Performed by Val Cole
Get to know the writer:
What is your novel about?
Synopsis: Light of Hope by S. T. Collins introduces the lead character, Vikki Nelson, a 30-something divorcée who has just been hired as a case manager. The central theme of this fictional novel is domestic violence, but it also includes relationship issues, romance, office politics, and takes place at a social service agency: the Light of Hope, in Pittsburgh, PA. Although Vikki’s main focus in life has always been to help others, she can’t help it when she falls for her boss. Their relationship is passionate and forbidden, but it fills a void in Vikki’s heart. Her boss, Robert Cuccio, is so unlike Vikki’s abusive ex-husband. With all of the recent publicity about domestic violence in today’s society, S. T. Collins hopes that this book is not only entertaining, but will help empower those victims of domestic violence to change their lives for the benefit of their families.
What genres would you say this novel is in?
I would describe Light of Hope as a combination of a contemporary fiction in which the primary theme is a romantic suspense with a domestic violence theme.
How would you describe this story in two words?
Passionate Crusader
What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Titanic by James Cameron with Leonardo DeCaprio and Kate Winslet
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
A Day in the Life by the Beatles
Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
What motivated you to write this story?
a psychic reading that foretold its publishing and the belief that I had led a tempestuous life
If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Cary Grant
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
As a former educator for over twenty years, I love to help others achieve success in their lives, especially when faced with great obstacles to overcome. I am planning to go back to school and become a psychologist who operates my own social services agency so that I may encourage the downtrodden to become empowered to change their lives for the better.
What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
In bringing awareness to the underlying theme of my book: domestic violence, my desire is to demonstrate that anyone can be susceptible to physical or emotional abuse. I believed that a performance of my story would enlighten people to the societal scourge of domestic violence, which is often hidden from the public, in a way that would not only entertain the audience, but strike a chord within people to either advocate for violence victims, or as a victim become empowered to end the cycle of abuse through education and therapy. In addition, I want to remove the stygma of victimization as somehow being the fault of the abused who is relegated to a life sentence of misery.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
My advice is to be determined to write about what is important to you, and be willing to work diligently to impress your story into the minds and hearts of those who you want to influence.
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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Editor: John Johnson
Camera Operator: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
WILDsound Writing Festival 