Ask the Author: Rock Kitaro
Answered Questions (5)
Rock Kitaro
It’s usually music. Over the years, I’m often hit by a new song, a new wave of music that sparks scenes that play whole stories, usually because I’m replaying the song over and over again lol.
But also…there’s a line from the “Lord Byron” miniseries that hits close to home. He said, “In order for one to become a poet, he must be deeply in love or miserable.”
I have found that, while music helps sustain the scenes in my head…the plots, the characters I choose to focus on, their conflicts, frustrations, ambitions and triumphs, are indeed inspired by own pain, suffering, angst, and rage (misery) or the joy and beauty in my life (love).
The Perennial War of Paramours, despite its inflammatory subject matter, was inspired by my love for women and the angst I had towards modern culture consistently pitting men and women against each other.
The Knights with No Lords, was inspired by both pain and love. Again, my love and desire for women, the need for a woman’s affection, her admiration and fascination. But also the pain of having to sacrifice the woman you want for the greater good of others.
And currently, “The Jealous” is an upcoming fantasy novel…inspired by the misery I felt when I lost my beloved cousin, Autumn to a homicide back in December 2022. I wrote the first draft of “The Jealous” pouring into the novel all of my hatred, pain, and suffering. It was a much-needed outlet that ended up producing an allegory towards the notion of how modern day society seems to favor the wicked.
But also…there’s a line from the “Lord Byron” miniseries that hits close to home. He said, “In order for one to become a poet, he must be deeply in love or miserable.”
I have found that, while music helps sustain the scenes in my head…the plots, the characters I choose to focus on, their conflicts, frustrations, ambitions and triumphs, are indeed inspired by own pain, suffering, angst, and rage (misery) or the joy and beauty in my life (love).
The Perennial War of Paramours, despite its inflammatory subject matter, was inspired by my love for women and the angst I had towards modern culture consistently pitting men and women against each other.
The Knights with No Lords, was inspired by both pain and love. Again, my love and desire for women, the need for a woman’s affection, her admiration and fascination. But also the pain of having to sacrifice the woman you want for the greater good of others.
And currently, “The Jealous” is an upcoming fantasy novel…inspired by the misery I felt when I lost my beloved cousin, Autumn to a homicide back in December 2022. I wrote the first draft of “The Jealous” pouring into the novel all of my hatred, pain, and suffering. It was a much-needed outlet that ended up producing an allegory towards the notion of how modern day society seems to favor the wicked.
Rock Kitaro
As of August 2026, I’m currently promoting my recent release of “The Knights with No Lords: The One Called Gawain” via marketing and writing contests. But on top of that, by December of this year, I plan on finally releasing my epic organized crime saga, “The Pierce Syndicate.”
I say “finally” because I wrote the first draft back in 2015. It’s by far my biggest project and, honestly, the most exhausting in terms of re-writes, character development, and action choreography. But it’s also my favorite story. The most entertaining. All original characters I created when I was 23-years-old.
If you were to ask me why it took so long to finally get it published…part of it was the hope of publishing other smaller projects, so when I published “The Pierce Syndicate” I’d have greater name recognition with the strength of other best-sellers.
But a huge part of it, was because I simply had other stories to tell. Time is precious. I think it was wise to focus on projects that were more marketable and required less commitment from readers, while jumping back into “The Pierce Syndicate” in between those projects.
I say “finally” because I wrote the first draft back in 2015. It’s by far my biggest project and, honestly, the most exhausting in terms of re-writes, character development, and action choreography. But it’s also my favorite story. The most entertaining. All original characters I created when I was 23-years-old.
If you were to ask me why it took so long to finally get it published…part of it was the hope of publishing other smaller projects, so when I published “The Pierce Syndicate” I’d have greater name recognition with the strength of other best-sellers.
But a huge part of it, was because I simply had other stories to tell. Time is precious. I think it was wise to focus on projects that were more marketable and required less commitment from readers, while jumping back into “The Pierce Syndicate” in between those projects.
Rock Kitaro
My answer from twelve years ago talked about honesty. To this day, I do still think it’s your best weapon when it comes to creating a story that can only be produced by you.
But after 12 years of writing and trying to get published traditionally, lol…I think I have a little more to say.
When someone asks you why you want to be a writer, modesty and the romantic answer of “it’s just something I love to do, it doesn’t matter if no one reads it or not”…that might sound cool. And I’d probably believe you if you wrote and stashed the story away, never caring about sharing it with others.
But if you do want to share it with others…if you do want hundreds or even millions of readers, if you do want the world to know who you are and what you’re capable of…you might get lucky. You might be exactly what the world (current culture) is looking for. But also, you might not.
I’d tell aspiring writers to be honest with themselves about what they’re hoping to accomplish. It’s okay if you don’t know at first. But figure it out. Because more and more writers are entering the fray everyday. It’s getting easier to publish books. The waters are becoming saturated and publishing your book will be like screaming your favorite BTS member’s name at a concert, hoping they hear you over the thousands of others screaming their name.
But being honest, keeps your grounded. For me, it keeps me motivated. I’d tell aspiring writers to keep going. Keep writing. Don’t stop. Use every tool at your disposal to help you scream louder than the others without jeopardizing your integrity. Alright…this is long. I’ll stop.
But after 12 years of writing and trying to get published traditionally, lol…I think I have a little more to say.
When someone asks you why you want to be a writer, modesty and the romantic answer of “it’s just something I love to do, it doesn’t matter if no one reads it or not”…that might sound cool. And I’d probably believe you if you wrote and stashed the story away, never caring about sharing it with others.
But if you do want to share it with others…if you do want hundreds or even millions of readers, if you do want the world to know who you are and what you’re capable of…you might get lucky. You might be exactly what the world (current culture) is looking for. But also, you might not.
I’d tell aspiring writers to be honest with themselves about what they’re hoping to accomplish. It’s okay if you don’t know at first. But figure it out. Because more and more writers are entering the fray everyday. It’s getting easier to publish books. The waters are becoming saturated and publishing your book will be like screaming your favorite BTS member’s name at a concert, hoping they hear you over the thousands of others screaming their name.
But being honest, keeps your grounded. For me, it keeps me motivated. I’d tell aspiring writers to keep going. Keep writing. Don’t stop. Use every tool at your disposal to help you scream louder than the others without jeopardizing your integrity. Alright…this is long. I’ll stop.
Rock Kitaro
How does one define the best thing about breathing without stating the obvious? I suppose for me, the best thing about writing is that it's provided an outlet for me in my personal life. I hate saying I'm different but at the same time, I'm far from normal.
Raised unconventionally and in contradicting environments, it was hard for me to explain to people what was bothering me internally without them looking at me like I have three heads. I gradually came to accept myself for who I was, but simply forming that personal constitution and praying to God wasn't enough for me (back then).
So a blank piece of paper listened to my problems. The number of self-discoveries I've unearth by simply writing down my internal conflicts and coming to solutions to the problems...it's a beautiful thing. Of course, even after I've come to the conclusion, I've had to seek second opinions. This is a must not just for validation, but to assure yourself that you're not going crazy.
Raised unconventionally and in contradicting environments, it was hard for me to explain to people what was bothering me internally without them looking at me like I have three heads. I gradually came to accept myself for who I was, but simply forming that personal constitution and praying to God wasn't enough for me (back then).
So a blank piece of paper listened to my problems. The number of self-discoveries I've unearth by simply writing down my internal conflicts and coming to solutions to the problems...it's a beautiful thing. Of course, even after I've come to the conclusion, I've had to seek second opinions. This is a must not just for validation, but to assure yourself that you're not going crazy.
Rock Kitaro
I don't think I've ever had to deal with a "writer's block" yet. I do know that when I don't want to write, I never force myself to. I just have to step away for a moment and take a break from it.
To me, writing isn't a just hobby that I cram out in my spare time. It's something that I absolutely love and must do. It's my own therapy. It's my ability to fly, my ability to escape this world without committing suicide. So no matter how tough a time I'm having at the moment, I know the urge to do so will come back to me in a matter of days. Never weeks or months.
To me, writing isn't a just hobby that I cram out in my spare time. It's something that I absolutely love and must do. It's my own therapy. It's my ability to fly, my ability to escape this world without committing suicide. So no matter how tough a time I'm having at the moment, I know the urge to do so will come back to me in a matter of days. Never weeks or months.
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