Interview with T. Satterfield, Author of Prophecy of Love

by grant

in Author Interviews, eBook, Literary Fiction, News

08 Dec 2021

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Prophecy of Love?

As a psychotherapist specializing in trauma resolution through the use of dynamic hypnotherapy and other modalities, I wrote Prophecy of Love to answer questions posed by my clients over the years. I find that most people I help have a distorted understanding of the meaning of love and its role in their life. So, I set out to help them gain a healthier understanding. The result, Prophecy of Love, is both fiction and inspirational nonfiction as a discussion on the meaning of love and life told through the story of its protagonist, Gabe Mendes.

I structured the story according to Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. Accordingly, Prophecy of Love delivers instructive content that explores the nature of love and life and how naturally-occurring experiences interconnect. Looking at love from biological, cultural, historical, psychological, religious, and spiritual perspectives, in Prophecy of Love I utilize discussions on sex, trans-generational epigenetics, theories of attachment, morality, and intimacy, as well as quantum physics, to aid the reader in absorbing a broad and deep ecological integration on the examination of love.

My choice of fiction over the traditional non-fiction genre was intentional. Rich and multi-faceted forms of communication help the reader digest the sometimes-dense information. The novel format accommodates the breadth of information in a way that non-fiction cannot. Story chapters offer repeated opportunities to delve into complex concepts, each time from a new perspective and with unique literary stimuli, increasing assimilation of the rich and far-reaching factual information. Like hypnosis, reading fiction stimulates a complex, interconnected system of the brain that activates embodied cognition, transporting the reader into the protagonist’s perspective, where a fantasy world becomes a playground of possibility in the reader. As if stepping into the protagonist’s shoes, the reader can visualize the main character’s adventures and sympathetically experience his mental and emotional states. This embodiment provides for a new understanding of information as well as a new pathway for healing trauma.

In other words, in the familiar trance-like-state of reading a good book it easier to narrow one’s focus for the purpose of examining one’s beliefs, challenging one’s personal narrative, and recreating one’s life with greater intention and purpose. I know from my professional work that the power of your own imagination is profoundly necessary for cognitive change. It is my goal that you will lose yourself in the story so that it allows you the benefit of contemplation, reorganization, and integrated wisdom of new information.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Prophecy of Love, what would they be?

The book is full of songs! In the beginning Gabe’s theme song is “S.O.B.,” by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. You’ll have to read to the end to see how Gabe changes and therefore so does his theme song. Pythia’s is definitely “My Favorite Things,” by John Coltrane, for all the reasons that make that song so clever, jazzy, and innovative. Amy’s is probably best summed up by the song, “Brave,” by Sara Bareilles. And Cat, well Cat’s is either “Lean on Me,” by Bill Withers or “Stay With You,” by John Legend.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Contemporary Fiction is my favorite. I like a good story with strong character development.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Right now I am editing my second book called, Cupboard Love. I don’t like to read while I edit as I don’t want new writing ideas or other styles to seep in while I am editing. I would like to re-read Wally Lamb’s I couldn’t keep it to myself when I finish editing.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The Higgs Boson scene. It was so much fun! That followed by the Dating Game Scene. There is a scene that was so painful to write and makes my heartbeat fast just to think about reading it. In fact I couldn’t reread it to edit.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Writing in bed is where it happens and where it happens best.

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

Find you feet. Breathe. Notice where you are right now. I like to use this when life is choppy and when smooth sailing. Being present is paramount.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Love is the creation of space (not the space itself, but the creation of space) that allows for growth.