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Today we are interviewing Sarantos, author of the novel Not Where I Wanna Be.
Sarantos is a solo music artist who started a unique journey in 2014 releasing a song, music video & book chapter every month. He plans on doing this every month until the day he dies. Although he is a singer-songwriter, his true passion is lyrics so Sarantos decided to do something no other musician has ever done before! He wrote this 1st fiction/fantasy book mirroring each chapter after the specific song released that month.
Sarantos has been writing lyrics since he was in the 4th grade and was always mesmerized by words. So Sarantos decided to do something no other musician has ever done before! He wrote his 1st fiction/fantasy book in 2014 but decided to raise the bar. The book is titled Not Where I Wanna Be which is the exact same title as his 1st CD. Additionally, Sarantos thought it'd be fun to mirror each chapter after the specific song released that month. This is the story of his fantastic journey.
Who do you think would most appreciate your new book, Not Where I Wanna Be?
I think the book would apply to a wide ranged demographic but probably more specifically 16 to 45-year-olds. Anyone who loves fiction and specifically stories about vampires will probably find it especially appealing.
What was your favorite part about sharing your ideas in a book?
My favorite part was being able to do more writing than I usually do in a song with my lyrics. I was able to express more intrigue and develop the character and scenes much more than I normally am able to.
What inspired you to embark on this journey where you release a song, music video, and book chapter every month?
My initial inspiration for finally doing something that I've wanted to do my entire life was the passing away of my father. This is what led me on this journey to finally start doing something that I'm so passionate about.
Tell us a bit about the development of your interest in writing lyrics.
All I can say is that words have always been very important to me, even as a child. I was always trying to write stories and songs for as long as I can remember. I think words are very powerful - much more so than anything else in the world.
You’re a very creative person, having experience in literature, music, and music videos. Can you tell us about the similarities and differences in the creative processes for each of these forms of expression?
The creative process I like to think is always basically the same. It all starts with an idea and what emotion you are ultimately trying to trigger. What story are you trying to tell in your song, music video or book? What is the theme? Are there double meanings? Obviously, each of these mediums is a very different as you can do a lot more in a book with words, in a song by including music and in a music video by including all 3 elements. The interaction of video, music and words is incredible and I wish I was not so limited in my budget to truly be able to bring to life what is in my head.
What kind of music do you like to listen to when you’re not creating it?
I listen to all sorts of music but probably my favorite genre is 80s music and then specifically rock and pop.
Can you tell us a bit about any projects you’re currently working on?
I’ve been offered an opportunity to tour around the world for 6 months but I had to pass that down because of my day job. I’m hopeful that I continue to grow and can make this creative process my full time job so I can continue to grow as an artist and continue this journey in a much bigger way all over the world.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It's the first book in a trilogy and I hope they enjoy reading the chapter each month and find it worthwhile to add on their to do list. I promise to always try to keep them on edge and interested…
More Information
Author's website: http://www.melogia.com
Sarantos Facebook artist page: https://www.facebook.com/Sarantosmelogia
Sarantos Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sarantosmelogia
Sarantos Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/+SarantosMelogia
Sarantos Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SarantosMelogia
Sarantos Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sarantosmelogia
Sarantos Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/sarantos-melogia
Tell
us a bit about yourself.
I am a 37 year old husband and a father of a
beautiful little girl. I am a SciFi/Fantasy and Current Events writer. I
am also a psychic and ordained minister. My eclectic background and
years of research on various subjects has given me an endless supply of
inspiration to write about many different subjects. Whether it be
through my songwriting, poetry, blog posts, or my books.
Describe
your book in a few sentences.
Blood of the Wolf strives to take a fresh
look some common creatures and spiritual beliefs while taking the
reader in a different yet believable direction. The story follows the
lead character Michael through an adventure of self discovery as it
takes him down a path that will require him to make some very tough
decisions in order to protect the ones he loves. Michael as well as the
reader will come to find that everything they thought they knew about
werewolves, vampires, angels and demons was only a sugar coat reality to
save the child in all of us from the nightmares we would endure if we
knew the truth.
Who would most appreciate your book?
I think
anyone that has a love for the supernatural as well as anyone that loves
very descriptive and graphic storytelling would get a kick out of this
book. I have tested the book with various age groups and have found that
there is no real age range when it comes to the appeal. Every bit of
feedback I have gotten from people ranging in age from 18 to 60 has been
great. Everyone loves it and wants more.
What inspired you to
write your book?
This book as with all my writing was inspired by my
dreams and my own philosophical views on life. This book in particular
however stems from my own love for the supernatural along with my
personal knowledge and experience with it. I have found over the years
that a lot of what people read about supernatural beings and experiences
couldn't be further from the truth and is most times embellished or
polished to make it more appetizing. I like the dirty truth, the blunt
facts; I don't like to pull punches just to save someones feelings. I
like stirring up those emotional feelings in the pit of peoples stomachs
because that is the core of a story you hate to put down.
Although
your book is a scifi/fantasy book, it contains serious commentary on
humanity. Is this something you set out to do? Or did it just evolve
naturally?
This story started out like all the others; it was just a
cool idea. As it evolved however and I added the parts of me that make
my stories so real and emotion stirring, it took on a life of it's own
and started writing itself. It was like letting my subconscious spill
forth on to the page.
Who was your favorite character to write?
My favorite character always has been Michael/Bloodfang because he is so
like me. For all intents and purposes, minus the jaw dropping power he
possesses, he is me. Right down to the name “Bloodfang” which is a name
that was given to me by a Native American shaman. It meas “Destroyer of
Evil”.
How do you think reading your book will impact people?
If
the feedback I have gotten is any indicator I think people won't be able
to put it down and will be left begging for more once they finish the
book. Luckily it is the first in the series and I have 8 more books
planned. If it can just make people think, smile, cry, laugh, or gasp in
shock then I've done my job.
What is your favorite genre to
read?
I actually enjoy reading books on Philosophy, Theology, Mythology,
religious practices and beliefs of different cultures, and History
because if we don't know our history then we are doomed to repeat it.
Can
you tell us a bit about your writing process, from initial idea to line
editing?
All my stories usually start with a dream or a flash I get in
meditation. From there I write a rough outline so I know where the book
is going from beginning to end. Once I have the outline I kind of let my
subconscious take over. I go into somewhat of a zone and it almost
becomes free writing; like I have a muse working through me. After the
book is written I usually edit it about five or six times before I am
happy enough with it that I am willing to release it to the public for
their enjoyment.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
I'm actually taking a short break from the Blood of the Wolf series
while I wait for the buzz to pick up around it. I am writing a Horror
novel at the moment based in the old west surrounding two brothers that
are direct descendents of Salem Witches. Once I finish this book though I
will be moving on to the rest of the Blood of the Wolf series. As well
as various other projects I have started ad put on the back burner until
the time is right.
Anything else you’d like potential readers
to know?
If anyone would like to find out more about my current events
writing or random rants they can find me at my blog
www.dirtysancheznolube.com so named for my views governments treatment
of the people. They treat us like dirty whores and don't really pay us
what we're worth.
An excerpt from Blood of the Wolf:
Michael
spent a lot of time daydreaming all morning. His classes bored him for
the most part. All the knowledge that had been imprinted into his mind
during the change had given him a better understanding of the subjects
he was studying than even the teachers themselves. His knowledge of the
history of this planet, along with science, mathematics and many other
subjects was greater than that of some of the most gifted scholars on
the planet.
His lack of interest in class had begun to annoy his
Algebra teacher Mr. McKinley so he grabbed an eraser and threw it at the
wall right above Michael’s head. Something he did quite often to get
the attention of students who began to snooze in his class. Today his
aim was off and the eraser raced towards Michael’s face. With Michael’s
heightened awareness and lightning fast reflexes he grabbed the eraser
inches before it hit him without even thinking. Mr. McKinley stood
dumbfounded as Michael slowly lowered the eraser down to his desk with a
look of irritation behind a cloud of chalk dust.
Can I help you with something?
The
rest of the class looked on in anticipation, some snickering while
others wondered if Michael was going to beat the teacher’s ass.
Michael I’m sorry, I never meant for the eraser to hit you in the head. I was just trying to get your attention.
Michael looked at him with a great deal of annoyance.
Try calling my name.
Alan leaned in from the desk next to him.
Dude, he called your name three times.
A little embarrassed and feeling kind of foolish Michael looked back at Mr. McKinley with a smile.
Oh, well in that case, what can I do for you?
Mr. McKinley looked at Michael for a second in complete confusion before continuing.
Well
we were discussing the quadratic equation and since you seemed to be so
into the subject, I figured maybe you could work out a problem on the
board for us.
Michael smiled, because he knew that with his newly
acquired intelligence there was virtually no problem Mr. McKinley could
throw at him that he couldn’t figure out. So without even giving it a
second thought, Michael approached the board and worked out the problem
within seconds. Then he turned to Mr. McKinley with a cocky sense of
accomplishment.
The least you could have done is make it difficult.
Mr. McKinley was not pleased with how smug Michael seemed to be acting.
Oh,
I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware we were in the presence of a modern day
Einstein. Here, maybe this one will be more to your liking.
He wrote
out a long equation that took up most of the board. When he finished he
smiled with a bit of satisfaction that he had made his point as he
handed the chalk to Michael.
Have at it.
Michael shrugged as he
took the chalk and approached the board. He stared at it calculating for
a few moments and then wrote out the answer, much to the shock and
disbelief of Mr. .McKinley. Michael turned to hand the chalk back to him
as he stared at the board in disbelief.
More Information
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