Reader Views is pleased to welcome Raven W. Night, author of the new thriller 13 Days. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us today.

Juanita: Raven W., give us a little background into the madness and mayhem of 13 Days.

Raven W: Sometimes revenge is carried out beyond the grave. Just because we do not understand something, does not make it any less real. The main characters in this story are constantly struggling with the reality of this. What is real and what is not? All of the characters share the same folly. They were all born with a destiny but not all destinies end with a happy story. Not every person was destined for greatness. Some were destined for mediocrity, while others receive a more tainted calling. There are three main characters in the story. William Grace was betrayed by the one that he loved and now wants payback, not just for him but for all of humanity. Two other men, John Savior and Colonel Justice, are searching for a serial killer that never leaves behind a clue and that nobody has ever seen. The killer is ghostlike and the murders are gruesome. The twist resides in the sanity of the men chasing the killer. One of them has a troubled past and the other has a more devious secret. In this tainted tale, nightmares become doorways to possible realities and each reality has its own set of rules.

Juanita: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

Raven W: Im sad to say, but I got the story idea from my fathers brother. I guess I should probably give him a different title like Uncle, but he was never really around nor deserving of the title. My fathers brother suffered from mass delusions. I considered him clinically insane, although he was never officially tested. He was paranoid, and I would often catch him conversing with people that were not there. I was only ten at the time so it was a lot for a young child to handle or even comprehend. Some of his imaginary friends were constant fixtures in his everyday life. He was always talking to one of them. I guess it was his most prominent delusional manifestation. That manifestations name was John Savior, who subsequently is the main character in my novel. The character also shares a similar disposition. As I got older, I started wondering about my fathers brother. What if he was not crazy? What if I was the one that was crazy because I could not see what he could see? So, I decided to write about it.

Juanita: Through all the twists and turns, killings and death, alternate experiences and motivations, what did Colonel Justice, John Savior, and William Grace have in common?

Raven W: They are all searching for truth and understanding. Unfortunately, the truth is the last thing they want to find because the answers are never as satisfying as the initial quest for knowledge.

Juanita: You delve into parallel realities and alternate dimensions, what are your thoughts on these subjects?

Raven W: I grew up a science fiction fan. It was my fathers passion, and I just went along for the ride. I graduated college with a degree in biochemistry. I love anything related with science, especially theoretical science. I read a book when I was younger titled Black Holes & Time Warps, by Kip S. Thorne, foreword by Stephen Hawking. I was really too young to understand everything in the book when I first read it but my imagination was not. Do I believe in parallel realities and alternate dimensions? With my imagination, I believe in almost anything, of course my science background tries desperately to keep me grounded. I still like things formatted with empirical evidence. Truth can only be truth with evidence but my imagination is not so confined. It does not search for truth, it only dreams of possibilities.

Juanita: This reminds me of quantum physics (and the little I know about it), that suggests that evidence may not be as concrete as one would expect, and imagination is truth yet to be proven. Who are some of the writers that fuel your dreams, and keep you inspired?

Raven W: When I was younger, my favorite author was Stephen King. The first book I read was IT. The book scared the hell out of me. Then I read THE SHINING, which still is one of my favorites of all time. Recently, Ive been reading a lot of Dean Koontz novels. I like to see what my competition is writing. It helps me stay original. Over the last few years, I have mostly only read Biology and Astronomy textbooks. Its been kind of boring but you would be surprised where one can find inspiration.

Juanita: I have read that you have an alter ego named Raven C. Night. Tell us a little about your differing personalities and respective writing styles.

Raven W: When I was younger I used to get in trouble a lot because I would always write about evil things, at least that is what all of my teachers used to say. I used to tell them that the truth is the most horrific fiction there is, and that is why sometimes it is so hard to believe. I was tired of getting in trouble so I created an alter ego. I made him a lot like me but with a little more compassion and sympathy. The altered identity started out as a joke but after awhile I stopped getting in trouble and ironically enough, I was receiving praise.

My teachers thought I was a changed person and stopped sending me to the principals office. My father was happy because he no longer had to come down to the school, even though it actually never really bothered him. He always supported me, regardless of what I did. My name is Raven W. Night. My alter ego, I named Raven C. Night. I would sign my name either way, depending on which writing style I was using. No one ever seemed to notice. I only changed my middle initial. It seems like a small thing but over the years it has become so much more. Now that I am older and no longer have incredulous teachers lurking over my shoulder, I write with both names. I am not crazy, but I do feel that each person has a good side and a bad side. I just gave my good side a different name and have maintained that name even in adulthood.

Juanita: Is there any of you in the characters of 13 Days?

Raven W: There is a little of me in each character. Of course, after you read the book you might find that statement a little disturbing. Especially considering one of the characters is a serial killer. I am not so much the gruesome part of each character. I am more the underlying curiousness in each of them; the relentless seeker of truth. Then again, after a couple of drinks that all changes. Just kidding. That was my sad attempt at humor. I know, it was pathetic.

Juanita: Reviewers are hailing 13 Days as being an edge of your seat thriller, keeping them completely terrified throughout. Why do we like to be so frightened?

Raven W: I am not sure why people in general like to be frightened, but I know why I liked to be frightened. I like the feeling of having no control. I like not knowing what to expect next. My brain is always racing, trying to figure out what is going on but never really finding an answer. Scary stories offer me a sense of escape from an otherwise redundantly boring world. Perhaps fans of this type of genre feel the same way.

Juanita: What would you like your readers to be left with after reading 13 Days?

Raven W: I just want people to be entertained and of course, wanting more. I am here to satisfy the fans and nothing more.

Juanita: Your readers are undoubtedly eager to read your next book. Do you have another in the works?

Raven W: I am halfway done with my second novel. It is called Humanity Corporation. In a constantly declining world of morality, taking place sometime in the near future, a law is passed making it mandatory to abort the fetus of any child born with any type of handicap or mental disability. Humanity Corporation is responsible for the passing of this law. Unfortunately, there already exists a world full of physically and mentally handicapped people. These people are being victimized everyday, especially after the passing of the law. They have become lepers in a non-biblical world of hypocrisy. There are twists in the story, of course. There is a woman named Faith who was born mentally retarded when she was a child but now in her adult life, she is not. She seeks revenge on Humanity Corporation and all those who have betrayed her. Her tactics are relentlessly shocking and macabre. Another man named Kevin Grave has lost his memory and strange things keep happening around him- Death, Murderers, Time distortions, and Aliens. His journey revolves around trying to fit together the pieces of the puzzle. The answer to all of the mysteries is somewhere inside of Humanity Corporation.

Juanita: Sounds like another edge-of-you- seat thriller. I know your reader will be anxiously awaiting Humanity Corporation. Thank you Raven W., for sharing your thoughts with us today. How can fans reach you, and do you have any last thoughts for your readers?

Raven W: My website is http://ravenwnight.com You can view free chapter previews for 13 DAYS on this page, as well as some other short stories that I have written. As for my readers, I thank you for your interest and support and hope that I continue to give you nightmares in the future.