Interview with Dre Carlan, Author of A Mother’s Tears

What can you tell us about your new release, A Mother’s Tears?

It’s a very personal story wrought with mistakes, misfortune, and more than a couple of mountains both my mom and I have had to climb. I’m extremely proud of her as a person and wanted to share her strength and willpower with the world.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My mother. She always encouraged me to follow my bliss and dream no small dreams. Therefore, I dreamt of becoming a published author.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

-The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz
-Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
-Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
-Siddhartha, Herman Hesse
-Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask

Edgar Allan Poe. I’d want to ask him out of all the stories and poetry he wrote, which was his favorite piece of writing and why?

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

The ability to express my innermost thoughts and hopefully have someone understand and empathize with them.

What is a typical day like for you?

Wake up and make coffee. That’s key to having a good day. I then check and answer emails or phone calls—, the usual morning routine. Afterwards, and throughout the day, I do my caregiver duties. In between that, I find time to write, read, and listen to Audible.

What scene from A Mother’s Tears was your favorite to write?

The vision of my mother and future daughter knowing each other and holding hands.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Dream no small dreams.

Dre Carlan is the author of the new book A Mother’s Tears.