ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | DE MODE OF LITERATURE JUL-AUG 2023 GLOBAL(VOL VI. ISSUE XXXII)
Article Published on: 22ND AUG 2023 | www.demodemagazine.com
'WAR TORN' - BY AUTHOR TONI RAE
"As World War 2 draws near, the world is thrown into turmoil. No one quite feels it as much as Alessia and Aradia. They live in a small town of Cologne, Germany surrounded by everything they love, but soon an ultimate power hovers over their lives. The Nazis. Soon chaos reigns and death floats over the whole of Europe, waiting to call checkmate.
On a thunderous day, they experience their first feeling of loss as their father dies in front of them. It is a rabbit hole they cannot escape from. Such an event spins their life around, setting them off into the fray: a new life that they must endure and survive.
With the help of their mother, a piece of resistance, and their own will to survive, they push on in the hope of escaping Hitler’s reach.
Death and loss are inescapable, and they soon learn that on the run. It is an unavoidable path in life that soon leads to Alessia and Aradia venturing away from each other.
Alessia soon becomes just another number, a pawn in the Nazi regime, wondering if she will ever see her family again. On the other side of the world, Aradia experiences a new world that tests her at every turn both culturally and emotionally.
They each find small slivers of hope to push forward, whether from a book of fairy tales, love, or a journal from the past. Each item gives them a message to help them in their lives. But in the end, a true question remains. Do Alessia and Aradia have the hope to survive? Can they truly overcome the hatred of others? Can hope ever conquer all?"
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BOOK REVIEWS
War Torn by Toni Rae is a work of fiction in which the author uses a simple family to play out the happenings of history. I loved how the story focused on different issues faced by the protagonists in the book. Some topics in the book are based on historical references like the swastika, Nazist activities, the impact of the war on civilians, and sundry. The eventual romance and love in the book were a paradigm shift to how the book started. I enjoyed every bit of it.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR TONI RAE
Toni Rae is an upcoming writer with her new Historical Fiction Novel, War Torn. Using her degree in History, Toni has pursued the stories of the past, creating new and exciting strands in the historical writing genre.
Growing up, she never considered herself an avid reader until she stumbled upon the enchanting world of Harry Potter. From that moment on, her love for reading blossomed, leading her on a literary journey through countless books across various genres. Romance, fantasy, history, and even horror captivated her imagination and fueled her passion for storytelling. It was during a creative writing class in middle school that she discovered the thrill of putting pen to paper and crafting her own narratives. From that point forward, writing became an integral part of her life, allowing her to explore her creativity and share her unique voice with the world. With each story she writes, she pays homage to the authors who inspired her, weaving tales that transport readers to new realms and evoke a range of emotions. Her journey from reluctant reader to passionate writer serves as a testament to the transformative power of literature and the joy of discovering one's own creative voice.
With the completion of her debut novel, "War Torn," she embarks on a new chapter in her writing journey, eager to explore the vast landscapes of imagination and captivate the minds of readers. Through her storytelling, she aspires to ignite the imaginations of others, weaving tales that transport them to different worlds, evoke powerful emotions, and leave a lasting impact. With each word she pens, she embraces the opportunity to share her unique perspective and connect with readers on a profound level. As she ventures further into the realms of creativity, she remains committed to crafting stories that resonate, inspire, and leave a lasting impression in the hearts of her audience.
If you want to know more, please come back for updates and exciting news. Find her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook under the name authortonirae.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR TONI RAE - authortonirae.com
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR TONI RAE WITH DE MODE
Q: How do you handle writer's block or creative burnout?
A. For me, solving writer's block can be done in a couple of ways. Sometimes taking a good long walk helps me clear my head or even spark inspiration. The nature and activity around me often give my ideas a spark. Otherwise, I sometimes work on other creative projects, like my poetry writing for example, which helps me restart my creative process. Clearing my head and just reading is another way to help with creative burnout. Placing my mind into a new world or imagination can help.
Q: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
A. The most difficult part of the writing process for me is often the editing. Sometimes it can be difficult to read through my work and remove the storyline or dialogue. I often get attached to the characters and the events of the story.
Q: How do you handle revisions and editing processes for your work?
A. When it comes to editing as a whole I usually do an in-depth process. I like to print out the book as a whole and do the first edit in pencil, handwriting in any and all changes. When that first edit is done I have a fellow writer read through my work for the second edit and advise me of any changes. I will often do a third edit afterwards to be sure there is nothing I missed, especially when it comes to the author's proof.
Q: What came first to you — the plot or the characters — and why?
A. The plot and setting are the main events for me. I am mostly a historical fiction and fantasy writer so I focus heavily on plot and setting. Wherever the characters live and what era they reside in is the most important aspect of my writing. Research is key and has to be done before character names and personalities can take shape. Historical fiction relies heavily on accuracy so the plot and setting must be exact.
Q: In your book, which part of the story is your favorite?
A. My favorite part of the story is often the beginning, where the reader is first introduced to the setting and characters. It is the welcome page of books. It is often the most important part of the story that helps to draw the readers in.
Q: What was the surprising thing you discovered while completing your book?
A. The most surprising thing I discovered while writing was how easy it was for me to just sit down and write. I know a lot of authors that do outlines, but I was amazed by my ability to just write without a set plan. It was fascinating to see everything just flow.
Q: Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
A. Something about the book that is not mentioned in the blurb is that fairytales are incorporated throughout the story. They play a big part in the character's journey.
Q: What do you hope your readers take away from this story?
A. I want readers to be able to learn from the history of the story, but also to connect with the characters. I tried to make the characters relatable. At the same time, I want to show the readers the impact the past can have.
Q: What is the significance of the title?
A. The title is kind of a way of showing how war can impact people and life. It can tear families apart in many ways.
Q: If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
A. I am not sure who I would have starred in it. It is not something I have thought about too much to be honest. I would want the main characters to be close in age and have chemistry as sisters. But I can’t say I have anyone specifically in mind.
Q: Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?
A. Writing the first book in a series for me is probably the most difficult. It is where everything is first established, where the characters are first created. It has to work in the beginning otherwise it will all fall apart.
Q: Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
A. Susanna Kearsley and J.K. Rowling.
Q: If you could ask one author that you admire three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?
A. What is your research process? Do you outline before you begin writing? How do you decide on the historical events or year for the books you are writing?
Q: Are you working on anything at the present?
A. At present, I am working on another book of poetry and prose. For my historical fiction, I am in the midst of writing a novel about the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution, specifically, Agent 355. I have another project on the side that I am taking a break from, which is my first fantasy novel. All are coming along well, and I hope it to be published by the end of the year.
Q: How do you feel about your book being published in DE MODE?
A. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss writing and my book. I am truly honored to be a part of this publication and look forward to reading more from DE MODE magazine. Thank you very much for having me.
AUTHOR TONI RAE BOOK 'WAR TORN' is listed in "Page-Turners Unleashed: 11 Engrossing Books You Can't Put Down IN 2023" in the AUG 2023 issue of DE MODE.
CLICK HERE to read the magazine article.