Todd Tavolazzi is the author of Looking into the Sun- A
novel of the Syrian Conflict. It is a fictional account of life in Syria and is
being appreciated unanimously for its accurate and real-life description of
Syrian crisis on its population, especially children. It details the tragedy forced on the civilians and also highlights the valor of journalists who take on this task of bringing the heart-wrenching stories out for the world. Todd has been kind enough
to agree to an email interview and share his thoughts about the cause and the
book.
Q. “Looking into the Sun” is based upon a sensitive subject
of Syrian crisis. What inspired you to write about it?
A: I was serving as a military operational planner and naval strategist at the U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy from 2011-2014 when I studied the Syrian conflict as part of my assigned duties. I found so much open source (non-classified) reporting from freelance journalists that were smuggling themselves into the war zone to bring out the plight of the Syrian people as a result of the conflict. It was incredible to me that this compelling (and sometimes heartbreaking) reporting was not getting the media attention it deserved. The civilian casualties, particularly among children, were staggering.
I was appalled at the lack of empathy and support from the
rest of the world for the human tragedy that was befalling the innocents in
Syria. I had no idea how to help the situation – but eventually decided that
telling a fictional story based on the combination of journalist experiences in
Syria would help bring to light some of the root causes, pressing issues, and
human repercussions of the Syrian conflict.
Q. There is obviously an immense lack of knowledge about
such issues in many parts of the world. Do you think such efforts will fill
this gap? What else do you think can be done to create more awareness?
A. There has been a bit more awareness of the issues
recently since the use of chemical weapons, the refugee crisis, and the global
perception of an increased ISIS threat. But overall, there is a lack of basic
understanding of the geo-politics at play in the region and the horrible
repercussions it is having in both the Middle East and Europe but also
worldwide. My intention in writing Looking
Into the Sun was to raise as much awareness as possible and also raise
money for Syrian children. My publisher, Pandamoon Press, and I are donating
10% of book sales to Save the Children’s Syrian Children’s Fund to help with
that cause.
I believe that the more people share over social media the
atrocities that are happening in Syria, the more people will become aware that
there is a real problem there and want to learn more. As they search for what
may be out there to help educate them, I hope they find my book as not only an
informative resource but also an entertaining format that lays out the basic
problems with the conflict and how they can help (buy a book and help
contribute to charities offering life-saving aid to the victims).
The overall message I was trying to provide was that we
all should strive to educate ourselves on world events that are increasingly
affecting all of us. The other piece was also the fact that we can choose to
act and help be part of the solution. I offer a way to help just by buying a
book which will contribute a donation to a charity that is doing excellent work
to help save innocent children in Syria. But there are many ways to help.
People can share information and awareness on social media, donate to any
charity that has a presence there (there are many that need funding in the
absence of substantial state contributions), blog on the issues, write an
article or comment on the crisis for the local newspaper, make a YouTube video
of your feelings on the conflict, write letters or postcards to government
officials requesting a policy change in accepting Syrian refugees, anything to
raise awareness and get people to act in a positive way to help the innocents
or help stop the conflict. I chose to write a book and donate. There are many
ways to act.
Q. "Looking into the Sun” looks like it is drawn from
your personal experiences. Can you share more about your experience?
A. Thanks for the complement, but, I actually have not been to
Syria. All of the research for the book was taken from online sources,
journalist interviews, YouTube videos posted by freelance journalists, and lots
of newspaper and magazine articles.
Q. Why a book? Was it always in the plan of things or
happened spontaneously?
A. I’ve always wanted
to write. I had already written a previous novel under a pseudonym that took me
a year and a half to write. But this topic captured me so completely that Looking Into the Sun only took me four
months to write. As soon as I worked out a plot (based on several real
freelance journalist experiences) I couldn’t get the words down fast enough. I
was dedicated to tell this story for this specific cause as soon as I could.
Q Do you like to read? What are your favorite authors or
books?
A. I’ve loved reading
ever since I noticed that my father was always reading. I inherited his love
for history and have been consuming books my whole life. I have a bachelor’s
degree in history and typically read non-fiction books to keep my feeding my
curiosity. I love Stephen Ambrose (D-Day,
Band of Brothers) and Jarred Diamond (Guns,
Germs, and Steel), Malcolm Gladwell (Blink,
Outliers), and Thomas Friedman (Hot, Flat, and Crowded). But I have also
read a fair amount of fiction as well. I started out reading Tom Clancy, Robert
Ludlum and W.E.B Griffin novels, which interested me in the military and
adventure genre. But I have also branched out into classics like Joseph Conrad,
George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Ayn Rand, Kurt Vonnegut, and many others, as well
as current best-sellers like Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), Khaled Hosseini (Kite
Runner), and John Green (The Fault in
Our Stars).
Q. What next? Any other book in making? Or something else
for the cause?
A. I will write
another book. Not sure of the topic just yet. I am interested in the
environment and the opportunities that Thorium driven nuclear power affords.
I’d love to show how that specific form of underestimated nuclear technology
could change the way (a good way) we as a species can actually get our power
that is virtually limitless and much safer and efficient than all current
methods. But I may need more research than just the internet for that topic! I
encourage everyone to look up Kirk Sorenson on Google and see some of his
informative videos on Thorium driven nuclear power. It is eye-opening and will
change our world if we could get governments and corporations to embrace its
testing and employment.
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"Looking Into the Sun is an action-packed, engrossing tale that puts a face on the heartbreaking struggle of children caught up in the war in Syria. It’s one of those rare books whose story will remain with readers long after they put it down…” — Peter Telep ,#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Secret Corps (Source: Amazon.com)
“An engrossing and authentic thriller. Remember the name Todd Tavolazzi. You’ll be seeing it a lot.” — Grant Blackwood, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Briggs Tanner series, is also the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller Dead or Alive, with Tom Clancy, and The Kill Switch, with James Rollins ( Source: Amazon.com)
"Looking into the sun delved into the characters of those most affected by the Syria crisis. This book tells their stories, heartache and trauma. A must read." — Ranya Alkadamani, founder of the Impact Group International (Source: Amazon.com)
20 "5-star ratings" on Amazon.com already for Looking into the Sun
Buy Your Copy
(10 % of the proceeds of this book goes to Save the Childrens' Syrian Children Fund)
(10 % of the proceeds of this book goes to Save the Childrens' Syrian Children Fund)
Day #7 of #HalfMarathon Blogging Challenge by Blogchatter
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