Described by John Lloyd of The Bookbag as “Catcher in the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Dyed Souls is a gritty coming-of-age literary novel, set in a residential treatment center in 1980’s California.
Charlie Lyle loves science, natural history, and the world of the mind, and it is his refuge and salvation as he copes with his drug-addicted mother and a world of circumstances well-beyond his grasp. More a work of philosophy than psychology, “For the teen it has a galling coming-of-age, redemption quest. For the adult it has that, as well as a literary look at a singular fictional life.”
Q&A
I hope you enjoy this interview.
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1.When and where do you prefer to write?
In my home office, either early morning or early evening – sometimes into the wee hours. That’s when things get weird.
2.Do you have a certain ritual?
No
3.Is there a drink of some food that keeps you company while you write?
Tea or coffee
4.What is your favourite book?
Moon Palace by Paul Auster. Only book that has actually made me cry
5.Do you consider writing a different genre in the future?
Yes, something with much more humour
6.Do you sometimes base your characters on people you know?
They are more like an amalgam
7.Do you take a notebook everywhere in order to write down ideas that pop up?
I used to. Now the iPhone notes takes it’s place (that is, when I remember to look at them)
8.Which genre do you not like at all?
Supernatural/occult, vampire, religious or new age religion – that sort of thing. Have zero patience for it.
9.If you had the chance to co-write a book. Whom would it be with?
Dead or alive? Charles Darwin. The depth of his understanding, and the sensitivity behind his writing, would be an honour to behold and work along side of. Though I’d probably be too awestruck to be of any use.
10.If you should travel to a foreign country to do research, which one would you chose and why?
My significant other is originally from China, so I’m definitely hooked after visiting her family. There is something about Chinese Culture that is so deep, and at the same time, inaccessible. It’s captivating.
Thank you, Gary Santorella and Rachel’s Random Resources.
About the author
Gary Santorella, Owner, Interactive Consulting is a Lean implementation, organizational development, conflict resolution, and team-building specialist. He has a BA in Behavioural Psychology from Providence College, Providence, RI (1980), a Master’s Degree in Occupational Social Welfare from UC Berkeley (1990), and is a licensed cognitive-behavioural therapist in the State of California. His book: Lean Culture for the Construction Industry: Building Responsible & Committed Project Teams 2nd Edition was published by Productivity Press (a division of Taylor & Francis) in 2017. His first novel, Dyed Souls, was published by Matador Publishing in 2018.
Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/Dyed-Souls-577806782579433/?modal=admin_todo_tour
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38451700-dyed-souls
Dyed Souls has won two awards:
Silver in the 2018 Global eBook Awards – Young Adult Fiction Category
Chill With a Book Readers Award.
B for Bookreview 