We're back! At least for now. Coming off of hiatus, we might not do a Finding Fiction Friday every week, but when a friend asks you to do an interview for a friend of hers, how can one say no? So I'm very pleased to introduce you to a new author, Anthony Luis Burgos, whose book "Sec4rets" is starting to make some waves on Amazon. First, a brief bio ...
Anthony Luis Burgos (A. L. Burgos) grew up in the gritty area of Harlem. Always shy, he stuck to himself most of the time until he entered Junior High and his fun-loving personality came out. Anthony loved to make people laugh and help them with their problems. At the age of ten he began to write songs. He discovered that music and writing was his way of escaping some of his issues. Anthony took his writing a step further and began to write stories. One day he decided to write a story for a website and it was a hit with readers. In 2012 Anthony published his first book "Sec4rets" and it was a hit with readers earning him a number 3 spot in the teen drama section on Amazon. Now signed to Ambrosia Arts, Anthony had his book Sec4rets re-released and is hoping to make it a hit again. He is currently focusing on promoting his book and getting into typing Sec4rets 2 and a new mystery thriller.
Anthony, tell us about your journey with this book. When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?
The journey I had with this book was one full of excitement.. joy.. and fear. I loved being able to write a book that I felt was needed but at the same time was nervous because I didn't know how people would receive it. Teen dramas have vanished and I feel teens are being deprived of a genre that was my favorite when I was young. I thought about writing for publication in 2011 when I spoke to a friend from high school whom I discovered was a author and has a book published. He gave me advice and that's how that came about.
Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.
I am such a karaoke lover. I love to sing and entertain people. This will surprise some but not my close friends and family LOL.
Now let’s get to the book itself. Tell us about your book “Sec4rets”, and I’m also curious about the significance of the number “4” in the title.My book Sec4rets is the first in the teen drama series. It revolves around four best friends (which is why I put the "4" in the title) and the issues they face growing up. We all know that high school can be tough and I wanted to tackle that issue cause it's different from when I was in school. Now we have social media to attack each other. In my book they must stick together but they also tend to keep secrets from each other and they slowly start to come out, testing their friendships. So in the end it all comes down to if they will remain best friends or if the secrets are strong enough to tear them apart.
If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?
I have a character named Henry who started off in my mind as a filler for one of the other characters but then all of a sudden became this character I loved so I made him a important character. I would love people to meet him because to me he is kind-hearted, friendly, and loyal. He has his issues with cutting himself and I feel some people can relate to that because he has gone through so much in his life and cutting is his way of coping. Some of us have our own ways of coping, good or bad.
How has your own life influenced your writing? And on the converse, did you learn things through the process of writing this book?
I took some stuff from my past and threw it into my book but nothing to serious just fun little scenes. I learned that writing such a book can be emotionally taxing. I will be honest and say that some scenes as I re read them I cried because I personally became so attached to these characters, Henry the most.
What about being published and the book industry in general has most surprised you?
How some people can be so cruel and try to crush your dreams. Also the fact that I feel some people won't support you because they do the same thing and rather be "famous" then helping a fellow author. I don't do this for money or fame, I do this so that people can have something to read and relate to.
Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?
My friends, family and boyfriend. They have all supported me and pushed me to do this. I use to write for myself not for everyone but they all told me I was good to go for it. So I thank them for that support.
To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one. Here they go!
- What is your favorite word? Fuck
- What is your least favorite word? Cunt and faggot
- What turns you on? A man with confidence
- What turns you off? Liars
- What sound or noise do you love? Music
- What sound or noise do you hate? Construction lol
- What is your favorite curse word? Fuck lol
- What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Singer
- What profession would you not like to do? Doctor
- If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? You been fucking up but I forgive you
- What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you? Are you beast in the bed? Let me stop just kidding LOL.
Anthony, thanks so much for spending time with us. Can you let us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your book?
pretty nice blog, following :)
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