Friday, July 5, 2013

Book Tour Guest Author, Brenda Perlin







Brenda Perlin is an independent adult contemporary fiction author. Brenda evokes emotional responses in her readers by using a provocatively unique writing style. Her latest book, Home Wrecker, captures the soul-wrenching conflicts of a personal struggle for emotional fulfillment.

Ever since Brenda was a child she has been fascinated with writing. She draws her biggest inspiration from Judy Blume. This sparked a passion in Brenda to pursue personal expression through writing. Once she was old enough to go to coffee shops alone, Brenda recalls losing herself in the world of writing, all while documenting her ideas on paper napkins.

"There is really no creative process, I just write," - Brenda Perlin

Brenda's first book, Home Wrecker, was published with Master Koda Select Publishing. Within a short time, the book developed a strong fan base and is continuing to grow as it both entertains its readers and leaves them in a state of profound thought. In the near future, Brenda would like to have Home Wrecker expanded into a trilogy in order to tell the untold stories of her characters.


Interview



  • What inspired you to write your first book?
    I started writing Home Wrecker when I was turning thirty and preparing to be married. I really thought I would chronicle the disasters that come with planning a wedding. After the big day I put my story away until I was going through a nasty....and I mean nasty divorce.

    Do you have a specific writing style?
    I write how I talk and pretty much tell it as it is. There is nothing fancy in my writing but I think people can appreciate my ease and unguardedness.
    How did you come up with the title?
    I was really having a hard time coming up with a title and then I remembered how my mother-in-law’s best friend used to call me Home Wrecker as a joke. At the time, it really was funny because it was so far from the truth. By the time the story evolved, Home Wrecker became an appropriate title. Not everyone agrees with that after reading the story. I will let you decide.
    Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
    Home Wrecker is really a coming of age story so I think readers will identify with some of the hardship the main character Brooklyn must endure. It is real life and relatable. It deals with love, life and loss. At some point we all must deal with the heartache that comes with all three.
    How much of the book is realistic?
    Very realistic. Maybe more so than reality television. Names, places, and dates have changed. That is it.
    Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
    All are events are from my own life.
    What books have most influenced your life most?
    When I think back to my first reading experience I remember falling in love with Judy Blume. Her books resonated with me. In her writing she seemed to understand what I was going through.
    As a teenage I fell in love some of the old classics like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger,The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham, The Stranger, by Albert Camus, and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I also loved Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. In a way these books made me feel more adult-like and accepted.
    If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
    If I were to consider anyone a mentor it would be John Emil Augustine who wrote a powerful book called Love Seen From Hell. He really helped me while I was re-writing Home Wrecker. He was able to tell me when I needed to give the reader more information as well as when I was being too wordy. He is brilliant.
    What book are you reading now?
    I am reading and loving Debra Jayne East’s book Radiance : Love after Death. It is a book that you do not want to put down. I am really enjoying her unique writing style and intriguing story.
    What are your current projects?
    Home Wrecker will be a trilogy. I have two more books in the works. I am very excited for the other two because they really compliment the first. There was just so much more story to be told so book two came about and then the third is from the male perspective. It is the main characters love interest, Bo. He gets his own story. It is his coming of age story that leads up to the present. In a way that is my favorite. It is a great story and is not mine, which is a pleasure!!!
    Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
    I feel Kim Mutch Emerson and the Master Koda family who is my publishing firm have been extremely supportive. I really feel we work as a team and are always available for one another. Kim is so bright and has the biggest heart around. I think we are all just trying to follow her lead. She is a great role model.
    I have so many great Facebook friends that have really been there for me.
    Besides John Emil Augustine and Mark Barry who have been the most awesome friends, it is Natalie Walker Idrogo who has gone out of her way over and over to help Home Wrecker to be a success. I just love and appreciate her so much.
    Same goes for my friends Lisa Day, Paige Bleu, Jessica Kong, Sarah Denier, Sarah Buchynski and Zach Abrams.
    This is getting to be a lot of pressure as there are so many great people that I would love to mention like my girlfriends from the past Wendy Hallin and Stacey Jarvis Ferber.
    It really does take a village.
    Do you see writing as a career?
    I don’t know that I can support myself with my writing but I know there is nothing that I would rather do.
    If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
    It seems I am endlessly wanting to change things but it reads well and I am very proud of it.
    Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
    I used to love writing short stories when I was a kid. I wrote about princesses who were outcasts and misunderstood. Later I began writing everyday in coffee shops on paper napkins. I never thought I would do anything with my writing. I was not a great student and did not have any great aspirations to be a published writer.
    Can you share a little of your current work with us?
    “I was physically attacked by a woman who didn’t even know me. Yes, my boyfriend was her former husband, but she tried to ruin me. She was not my worst nemesis (I’ve had plenty of opposition from others), yet she caused me plenty of grief during a time when I didn’t have the energy for anymore negativity. Throughout my life, I’ve had many disappointments, survived many losses and had more than my share of sorrow. I had my expectations crushed repeatedly, yet I was still optimistic and believed there were good things to come.
    Even when I felt there should be more than this, somehow I was able to find the positive in any negative situation. I believed life could be good and we could do well. That said, I still believed people should be accountable for their actions; not that I was a saint or anything even close to that. The bottom line was, I believed in payback. Ruth, the soon to be ex-wife of my boyfriend, deserved to be punished for her actions. When she came after me with her racial slurs and wads of spit, I realized just how uncivilized a person could be.”
    Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
    Pat Conroy is my very favorite author and I am not changing my mind. I love how his words fill the page like poetry. His writing gives me chills.
    Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
    I am just getting to travel more now. I do think venturing out enhances my writing. Nothing better than new life experiences. I thought I lost the passion for travel after life got so tough for me but my spirit has been renewed.
    Who designed the covers?
    JD Robinson at rabbit Run Films. He did such an outstanding job and he put up with me!!!!
    http://runrabbitrunfilms.wix.com/runrabbitrunfilms
    What was the hardest part of writing your book?
    Since Home Wrecker was based on my life it was tough to be so open. I had to share my insecurities so my story would be honest and believable.
    Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
    I have learned to be a little bit kinder to myself and not be so judgmental.
    Do you have any advice for other writers?
    Just Do It!!!! Don’t give up and give into self-doubt. You are the only one that has your unique voice.
    Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
    Please put your preconceived notion aside and give this Home Wrecker a go.
    What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?
    The challenge was living it and then trying to remember how I felt while these things were happening. Going there was not always so easy. One does not enjoy reliving some of your worst days of your life over and over. At times it was emotional and at other times it was cathartic.
    Thank you Dianna for taking the time and interest to share my story. I really enjoyed your interview!!! I am so grateful to you.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you Dianna for the beautiful page and the great interview. You are beyond lovely!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are welcome, it is a pleasure to have you and good luck, Dianna

    ReplyDelete

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