It’s Monday, so it’s time to talk books with another author!
Today we have dramatist and LGBTQ ally River Nightmoon dropping in to talk about their latest book, Gio’s Big Move!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I am a lover of books. Growing up in the South Eastern part of the United States, I seldom came across a book where I felt that I was visible. Growing up gay in a straight world made it difficult for me to see myself in books that were readily available to me.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
The ideas for my books usually comes to me when I am sleeping, I tend to have a character come to me with an idea, sometimes, we meet often and hash out what their story will look like or they come with an idea that I know will not become reality and it becomes a short story. Eventually these short stories will be complied into a book. For example. I have an idea that I am working on where I had a character named Elijah came to me and was telling me about some of their friends who identify in various areas in the LGBT community. Their stories are specifically how the lock down from the Corona Virus affected their lives as youth who were still in the closet and couldn’t live life authentically at home. So far, I have met six youth who want to share their stories to help real life youth who are in the closet for their safety!
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I work in education as a day to day job. For me, my writing is typically worked on during the weekends or on breaks/holidays. Both parts of my career is important to me. I write for youth to have a voice and work so they have a voice, so it goes hand in hand.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
My first book, Change of Times was published in December of 2019. However, it was a work in progress for years prior. This book is one that I hold near and dear to my heart. A lot of life experiences went into this book. While I was writing Change of Times, I also was writing my book The Story of Us, that book holds history of when same sex marriage was voted on and became law in the United States!
What does your family think of your writing?
Family is an interesting concept to me. I have a chosen family. My chosen family is more supportive to me in all aspects of my life than those who I share blood with.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Growing up, I always wanted to be an actor or ice skater. In my real life, I am neither, and I am fine with that! I am an advocate for youth, especially LGBT youth! I am an educator and I am an author who celebrates LGBT youth in their writing with the goal of every book encompassing the following hashtags: #LoveLoud #LoveFierce #LoveAlways #BeLove
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Skittles or gummy candy, gum, Soda
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I do write under a pseudonym. River Nightmoon is my pen name. I came up with this name with the help of one of my previous students. When she was asked what my last name was, without hesitation, she proclaimed that my last name was indeed Nightmoon. For me, I love the name River, I feel like it is a versatile name and could be a great non-binary name! This is how River Nightmoon was born!
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I am an author who writes for me. If I can find some fans along this journey, I would definitely love to get to a point where I can cater to what my readers like, but I do know, my genre and writing style is not for everyone, and that is ok!
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I have a mix of stand-alone books and books that are connected in a series but can be read as stand-alone books.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
I love and appreciate all of the novels written by the fabulous Robin Reardon. She is an author of LGBT Young Adult books and she is someone who has really steered me in my writing journey!
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have two completed unpublished books in my wheel house. I have several half-finished books as well. I am always growing and working as an author. I have many ideas that are in my head, waiting for the right time to come out!
One of my completed books is titled Love Loud. This book is one of four in a series where each book highlights one of my focuses in my writing, the other three books in that series are Love Fierce, Love Always and Be Love.
Fellow readers and authors can contact me via email, Social Media or on my website:
