As part of my brand new "Feature Friday" project to highlight inspiring members of the community, I interviewed Canadian author Jeremy Ethan Cohen to discuss his intriguing first novel "An Apocalyptic Legend".

Jeremy is an ESL teacher at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal, and has been writing for as long as he can remember. While unpublished short stories and a children's book are tucked away in his home office, "An Apocalyptic Legend" is his first work to grace the shelves of several Montreal bookstores. Jeremy describes the novel as a descriptive, multilayered psychological fantasy, and gave me a tour of its style, themes and his process of writing in our interview. 

WITHOUT SPOILERS, WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT?
In short, after a battle between divinities, one god has resurfaced and is trying to manipulate an individual to bring about the end of the world. Two adolescents have discovered what is going on and are trying to stop this from happening.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES IT SPECIAL AS A STORY?
I don’t think it’s a story that’s been told before, with its own organic twists, turns and unpredictability. Once you’ve finished reading it, you might feel a sense of satisfaction at seeing at how it all wraps up.

WHAT GENRE DO YOU THINK YOUR NOVEL FITS MOST IN? 
I like to call it a psychological fantasy, but it also mixes the mythological and spiritual. Plus, the style could be considered Gothic, to an extent, because of the tone and descriptiveness.

IF YOU THINK OF YOUR STORY, WHAT 3 WORDS COME IMMEDIATELY TO MIND? 
Complex, intriguing and descriptive.

YOU SAY YOUR BOOK IS MULTILAYERED. CAN YOU ELABORATE A BIT ON THAT?
I think the book looks at different levels of consciousness, awareness – so, levels of the psyche, in a way. Plus, there’s an understated level of magic, not quite at the forefront but which plays an important part nonetheless.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST POWERFUL THEMES IN YOUR STORY?
Faith, brotherhood, memory.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PASSAGE IN THE BOOK?
I always think of one chapter. I like the imagery, the emotion, the raw naivety of one particular character in the scene. It takes place in a sort of purgatory.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE STORY THAT SURPRISED YOU OR TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN THAN YOU EXPECTED?
As I was writing, sometimes something would happen that would actually surprise me. It’s like the ideas were coming out and taking the plot in an unexpected direction. But, I can’t fully answer this question without giving too much away. Once finished, and seeing how the plot wrapped up, I was surprised to see little connections throughout the book that I hadn’t intentionally planned out.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR WRITING A BOOK?
I had originally written it as a short story. Then, one day, it’s like a door opened and I saw its potential and where it could go. From that point on my only inspiration was getting the story out, which was just pure enjoyment.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE IT? 
About six years. I’m quite a slow, meticulous writer. I started it back when I was at Concordia University – I spent a lot of time writing rather than studying!

WHAT AUTHORS OR STORIES DO YOU THINK HAVE SHAPED YOU AS AN AUTHOR?
Frank Herbert’s Dune, for instance, and other novels with the themes of “destiny” or “fate”. Also, Ursula Le Guin, especially for her Earthsea novels.

WHAT HAVE YOU READ THAT HAS MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION ON FICTION?
For one, Alfred Bester’s The Demolished Man. It pushed me to look at the depth writing, the subtext and subtleties. I believe An Apocalyptic Legend has a multileveled style, which asks the reader to be a bit patient and attentive. Also, Margaret Atwood’s novels – her writing technique is at a level that awes and inspires me.

ARE THERE AUTHORS YOU DISLIKED AT FIRST BUT THEN GREW INTO?
Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and other Gothic literature. When I got more and more into reading classic science fiction, fantasy and horror, I picked up Poe’s stories again and really started to appreciate how the English language could be manipulated and used with such complexity and beauty. I started to see how English could be used in a more nuanced way.

YOUR STORY HAS POWERFUL CHARACTERS. HOW DID YOU CREATE THEM?
I’ve always been drawn to characters that are wise beyond their years – how knowledge and intelligence sets them apart, but brings with it challenges and conflict.

DO THEY REMIND YOU OF OTHER CHARACTERS OR ANYONE YOU KNOW? 
As I was writing, I didn’t have anyone in mind, but after rereading and talking about it with others who have read it, I realized, hey, there are people from my life who helped to form some characters.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR CHARACTERS RELATABLE FOR YOUR READERS?
Due to the conflicts they face, the devotion and emotions they feel, and the difficult choices they have to make.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF WRITING FOR YOU? HOW DID THAT EVOLVE OVER THE COURSE OF WRITING YOUR NOVEL?
​I think the grinding attention to detail – in every sentence or bit of dialogue – makes the writing process emotionally demanding for me! In terms of how it evolved…I think after having finished writing An Apocalyptic Legend, I felt a sense of accomplishment and relief, but I am sure it will still take as much creative energy (maybe even more) to write my next book. I feel a bit of self-imposed pressure. I’m mulling over new ideas and am excited about continuing to write, but sometimes I feel even more critical towards my own writing.

WHAT IS THE IDEAL MARKET FOR YOUR BOOKS?
Older teens who are perceptive readers, and adults as well.

WHAT ELSE MIGHT YOUR READERS HAVE READ AND ENJOYED?Well, Dune and the Earthsea novels, as mentioned, because of the similar style, and how the reader can gather a lot from the subtext and insinuations.

IF YOU COULD COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR READERS, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
If you do choose to read my novel, give yourself a chance to get immersed in the story. If you feel that it’s at first challenging to read, I can pretty confidently tell you that you’ll find your rhythm and almost adapt to the style.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS AND DREAMS YOU HAVE FOR THIS NOVEL?
It would be great if a publisher picked it up. My immediate goal is just to get exposure and for people to read it, hopefully like it (haha!) and to, also hopefully, give me feedback.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
Well, I’ve got a sequel in mind. In the first story, fairly hefty decisions were made and I feel that there might be some fallout. The idea is still brewing, but I’m getting close to breaking the ice. I also have some short story ideas that I’d like to get started on. They’re all linked by a common theme, but I’d like to try writing each story in a separate style.​

For more about the book and upcoming events, follow Jeremy on his blog and Facebook page. You can currently find "An Apocalyptic Legend" at Chapters, Indigo Books & Music and Drawn & Quarterly in Montreal. Thank you, Jeremy, for such an interesting and insightful interview! 

Are you an artist, author, travel destination, restaurant or café and want your story to be featured in "Feature Friday"? Send me a message and I'll share how it works! 

The "Vague de Concours" is a community initiative with a twofold mission: to help shoppers discover entrepreneurs from the province of Quebec, and to instill a feeling of solidarity and mutual support among local entrepreneurs. 

Launched last year by Karine Foisy, owner of Veille sur Toi, the Vague de Concours is essentially a series of giveaways happening in tandem among hundreds of entrepreneurs and artists in Quebec, following a common theme. Each participating business offers a free product that fits the designated theme, and shoppers can enter as many contests as they wish, on each individual business Facebook page. The official page of the Vague de Concours - Créateurs québécois showcases the hundreds of giveaways in one common photo album - a beautiful testament to all the talent in our province and a fantastic opportunity to shop local.

There are 4 giveaway waves per year, and the summer wave is HAPPENING NOW, between June 26th (8pm ET) and June 30th (8pm ET). 

The theme of this first giveaway wave is "Black & Blanc". About 700 local creators are participating in this joint giveaway, and there is so much talent to discover! The contest is taking place over on Facebook, where the process is extremely simple for a chance to win.

Veni Etiam Photography is one of the participating businesses of the Vague de Concours. The prize to be won is "Lincoln Park" - a photographic print on satin paper of my melancholic friend in Chicago. Easy to frame and versatile for any style of decor - even a nursery! 

To participate in the giveaway:
- Head over to the Facebook page
- Like the post
- Leave a comment: Tell me where you would hang it!
- If you feel up to it, share the post to help others discover Veni Etiam Photography!

Don't forget to like the main page for the initiative Vague de concours - Créateurs québécois in order to be notified of future contest waves and to discover all the talented Quebec artists who are part of this giveaway.

GOOD LUCK!
​
From my heart to yours.

This morning, I sat and reflected on what core beliefs have stayed with me since my childhood.

​Here are 6 beliefs that the kid in me still holds as truth:

? There is good in everyone, always something good that can be said about a person. Even the most "evil" have underlying good; it just has to be tapped and unlocked.

? I can be whatever I want to be when I "grow up" and it is okay if that changes often. I don't have to have the same answer each time an "adult" asks me.

? As long as I get over the brink of the waves and survive them slamming into me and knocking me down, the water will be calmer on the other side.

? Always find a way for generosity and forgiveness, and you'll be taken care of in return.

? There are a select few people I will always feel safe with, in whose car I can fall asleep and let them drive me home safely.

? There is always room for ice cream.

Do you share any of them? Let me know in a comment.

This post is part of my weekly #sundaywisdom series on Instagram. 

Sometimes places just have a special ring to your ear. You love them before you've even seen them. They just exert a pull on you. 

That's how they end up on our bucket list. Our heart skips a beat at the sound of them until, one day, finally, we have a ticket to them in our name. 

This week's photo inspiration has a travel theme: 5 places that were on my list of dreams. 

Of course, as a true restless soul, my bucket list of places to see is still long - Istanbul, Sardegna, Corsica, Amalfi, Marrakesh, Havana, Crete, Thailand... there is so much of the world to see.

From my heart to yours.

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One of my favorite ways to use photography is as a tool to whimsically flip perspectives – I love to playfully blur the lines between spaces and forms. In turn, my experimentation with scenes gradually changed the way I perceive them; with practice, looking through my lens has taught me to purposefully search for another perspective, an alternate version of reality. 

​This week’s photo inspiration is based on the blurring of outside and in – abstract or geometric scenes that have an element that overtly anchors us to the outside world.   

​Have a wonderful week! 

From my heart to yours.

Since I was little, planting flowers and watching them grow was one of the most joyful aspects of summer. I would shadow my Mom as she chose her favorites at the farmers' market. I'd learn their names and listen carefully as she would tell me which ones liked sun and which ones preferred shade. I'd enthusiastically dig my small fingers into the cool, fresh earth, making a memory of what it felt like when I pressed my palms shut. For a few years, my most prized possession was a tomato plant that I was fully in charge of tending to. I still remember how proud I would feel when I'd place a bowl of cherry tomatoes on the table at supper, contributing to whatever my parents had prepared.

When I moved to Europe, my city balconies and my fast-paced scientific schedule were not very conducive to starting a garden. But, once I returned to Montreal, I was certain that whatever apartment I chose, however small the urban space, I wanted to be surrounded by flowers. My first apartment -- the Pink Palazzo -- had a balcony that could take a maximum of three pots and two people (preferably in alternation). I would cram as many colors and petals as I could into each pot, and I was happy enough. When I eventually outgrew that place, I landed on a beautiful flat to succeed it, with not one but TWO large terraces and the potential of a rooftop terrace (a project on the horizon in the years to come). I couldn't wait to create an urban oasis that would represent me, inspire me and calm me - daily. 

Vibrant colors, unique decor finds and a wild mix of plants with different personalities (some ultra resilient and some more capricious) have made this treetop garden a zone of pure tranquility and joy. 

In decorating the space, I enjoyed playfully blurring the line between inside and outside. The terrace is right off the kitchen, so I worked to enhance the flow between my favorite and most functional space of the house, into a lounging area that rivals the living room during the summer months. The easy-to-clean aluminum floor and the comfy carpet make it possible to run in and out barefoot and carefree. It helps that the terrace is covered and largely undisturbed by rain, so the prints hang safely on the walls, and my grandmother's lace ages gracefully. The herb garden is right outside the kitchen window, making it easy to grab basil, rosemary, oregano, coriander (yes, I'm among those who loooove it), rucola, sage or lemon to throw into my improvised recipes. 

Colors have always had an important place in my life; quite possibly because I am a synesthete, I am drawn to colors and combine them in ways that may defy perceptual preferences.

This little haven has honestly enhanced my way of living. Flowers teach us important lessons, after all. They teach us mindfulness. I wake up every morning and tend to the plants, watering, feeding and noticing them - how they bud and grow. It is nearly impossible to dwell on any other thoughts when tending to the garden. They teach us to lean into our senses - to breathe, to see colors in their fragrance, to hear their stillness. They teach us patience and acceptance, that everything blooms at its own pace, that certain unfavorable conditions will make their mark, despite your heart's wishes and your best efforts, but that there is also gratitude to be found in wind, and rain, and heat, and drought. They teach us nostalgia, with their reminders of my childhood and those precious feelings of curiosity and discovery that I can still feel in my fingertips. They teach us appreciation - for time and creativity and sustenance - and for all the tranquil hours I spend in this lovely space I created, I count my blessings. 

And, speaking of blessings, if you are wondering how I deal with such a garden despite my nomadic lifestyle, I am indebted to my unconditional Mom and my kind neighbors who help keep the garden blooming in my absence (and hopefully don't hate me too much for it!)

Tell me: Did you enjoy this glimpse into my daily space? What is your oasis like? (Tag me on Instagram, I'd love to see).

The sources of some of my favorite finds are listed below, in case something has inspired you for your own space. 

From my heart to yours.

Waterproof carpet: Buk & Nola | Lanterns, colorful tables, hanging pots, watering cans: Canadian Tire | Mosaic bench and galvanized pots: Home Sense Canada | Cushions and pillow: Pier One Imports | Bird hook: Anthropologie | Light fixture: Wayfair | Glass lantern hanging from bird: VdeV Maison | Art prints: The Wheatfield by Katie Daisy | Blue lanterns, mini pots, frames, pizza board, clothespins: Ikea | White colander: Zone Maison | Rolling bases under pots: Dollarama | Hooks for hanging pots: Rona | "On est bien ici" home decor: Chez Farfelu | Mug: Indigo Books & Music | Flowers and strawberries: Marché de l'Ouest, Marché Jean-Talon, Marché Atwater | Pico the Parrot is from the Dominican Republic (sorry).

The toughest part about artistic collaborations is that you have to keep them a secret until the launch! As this new international project unfolded behind the scenes, it was difficult for me to contain my excitement, as this is the first home furniture design project that Veni Etiam has been part of in its short history. 

The concept was born out of the vision of an American duo of architects and designers, passionate about creating original home furniture that innovatively flips perspectives yet allows customers to enrich their space with furniture that reflects their own style. Together, Ann Clark and Lena Georas founded LAMOU design, creating designer tables that are as artistic as they are functional. 

"Tables are at the center of our living and working spaces. We gather around the table, bring things to the table, turn the tables: shouldn't tables reflect our spirit and personality? I think so." -- Ann F. Clark, LAMOU co-founder.

​Since the start of Veni Etiam Photography in 2015, my mission has been to combine art with innovation, offering my photographs in a range of mediums (paper, canvas, metal, acrylic and wood), so that you are able to customize the art to suit your own decor, dreams and moods. Your home is your sanctuary, after all, and it should reflect you. 

Having connected on Instagram and "met" face-to-face on Skype (long live technology in our modern world!), the LAMOU team and I instantly knew that we were a great fit and that together we could create an exclusive collection that would excite and inspire our followers.

Our tables come in 2 square sizes (15 or 20 inches) and one large rectangular size (23.4 x 47.5 inches). The height of all table models is 23 inches. The tabletop is made of solid (1-inch thick) Baltic wood. My digital photograph is directly printed (and UV-cured) onto the primed birch surface with a satin finish. The elegant hairpin legs are made of solid steel with a factory finish. 

The wood is primed before the photographs are printed onto it, so the finished product is almost perfectly loyal to the colors of the original image. Edge colors options include black, natural oak and folkstone grey. Hairpin legs are black by default but you may request custom order if you would like to change the leg color to suit your decor. ​There are 8 images in the permanent collection, but in the spirit of customization, you may request another Veni Etiam photograph on your table as a custom order for no extra charge!

​The tabletop is coated with a protective covering that basically makes it a giant coaster, already protected against spills. To clean, wipe with a soft damp cloth only. Although robust, your table should be treated with care and is intended for indoor use. Recommended maximum weight is 50 lbs. Your table will ship in two parts (tabletop + legs) delivered together. Easy assembly with handheld Philips head screwdriver (screws included).

As this is the fruit of a collaboration with LAMOU, these tables ship from the USA. Production time is approximately 2 weeks, and shipping times are estimated at 3-7 business days.

​Head here for more information and to shop the collection!

Ici vous trouverez toutes les informations en français. 

Summer is nearly in full swing and, if you're like me, by now you are seriously craving the sea. That precious feeling of overwhelmed senses, of long days and long evenings, of a horizon stretching endlessly in front of you, and of sunshine and heat rejuvenating your body and mind. There are three things in life that make me breathe most deeply, and standing on a shore is one of them.

This is the time of year where I like to pretend the world is my oyster, and pick a destination to explore, following my seafaring urges. I have always secretly envied my Italian friends and colleagues who have a month-long ritual built into their culture so they can enjoy the seaside every August, guilt-free, without having to travel all that far. It's not always easy to get away, but it does a world of good. ​

This Monday's dose of inspiration is dedicated to some of my favorite beaches. Looking at these images, I immediately feel nostalgic of the time I spent in those waters. Who knows, they might inspire your travel plans in the near future!

Agios Stefanos, Corfu island, Greece

Baia dei Turchi, Otranto, Salento, Italy

Punta Prosciutto, near Lecce, Salento, Italy

Dona Ana, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

Is one of these destinations on your bucket list? Let me know in a comment. 

Have a beautiful week!

From my heart to yours.