Author Interview Violence Begets…

Author Interview

How long have you been writing?

My first memory of writing comes from the 4^th grade. I wrote a short story for a class about a family who goes on a camping trip and one night notices a fire beginning to burn near the lake they are camped by. The family takes a boat they have with them and fills it up with lake water, repeatedly dumping it on the fire to put it out. I remember my teacher asking me if it was a true story. When I told her it was made up she complemented me on my ability to write such a believable story. I have loved writing ever since. Thank you Mrs. Long!

What was the most challenging part about writing Violence Begets…?

Wow! What wasn’t challenging about writing Violence Begets…!

The MOST challenging thing had to be the research. The true stories that I immersed myself in to to understand the world my boys lived in. It’s heartbreaking and still brings me to tears. The violence in my book is bad but it can get so much worse. Even I couldn’t take it to the levels of deranged I discovered.

And of course, treating the content with enough honesty and respect to hopefully tell the story of those who are not able to.

What is your favorite part of being an author?

The opportunity to create awareness and challenge the perceptions and beliefs held by people. Children are being hurt every day in awful ways. People need to open their eyes and see the monsters living next door. Between 4-5 children die EVERY day in the states due to abuse and 80% of those kids are under the age of 5! Not to mention all the kids who suffer their entire lives….

AND behind nearly every bully is a story – consider where someone may have come from before assuming they are a bad person.

Did you know this book would be a series when you started writing?

No, I wrote it as a standalone. Years ago I read The Phoenix by Ruth Sims. Ruth and I became friends with her. She once told me she was working on a possible follow up book and shared with me one possible scene that sparked my interest. She never wrote that book but the prospect of that scene always stayed with me.

When I finished Violence Begets…the possibility of a similar scene struck me. However, at the time, I didn’t even know if people would like Violence Begets…. So, I told myself, if people like it, I will write a book sparking from this scene. If people don’t, then that is the end of this story.

Well people seem to like the book and so the second book will be written.

Do you have any works in progress you’re working on?

Yes, as mentioned above, I am working on the sequel “The Cycle” (working title). I am about 70% done with the first draft. While the first book can be a standalone, I wrote the ending very specifically for a sequel. When you read the second book, you will understand. I am also considering 4 short novellas to come out after The Cycle. They will take the point of view of Rick’s dad, new love interest, best friend and little brother. Right now I am focusing on Rick’s story but all of these characters have enough of a back story to really intrigue me. They keep trying to get more page time but I have to tell them that their time will come.

About the Book

Title: Violence Begets

Author: PT Denys

Genre: YA LGBT Fiction

After a tragic accident devastates his family, 16-year-old Rick St. James starts his junior year of high school without any friends in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. When he meets Kevin Vincent, he’s too distracted by the promise of new friends to see that Kevin has secrets of his own.

Having created an environment where he’s feared and admired by his classmates, Kevin finds pleasure in using his good looks and violence to control and manipulate those around him. Secretly, he cruises the gay club scene, turning tricks to earn money so he can party and get high.

As Rick’s dad becomes increasingly violent and abusive at home, the two form a surprising and volatile trust. In this battle of wills, their precarious friendship will either keep their lives from blowing up around them or possibly light the fuse that will cause the explosion.

Author Bio

PT never imagined she’d actually publish a book. But, the story of Violence Begets… haunted her for over 20 years, and the lives of Kevin and Rick had to be shared.

In addition to writing a sequel, she divides her time between family, work, attending theater and reading.

Above all else she loves being a mother to 2 amazing daughters (a teenager and a baby).

PT believes that no one deserves to be intentionally hurt (physically or emotionally) by another. She also believes that behind nearly every bully is a story.

Bedazzled Reading

Author Interview Violence Begets…