Look and Listen

Biography

Alberto Rios Arias is a former advertising copywriter turned aspiring novelist. Several years ago Arias began what he says “he was born to do”, and has held high hopes that he has written a bestseller. He explains: “I’d been writing short stories as a hobby most of my life until I was hired to write advertorials for a Home Builder’s ad agency in Pennsylvania that specialized in selling new homes. In my spare time I had also written several screenplays, although, I know I’ve found my real passion writing novels instead. The intimacy of these detailed stories just gets in your blood and they become a big part of your life every day. Writing is all I’ve ever loved and I’ve studied and practiced my craft diligently for many years, during college and beyond. And I’m happy to say that after two years of writing, editing, re-writing, plotting, and polishing this work of 96,000 words, the manuscript for my debut novel is complete. I’m very fortunate to have found an excellent editor to work with. She’s tough, but I’m tougher. I know what makes this story marketable and I’ve got to stick to what I believe. I started out with a good story, but with Jill Kelly’s editing, the story has improved far and away from its fourth draft. It’s now much more focused, more professional, and very marketable. I can hardly wait to query my list of potential agents and publishers that hopefully will be interested in representing this unique story. I’m very optimistic about its success and I’ve worked very hard to write not just any tale, but a classic story that is meant to touch readers deeply, emotionally, and spiritually. It is comforting and uplifting with plenty of ironic humor along the journey west. I think people will be talking about this story and enjoying its colorful characters and its strong plot-line. I’m almost there. And this project is going to get much more interesting very soon.”

Inspiration

My earliest recollection of literature that mattered to me was when I first read Greek mythology, The Holy Bible, and... "The Catcher in The Rye". Yes, these books and that last story in particular have had a big influence in my writing in a positive way. I also enjoy authors such as, Cormac McCarthy, Toni Morrison, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. My goal with this novel was to write an illuminating story that reveals the unimaginable consequences of death, and the many mysteries of our short lives on Earth.