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Sep 1, 20218 min read

Character Interview: August Moreno

Daylight is here!!!

Introduction

Guess what, y’all? I am privileged to be part of the launch team for Grace A. Johnson’s short story, Daylight. It’s a great story about love, trust, and guilt as the main character reels from the events of 9/11. I SERIOUSLY recommend spending 15 minutes of your time to read it. When it comes out, that is. XD

BUT this means that I get to rave about Daylight here, plus interview one of the characters in there in the hopes that you get interested. 😉

So! Despite the fact that it is not Monday, you get a free post! (Not that you have to buy the others, of course. XD) First I’m going to share some stuff about Daylight and then the interview. So grab some popcorn and settle in!

The Blurb (and cover)


It was too late.

The whole world knew it, the nations shaking their heads at the fallen United States, our beautiful country of hope and freedom covered in blood and ashes.

Only the devil could’ve planned something so disastrous.

Only God could save us now.

Only God could save August.

It was all my fault that he nearly lost his life, dashing back into the hailstorm of debris to save a man who was already dead. I can only hope that he’ll recover—that we will recover.

Because some things will never be forgotten.

Coming to Kindle on Sept. 11th, 2021, Daylight is a heart-rending short story of grief and rejoicing in the aftermath of 9/11 by bestselling author, Grace A. Johnson.


Author Bio

Grace A. Johnson is a teenage Christian fiction authoress, book reviewer, and avid reader. She lives in beautiful (but humid) South Georgia, surrounded by farmland and forestry, with her parents and six younger siblings. She has written four novels, three of which are published, and a smattering of short stories and novellas, which you can find on Amazon. She’s also a homeschooler who loves learning about history, linguistics, art, and the world around her. You can find her on Goodreads, Pinterest, BookBub, or blogging on her website at www.graceajohnson.com. Join her for a virtual cup of tea and a free short story when you sign up for her e-newsletter!


Interview

Joelle: Hi Mr. Moreno! Thanks so much for agreeing to do this interview – even though Grace technically is forcing you to do it. Ahem. Well. Welcome to The Pen Inspired!

August: Yo, it’s my pleasure, Joelle. You don’t mind if I call you Joelle, do ya? Anyway, I wouldn’t say I’ve been forced. It’s nice to have somebody wanna interview me, y’know? Not somethin’ that happens every day to a guy like me.

*looks around* Hey, nice place you got here. I like it.

Joelle: Firstly, although this really has nothing to do with Grace’s upcoming short story, what do you know about her? And how do you feel knowing that she’s in control of your life (kind of)?

August: Whaddo I know about her? Eh, not much, I s’pose. She’s kinda quiet, keeps to herself. Word on the street is, though, that she gets a little more…quirky when she’s workin’ on her other stories. Can’t say as I’m upset that I gots the calmer version.

As for bein’ in control of my life? Well. *shrugs* It don’t bother me none. I mean, I coulda been killed back there, but Grace spared my behind, so’s I reckon I owe her. Then again, she’s the reason why I was there in the first place…

Y’know what, I just choose to believe the good. Like that Grace is lookin’ out for my best interests. I mean, hey, I ain’t dead yet and I got me a pretty girl – what more could I guy as’ for?

Joelle: What was being in 9/11 like?

August: Oh, man, it was rough, no doubt about that. *rubs chin* I dunno, like, in a way, I wish I’d been miles away that day, but at the same time, I’m glad I was there. *chuckles* Yeah, I know that sounds strange, but it’s like, of all the places I could be at that moment, I would rather be with my country at her weakest moment. I would rather be where all the heartache is, where all the suffering is, where I can do something – anything – to help relieve some of that, even if it’s just by being there.

*pauses* Okay, yeah, that does sound strange. Maybe that made sense.

Joelle: *laughs* It did!

I know a lot of people who go through stuff like this end up with nightmares and trauma. Do you have either of those?

August: If we’re talkin’ head trauma, oh yeah, I got that. But, uh, nightmares and junk, nah. Uh, Sylvie’s been wrestling with it all pretty bad, but I try to focus on the future, not the past. On God and His promises to work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, y’know? ‘Cuz, in the end, that’s what matters. The next step and Who is taking it with you – not where you’ve been.

Joelle: Why did you go into the buildings after a guy you don’t even like? I mentioned it to my co-worker and she thought it was a pretty dumb choice.

August: *laughs* Yeah, some would say that. I mean, yo, that was my best friend’s daddy, so it wasn’t like I could leave him there. But, I dunno, in some strange way, I guess I was hoping that if he had the chance to survive, things might be different. This might be his turning point and he’d get his life right and all.

In the end, it didn’t work out like I’d expected. But there are some good things. If I’d never gone back, I’d never ended up in the hospital, and Sylvie might not have realized how much she loves me.

Joelle: Would you do it again?

August: Knowing what I know now, yeah. Yeah, I would.

Joelle: Alas, you’re not the main character in Daylight. Sylvie… Sylvie… aw, shucks, I forgot her last name. But back to the point, Sly is the main character. You happen to have… feelings for her. *grin* Why? What do you like about her?

August: It’s Harpe, by the way. Like the instrument, but with an E.

Joelle: Ohhh, duh! *facepalm*

August: And, yeah, I got feelings for her. Most guys tend to when it comes to the girl they love, y’know? Anyway, I guess I’ve always loved her. From the first moment I saw her. *shakes his head* Sounds like a line from a romance novel. But seriously. She was my first real friend, the first person I really felt like I could trust, y’know. And that’s…that’s special. I was twelve when me and my mom and brother moved to Manhattan, and even though I was glad to leave our ratty apartment and move in somewhere nicer, it was still a rough transition. But Sylvie made me feel at home from the get-go. Sure, she was an eight-year-old girl with the nappiest hair you ever saw, but she was funny and she was tough. Her mom died when she was five and her pops was a drunk who beat her, so she was like a mix of cynical and innocent, y’know? She needed a friend just as much as I did. More than that, she needed a protector.

And – wait. Are we still on the same question? Geez. Sorry, man. I guess I – what’s that quote? No, wait. That’s “if I loved you less, I’d talk about you more.” Yeah, no. Wrong quote.

Anyway, I like her strength and her gutsy attitude – she’s so brave and always fighting for what’s right. But at the same time, she’s this tender little girl who just wants somebody to lean on – and, yeah, there’s a quote for that, isn’t there? Or, nah, that’s a song. Never mind.

I wanna be that somebody for Sly, because I would want somebody to be there for me. I just wanna love her like she deserves to be loved and like I wanna be loved in return – and that’s how it should be, right? The Golden Rule?

I guess even if she didn’t feel the same, if she just wanted to be friends, I’d be good with that, though. ‘Cuz I’d still have the best friend I’ve ever known – apart from God, of course – even if we were never anything more.

And, dude, was that a long answer! I’m not usually so talkative, believe it or not.

Joelle: If you could give one piece of advice to anyone who experienced 9/11 firsthand, what would it be?

August: Whoa, that’s a tough one! I dunno, man. I guess maybe kinda what I told Sylvie, y’know? I know it’s rough. I know being there and seeing those towers fall and watching your loved ones die – that’s not something you can just get over. And that’s okay. We all deal with grief in our own way and at our own pace – but don’t let the horror of what happened or the grief over who you lost keep you from enjoying what you have now. You never know when you’re going to lose them, or when they’ll lose you. Make the most of every second. Don’t let the past consume you. Just keep your eyes on God, no matter what. Good is gonna come out of it, I promise ya, even if you don’t know how or when. It will.

Joelle: And last but not least, do you prefer swivel chairs or bar stools?

August: Oh, bar stools, for sure. Don’t ask me why, I just do.

Joelle: Thanks so much for joining me, Mr. Moreno! I appreciate Grace’s your taking the time to talk with me. 🙂

August: Hey, it was my pleasure. You had a lot of great questions that really made me think some, y’know? And it was fun, too. Thanks, man. *smiles*

The Authoress: Grace here! I loved these questions and answering them for August! Since I haven’t written from his POV yet, it was fun to really get into his head! I didn’t realize ‘til now what a positive, up-beat guy he is! Anyway, THANK YOU!!!!

Joelle: Of course! Thanks so much for answering and for writing such a great story. 🙂

For those of you who are skimmers (*stern look*), here are some links you should check out:

To Buy or Preorder Daylight:

  1. Universal Book Link (yeah, I don’t know what that is either, but just click it!): https://books2read.com/u/mdD1Ml

  2. Kindle Preorder: https://amzn.to/3koznE3

Grace’s Blog: Of Blades and Thorns

Follow the Tour!

In case you wanted to follow Daylight‘s blog tour, here’s the schedule!



Schedule:

Sept. 1st:

  1. Blog Tour/Giveaway Kickoff – www.graceajohnson.com

  2. Character Q&A – www.joellestoneauthor.wordpress.com (that’s me!)

Sept. 2nd:

Sept. 3rd:

  1. Review + Interview – www.egbella.com

Sept. 4th:


Sept. 5th:

  1. Book Club Kit – www.graceajohnson.com

Sept. 6th:

  1. Spotlight + Review – www.whimsicalwanderings.home.blog

  2. Author interview – www.gloryforgodalone.blogspot.com

Sept. 7th:

Sept. 8th:

Sept. 9th:


  1. What Readers Are Saying About Daylight – www.graceajohnson.com

Sept. 10th:

Sept. 11th:

Sept. 12th:

  1. Giveaway Wrap-up – www.graceajohnson.com

What happened yesterday will never fade. We will never forget. For the sake of the soldier, the first responder, the dead, the dying, and the grieving…for the sake of America and every person who ever lived or ever will live in our great country…we will never forget. –daylight
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