Why SpotLight?

Why SpotLight? It is I, Damian DeadLove. And I’ll explain the why in this write, or give it a go as if we’re having a jam session. Who knows what will happen and how many tangents I’ll go on. lol.

First off I’m an alcoholic, who doesn’t drink anymore. You might ask why don’t I use the term recovering alcoholic. Because alcoholic stings more, reminds me why I need to stay clean. Plus, it’s the truth, I’m always one drink away from being back in the saddle again.

I’m 50 years old, and a Triple Pisces, for those who follow the zodiac. It probably explains a lot already, huh? I’m also a Christian, but anybody who knows me knows I’m not one to push my beliefs on others. 

The Big Guy never gave up on me, and I was pretty disrespectful to him most of my life. I made it my mission to prove his existence wasn’t legitimate. Rebellious to my core I was a pretty angry guy. Not violent, but I carry a lot of baggage, folks.

I’m still early in that part of my journey when it comes to faith, and I’m a professional skeptic of sorts. You do the math. It’s not always easy to change.

That’s a little backstory for you, incase some of you didn’t know that about me. I quit drinking almost 3 years ago. It has been like a year and a half ago I arrived on the doorstep of DU. Not even close to who I am now.

I also hadn’t picked up the pen in a year and a half. Since, I’d stopped being friends with my old songwriting partner, Joey G. If you want to read those stories they’re here on Stars Rite under the novels category. Called the: “The Fall and Rise Of Damian DeadLove.

My first cheap plug. lol. Anyhow, when I arrived I was a shell of my former self. I had no confidence, I questioned was I ever even good enough to be there. Then I met the community slowly but surely. 

Fia Naturie, was the first interview on SpotLight. She was the very first friend I made. She was supportive and encouraging. She helped me rebuild some confidence, she was in my corner.

I needed to know if I was even relevant any longer, or was it time to walk off into the sunset.

She told me I should do Backstage on YouTube. And I did. She was the one who heard my pitch for SpotLight. And said I should run with it. I did it, under one condition. She would be my first guest.

That’s why SpotLight exists. I had made an effort to interview my friends, who also happen to be bad ass writers. Because each one of them was important to where I am now. 

Mind you I’d only been at DU about 5 months, when the first SpotLight dropped. And I also found out DU would close 6 months later. 

I had made more friends in that 5 months than just, Fia. So then I had so many others I wanted to interview. They kind of went in chronological order to be honest.

Pete_25, was the second friend I made. That rapid-fire delivery of his, was unique to himself. It made him stick out, and he was a music fan, so he started commenting on my Backstage episodes in written form. As well as my poems and other stories.

He was witty, and a gentleman, also he was very supportive of me. And I of him. So now I got two great friends. It had been gradual to this point. lol. I miss, Pete.

Then I was making friends right and left, faster than I could keep up. It was like little clusters. lol. It’s kinda cool thinking about actually. I often get nostalgic.

Duende, was my third interview. She was a super-fan of Backstage. And my stories about DeadLove, as well as my poems. Sent me a local magazine picture of a memorial to the late Edward Van Halen.

She was the rocker chick to me, she liked cool music. She’s a wonderful lady, with a warrior spirt, she’s a survivor and such a super supportive soul. We hit it off, and became friends. Another person I miss a lot.

Keith, (Visions_of_insanity) was the fourth interview. I was reading his review writings on horror movies, when we started getting close. So, October, sounds right. He was super supportive as well. 

Music and film we’d chat about off and on about, as well as just the world in general. He’s the risk-taker when it comes to subject matter, he believes in saying what’s on his mind. Which I respect a lot. Miss you, Keith.

Willow, was the fifth interview. She is a kindred spirt, as well as my friend. We think a lot alike, although she gets fired up sometimes reading my work. lol. That’s a good thing though, we have awesome exchanges in the comments.

Plus, we always seem to agree, were on the same side of the resistance. She also claims to be a groupie when it comes to my Backstage stories. She is super cool. Miss you.

PAR, was the sixth interview. What can I say about this guy, he’s a powerhouse of a writer. No style he can’t tackle, and is so consistent in his creative offerings. Incredible talent.

And another kind soul, who lets his work do the talking. Because he’s giving you pure fire in every write. Just a wonderful guy.

Then theres the last interview, the bonus episode. Where, Fia interviewed me. Done in audio, because that was the spin she came up with that would make it special. That was all her.

Every person mentioned above is family to me. They all have another thing in common. they’re authentic in their writes, and as it regards to our friendship. I want to thank them for that.

And I have some family here on Stars Rite, I haven’t interviewed yet. 

There were so many I never got to interview, because DU closed. Not everyone one has made the journey here yet. There is always hope though.

I tell you all this because, SpotLight, is fun but still serious. And it exists for authentic reasons. It’s an offer to all writers to talk a little shop, and most importantly be themselves. 

It’s not gospel though. I understand some aren’t comfortable with interviews and that’s totally cool. You are not obligated to say yes, you have a choice. It’s not gonna hurt my feelings to hear no. lol.

That being said I’m gonna have to push the July interview back. My wife had stuff come up, and I’m here at the house with the kids and we’re going to spend some time doing a father and son project for about the next 15 days.

I’ll be on here a little, but most likely an hour a day tops during the week. So maybe late July I’ll drop an interview. Also, I’m tweaking the interview selection process. I often get tied up in projects, like I’m sure all of you do. Or life gets involved, it happens. 

So what I’ve decided is a poll of sorts. In the comments would you put a “yes” or “no” if you’d be interested in being a guest. That way I will know who’s interested?

Also, there are plans to do return interviews if you’ve been on before. It would either be new questions, or we pick a theme, and I base the questions off that and just chat. I’d like to thank you for your time and reading. Appreciate you. Peace, Love, & Lennon.

Damian