Death by Chaos was the winner in the Women’s Issues category of the 2021 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Renaii West.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Death by Chaos. Published September 2020
What’s the book’s first line?
“Despite the failing grades that were sure to show up on his report card, Elisha knew he had learned one good lesson during his first semester in college.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
As the title, Death by Chaos, suggests, there is a death caused by some chaos on a college campus in the early 1970’s. And this death will affect the lives and friendships of four young women for the next couple of decades. One of the four becomes a person of interest, but also goes missing. And another one, knows much more than she lets on and she carries the burden of those secrets.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I was inspired by my own college experience. I loved witnessing strangers from all walks of life be thrown together and creating a bond and developing a lifelong important friendship. In Death by Chaos, I created four distinct women from different backgrounds with different ambitions and interests that chances were they would never have crossed paths on campus in the early 1970’s, except they were randomly assigned roommates as freshmen.
I also was inspired by Greek Mythology. I thought it would be fun to create four modern goddesses, but instead of them being adversaries, they would epitomize female empowerment and friendship.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Tasha is a modern Elizabeth Taylor. Attractive, passionate, sexual, and somewhat self-absorbed and overly dramatic. But in the end, she is there for the ones she loves.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Death by Chaos is an ideal book for readers who enjoy vivacious strong female characters and witty dialogue in a fast-paced story with a few twists and turns.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
The story covers 20 years, so it would depend on if younger actors are hired and then aged by way of make-up or if two different actors were hired. But for the younger version, I could see:
Tasha: Emily Ratajkowski; Elizabeth: Chlore Grace Moretz, or Sophie Turner; Dawn: Tinsel Korey; Miranda: Brie Larson
When did you first decide to become an author?
I have writing and performing my whole life. And I had this story inside me for many years. Then COVID came along. And there was this inspirational statement making the rounds online about Shakespeare and Newton and others being productive during their lockdowns. And I decided I would be productive during this time and have something to show for it. I mean there would be no excuses I could make to myself.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Best: The control. I can determine when the manuscript is completed and when to publish. I also can select the book cover, and how to market and distribute. As the independent book market continues to grow, it is now easy to find editors, artists, reviewers, and marketing experts who can assist. Hardest: The expense. Also, the imposter syndrome. I worry that I am fooling myself that my writing is of any value.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I would listen to what they have to say and then decide. The Indie experience has been quite positive for me, so at this point, I have no desire to seek out a traditional publisher.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I love the creative process, the research, the execution of creating fun characters in challenging situations. I love sharing my stories. I want most for my stories to find their audiences.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I love Christopher Moore. The juxtaposition of everyday people and mythological or supernatural characters always create a humorous fun reading experience. I have attended almost all his book signings.