Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Sahreth, but a lot of people know me by my nickname ‘Baphy.’ For most of my life, I’ve struggled with both physical and mental health including bone, blood, and heart diseases as well as lung failure and liver transplant which earned me the reputation of the ‘weird sick kid’ growing up. Although I’m yet to write on my physical problems, I do often like to incorporate my experiences as a PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder patient into my work. I live in Arkansas, USA with my incredible wife of 9 years and our furry family (rats, cats, and an old dog named Odie). At present, I have four books published, am working on three more, and have many ideas for future stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recently published work is ‘Hallucinatory Tribulation Vol. 1.’ It’s a collection of short psychological horror/thriller stories inspired by mental illness, namely my own struggles with Schizoaffective Disorder (schizophrenia and major depressive disorder) and PTSD.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I’m your typical ‘grab a pot of coffee and sit at the computer for hours’ type. I’m somewhere between a plotter and a panster. Usually, I have ideas hit me randomly that I write down and when it’s time to pick up work on a new book, I look at that list and take the first one that sticks out to me. I’ll sit and think about that idea until a full story-line appears, then it’s back to the computer.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been an avid reader since I first learned right before I started school. Funnily enough, I’m the only reader and the only creativity-oriented mind in my family so not only did other people think I was weird, my family did too. My first inspirations to be an author were George Orwell and Ted Dekker, with James Patterson coming in my later teen years. I love how Orwell’s books made a point of getting his audience to analyze important things like government and social interaction. My ‘Visitor’s Blood’ series draws heavily from those things. Dekker, to me, is a passionate person who uses his dark musings to portray his positive beliefs, even if those around him can’t see past his strangeness. It was through Patterson that I modeled my writing habits, namely focusing on short chapters to keep the reader’s attention and neglecting (largely) flowery wording in favor of plain speak.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on Book 3 of my ‘Visitor’s Blood’ series, which will be the last installment (save for maybe a prequel at some point). It’s a social science fiction story that follows an Earth couple as they journey to an alien world where they take part in a rebellion aimed at equality of the two races: humans and vampires. I’m also working on a psychological thriller involving a demonesque being who shapeshifts in order to manipulate his prey. My third work-in-progress is a gritty realistic fiction that I’m not too keen on getting into the details of as of yet.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Although I’ve been writing since I was ten and worked on my first book for ten years, I’m a new author myself. The only advice I can give to any writer is to keep working. Never stop trying to improve and take all criticism with an open mind.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Dream big and dream hard, but work harder. Work and dedication is the difference between casual day dreamers and those who make their dreams a reality.
What are you reading now?
Due to mental health issues, I had difficulty reading for several years. Now, much therapy to where I’m stable, I’ve opted to focus solely on reading indie work. My to be read/reviewed list as well as past reviews can be found on my website.
What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me is the same as it always is: keep looking to improve and getting my work seen. In 2020, I plan on attending several events and continuing to write my stories, looking for any criticism and opportunities to do more and do better.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“Saint” by Ted Dekker, for remembrance of my beginnings; “Animal Farm” by George Orwell, to remind me that the company of a crowd isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be; and “The Collective Works of Edgar Allan Poe,” because I can read them a million times and still be in love.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sahreth ‘Baphy’ Bowden Website
Sahreth ‘Baphy’ Bowden Amazon Profile
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