BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Voice For The Silent Fathers: A Memoir

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Eddie K. Wright to talk about Voice For The Silent Fathers: A Memoir (1 June 2016, M Wright Group, LLC, 294 pages), a Memoir.

"Heart-wrenching at times, this is a brutally honest book. As a parent of two LGBT girls, I found it full of empathy, honesty and inspiration."

"I loved Eddie K. Wright's sincere real life story of how he struggles with having a gay son. Eddie is very honest and holds nothing back on how he feels about Drew's homosexuality. Yet when reading the story you never doubt Wright's love for his son. This was an incredible read!"

"I loved Eddie K. Wright's sincere real life story of how he struggles with having a gay son. Eddie is very honest and holds nothing back on how he feels about Drew's homosexuality. Yet when reading the story you never doubt Wright's love for his son. This was an incredible read!"

|| Synopsis || Trailer || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Eddie K. Wright; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

Today we begin with Eddie's music playlist for Voice For The Silent Fathers: A Memoir - enjoy!

What compelled you to write this memoir, Voice For The Silent Fathers, where you explore your struggle with accepting your son's homosexuality?

"I needed to express to my son what I was dealing with as his father. Our relationship was strenuous through the years. I realize the conflicting emotions I had, profoundly affected the struggle he was going through. We would have our parent/child talks where it's just "How you doing?" "Fine." "How's school?" "Fine." "Love you, son." "Love you too." And that's it. Both of us knew there was this pink elephant in the room of raw emotions that needed to be understood on both sides.

Voice For The Silent Fathers, gave my son and gives the readers, insight into why I made some bad choices in handling our relationship. Ultimately, this memoir succeeded in what it was originally intended to do, which was healing the relationship with my son."

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating this book?

"All the praise I got for having the courage to share my story with the world. People (especially men) are shocked when I even admit that I have a gay son. When I explain that I accept and love him unconditionally, I'm often hit with "You’re a better man than me." When I pass them my book to read, I've learned that through sharing my experiences, I'm able to change others opinions."

Why should we read Voice For The Silent Fathers and what sets you apart from the rest? What makes your story unique?

"You should read this book because everyone has someone in the LGBTQ community in their life. Be it a friend, co-worker, cousin, brother, or sister, we can all learn a lot about acceptance and the true meaning of unconditional love.

What sets Voice For The Silent Fathers apart from the rest is for one, I'm the top expert in this field, being the father of the gayest man on the planet. And two there is no "rest". I'm the first father to ever write about having and accepting my homosexual son. My story is unique in the way that I didn't edit myself. I reveal the thoughts that fathers have but don't express. There's also stories within the story, so there's insight on my life in the streets, prison, and in the musical entertainment industry. If I was in a position to give a money back guarantee that readers would love this book, I would.

Unfortunately, I'm not in that position, but I'm am a man of my word when I tell you that you will laugh often, love me at times, but then hate me at periods of my life. You'll probably drop a few tears, but in the end, you’ll feel as if your part of my family."

What has been your greatest challenge in writing this memoir?

"The greatest challenge was facing all the damage I've done. Mishandling the way, I went about things. There would be times when I would stop writing in the middle of a chapter, run to the phone and call my son apologizing with tears in my eyes because he deserved a better, more understanding father than I was. The challenge is to be that father now."

Can you share with us a favourite passage/section from Voice For The Silent Fathers?

"This is one recollection, when I took my son to his best friends 6th birthday party at the Smithtown bowling alley. Drew already made it emphatically clear what was his favorite color. Everything went smooth until it came time to hand out the party bags, blue for the boys, and pink for the girls.
You want to read about one of my most embarrassing moments...

It was as if all the music stopped, everyone took a pause from bowling just as Drew got to the front of the line to politely request his party bag,
"Can I have a pink one, please?" he asked.
I quickly interceded, knowing my son as I do, kneeling down saying, "Drew, take a blue one, it's for boys. The pinks for the girls."
Looking at me with the eyes of his bitter, resentful mother he shouted "Pink if my favorite color!! I want the pink one!!""

Who would you recommend Voice For The Silent Fathers to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"This may sound cliché, but I recommend it for everyone, since we all have someone in the LGBTQ community in our lives.

Fathers that don't know how to overcome their prejudices with accepting their child. Mothers, that want to gain an understanding of what the fathers perception may be. And the children of parents that have has a difficult relationship. Fathers love their gay sons and daughters but the issue with their sexuality can block rational thinking, resulting in feeling being hurt on both ends.

Voice for the Silent Fathers, reveals examples of what NOT to do, but also has the inner examination of ourselves, to overcome our narrow-mindedness for a healthy caring relationship with the ones we love the most."

What has been the worst advice you received as a parent? What has been the best?

"As a young teen parent, I've had other men advise me to disown my son if he turned out to be gay. Religious books have been used as justification to kill my homosexual child. That was the worst advice.

The best advice was and is to love unconditionally and not to follow that worst advice."

What is your relationship with your son, Drew now? How has he developed and grown?

"Our relationship is great. We talk on the regular basis in both a friendly and father/son way. I'm still growing in my role, widening the boarder in discussing "gayish" topics. For example, once he had his boyfriend over when I called. So I surprised Drew when I asked to talk with him. It showed tremendous growth for me and I could tell how happy it made them both.

He's matured with his understanding of life. He's focusing on his career, working on being a top fabulous hair designer. I'm really proud of him."

Your biography highlights that you’re a fitness trainer, Yoga instructor, and spiritual motivational speaker. What drew you to health and spirituality and what impact have you noticed on your life and those you interact with?

"The way I lived my life wasn't bringing me the results I desired. I was searching the outside/materialistic world for everything I already had within. I hit rock bottom, continuing my gangster lifestyle while still in prison.

I finally had an inner desire to change, even when facing a mandatory minimum of 25 years. I educated myself on a spiritual path, learning the mind, body, spirit connection and applied it fully to my life. Gaining the knowledge of the Universal laws and principles, I put to practice what I learned, building my faith and trusting in my higher power.

My positive attitude radiates a feel-good energy that's easily recognized by those I interact with. I share what I've learned about the laws of attraction, and God's love with those that have the desire to change. They are already so much more then they think themselves to be. Revealing to others that spark of God we all share brings me joy with a meaning and purpose, regardless of my outer circumstances."

Do you feel differently about yourself now from how you felt when you were younger? Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?

"Of course I feel differently now. When I was younger I thought I had all the answers. Now the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. Knowing what I know now, what advice would I give my younger self is easy.... Listen to your mother!!"

As a first-time author, can you tell us about your writing process?

"My writing proces is to just get it all out on paper first. I just write and write then go back to make an outline, which is a little backwards but it works for me.

I'll write for the day and stop without completing the chapter or at least start the next one so I can easily pick up from where I left off.

I read what I wrote the next day to hear how it flows, making sure it's the right tone. I keep plenty of hot black coffee nearby."

If you could have three wished, what would they be?

"The first wish, is to overturn my conviction, which I'm in the process of doing. The second wish is to just be there every way for my children. The third wish is the one wish that everyone should wish for...to have an unlimited amount of wishes!"

What's the one thing you've always wanted but still don't have?

"A sane baby mama!!"

What's in store for you as a person and writer?

"As a person, I'll just continue to be the best I can be to myself and others. The Gangster turned Guru is real. My way of life. I try to give positive, honest advice to those that are willing to change. That starts with a spiritual understanding of one's-self and an intimate relationship with one's higher power.

As a writer, I convey that same message in a way that's relatable to my readers and I expect the success of my writing will open doors to other adventures in life."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I don’t have a pet, but here’s a silly picture of me and Andrew when he was about 4 years old."

Love it! Thank you for sharing it with us. You have been brilliant.
Best wishes from all of us at BooksChatter and we look forward to reading Voice for the Silent Fathers :-)

A street gangster with a "No son of mine" mentality details his controversial experience of being the young father to a son who would grow up to be the gayest man on the planet!