.

Between Poetry and Fiction

Even now, Gavin’s literary ambitions continue expanding. He is currently completing a fifth poetry collection while simultaneously working on two novels. Though unemployed at present, he remains open to wherever writing may lead him. ‘Let’s see what happens?’ he remarks with characteristic openness.

For aspiring writers discouraged by poor sales or lack of recognition, his advice is both practical and philosophical. ‘You don’t publish a book for sales; you publish to realize a dream,’ he says. ‘After that, book sales are a bonus.’

The Purpose of Writing

Gavin believes authenticity is what ultimately connects writers and readers. ‘Write for YOU, then readers will find you in the characters.’ His reflections on life itself carry the same contemplative weight.

If there is one thing he would change about the world, it would be humanity’s relationship with time and legacy. ‘Life is hazardously short,’ he says, adding that leaving something meaningful behind matters far more than accumulating wealth.

Final Thought

As for routine, he laughs at the very notion of it. ‘Lol… what routine? The bonus of trying to be a writer is that your time is your own,’ Gavin, who also speaks Afrikaans and ‘a smattering of Xhosa,’ says, reflecting the multilingual texture of South African life.

He leaves readers with a final thought that encapsulates both his philosophy and his journey as a writer: ‘If you have a dream, don’t let anyone wake you up to ‘reality’. Fulfil your dream, for your time is shorter than you realise.’

You don’t publish a book for sales; you publish to realize a dream. After that, book sales are a bonus.

~ GAVIN PRINSLOO

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‘I Follow My Dopamine With Writing’

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INTERVIEW

Author Randi-Lee Bowslaugh began writing long before the idea of publication took hold. ‘I have been writing for as long as I can remember,’ she says, opening up in an exclusive interaction with Literary Harbinger. Childhood for her was filled with writing plays and getting cousins to perform them. But writing took on a deeper role during adolescence. ‘As a teenager, I used writing as a coping strategy to deal with my depression,’ she shares, hinting at the emotional roots that continue to inform her work.

From Basement Pages to Published Books

Her journey into publishing began unexpectedly in 2017. While cleaning out a basement, she found poems written during her teenage years. ‘I thought they were pretty good,’ she recalls. Rather than letting them sit again, she decided to publish them, resulting in her first book, Thoughts of a Wanderer. The experience proved transformative. ‘After that first book came out, I was so excited and wanted to keep going,’ she tells us.

Her work, Good-bye Too Soon, released in May 2023, takes a deeply personal turn. The book deals with the death of her brother due to a drug overdose. It marks a shift toward non-fiction while retaining the emotional intensity that defines her voice.

Letting the Work Find Its Own Shape

When it comes to writing process, Randi-Lee does not adhere to rigid structures from the outset. ‘I usually start with the concept and let the book take me where it is meant to go,’ she explains. Once the direction becomes clearer, she develops a more defined structure.

She recalls working on Embracing Me, a book centred on mental health stigma. ‘I wasn’t 100% sure where it was going,’ she admits. ‘But halfway through, I knew exactly where it was heading.’ That moment of clarity led to outlining chapters and refining earlier sections to align with the emerging direction.

Writing on Impulse, Not Obligation

Unlike many writers who follow strict schedules, she prefers a more instinctive approach. ‘I follow my dopamine with writing,’ she says candidly. Writing happens when inspiration strikes. ‘When I force the writing, it always needs more edits than when I wait for the right time.’

This approach allows her to maintain a genuine connection with her work, even if it means moving through periods of writer’s block.

Life, Work and Everything In Between

Currently based in Ontario, Canada, Randi-Lee holds diplomas in Pre-Community Services and Community and Justice Services from Niagara College, along with further studies in psychology. Now 37, she describes herself as ‘loving life.’ Balancing writing with daily responsibilities comes naturally. She works part time, supports her child’s education, hosts interviews for her YouTube venture the ‘Write or Die Show’ and still finds time to write. Her hobbies include reading, spending time with family and animals and, until recently, kickboxing.

A typical day begins early. ‘I wake up around 7am when my puppy bugs me to go outside,’ she says. From breakfast and dog walks to conversations over coffee with her child, the day unfolds in a rhythm that dovetails domestic life with creative work.

On Becoming an Author and Staying One

Becoming an author was not initially a conscious ambition for Randi-Lee. ‘I always loved writing but never thought it would be my career,’ she admits. Yet looking back, she expresses no regrets about the path she has taken.

She continues to expand her body of work. Alongside Good-bye Too Soon, she is working on another children’s book in the ‘Woofie’ series, awaiting artwork before publication. With many ideas lined up, she remains hopeful about eventually becoming a full time author.

Advice, Perspective, Purpose

For aspiring writers struggling with motivation, her advice is simple and direct. ‘The more you do, the better you get. Not everything you write will grow huge but giving up means you will never do well.’

If given the power to change one thing in the world, her answer is immediate. The perception of mental health. Through both her writing and her YouTube platform, she aims to foster openness and dialogue. ‘The more we talk about it, the more impact we can make.’

She signs off with a message that reflects both her journey and her purpose. ‘Just remember to speak openly and honestly.’

The more you do, the better you get. Not everything you write will grow huge but giving up means you will never do well.

~ RANDI-LEE BOWSLAUGH

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From Monsters to Falling Worlds

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INTERVIEW

Writing does not always begin as a chosen path. Sometimes it reveals itself early, almost quietly, before it is ever understood as a craft. Author Kathleen McCluskey fits into that space where instinct precedes definition. ‘My very first “book” was one I made myself,’ she recalls, speaking with Literary Harbinger in an exclusive interaction. ‘I was eight. It was called The Monday Monster. It was a Father’s Day gift,’ she adds. The story was simple in concept but vivid in imagination. A creature lived under beds and bit ankles every Monday morning to make people grumpy. What sounds playful now was already an early sign of something deeper: an imagination that did not wait for permission. That imagination did not fade with age, mind you. It simply expanded outward into school publications, college journalism, and later, short fiction. ‘Over time, writing stopped being an activity and became a natural extension of thought itself,’ Kathleen shares.

From Short Fiction to Worlds That Refuse to End

Before novels came short fiction. Before short fiction came experiments. Kathleen, remember, has published across magazines and anthologies in both national and international spaces. She also writes regularly for a blog where a single image must be transformed into a complete story under 500 words. ‘It sounds simple,’ she says. ‘But it forces a different kind of thinking. A novel lets you expand. A prompt forces precision.’

That contrast between expansion and compression eventually shaped her most ambitious work, The Long Fall. What began as a single idea about a vampire origin story gradually expanded into a trilogy involving celestial war and fallen angels besides the reinterpretation of myth itself. ‘I did not plan a trilogy,’ Kathleen admits, adding, ‘I started at the beginning and it kept growing. It became something much larger than I first imagined.’

Writing Without Maps Or Outlines

Planning is not part of her process. Structure comes later, if at all. The first stage is vision. ‘I do not work from outlines,’ Kathleen reveals. She goes on, ‘I see scenes. It unfolds like a film in my head, and I write what I see.’ This method creates a writing rhythm that is immersive and intense. Once the process begins, time becomes irrelevant. Hours disappear without awareness. She describes entering a mental state she calls ‘the Zone’, where external reality fades into the background.

‘There are moments when I am so absorbed that I do not notice anything else happening around me,’ she lets on. ‘It becomes continuous,’ she adds. The result is prose that does not overexplain. Instead, it suggests. It allows space for the reader to complete the world rather than receive it fully defined.

The Influence of Horror And Human History

Ask about her reading life and it is rooted in horror and speculative fiction. Richard Laymon, Bentley Little, Jack Ketchum, Clive Barker, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz. Stephen King remains a major influence although with a preference for his earlier works. ‘His earlier novels had a different kind of intensity,’ Kathleen notes.

Beyond fiction, there is a strong pull toward history, particularly the European theatre of World War II and the American Civil War. These are not casual interests but thematic echoes that inform her understanding of human behaviour. She says, ‘History shows you what people are capable of. Not always in a good way.’

The Discipline of an Undisciplined Life

Despite the chaotic energy often associated with creativity, Kathleen lives within a structured daily rhythm. Early mornings define the start of the day. Work and responsibilities follow. Writing arrives later, when the mind is ready rather than when the clock demands it. ‘I wake up early. I work through the day. And I write when I can,’ Kathleen says simply.

Alongside writing is family life, reading, yoga, and a steady presence in digital literary communities. Creativity is not isolated from life but woven into it. ‘Writing does not replace life,’ she stresses. ‘It comes from it.’

On Failure, Persistence, And the Act of Continuing

For emerging writers, her advice is stripped of sentimentality: Keep writing. That is all there is.

Rejection is not treated as a setback but as a structural reality of the craft. ‘Not every reader will connect. Not every story will land. That is not failure but distribution,’ she explains, adding that one person not liking one’s work means nothing in the larger picture. ‘Another person might connect with it completely,’ she tells us. Clearly, persistence, not perfection, becomes the defining requirement.

‘I Observe Something And It Becomes a Story’

There is a quiet certainty in the way Kathleen speaks about becoming a writer. It is not framed as a choice made at a single moment but as something that was always unfolding. ‘I was always writing,’ she states. ‘Always imagining. It was never a decision. It was just what I did.’

For her, writing is not construction but translation. Experience becomes narrative almost automatically. Observation becomes story before it becomes thought. ‘I do not write stories first,’ she explains. ‘I observe something and it becomes a story.’

The Final Question

When asked what she would change in the world, the answer is immediate and unembellished. ‘World hunger. It should not exist at this stage of human progress.’

It is a simple statement placed at the end of a conversation filled with angels, wars in heaven, vampires, and mythic collapse. The contrast is striking but intentional. One world exists in fiction. The other exists in reality. In the end, Kathleen’s work moves through darkness and apocalypse. But her final concern remains grounded in something far more human.

Writing does not replace life. It comes from it.

~ KATHLEEN MCCLUSKEY

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Finding Meaning in the Current

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INTERVIEW

Some writers plot every twist with precision. Others dive in and let the story carry them. S S Turner belongs unapologetically to the latter. His work rises from lived experience and a restless engagement with life’s uncertainties. It echoes the rivers that shape his fiction. His journey began early. ‘Way back when I was at school my English teacher advised me I was a natural writer,’ Turner says in an interaction with Literary Harbinger. The instinct stayed. ‘Ever since I have written stories, novellas, screenplays, and children’s stories as a way to make sense of the world,’ he adds.

The Birth of a River Story

That search finds form in his debut Secrets of a River Swimmer, published by The Story Plant in the United States. It is a story of transformation and the pursuit of meaning. We meet Freddy on the edge of a Scottish river in the dead of winter, staring into despair. ‘He is ready to jump in and end his less than fulfilling life. But what happens next is not what he expects.’

What follows is not an ending but a beginning. ‘From the moment he enters the river Freddy begins a journey which is more beautiful and funny than he could have imagined on dry land,’ Turner says. Along the way Freddy encounters others who are just as lost. ‘Eventually they all unite in their quest for an answer to the biggest question of them all. Will the river take them where they want to go?’

Themes of Meaning and Discovery

Readers have drawn parallels with The Alchemist and Life of Pi. Turner does not resist the comparison. ‘It is an exploration of the pathway we all follow towards living a meaningful life,’ he tells us.

The novel is rooted in memory. Turner, now based in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Australia where he lives a quiet life with his family, traces the idea back to his years in Scotland when he felt unmoored. ‘One of my closest friends was in the same boat, so we decided to meet up for an adventure to spice things up.’ They chose the River Tweed. The shock was immediate. ‘We were shocked by how cold the water was and how large the white water rapids were.’ They went in anyway. ‘It turned into an uplifting and glorious experience.’

That first swim became a ritual that lasted seven years. ‘Every time we entered the river we were inspired and uplifted,’ Turner recalls, describing encounters with gillies and aristocrats that lent texture to those journeys and eventually to his fiction.

Writing Without a Map

Turner writes much like he swims. He begins with intent but lets the current take over. ‘I generally start writing with a written plan for the novel’s plot and characters. However, I am a pantser by nature and usually within about 20 pages the plan goes out the window.’ What matters is movement. ‘I love writing in flow without knowing exactly what is coming next. I find that when I am writing in flow my stories feel like they are jumping onto the page like living beings.’

Discipline still plays its part. ‘I am a big believer in writing every day,’ he says, though he has learned not to force the process. ‘Writing when you are in flow is a lot more productive and enjoyable than writing on the days when the words do not come so easy.’ These days he adjusts his pace, often rising early and fitting writing around other work since, as he puts it, ‘most writers need to generate additional income beyond their writing.’

Among his influences, Mark Twain stands out. ‘He creates a world which is so remarkably accessible due largely to the authenticity and strength of the narrator’s voice.’

A Shift in Genre

His next novel The Connection Game moves into psychological suspense. ‘It is a unique psychological thriller which delves beneath the surface of the human condition amidst a broader mystery,’ Turner shares. Early praise has followed, with Bill Fitzhugh calling it ‘a one of a kind tale and a surprising and entertaining piece of work.’

For Turner, the label of ‘author’ arrived gradually. ‘It was more a realisation than a decision,’ he reflects, adding, ‘It was only when my first novel was about to be published and others started referring to me as a writer that I realised that what was deep inside my heart was now front and centre in my life.’

Meaning is not found at the end of the journey but in the courage to step into the current.

S S Turner

Final Word

His advice to aspiring writers is simple and firm: Keep going. Rome was not built in a day. He stresses the value of feedback and persistence. ‘I would recommend seeking as much feedback as possible on all of your works which do not succeed.’ He also draws from Stephen King. ‘Once you have written your first draft and given it some space, it is prudent to delete around 10 percent of the words when you edit it.’ For Turner, that discipline is essential. It strips away excess and leaves clarity behind.

Beyond writing, he finds joy in travel reading paddle boarding hiking and time with friends, while holding a quiet wish close. ‘I would love to be able to protect all the animals of the world from humans,’ he states categorically.

In the end, SS Turner writes like the river he once stepped into. His stories move with uncertainty and force. They invite the reader to let go of control and trust the current, where meaning is not fixed at the destination but revealed along the way.

PS: S S Turner blogs at https://ssturnerblog.com

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