Author Interview and Giveaway -- Thomas Bähler, Author of ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE: A Tale of Aesop

CLOSED.  Congrats to Mercedes!!!!

 

Click here to read an excerpt from the book.

Last week I shared with you all the press release on Thomas Bähler's new novel, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE: A Tale of Aesop.  Click here if you missed my post.  Since then, I had the opportunity to interview the author to learn more about his debut novel, as well as find out more about Thomas as an author.  Don't forget to enter my giveaway, for your chance to win a copy of Thomas' new book. Details are below the interview.

Please enjoy my interview with Thomas Bähler,  Author of ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE: A Tale of Aesop:

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

 
It began when I came across a new edition of ÆSOP's Fables that had an interesting preface that read: "Although ÆSOP was born a slave in 620 BC, with no access to wealth or influence, later in his life, he served as Ambassador to the wealthiest and most powerful king on earth, King Crœsus of Lydia."  I asked myself the question, “How did he do that?” And at that moment, I experienced a surge of powerful energy that felt similar to a chill, but it was not cold. From that moment, I thought about ÆSOP every day, wondering how he had accomplished such a feat. My story was set into motion at that moment.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?

 
The genre and time period were dictated by ÆSOP and the story that began to emerge as I considered what life might have been like for him.
  
Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

 
There is one author in particular, who has had a tremendous influence on me. Paulo Coelho. I have read every one of his books at least once and feel quite akin to him in regard to philosophy, humanity and the fact that we both share a career in the music industry.
 
What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

 
I have been creating all of my life, well…since I was six or so…I trust my instincts and am both driven by them in terms of when and how I create. For me, it began with writing music, for it was all around me, my dad, who was part of the music industry, my mom who sang in a gospel choir…so much music…it was a natural extension of who I was…authentic…and we all know that what we give our attention to flourishes…later on, expressing myself in words in the long form was simply an extension of writing lyrics…for me, each song is a one act play…so I live in my creative house…I write music in one room and words in another…and in all of it, I tell a story. Wait a minute! Didn't we all do this as children?

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

 
For me there is no hard part. Here is, perhaps, the reason why. I mentioned before that I have been creating since I was a young boy. I believe that we, as children, are all creative until we somehow fall victim to the outside world being judgmental which can and often does stifles our creativity. Why was I able to carry on? It started this way. I had asked my father a question. Dad was a Julliard trained and wonderfully talented trumpet player who played in the Hollywood studios for film. When I asked him, at around age six, "How you create?" He answered, "I'll tell you how I do it. I declare what I want and let it go." He then explained to my naive six year old self, that when we declare what we want, we set the universe in motion and it will deliver what we ask for, however, "we must be vigilant, for it will most likely come to us in a manner we do not immediately recognize, otherwise it would not be new." So, for me, the biggest part of creating is not thinking, but rather listening. Listening is not hard; however, it does take patience.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

 
By creating and sharing stories that my readers find enjoyable and often illuminating, for they are about the human condition.  

What are you working on now?

 
I am presently writing the second in the series of novels about the life and times of ÆSOP. The new story is finished and soon will take the shape of a novel. The story is still in the crock pot of my being, marinating and gathering flavor as the ingredients of the story get to know each other.
  
What advice would you give aspiring writers?

 
Be authentic - you are already unique. For instance, there have been approximately 70 billion people born on this planet since humans made and entrance and no two of them were or are alike. So, if you are authentic to yourself and have the courage to be yourself, you will have no competition…as Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken".
 
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

 
"Do you love what you do. . .and why?"  Yes, I love what I do. Why? Because it reminds me that I am fully alive and in touch with the same energy that informed ÆSOP, Shakespeare, Mozart and Picasso and the best part of that a is?  I believe it is available to all of us.

---GIVEAWAY---

In addition to letting me interview him during his busy schedule, Thomas Bähler has graciously offered one (1) lucky Inspired by Savannah reader a chance to win a copy of his book, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE: A Tale of Aesop.  To enter, please leave a comment below letting me know why you want to win this giveaway. The giveaway will end on January 23rd at 11:59 PM EST.  I will then draw a winner using Random.org, and they will have 48 hours to respond back with their complete mailing address.  This giveaway is only open to US residents (No PO Boxes).