Distraction is progress’ greatest roadblock. With schools shut down and spouse’s work transitioning to telework, quiet time literally vanished.

Phoenix Elvis Nicholson – 1 April 2022

The Back Flap

Phoenix’s first anthology entirely composed in Alabama.

About the book

What is the book about?

A glimpse into inspirations Phoenix found in his new homestead.

When did you start writing the book?

June 2019, directly following relocation from Maryland.

How long did it take you to write it?

A bit over two years. Biggest hurdle was finding and collecting what used to be my creativity corner. Used to be a sprawling second story study. Now it’s been compressed into an overgrown coat closet. I’m not a big fan of change.

Where did you get the idea from?

Urging from friends and fans to put out some more stories branched into this edition as well as the upcoming Dreams, Nightmares & Other Jokes. At one point it felt like a dare, a challenge to do something from “The New Country,” and to some it was put as, “You’re done, right?”

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The Coronavirus Pandemic. That threw a huge monkey wrench into every aspect. Distraction is progress’ greatest roadblock. With schools shut down and spouse’s work transitioning to telework, quiet time literally vanished.

What came easily?

Ideas. There were about 75 story arcs pursued. (With a self-imposed deadline of 2021’s end, paring that down was a necessity.)

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Since many of the characters were inspired by actual humans who still roam this planet, it’s tough to decide what answer would be acceptable. Political correctness and self-preservation inspire me to say that yes, many individuals in this publication are loosely based on real people. Honestly, since truth is stranger than imagination, making up things isn’t called for very often…

Do you have a target reader for this book?

Yes. My hope is that people who can read slowly enough to appreciate what sits between the lines, hides behind the words and breathes in the unspoken, will gravitate towards what awaits.

How was writing this book different from what you’d experienced writing previous books?

It was a struggle to keep fighting what odds the outside world kept imposing, justifying my need for solitude, and explaining body’s undeniable insistence that 3 in the morning typing sessions are necessary.

End of Interview:

For more from Phoenix Elvis Nicholson visit his website and follow him on Twitter.

Get your copy of Solitary Campfire Stories from Amazon US and Amazon UK.