Featured Interview With Wid Bastian and Michael Atkins
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Vegas in the 70s. That beautiful little town is now gone forever – I’m not a fan of the new, corporate mega-Vegas. I live now in Northern Utah at the base of a mountain in a little town called Providence. I love the mountains and the ocean equally. I have a dog, four cats, a lizard and other assorted critters my step kids bring home.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always been fascinated with books. I did not start writing until my early 40s and I did not pursue writing full time until a few years ago. Looking back, I was always a square peg in a round hole. I’m an artist, but it took me decades to figure that out.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Henry and Tom was Michael Atkins’ initial concept – I built the story on his foundation and expanded on his idea. I’ve been through a very contentious divorce and I am in a blended family so the issues Tom, Sydney, Jonas and Jessica deal with are very familiar to me. I love to scuba dive and to be on or near the ocean. I’ve seen whales many times up close and personal – above and below the water. I’m absolutely nuts about whales.
Henry and Tom, I hope, is a story that many people can relate to on multiple levels. On the family side, it’s tough to go through a divorce – even the smoothest and least contentious family breakups are incredibly difficult on everyone involved. That said, there is peace and happiness on the other side if everyone keeps love I their hearts and is empathetic more than selfish. On the whale/animal side, I wanted to write about the incredible intelligence and culture of sperm whales. They are not humans; we should not look at them that way. Sperm whales are intelligent, beautiful creatures with a complex inner life and an amazing culture. We can only glimpse that, of course, but I hope Henry and Tom leads more people to learn more about whales and appreciate them for what they are – a tremendous treasure.
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