About Kenneth Cruz:
Kenneth Cruz, is a disabled single father from New York that channeled his own experiences of love, loss, and reinvention into his new novel "Whipped," offering a relatable, empowering story for anyone seeking joy, healing, and new beginnings.
What inspires you to write?
I’m inspired by this vast, mysterious world—the good, the bad, the ugly, the beauty, and the secrets it holds. Sometimes, I write to share feelings or lessons. Other times, I write to explore my own thoughts, to inspire, or to open eyes.
As a single, disabled dad who transplanted from NY, I’ve faced my share of hardships, heartaches, and challenges—but I’m still here, pushing forward and thriving. Writing allows me to channel those experiences into something meaningful. I aim to share my journey in a way that is bold, creative, and captivating—something that lingers in readers’ minds long after they turn the last page.
With Whipped, I crafted a novel that blends escapism with self-exploration, growth, inspiration, and attachment styles—all wrapped into one. Readers can get lost in the steamy, shocking experiences Ashley is drawn into, but they can also take away something deeper.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
There are so many. Perdido Street Station swept me away with China Miéville’s intricate, lavish style. Before that, I grew up on Stephen King’s dark, macabre works, which is evident in my own writing. In high school, I discovered Donald Goines and was captivated by his raw, gritty honesty. Then came Dickens—Great Expectations made me fall in love with his vivid details and intricate plots. And, of course, James Patterson, with his punchy, fast-paced chapters that burn through pages like a barn fire. My influences are all over the place, but each has shaped me in different ways.
Tell us about your writing process.
I take elements of my process from Stephen King’s On Writing, but I’ve made it my own. Instead of a single song, I curate a handful of tracks that stir the most raw emotion in me—songs that remind me of heartbreak, anger, passion, or romance. I put them on repeat, sometimes with a glass of wine or a strong dose of caffeine, and let the emotions spill onto the page, creating the next scene with pure, unfiltered intensity.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Sometimes, yes. My characters are all grounded in real-life inspiration, so it’s easy to act out a scene and let their dialogue play out naturally before transferring it to the manuscript. In Whipped and my upcoming works, I think readers will find my dialogue one of my strongest points—realistic, raw, funny, and unfiltered.
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep writing. Don’t focus on criticism or nonbelievers. Instead, chase authenticity in your work and your style. Capture the magic—if it keeps you interested, you’re on the right track. If it sparks something in others and you feel it in your heart, you’re creating something real. Even if just one person is inspired by your words, that ripple effect can be world-changing. I’ll be diving deeper into the power and responsibility of writing in a future episode of my Macabre Minutes series, exploring how the things we say have a deeper reach than we can ever imagine. But for now—write, find your passion, hone your authentic voice, and pour it into every sentence.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Since childhood, when my stories stirred up controversy and got me sent to the principal’s office for writing things maybe a little too mature for my age, I knew I wanted to be a published author. My writing was already attracting attention from students, faculty, and friends, and I realized the power of storytelling—not just for self-expression, but for inspiring others and leaving something behind that outlives us.
But life got in the way. I had a family, ran a business, and my writing dream was deferred. But what happens to a dream deferred? It doesn’t shrivel up like a raisin in the sun—not for me. It festers. It grows.
After a painful breakup and losing the family I had spent almost a decade trying to build, I returned to my other purpose—writing. I started with platforms like Vocal and Medium, earning recognition and accolades, reigniting my passion. And then I decided: no more waiting. It was time to claim my destiny.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
It’s evolving rapidly, and we’re on the brink of something huge. With the ease of self-publishing and the rise of contemporary and indie fiction, we’re witnessing a literary renaissance. The floodgates are open, but that also means audiences will demand more—something fresh, something bold. Readers are looking for truly unique experiences. Those who can break the mold and bring something new to the scene will thrive.
What genres do you write?: Romance
What formats are your books in?: Print
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
