Neale won BlackRefer.com's Best Erotica Novel award for her first published novel, "Hobble," published through her own company, PIE: Perception Is Everything, and successfully ranked as a finalist for New Century Screenplay's national contest for her script, "FRAMES." Neale has many enjoyable titles available for ebook and print.
This author's purpose? Great fiction with great characters, edgy and human characters, whether male or female POV, that gets in deep under your skin and is a benefit in your life, perhaps even a great anchor or a great elevator of spirit, fiction (and nonfiction) you'll read again and again, and share with your friends, family, and special beloved one(s). www.Neale-Sourna.com / www.PIE-Percept.com
Interview with Neale Sourna
Do your friends and family approve or disprove of the content of your books?
They approve and think it scandalous fun; but, I'm not certain they actually read them. I sent everyone a copy of my first to publish, "Hobble," and have gotten praise for completing it and continuing; and my schoolmate Amy said she'd put it somewhere the kids wouldn't get into it.
Name a book that you'd blush to be seen reading on the bus.
I don't remember the titles; but, when I had out erotic books from the Cleveland Public Library (www.CPL.org) for reference reading, mostly contemporary gay / lesbian or classic erotica stuff; the covers had naked women on them, that's a bit racy for the city bus. Of course, now my own North Coast Academies series has a man's naked chest and a woman's lace clad tushy and condom; so, I hold it downward—as I do most books anyway, as the natural reading position—on public transport.
What is a favorite novel of yours that nobody else seems to have heard of?
Ursula K. Le Guin's "Lathe of Heaven," as a novel; not just two obscure sci-fi films. Another people seem to forget is a book novel, not just movies. In fact, I once found, that I own—meaning I bought it TWICE, and enjoyed buying it, again, totalling forgetting I already had a copy—Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." I adore its wild, deep passions, which is why it was heavily censured; men and certainly educated, well-bred ladies don't write that. They do and / or they read it, too. Repeatedly. I still have both copies.
What book were you forced to read at school that no child should have to study?
Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath"; can't finish the book, can't finish the film. It's the only book report I ever fudged in school. Sorry. Maybe because it's too well-written and I find all the dreariness daunting. When Mr. M. Smith asked me if I'd actually read the book; I told this favored 11th grade American English teacher, "Yes and no. I read the top, hated it. Skipped to the end, and hated that, too." But, worse, I just didn't care about the people in that story; but, I respect and like Steinbeck's other works.
I never finished "Lord Jim" either, although I'd bought it to do so. I couldn't get through the first non-ending, mind-numbing pages of descriptions of foliage or whatever; did get through the Peter O'Toole film, once. I've been reading adult level books since elementary but, sometimes, stuff is just not for every mind and heart.
Did you ever read a book and then wish you had all that time back?
No. If it's that bad, I don't finish it. I try, though, and I give it more time and pages to win me over, and a limit; like with the formerly U.S.-banned erotica "Tropic of Cancer" (1934) by Henry Miller—another reference I got from CPL, for good written erotica. My limit was, if he mentioned "bedbugs" ONE MORE time, I'd quit. I think I read fewer than ten more pages before he did it again.
I never have these problems with D. H. Lawrence, who is more emotion and love-based to me, and less a one trying to show off how manly he is, yet, uses the "naughty" words, as real people do, and telling stories well.
What is the best contemporary novel you've read in the last year?
I can't say one in particular, but for the past year—since I enjoy well-crafted and character most, then action and emotion based on how each character handles it—enjoyed the entire series for, each: Harry Potter, Sookie Stackhouse, Lily Bard's "Shakespeare" series, and latest continuations for "The House of Night's" Zooey Redbird minus the novellas (haven't gotten to those, yet).
Waiting to get my hands on the new Diana Gabaldon for anything in the "Outlander" series. Always.
What is the best writing advice you've ever been given?
"Write what you know." But, I interpret it as writing what I love to read, study, and obsess about, or am annoyed with, because that gives the writing energy. I know lots of stuff and it floats up, pulled by each different character, whether Old West, or Victorian England, or just male/female POV things from real people, and old books and stories, or a new and inventive character-driven television show on DVD.
Did you ever regret wanting to be a writer?
No. Never. But, I do find it sometimes daunting, crazy, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring. Godlike. Making entire worlds and allowing my character children do their individual thing, no matter how much they sometimes freak me out.
Do you like to know how a story ends before starting it?
Of someone else's book, no. Of one of my own, I usually have an idea, an inkling of what the end is, sometimes I haven't a clue, until I fully get there; especially, if I thought I knew but the character pulls a u-turn or loop the loop spiral; and, suddenly, the end I perceived has a slightly different flavor or sense to it. That's really cool.
I had that happen with "Hobble." The lead, Benn, had a significantly different personal background, just a slight step to the side, from the one I'd penned for him up to the point the cops reveal what he'd hidden (even from me, his author!!!) most of the entire book. A way cool surprise.
Do you ever write while intoxicated?
I don't drink intoxicants, or take them any other way, they're annoying, expensive, and ruin the mediumistic connection I have with me, myself, and I. So, I'd assume intoxicants would interfere with my characters communicating with me. Except, maybe, caffeine mixed with sugary drinks. Yum.
And, yes, they do communicate. I hear their voices in my head, feel their emotions, and sometimes, like with anahk Tor of my "All Along the Watchtower," he communicates so clearly to me, sometimes, I've actually told him to shut up, so I could sleep, and to hold his thoughts until the next day writing, or dictation, in his case. Making good use of all those years in administrative offices downtown.
And, once or twice, when I've been deeply upset with heavy life issues, Tor has come to me, in my dreams, and comforted me. Really.
That is deep and, probably, a bit psychotic to some; but, I'd never planned on being an author, really. I'd thought I'd write a book or two, nonfiction about something amusing or interesting; but, mostly, I'd be a screenwriter for TV and film or a music composer; instead, a child of a minister truck driver and a foodworker from working class middle America's north Midwest is....
It's too amazing, sometimes. So, I've been dragging my heels, a bit, because it is so damn amazing, and important (no matter what people whine about the less importantness of entertainment, and how much it costs); good stories, let alone great ones, and characters you remember like friends and family are priceless. And a thing I'm used to generating in my private mind and feelings, since I was little, not penning and handing to others to read!
I'm working on that, folks, and own my still GROWING cue of interesting novels, about: a Victorian Native American, Tor and his powerful sorceress princess, expanding post Charles II of England's runaway bride "Becca's" story of loving a pirate and a soldier from the online short chapters, and more stories in Sparta and Rome, in deep space, and a stint or two in the military Special Forces....
Thanks,
Neale Sourna
