We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alex Alper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My first published novel, First Woman on Earth, is the most meaningful project that I’ve undertaken thus far. I co-authored it with my friend when I had just recently moved to L.A., and it took us over a year to finish in its entirety. The book was a catharsis as we both struggled with the realities of new adulthood. I was freshly moved out on my own for the first time, and we were kicking ideas back and forth for a couple of months before COVID hit and changed everything. Lockdown gave us a lot more time to develop what was, at the time, simply a general idea of what feeling we wanted the story to explore; that newness and scariness of getting everything you wanted growing up only to realize you still have a deep unhappiness within you, which life has only just settled down enough to let you notice it.

First Woman on Earth is, to me, both an embodiment and exploration of how my early twenties felt. On the other side, I was able to better understand these things myself, and I hope the book (now newly an e-book!) also enlightens someone else the same way.

Alex, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In addition to my writing, I also run a small craft business with my partner. You can find us @BoxxBites on Instagram!

My partner and I decided to start selling some of the handcrafted artwork after years of crafting just for fun and to decorate our first apartment. It began as a hobby and a way to spend time together, off screens, making physical, creative art; as two writers, it was a new avenue of exploration.

Now, we’re excited to share our collection of shadowboxes and 3D paintings with the world! Each one is unique, hand-painted and crafted, and encapsulates all different kinds of tastes and aesthetics for your individual homes. Every color, decoration and final design is chosen with care and made with love – by Alora!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve been writing since I was 5 years old, so I’ve always had this drive to create in that way. Ultimately, writing is the way that I explore and understand the world.

My first novel, First Woman on Earth, is an exploration of what happens after the “happily ever after” of coming of age; you make the big move, go after your dream, find your person…whatever it is, one day you’re in your early twenties with the makings of everything you’ve ever wanted, and you realize that you’re still not happy. All that confusion, and joy, and hurt, and the understanding that came after — I wrote First Woman on Earth when I was going through all of it too, so it’s both an exploration of life’s tumult and my opportunity to share what I’ve learned. Hopefully, at least one person sees themselves in it.

My second novel (sneak peek!) reconciles our favorite rag-to-riches trope with the strife of our current class divide, plus the added burden of cyclical addiction, all while playing with magical realism in our modern world. Writing is a conversation with myself as much as it is with the readers. My job is to make it sound pretty.

When I have something to say, it tingles in my hands and fingertips until I pour it out on the page (or screen, as it may be). The ultimate mission of my creative journey is simply to let it flow.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My absolute favorite aspect of being a creative, whether that’s in my writing or the craft business I run with my partner, is getting to experience the brilliance and inspiration of other artists. Honing my abilities has only ever been possible by witnessing others’ work; whether it’s voracious reading to expand my vocabulary and find my unique style of prose, or perusing the physical projects of other artists.

Interacting with creative peers is not just about consuming their work, but getting to know the artist behind it. My two most successful projects to date were strongly influenced by talented individuals that I admired as craftsman and got to know personally. Collaborating on my first novel began as a mutual appreciation for each other’s writing, long before Rose and I ever started brainstorming ideas for a book together. Paintings and shadowboxes began as admiration for my partner’s creativity while we painted canvasses just for fun, and it took many wonderful personal collaborations before we decided to make it a business partnership, as well.

It’s not about stealing ideas or mechanisms for creativity, but learning how my talented community of artists approach their work and what drives them; the particular tools that make their projects great, whether it’s a new type of brush or diction that I never usually consider. Leaning on each other makes better art!

I love learning from my community, working with other brilliant creators, and hopefully inspiring others with my work as well. It’s where my best projects have naturally grown, and where my favorite teaching moments have come from too.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: boxxbites
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-alper/
• Other: Where to buy my debut novel in print or eboook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJB9NSYX

Image Credits

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