The Rennington Chronicles look like an exciting story. Can you tell us a little about Amyra?
Amyra-Rose Moore is the story’s protagonist and a very strong female lead. She’s a tall, beautiful law student and the only daughter of her (west coast) town’s mayor. Amidst a rising legal future, she, unfortunately, got caught up in a treacherous scandal that resulted in the murder of her biracial (African-American + Spanish) girlfriend. Although she was found innocent for the cause of death, she was still convicted as an accessory. Yet instead of going to prison, fate placed her in the most unlikely predicament. She was forced to serve her time as a hard-laborer for a bleak boarding academy, located in a dreary New England middle-of-nowhere backwater (town) called, “Rennington”. Yet unbeknownst to her, this was all planned.
How long did it take you to write The Rennington Chronicles?
RC took approximately 3 ½ years to create. The reasoning: When I started working for (US) municipal government, there were a lot of political events that surfaced, that inspired and contoured my work.
What inspired you when writing The Rennington Chronicles?
Initially, I was inspired to write these chronicles after my spouse and I separated because I needed a healthier way to release my heartache and frustration(s). However, when writing the RC, I realized that many people (self-included) look to relationships/love to resolve their deeper issues not knowing that that assumed remedy could be the affliction. I hate love stories… they give false hope to a weak and fragile community logging to self-medicate their way through life because we can’t cope; none of us really. So my writing has evolved to help explain the aphotic cesspit of love, in hopes to inspire people to find other healthy venues to procure the peace and happiness they desire. Venues that aren’t tied to another human being, but one’s inner-self.
What will readers get out of your book?
My goal is for readers to learn, laugh, and live with the RC. Specifically:.
· LEARN: I want readers to see how petty games of discrimination and cruelty only reciprocate one’s receipt of more malice and bad karma in their lives. It’s not my place to judge or change someone… just inspire through examples.
· LAUGH: There are many comical moments in this Gothically thrilling tale; yet apart from being entertaining, the goal is for the reader to learn to laugh at life no matter what they're going thru or the stickiness of their situation; namely RELEASE. I wanted to add humor in the story to provide levity (to counter the tale’s darkness), but the overall goal is to remind people to find laughter in life, always.
· LIVE: In the story, Amyra’s grim predicament would drive anyone insane, possibly down a darker path than the situation renders. Yet, amid her dismal state of affairs, she rises above it by learning to accept her fate and take responsibility for her actions, thus, making the best of it. There is a lesson for us in this… We all go through sh*t; sometimes it can inflict a sort of social-PTSD that none of us can handle on our own. To such, we have to find ways to cure it, and (like Amyra), rise above it, practically. For example: In this story, our protagonist doesn’t judge her illegal (non-US) co-workers; but instead helps them, thus putting her grave situation aside for others. In turn, she later becomes their champion, and everyone is all the better for it. Quite lovely!
When did you decide to become a writer?
I love the art of writing since childhood. My first real work was a play I wrote for my parent’s church nearly 20 years ago; a readaptation of the biblical story “Ruth” but via a feminist and empowerment lens. I’ve always picked up a pen or created a storyboard (via post-it notes) with a compilation of my ideas to later type away because I love immersing myself in stories. I find writing immensely therapeutic and relish in the notion that I can share my passion and creativity with others.
How did you come up with the story in The Rennington Chronicles?
I arrived at THE RENNINGTON CHRONICLES one day when realizing that my main character (Amyra) is on a journey. A long, hard journey that can’t be depicted in one story. I wanted a (fictitious) city that’s foreign to the US but in itself was symbolic to the characters in the fictitious town and their unique stories. According to the (WordSense Dictionary, n.d.), Rennington is a village and civil parish north of Alnwick, Northumberland, England. Although there is no relationship between that area and this story, the name felt right. Also, in Europe, the word ‘renning’ means running, which is so appropriate for this story’s characters, as everyone seems to be running away from something. You’ll have to read it to understand the parallel meaning but trust; it’s apropos.
Did anything stick out as particularly challenging when writing The Rennington Chronicles?
Yes, there were many challenges. One was speaking about transgender situations without the curse of sounding judgmental or ignorant. Although I found a means of doing so that (to me) feels supportive and loving, it was a challenge because I know what it’s like for someone to make generalizations about a subject matter they personally know NOTHING about. Secondly, I had mental shutdowns when speaking about other races. Like the LGBT situation, I wanted desperately to come off authentic, so I did as much browsing, interviewing, and researching that I could before employing my vision onto paper.
What do you like to do when not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m mothering my three young children. I also like to solve technical project issues or research new solutions (as I am a Project Manager by day). As a practicing socialist, I love to sit down and either talk with a friend or associate about life and of course, make people laugh. I’m an excellent chef of all Caribbean cuisines and love to showcase my talents when planning and executing amazing parties, especially with a Mardis Gras theme… just ask my coworkers. Above all, I love to bless and pray for others; it’s just how I was raised.
Where can readers find out more about your work? Readers can find out more about my work via the following outlets:
· My Author’s website: https://pffelix.com/
· Link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647194369/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+night+professor&qid=1621861647&sr=8-2
· Link to Barnes&Nobles: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rennington-chronicles-pf-felix/1139558611?ean=9781647194369
· Link to GoodREADs: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58135099-the-rennington-chronicles?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=RiSO6BWgSB&rank=3