Interview with John Reedburg, Author of Cracks of Light

What can you tell us about your new release, Cracks of Light?

Cracks Of Light is an urban fantasy horror in one aspect conveys a young boy’s experiences living with an untreated bipolar mom and her substance abuse habits, while he also cultivates a friendship with a mysterious supernatural being that appears to him as an orb of light. Though, on a deeper level it’s a story and testimonial mash-up about a child and how their world of trauma coincides with their family’s history and legacy that leads him to learning more during a trip to a metaphysical realm called The Other Side where he meets loving and informative ancestors. After that, dark and disturbing secrets about his mother’s family come to light.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Growing up, my father was the founder and original owner of a local black newspaper in South Los Angeles called the L.A. Watts Times and another one called the Watts Local. Before then (before I was born), he was an editor at the Los Angeles Sentinel and reporter at the Herald Examiner. He also wrote novels and poetry. My mother told me that every night when he wrote his stories and ideas on his favorite notepad before typing them up, I would mimic him by jotting things down on one of his blank pads without even knowing how to write or spell anything. So, I guess what made me want to become a writer was my dad and a lot of the guys he hung around. One of his friends was Mr. Alex Haley. The first actual full-length book I ever read was “The autobiography Of Malcom X.” I remember my dad giving that book to me as a gift for my 7th birthday. He always swayed my away from children books, while my mom always made sure I read books by Mr. Stephen King. So, with that said, in rephrasing my initial response. My mom and my dad inspired me to write. They always knew I had it in me. Regardless, as if, it was as an author, screenwriter, or journalist.

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

• “The Color Purple” by Alex Walker
• “Beloved” by Toni Morrison
• “The Shining” by Stephen King
• “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens
• “Different Seasons” by Stephen King

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

My first guest would be Stephen King. I would ask him to talk about the moment in his life where he first discovered his truth as an author. I would have him expound on the through lines of his inspiration, like what’s purpose behind the thing that keeps him going?

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Playing God. When you write you create worlds and lives and even have the power to decide when its someone’s time to die. You can solve problems or create as a God you can control all of that.

What is a typical day like for you?

During Covid-19 where I live in Los Angeles, there isn’t much happening, so I’m writing as much as I can while on lockdown.

What scene from Cracks of Light was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was the final scene in Chapter 7 “What The Pig Told The Wolf.” In that scene you see the true dynamic of what it is like being a young boy living in a  challenging predicament and going through the things he has to go through. It causes the reader to understand the complex relationship between Demetrius and his mother Olivia and his true gift of insight. The scene is gritty and visceral.

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

Every breath we take leads us closer to death, so enjoy every moment as if it’s the last.

John Reedburg is the author of the new book Cracks of Light

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