Who is C.A. Nicholas? Charlie Avinash Nicholas (C.A. Nicholas) is a complex storyteller whose nature is introverted yet companionable, whose artistry is melancholic yet inspirational, and whose emotional intelligence is mature beyond his years yet his implementation of it is creative like a child. He is also exceptionally imperfect as an individual yet perfectly worthy in inherent value like all of humanity. He is the author of the Interlaced Souls Series and the creator of nine original albums. Hope, love, and perseverance infuse those art pieces; ready to embrace anyone who feels lonely and enchained within the essence of a starless and moonless night. Not all of his stories may have happily ever afters though take heart in knowing that there is a humanity enriching purpose to any of the possibly devastating conclusions.

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH C.A. NICHOLAS:

Joining LitPick for an author interview today is C.A. Nicholas, author of Cycles of the Phoenix, which has received the LitPick Top Choice Book Review Award.

His stories don’t always have a happily-ever-after ending, but they are a true reflection of humanity

“Overall, this collection of stories is heart-wrenching and heart-warming in equal measures.” -LitPick Book Reviewer

https://litpick.com/review/cycles-phoenix-review-amandaspk17

Be sure to check out the animated review video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VD7-xQC6kqY

***How did you get started writing?

I was an avid reader ever since my youth, and I started writing out of a desire to express my joy for what I perused. Alas, my first tale was an imitation that’s length never met the end of a page; 'twas a short fan fiction story about The Adventures of Captain Underpants that I wrote when I was 8 years old. 

***Who influenced you?

There are many authors who have influenced my love of writing over the years. Yet there are four who have primarily inspired me when I decided to regularly compose creative literature that didn't pertain to any school assignments (and habitually writing during my free time manifested six years ago). Here are the literary maestros who motivate me:

• Madeleine L'Engle, for her gloriously uncensored display of liberating imagination and her avant-garde cadence of storytelling.

• Khaled Hosseini, for his unflinching focus upon people who make imperfect decisions and their expressions of love for one another, which help them to cope with haunting tragedies.

• C.S. Lewis, for his masterful use of symbolism via fantasy.

• Edgar Allen Poe, for his graphic descriptions of violence and melancholy to accurately depict their horrors upon their victims. 

***Do you have a favorite book/subject/character/setting?

My favorite novels are A Wrinkle in Time and It. I already touched upon Madeleine L'Engle's storytelling, so I'll touch upon Stephen King's; I love his tome due to how he employed psychological horror to portray discrimination, trauma, and temptations.

However, my favorite series is Harry Potter. Though the world building and fantasy are amazing, the masterful portrayal of camaraderie and overcoming one's personal demons is what I love most about the series.

***What advice do you have for someone who wants to be an author?

I have three pieces of advice that I hope can be of assistance.

One: Be true to who you are by giving life to the narratives, characters, and messages you are passionate about, rather than a being who sacrifices pieces of your soul for the potential acceptance of the majority. However, listen to those who critique your work in order to strengthen your talents.

Two: Try to write something creative every day. It doesn’t always have to be lengthy; it can even be one sentence. 

Three: If you don't work with a professional editor, then re-read your document multiple times while perusing it slowly. Then present it to your loved ones who would be comfortable giving constructive critiques before you publish it.

***Where is your favorite place to write?

I don't have a favorite place to compose my literature. I write everywhere and upon every writing device. 

Fun fact: I authored Nayati entirely upon my smartphone. That story can be found in my book Cycles of the Phoenix.

***What else would you like to tell us?  

I also compose music upon my piano, though I never write the sheet music for my compositions, and I forget how to play most of my pieces right after I leave my instrument. So I record my musical artistry to keep my creations alive. 

My music can be listened to on Spotify, under my pen name, C.A. Nicholas. Please proceed with caution though since my foremost talent is in literary composition, and the audio quality of my tracks are worthy of economically manufactured cassette tapes.

C.A., thanks for stopping by to chat about what has inspired you as an author. We love the advice you share for those who aspire to follow in your footsteps, and we look forward to hearing about your next project.