Author, Roderick Von King Publishes A Book You Just Can't Put Down, "Why didn't we love?

Interview By: Gina Sedman

Roderick Von King's book, "Why Didn't We Love?" is one you'll want to read again and again! I had the chance to interview this incredible emerging author to get a bit of insight into his journey to becoming one of the most respected writers of the 21st century. Here's what he shared.

Mr. King, I am grateful for the time you have taken to speak with me today. It is truly an honor to interview you about your latest book release, "Why Didn't We Love?" Before we delve into the details of your book, please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about who Von King is in your own words. I've had a long career as an Aerospace Engineer and consultant, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science. I am also a published songwriter and own a record label, production company, and music publishing company. I have now entered the realm of book publishing with my first novel, "Why Didn't We Love?" 

My propensity for storytelling is exhibited by my multiple completed musical-published and unpublished works. Spending significant amounts of time with my cousin, Gordon DeWitty, who was a professional musician, producer, songwriter, and highly sought-after session musician, I was allowed into the closed inner circles of people and groups such as Sly and the Family Stone, Bobby Womack, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Charles Wright, Bloodstone, Johnny Guitar Watson, Little Feat, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bonnie Rait, Johnny Nash, and Bill Withers. I took this knowledge, along with my many travels, and honed my songwriting skills. Later, I began writing screenplays, where I then branched off into writing my first novel and other multiple treatments. Writing has become my new passion and profession, with my professional engineering career winding down.  

Thank you very much. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now? I grew up in Vallejo, California, and live in Fairfax, Virginia. 

What foundational events initially shaped and ignited your passion for writing? Music and songwriting are the foundations that initially shaped and ignited my passion for writing.   

As a highly educated individual with a background in engineering, did you always aspire to become a writer, or was it a career path you considered after leaving the engineering industry? Writing was not a career path I considered after leaving the engineering industry, as I had written "Why Didn't We Love?," midway through my engineering career. 

Because I created my own independent record label, I saw that writing would be an avenue to get my music out. When I wrote the book "Why Didn't We Love?" it was initially planned to release a soundtrack with the book and screenplay. Thanks to the advances in self-publishing, I was able to get "Why Didn't We Love?" published as my engineering career was winding down.

Have you always enjoyed writing since your childhood? I have always enjoyed writing since my childhood. I was told I had a very active imagination. I would write stories about the way I wanted things in my life to turn out. The subjects of those stories were usually girls, sports, education, and music. 

What inspired you to start your professional writing career? The combination of creating an avenue to get my music out and the challenge from a friend's wife (Angela Jones) to write a romance novel from a male point of view that featured the "good brothers," i.e., men that were not dogs.

When you set out on your journey as a writer, did you find that you had the support of family and friends? I most definitely had the support of family and friends. My best friend from high school, Leroy Barnette, still acts as a significant sounding board for all my projects. My parents always encouraged me to pursue positive endeavors. 

What challenges did you encounter during the project development stages of writing your new book? One of the challenges I faced during the project development stages was knowing when the last rewrite was truly the last. Also, it was a challenge picking and researching a self-publishing company with which to partner. 

What topics do you enjoy writing about? I enjoy writing about experiences of all kinds, including travel, romance, sports, and music. 

In general, do you believe that people's appetite for reading has remained unchanged since the emergence of the digital age? I don't think the appetite for reading has diminished, but what is read and how it is acquired is where the industry has changed, in my opinion. I believe this is evidenced by the reduction of print media and brick-and-mortar stores and the increase in electronic media availability. 

As an author, what would you say is the most effective way of marketing your book in today's world? I found that social media is a very effective marketing method, along with a publicist, to help get my name out there. I have also succeeded in conducting book release events and addressing book clubs. 

What is your opinion on the comparison between AI and human writing skills? I am just now becoming familiar with ChatGPT. AI-generated material is much more superior to human writing skills. However, a new human experience will be unique only until it becomes documented. 

Do you consider it a beneficial tool or a threat to writers who rely on their education and creativity to write their books? AI is dangerous, can easily lead to plagiarism, and, as with a lot of technology, it can make humans obsolete. Particularly with the speed at which a project can be completed. 

What else would you have wanted to explore if you were not a writer? Trading stocks – becoming a day trader. 

Are you living your dream today, or is there still more you want to do? I am living a good life and have accomplished getting my first book published and various musical compositions. However, I want to publish more books, write screenplays that eventually become hit movies, and have a hit record. I also want to travel the world. 

Can you tell me about "Why Didn't We Love?" and the inspiration behind writing your book? With the hoop-la of Terry McMillan's "Waiting to Exhale" in the early 1990s, I was asked by a friend's wife (Angela Jones) to write a book about male-female relationships from a male point of view. She said she wanted to read about the "good brothers" (i.e., men who were not dogs) from a proper perspective of the male psyche. Also, she said I was such a great storyteller, keeping our circle of friends captivated with stories about my music industry and life experience endeavors. I accepted the challenge, and "Why Didn't We Love?" was born. 

I first have to thank Oliver Davis for allowing me to use his song entitled "Why Didn't We Love?" which provided the general storyline about a relationship where two people meet early in life, get together, and hit it off. Eventually, the love fades, and they break up. They meet again later in life, and the vibe is stronger than when they first met. However, there is baggage that bogs the rekindled relationship down. The following questions then get asked: "Why didn't we love? Why did we try to hide what was deep inside? Why didn't we care enough to see if true love was what we had?" 

Where can people purchase this book, and what was its initial release date? The book can be purchased via my website and on Amazon.com. The book had a pre-release date of 12 April 2023, then was released on Amazon.com on 20 September 2023. 

Are you working on any new books, and if you are, would you be willing to give our readers a taste of what the next book will be about? Yes, I am working on a new book, which has the working title "Last Night in Trinidad" and is planned to be the second installment of a trilogy series about Bobby Vail. The book chronicles Bobby Vail's adventure to the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2012. Bobby Vail is captivated by the local cultural SOCA music, food, and Carnival activities and writes his version and interpretation of SOCA music. One of Bobby's songs is entitled "Last Night in Trinidad," based on his recount of the 2012 Trinidad and Tobago Carnival season. He recounts the pageantry, food, colorful costumes, magnificent parties called fetes, steelpan & SOCA music, and various cultural competitions. 

What advice would you give to a new author who has never published a book? Have a great story. I will start by talking about the music industry. I went to a seminar that addressed the art of songwriting. The moderator said, "If you have a great song produced and performed poorly, it is still great. "

Conversely, he said if you have a bad song produced and performed magnificently, it is still bad. Have a great story to tell that would appeal to your target market. I decided on "Why Didn't We Love?" based on a song by the same name. When I researched, I discovered it was a universal theme, as multiple people told me the story, I was about to describe was theirs. 

They had a situation where they had a person they met early in life, broke up, then met again later in life, and addressed the problem of why they didn't get together or keep it together in the beginning. After the divorce and decades later, I have one friend who married her fifth-grade boyfriend. I can only imagine why we didn't love the conversation.  

Conduct research. Once I had my story identified, as mentioned above, the research confirmed I had a story worth telling. 

"This task involves the process of planning and outlining the project to ensure its successful completion." I wrote different scenes and stories I wanted to tell by writing them down on index cards. I then moved the index cards around, built chapters, and created threads to tie the scenes together.  

Writing is about rewriting. I went to a seminar where John Grisham was the keynote speaker, and he stressed that writing was about rewriting. You hone in on your story and eliminate the fluff and superfluous information as you rewrite. Always keep the story moving forward. 

Grammar, spelling, and editing. Missing spelling words, bad grammar, and poor sentence structure take the reader away from the story, as they now have to concentrate on what is being meant instead of enjoying the story and riding along. You now have put the reader to work, pushing the car instead of just looking at the view and enjoying the ride. 

Thank you very much, Roderick, for granting me this interview. I pray that God will bless the work you do in accordance with His will for your life. May He keep you and protect you on your journey through life. Keep up the excellent work, we are all rooting for your success! May God bless you!

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To Buy Roderick Von Kings, "Why Didn't We Love" Book (Click Here)

All Photos Of Roderick Von King are courtesy of Roderick Von King & Desirae Benson

END OF INTERVIEW