Patrick a Roland Interview

Does this book have a special meaning to you? i.e. where you found the idea, its symbolism, its meaning, who you dedicated it to, what made you

want to write it?

The Sparkle King is the person I have been able to become by following my instincts and living in my faith, which is also my truth. The Sparkle King is my higher self, a persona I am able to evoke when I stand in the power I created by surviving years of pain and brokenness. The Sparkle King exists in a space of self-love, grace, gratitude and forgiveness. The Sparkle King is the man that I found when I started following my Higher Power and allowed myself to step in to the flow of the life I was always supposed to live. It’s about stepping out of fear because my faith tells me there is always a miracle on the other side of it.

Where do you get your storylines from?

All of my storylines come from my life. Everything in this book (and my others) happened to me. Everything is true. I’ve been through a lot, but I survived it and the life I get to lead as a result of all that heartache is nothing short of magic. The best part is I get to choose to be grateful for all that pain because it created the sparkle I live in today. 

Was this book easier or more difficult to write than others? Why?

All three of my books flowed very easily out of me. I was in a creative space; and I was ready to tell that part of my story. Everything happens for a reason, the exact way it is supposed to, so all of my books, especially this one, came when it was supposed to to teach me what I needed to learn so I could move to the next phase of my life.

Do you only write one genre?

No. One of my books, Sparkle On, is a children’s book. I would love to do more with that character. Sparkle is a gecko who is different from everyone else. That means he could start experiencing all the things I have - coming out, grief, addiction, mental illness - in a way that would be fun and accessible to children. 

Give us a picture of where you write, where you compose these words…is it Starbucks, a den, a garden…we want to know your inner sanctum?

I’ve written all of my books on my iPhone. I’m usually listening to Whitney Houston. I’m usually alone. I’m usually just on the couch in comfortable clothes. Always at home. My dogs are nearby. I write very ferociously and passionately, so all my books spill out of me in a matter of weeks.

And finally, of course…was there any specific event or circumstance that made you want to be a writer?

I’ve always been a writer. My career is predominantly as a journalist. But I spent most of my life addicted to substances. So, when I became sober at 40, I decided I was going to start going after everything I wanted in life. I wanted to write a book. So I wrote three. I’m an overachiever i guess. I do not know yet what my next inspiration will be, but I know I’m going to keep doing me; and that means I am blinded by the brightness of whatever I make the decision to do next.