We're bringing something a bit different to Writing in the Modern Age today. Awhile back, I had an idea for a new feature so I reached out to some author colleagues to see if they'd like to participate. I thought it might be nice to show readers a few books that have inspired authors. You might find it enlightening, and at least be able to answer the age old question, "What the heck do authors read?"
Writers are readers too! Most authors love to collect books for their vast personal libraries. The written word is fascinating to us, and many newer authors as well as those in the past have helped to shape who we are today.
Without further ado, our guest today is Bernard Foong, a LGBT/erotica author and aficionado of memoir. Won't it be interesting to hear about a few books that have inspired Bernard on his writing and publishing journey?
Sounds pretty great to me. So, take it away, Bernard! :)
1. Anne Rice writing under A.N. Roquelaure: The Erotic Trilogy of Sleepy Beauty series
Blurb:
In 1983, Anne Rice, writing as A.N. Roquelaure, began the first installment of a series that is now considered a forerunner of erotic literature. This boxed set, containing the books The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, Beauty’s Punishment, and Beauty’s Release is a testament to Anne Rice’s irresistible talent. Now in a repackaged edition, Rice’s charged eroticism and magical style is back, connecting old and new readers alike.
Bernard's Thoughts:
I love the first three books in the series. They were excellent, but not the
latest edition – Book IV – Beauty’s Kingdom. The trilogy was the precursor
to modern day erotica. Most importantly, these three novels were well written.
Her style of story-telling assisted me in my own provocative writing of A Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young (5
to 7 books) series.
I love the first three books in the series. They were excellent, but not the
latest edition – Book IV – Beauty’s Kingdom. The trilogy was the precursor
to modern day erotica. Most importantly, these three novels were well written.
Her style of story-telling assisted me in my own provocative writing of A Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young (5
to 7 books) series.
2. Dan Brown early novels, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons
Blurbs:
The Da Vinci Code:
#1 Worldwide Bestseller—More Than 81 Million Copies Sold
As millions of readers around the globe have already discovered, The Da Vinci Code is
a reading experience unlike any other. Simultaneously lightning-paced,
intelligent, and intricately layered with remarkable research and
detail, Dan Brown's novel is a thrilling masterpiece—from its opening
pages to its stunning conclusion.
Angels & Demons:
An ancient secret brotherhood.
A devastating new weapon of destruction.
When world-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a
Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol -- seared into
the chest of a murdered physicist -- he discovers evidence of the
unimaginable: the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as
the Illuminati...the most powerful underground organization ever to walk
the earth. The Illuminati has now surfaced to carry out the final phase
of its legendary vendetta against its most hated enemy -- the Catholic
Church.
Langdon's worst fears are confirmed on the eve of the
Vatican's holy conclave, when a messenger of the Illuminati announces
they have hidden an unstoppable time bomb at the very heart of Vatican
City. With the countdown under way, Langdon jets to Rome to join forces
with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and mysterious Italian scientist, to
assist the Vatican in a desperate bid for survival.
Embarking on a
frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted
cathedrals, and even the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and
Vetra follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that snakes across
Rome toward the long-forgotten Illuminati lair...a clandestine location
that contains the only hope for Vatican salvation.
An explosive international thriller, Angels & Demons careens from enlightening epiphanies to dark truths as the battle between science and religion turns to war.
Bernard's Thoughts:
His short and easy to follow chapters gave me inspiration to write A Harem Boy’s Saga chapters as
stand-alone vignettes to each volume of my books.
By keeping the chapters short and concise, it gave the reader a final
sense of accomplishment before moving onto the next episode/chapter.
3. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng
Blurb:
The recipient of extraordinary acclaim
from critics and the bookselling community, Tan Twan Eng's debut novel
casts a powerful spell and has garnered comparisons to celebrated
wartime storytellers Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene. Set during the
tumult of World War II, on the lush Malayan island of Penang, The Gift of Rain tells a riveting and poignant tale about a young man caught in the tangle of wartime loyalties and deceits.
In 1939, sixteen-year-old Philip Hutton-the half-Chinese, half-English youngest child of the head of one of Penang's great trading families-feels alienated from both the Chinese and British communities. He at last discovers a sense of belonging in his unexpected friendship with Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat. Philip proudly shows his new friend around his adored island, and in return Endo teaches him about Japanese language and culture and trains him in the art and discipline of aikido. But such knowledge comes at a terrible price. When the Japanese savagely invade Malaya, Philip realizes that his mentor and sensei-to whom he owes absolute loyalty-is a Japanese spy. Young Philip has been an unwitting traitor, and must now work in secret to save as many lives as possible, even as his own family is brought to its knees.
In 1939, sixteen-year-old Philip Hutton-the half-Chinese, half-English youngest child of the head of one of Penang's great trading families-feels alienated from both the Chinese and British communities. He at last discovers a sense of belonging in his unexpected friendship with Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat. Philip proudly shows his new friend around his adored island, and in return Endo teaches him about Japanese language and culture and trains him in the art and discipline of aikido. But such knowledge comes at a terrible price. When the Japanese savagely invade Malaya, Philip realizes that his mentor and sensei-to whom he owes absolute loyalty-is a Japanese spy. Young Philip has been an unwitting traitor, and must now work in secret to save as many lives as possible, even as his own family is brought to its knees.
Bernard's Thoughts:
A Malaysian novelist that recently achieved acclaim for his work.
The technique and method of his descriptive writing assisted my writing
in regards to sentence formatting and phasing. I especially like his no
nonsense story-telling, direct from the heart rather than following a specific
writing formula (standard formulas that are often taught as writing seminars
and workshops).
Thank you, Bernard!
And here is a little about Bernard's book, The Truth Will Set You Free.
Book Blurb:
The Truth Will Set You Free is a section from Debauchery - the triquel to A
Harem Boy’s Saga, a provocative story about a young man who was
initiated into a clandestine sexual society through his UK boarding
school. From there, he was spirited to the Middle East to attend the
Bahriji (Oasis) School in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for
Harem services for the wealthy elite.
It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother,’ and his ‘Valet,’ who served as his chaperones and mentors.
This book follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and
experiences at their third Arabian Household Harem, the Quwah. There,
they became confidants to a prince, assistants in an international dance
club venture, “Carousel,” and apprentices and models in a controversial
photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places.”
This story is an account of the author’s experiences. Through these
truths, often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such
behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnation and
negativity related to sexuality, love, and personal freedom.
A Harem Boy’s Saga is a series of seven volumes.
It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother,’ and his ‘Valet,’ who served as his chaperones and mentors.
This book follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at their third Arabian Household Harem, the Quwah. There, they became confidants to a prince, assistants in an international dance club venture, “Carousel,” and apprentices and models in a controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places.”
This story is an account of the author’s experiences. Through these truths, often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnation and negativity related to sexuality, love, and personal freedom.
A Harem Boy’s Saga is a series of seven volumes.
Genre: LGBT Memoir
What People Are Saying About The Truth Will Set You Free:
“LGBT - at it's
best. Love the title and Young does it again. This seductive memoir will get
your heart racing.” – Wanita Jump, Amazon
“Kudos to the
author! This is a fascinating story and certainly an eye opener. I recommend it
highly.” – Dianne Harman, Amazon
“Entertaining and
provocative memoir.” – Lilly, Amazon
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: getBook.at/TTWSYF
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/the-truth-will-set-you-free/
Fascinating! Thank you for stopping by to give us a glimpse of your bookshelf, Bernard! :)
About the Author:
“Young,
alias Bernard Foong, is, first and foremost, a sensitivist. He finds nuance in
everything. To experience the world he inhabits is an adventure which is
mystical, childlike and refreshing. He has a rare ability to create beauty in a
unique fashion. His palettes have been material, paint, words and human
experiences.”
By Christine Maynard (screenwriter and novelist).
Bernard Foong (designer) – A
brief history
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At
the age of 8, he was assisting his aunt and cousin, learning the art of sewing
and fabrics/colors matching. He attended an exclusive private boarding school
in the United Kingdom before obtaining his Diploma in Fashion Design at the
Harrow College of Art & Technology in London, England. He went on to complete his Master of Design
at the Royal College of Art & Design, London, England. During his college
years he won several international fashion awards and was already retailing
bridal and evening dresses to several well known department stores in England.
Liberty of London, Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols to name a few that
carried his designs. His Royal College of Art graduation wedding/evening wear
collection was sold to Liberty of London and displayed in their store windows
for the entire month of June that year.
For four years, he worked for
Liberty’s bridal department as their in-house designer until a trip to Hong
Kong, while working on a freelance project for ‘Bird’s’(casual wear) company,
he was recruited by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as their Fashion
professor for the next 6 years. During his stay in Hong Kong, he freelanced for
numerous fashion companies. From designing casual wear, swimwear, lingerie, and
fur garments, men’s wear, bridal and evening fashions to accessories (bags,
shoes, and head-wear). He also participated and organized numerous fashion
shows, events, functions, and presentations in the Asia Pacific region.
Working for Keys Far East Hong Kong
as chief lingerie designer - travelling extensively to the United States, he
was soon recruited as an Associate
Fashion Design/Illustration Professor to the University of Wisconsin, Madison
and also lectured at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design for a couple
of years.
Foong was then appointed as the
Fashion Development Manager by an established department store – Parkson Grand
(22 stores in Malaysia and one in Shanghai, China). Producing under the label,
Natural Life by Bernard Foong, he designed casual-wear collections for the
Parkson Grand’s flagship store in Kuala Lumpur. After a couple of years later,
he was invited by the Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore to join their design
school to establish a Fashion Design department. For two years, he assisted
several founding members of the design school - working on the fashion
department’s teaching curriculum.
The Fitzgerald Theatre Department,
University of Hawaii, Manoa, Oahu, Hawaii awarded a full scholarship for Foong
to complete his second Master of Art in Theatre Costuming. Now a resident on
the Island of Maui, he has assisted many charity organizations in their fund
raising events with his extravagant fashion and performance
shows/presentations. In 2005, he and his partner, Mr. Walter Jay Bissett opened
Fire Dragon Bistro Orient & Design Shop. He also designs costumes/fashions
for numerous theatrical productions in Hawaii and abroad.
Appointed as chief lingerie designer for Cerie
International Limited – Hong Kong, his lingerie designs can be found in major
department stores in Canada and the United Kingdom.
He showcased the BERNARD FOONG R-T-W collections and BERNARD FOONG @ Modern Classic Ltd. (an established – Hong Kong bridal &
evening wear company) collections in Hong Kong. His 2008 & 2009
bridal/evening/bridal lingerie fashion show, “Grace” & “Coming Up Roses”
were premiered at Hong Kong Fashion Week in July 2007 and January 2008
respectively at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, garnering
positive interest in many Asian press reviews, including a China nationwide
television broadcast of his latest collection. Aika (International Opera
Singer) wore several Bernard Foong special occasion dresses at her Japan &
European tour in September & October 2009.
Foong was the chief Creative
Director for Official (Special Occasion fashion manufacturing company) Guangzhou,
China producing –
BERNARD FOONG Couture (specialty
one-of-a-kind creations), White (RTW - Wedding/Special Occasion wear), Foxy Cute (Smart Casual/Cocktail wear), SexZ (decorative bustier) & Diva Bitch (sexual
lingerie inner/outer-wear) collections.
Besides working on his regular
haute couture, R-T-W and lingerie collections he is a visiting
consultant/advisor for:
- Pivot
Point fashion college, Chengdu, China.
- Hong Kong
Design Institute (fashion department), Hong Kong, SAR.
- Hong Kong
Poly/U, Hong Kong (School of Apparel Design
& Merchandising), SAR.
- Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, Hong
Kong.
- Singapore Temasek Polytechnic – School of Apparel
Design & Merchandising (ADM), Singapore.
Bernard is writing his
autobiography (full-time), a seven book series of Mr. Foong’s young life:
A Harem Boy’s Saga: A Memoir by Young.
A Harem
Boy’s Saga series is published by Solstice Publishing and is available in print,
audio and E-books internationally.
A Harem Boy’s Saga series Film Contract has been secured with
an independent UK Producer, operating in Hollywood.
Author Links:
Website: http://aharemboysaga.com/wp/
Blog: http://bernardfoong.typepad.com/in_the_harem
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aharemboysaga
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aharemboysaga
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1cZKgZ7
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1GijNSf
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/young/
Youtube: http://youtu.be/F0Lv80yhhq0
Bernard's Books:
Thank you Marie for the delightful feature. Much appreciated and Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! Have a great weekend!
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