Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
Hello! I'm Sean, and I am many things, including an author. I'm a father, husband, safety expert, reader, fountain pen geek, traveller, former firefighter, and retired paramedic. I write poetry, short stories, and novels. My novels focus on the troubles and joys of characters that seem real, human, flawed, and, most of all, relatable. I write the type of books where you root for the leading character, but you could also scream at them in frustration and cry for them out of worry. I hope they are interesting stories that take my reader out of this wacky world for a while and show them something vivid and intense, and tell a satisfying story that balances all the human emotions.
What are your books about?
Shoebox is a gritty and emotional exploration of the human condition. Steve Lewis, a dedicated paramedic, faces the devastating aftermath of a fatal collision that casts a dark shadow over his once-passionate commitment to saving lives. Plagued by guilt and grief, he finds his career, family, and very existence hanging in the balance as he navigates the complexities of trauma, both personal and professional. As Steve grapples with the high stakes of his job amidst the scrutiny of a community that admires yet questions him, each life he saves rekindles his passion for his work, reminding him of the profound connections he can forge through compassion and care. Shoebox is a compelling and visceral journey of personal redemption and triumph over adversity that explores the human spirit's capacity for healing.
Somewhere There's Music is a stark and unsparing coming-of-age story. The shy and intelligent Joel watches helplessly as his alcoholic and abusive paramedic father spirals ever downward and out of control. Joel’s life crumbles further when his older brother, disturbed by the drunken violence inflicted on their mother, flees their home seemingly for good. Convinced he must track down his brother and bring him back home if he is to survive in this lonely and frightening new reality, Joel’s awareness of his father’s workplace experiences begins to expand as he starts to appreciate the many issues faced by first responders, even as he doubts that he will escape the chaos of his recently shattered world. In Somewhere There’s Music, the reader is immersed in a young man’s struggle and desperate search to find what’s left of his family.
What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
I had been writing smaller pieces for years. When the storyline for Somewhere There's Music came to me, and I pieced together the plot points and developed my characters, I knew I had to tell their story. Parts of the story were loosely based on some real-life events, and I was compelled to explore both the depths of despair and the possibility of hope.
What did you learn while writing your second book?
Shoebox was cathartic for me. I worked for years as a paramedic and had tons of stories to tell, but I didn't. Most of them I kept inside and let them gnaw away at me. In writing the book, I learned that expressing details, difficult as they may be, and communicating unpleasant experiences, as well as humourous anecdotes, I felt a liberation from stories and events that had haunted me. Writing Shoebox helped me finally deal with years of accumulated trauma, and for that I'm grateful.
What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
Going into a bookstore that I've never been to before, in a city I've never been to before, and seeing my books on the shelf is a wild thrill.
Also, getting notes or emails from readers is a surreal, happy experience that I'll always appreciate.
What elements do you think make for a good story?
Tension - conflict in all its forms. Though it's the hardest to write, when a character always has complications and obstacles, the reader stays interested in how they solve their problems and move forward. A story with conflict -- from explosions, crashes, and fights to subtle disagreements, and annoying inconveniences -- keeps the reader hooked to find out what happens. Equally as important are well-formed characters with enough zip to be 'real' for the reader. That's how they get invested in the story and keep turning pages.
What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
I love the writing process, coming up with ideas and characters, and getting them down on the page. I even love the editing process, where I take something choppy and rough and smooth it into a good, vibrant story. What I find the hardest is the self-promotion and marketing. I like signings and reading and events, but I don't like talking about myself. Honestly, I'd rather sit in my favourite spot and write. But I do it, of course, and it's never as bad as this deeply introverted writer fears it will be!
What is your current writing project?
I always have several writing projects on the go. My main focus right now is a novel about a large family where the parents see themselves as ideal, but the parents and all the kids have issues they can't or won't acknowledge. To complicate things, more children come into the story. Jealousy and conflict build up between the siblings and the parents. The story is told from the point of view of an older man looking back at childhood with both regret and relish. He recalls trauma and ghosts and buried secrets as he remembers the turbulence and neglect of his childhood home.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Two pieces of advice I’ve received from writers:
Strive for balance, good and bad, light and dark, easy and harsh, resolved and unresolved. Balance adds complexity to writing and draws the reader into the story.
Throw every kind of trouble at your main character, keep the conflict at a slow burn. As long as they are the focus of the story when their journey is bumpy and painful, an interesting story emerges.
Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Bluesky. Check out my website www.seanpaulbedell.ca