Saturday, April 21, 2012

Launch Out Into The Deep - Interview & Giveaway with Aaron Slaton



On Thursday, we had the pleasure of chatting with Acacia Beumer over at Writing Innovations which was so much fun. Today we get the male dynamic of this duo, and we are pleased to introduce you to Aaron Slaton, poet and co-author of Launch Out Into The Deep! 


Welcome Aaron!



BK: Please tell us a little about yourself...

My name is Aaron Slaton, co-author of Launch Out Into The Deep. I have been employed with AT&T for 14 years. In my free time I like to produce music on my computer and write poetry. I’m a pretty laid back individual and I can be sort of to myself at times, although I do have my moments where I can be talkative. I am currently learning to play the piano. This journey has been off and on so a big dose of consistency is definitely needed.

BK: Please tell us a little about your book....

Launch Out Into The Deep is a devotional-style book that consists of short essays. Most of the chapters in the book end with a Bible verse, words of the wise and a poem. The topics in the book deal with peer pressure, sexual promiscuity, loneliness, faith and many other topics that men, women and teens will find useful in their lives.

BK: What inspired you to pen this particular novel?

Initially there was no plan to even write a book. My sister, Acacia Slaton Beumer, the author of Launch Out Into The Deep, was writing a poem and couldn’t bring it to a conclusion. She asked for my help with the poem and I was able to assist her with the completion of the poem called “Fear Not Only Believe” which is the first poem in the book. She encouraged me to write other poems so I continued to write on an almost daily basis. The plan was to write a poetry book but as Acacia did research she learned that poetry books are very hard to market. She then started to write essays to go with the poems and that is how Launch Out Into The Deep started.

BK: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Around the age of 12 or 13 I started to write rap lyrics. Although at that time I wasn’t really that good, I was just writing because I had this dream of being a rap artist. As the years progressed I continued to write and I would have moments when I thought this sounds pretty good, but I still just thought of myself as an average writer. It was even hard to believe some of the compliments I received from some of the poems in the book because I just looked at them as average poems. I guess now at 36, I am finally realizing that God has given me a gift that He wants to nurture and grow into something that He can use for His glory.

BK: How do you keep your story flowing?

There is always something to write about. It’s about capturing those everyday moments; when people are having conversations about life, family, work, church etc. Everybody has a story that has already been told by many people, but there still may be something that makes your story unique. We can hear a million songs about praising God, but then an artist breathes fresh life into the topic and it feels like something new.

BK: Do you ever run into writer's block, and if so, what do you do to get past it?

I do run into writer’s block sometimes. In the past I would sit there and stare at the paper and try to force the words to appear, only to read what I wrote and feel it lacked that flow. Other times, a topic will hit me out of the blue and the words just seem to flow without much effort. Now, when I experience writer’s block, I try not to force it. I find that stepping away for a while and coming back hours and even a few days later helps me to have a fresh perspective on what I am writing about.

BK: What is your writing process like?

Do you have any quirks, or must-haves to write? My writing process is pretty simple. I don’t have any quirks. Inspiration will sometimes hit me almost anywhere at work, in the car, at home, etc. As long as I have a pen or computer available and a spark of inspiration, most times I am ready to write.


BK: Where do you hope your books/writing will be in the future?

One thing I have a desire to do is work on songs with different artists. I would like to work with an artist on a solo project or a group of artists on a type of compilation project. Also I want to continue to write poems that will touch, encourage and inspire people.


BK: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

I hope that as people read Launch Out Into The Deep, they will realize that the stories in the Bible are relevant and do apply to our lives today. It’s easy to look at the Bible as a lot stories complied together and miss the message that God is trying to convey through the scriptures.

BK: What is one piece of advice you received that you carry with you in your writing?

This piece of advice relates to a lot of things in life. I had to learn this in reference to music production and I’m still learning. Stop comparing yourself to other people and just keep creating. It’s so easy to get discouraged with your level of growth that it can cause you to sit in one place doing absolutely nothing.

BK: What is one piece of advice you would give to new and aspiring writers?

If possible, try to write on a regular basis. I have to admit that I’m not the best at doing this myself, but during the times when I would write every day, my skill level grew to where the words would flow a lot better in my poems. It’s easy to write when moments of inspiration hit you, but to practice writing on a regular basis will make you a better writer.

BK: Where can readers find you?

You can find me, and my sister, Acacia Beumer, at:



Giveaway

Remember to comment on our post and follow throughout in order to be randomly selected to win a $50 Visa Card. Also, learn more about our book by signing up for our newsletter and you’ll receive two free sample chapters from the book, two audio book mp3s (a sample of Launch Out Into The Deep audio book), and an animated screensaver based on our book cover. Thanks so much for your support! Follow the Tour HERE for more chances to win!


The topics are contemporary and compelling; these are subjects that affect our world today and those for which people are seeking genuine guidance. Her words reveal an understanding of the depth of emotions in our world, as she explains situations through her own personal experiences. Yet, throughout the book, there is a solid and strong emphasis on the Word of God. The author has effectively bridged the gap between the natural and the spiritual world. Her complete reliance on the power of God brings a taste of heaven to some of today's bitter situations. Sexual promiscuity, peer pressure, disease and even crime are discussed with a bold and frank style. Readers will know there is nothing outside of God's reach that He cannot restore and make right again. An added layer of spiritual enlightenment comes from the poems that accompany many of these essays. Intense and extremely insightful, the words of Aaron L. Slaton provide a strong commentary to his sister's counsel. Encouraging, yet filled with many hard-hitting exhortations, this book speaks with a contemporary language and a timeless commitment to love and truth. 




Acacia Beumer:
Acacia Slaton Beumer is a graduate of Oral Roberts University; she will earn her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy in the summer of 2012. She works in the Social Service field and finds a sense of joy from helping others. Her husband John is in the United States Army. She has two daughters; Jana is 3 years old Jaci is 1. Acacia loves to interact with readers and welcomes questions and feedback. Her next project is to write an autobiography about her many life experiences. If you're interested in contacting Acacia email her at acacia@launchoutbook.com . May you be tremendously blessed and continue to persevere and daily grow in your walk with Christ.


Aaron L. Slaton:
Aaron Slaton is the author of the poetry and one chapter featured in this book. Writing since the age of twelve, Aaron has been gifted with the ability to bring the Scriptures to life through rhythm and rhyme. Aaron is an aspiring songwriter and producer. If you're interested in contacting Aaron email him at aaron@launchoutbook.com .




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