Q&A with Damien Black

Damien Black was born and brought up in New York during the more interesting times of ‘the summer of Batman’ when Times Square was less frilly. He was the writer, producer, and editor of the podcast and TV show, ‘The Short Film Show,' on MNN New York. Damien is currently a Language Arts and Science ESL teacher in China. He lives in Shanghai with his 5-year-old son, Hannibal, who shares his ardent love for Legos. Although Hannibal is his only biological son, Damien considers all his students as his children and is a passionate teacher.

The Life of a Bastard is Damien Black’s first book. In writing the story of Javier Soto, he wishes to capture the essence of life in foster care and to expose the raw truths of the struggle for identity and the shocking violence inflicted on these abandoned children. He hopes that the series will increase awareness among readers and allow them to comprehend and empathize with each of the 20,000 children that leave the foster system every year in the United States of America.
http://www.lifeofabastard.com/

1.    What inspired you to write Life of a Bastard?

Back 1990 I discovered "Down These Mean Street" by Piri Thomas, I highly recommend this book about being Afro-Latino, growing up in the 50's in East Harlem and the struggle of identity. I read Down these Mean Streets and felt I had something relatable to share about the Life of Javier Soto ( also Afro-Latino) as he journeys to find calm and his place in this world.

 

 

 

2.    What was Javier’s ultimate purpose?

The purpose is a two-sided coin on one side if his story is concluded with a happy ending of success without having a mother and father to guide him, along with the demons of child abuse that haunts many and most times play a destructive role in their adult years. The ultimate purpose can inspirational to those who might have a shared experience with Javier. On the flip side, cautionary tales because in the end, we have to get out of our way and find ways to cope.

 

 

 

3.    What goals, if any, did Javier achieve in the end and what did he learn?

The end is not written, and perhaps we can learn more in Volume 2 (2018).

 

4.    What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Making sure that journals that were written 30 years ago maintain that voice with little hindsight and I self-censorship because sometimes a journal entry had no real structure just rantings of a child.

 

5.    What are some of the main socio-economic issues that you explore in this book and why did you explore them?

From Javier's viewpoint his raw view of welfare, the crack epidemic (1980's ),  East and West Harlem decay, and tidbits of other things that were going on during his childhood.

 

6.    What do you hope readers will gain from your book?

While it has elements of foster care and family dysfunctionality, in the end, it's a "coming of age" story it's American. Readers can just enjoy and see the outcome and do nothing or voice their concerns about child welfare in the America or share their story.  

 

7.    What inspired you to be a writer?

The need for therapy and to make sense of life.

 

8.    What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

Having someone read my book and the least not having a pen when I get an idea.

 

9.    Who are some of your favorite authors?

Piri Thomas and James Baldwin

 

10.    If your book would be turned into a movie, who would you imagine playing the part of the main character? (Actor can be ANYONE, living or dead.)

I would cast someone new an unknown but maybe Samuel L. Jackson can play Javier's father.

 

11.    Are you working on anything right now?

I had my first book event at Shanghai Comic Con , and I hope to have more. I am also working on the Spanish version of Life of a Bastard.

 

12.    And, finally, what do you think is in store for the future of Latino literature? 

 

For the future of Latino literature, we need more visibility, bloggers to review books, making sure our children have good reading habits, diverse stories, and more writers.