A World Away From Here: A Black Gay Man's Song For His Absent Father
Originally published in October 2022, A World Away From Here: Letter to My Father is an uplifting coming-of-age memoir that takes readers on a heartfelt journey through the complexities of the author's relationship with his biological father. The newly revised edition, now available on the writer's blog www.mystrengthmysong.com, nourishes readers with an updated narrative that offers a profound exploration of identity, masculinity, love, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.
The writer expresses, "As a writer, I like to take the risk of exploring uncommon themes. Like an astronaut venturing into uncharted or dangerous territory, I aim to write about topics that might not receive universal agreement but are firmly based in truth. I’m gay and black, and despite my love for reading, I haven't encountered a story about a gay black writer penning a letter to his absent father. Inspired by works like “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “The Fire Next Time,” and “The Color Purple,” I wanted to write a letter to my father, who has a questionable past. I am ashamed to admit that, as I approach my thirty-fifth birthday in a few weeks, I know almost nothing about my biological father. I have never seen a photo of his face, nor have I ever communicated with anyone from his side of the family. Yet, I felt compelled to take the risk of writing to him. When I first wrote this letter and published an early version on my blog back in 2022, the details I had about my father were misleading. It felt surreal, much like a suspense novel; what I believed to be true about my father was false. Within this space of misinformation, ambiguity, and numerous unanswered questions, I, as a writer, have the privilege of using my pen as a tool of power to craft a narrative that may resonate with other men. The reality of absent fathers is not uncommon. Many men know little or nothing about their fathers, and countless black and gay men lack knowledge of their fathers. I decided to write a letter to my father to see what would happen.”
Additionally, Ryan Williams French was motivated to write a coming-of-age novel that could speak to young boys and men grappling with their identities. A few years ago, he learned about the tragic murder of ten-year-old Damilola Taylor, a horrific hate crime that took place in 2000. Damilola, a black British boy, was killed by a group of older peers on his way home from school because he was targeted for being gay. The gang brutally attacked him with a broken glass bottle and left him to die in a pool of his blood on a stairwell. Taylor's story moved Williams French deeply, as he, too, experienced violence and abuse as a child because he was gay. Thankfully, by the grace of God, he survived, but he could have easily faced a similar fate. The writer shares this experience with his father in one of the letters.
Like many coming-of-age novels, Ryan Williams French wanted to write a story that would inspire young readers in similar situations to rise above their circumstances. Despite the harrowing experiences that inspired Williams French to write A World Away From Here, much of the narrative is comical, whimsical, and uplifting. The writer notes, "When I wrote this, I wanted readers to laugh. I believe the best stories allow readers to appreciate the humor in life while confronting uncomfortable truths. Yes, life has its tragic moments, but it's about how we face these challenges and aspire to better possibilities."
The writer mentions that this is the first part of a two-part narrative. "When I initially penned A World Away From Here, I intended for the first part to be categorized as Young Adult Fiction. Currently, I am working on the second part of the narrative, which will be tailored for a more mature audience. As a reader, I have always appreciated books that evolve alongside the readers."
Interested readers can find the full story by visiting the writer's blog at: www.mystrengthmysong.com/world-away-from-here. The narrative includes audio narration for those who enjoy audiobooks.
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 1610273
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