Welcome to our interview series, Wilson Semitti. Congratulations on the success of your first book, Dance of The Phoenix, and on the release of Dance of The Phoenix Book 2. We are delighted to have you with us and look forward to exploring the thoughts, emotions, and journey behind this new chapter.
In Dance of The Phoenix Book 2, we quickly feel that the story is not only about surviving life but about learning how to live after difficult experiences. What made you want to continue the journey in this direction?
For me, the first book was about survival, but I realized that survival is only the beginning. What comes after—learning how to live again—is often the deeper journey. With Book 2, I wanted to explore that quieter process of healing and transformation, where the question becomes, “Now what?” It’s about choosing to live fully again, not just getting through life.
Your characters seem to carry emotional wounds quietly, but they still keep moving forward. Do you believe healing happens through big life moments or through small everyday moments?
I believe healing happens more in the small, everyday moments. Big moments can shift us, but it’s the quiet steps—how we think, how we show up each day—that truly move us forward.
Will often speaks about alignment and how people attract things through thoughts and feelings. Has there been a moment in your own life where you felt something happened exactly at the right time?
Yes, definitely. In my life, there was a moment that felt like the worst thing at the time—when I was removed from the United Kingdom. But looking back, it happened exactly when it was meant to, because it led me to Thailand, and that’s where my writing journey began. I don’t think I would have discovered my passion for writing without that contrast. So, what once felt like a setback became a turning point.
Many readers may see themselves in characters like Daiyu, who reaches a point where she realizes she wants something deeper in life. Why do you think people sometimes become afraid of admitting what they truly want?
I think people are often afraid to admit what they truly want because they don’t feel worthy of it. They start questioning how it will happen, when, or through whom—and since they don’t have those answers, they give up on the desire. But when you begin to understand that we are creators of our own reality, you realize your only job is to allow. The path reveals itself when you stop overthinking it.
One interesting feeling in the book is that love is not shown as perfect. It feels more like understanding, patience, and growth. What does real love personally mean to you?
I’m not sure I fully understand love yet, but I’ve learned that no one else is responsible for how I feel. That realization has made it easier for me to love without expectations or pressure. For me, real love now feels like freedom—for both myself and the other person.
The relationships in your story are not only romantic relationships. Friendships and emotional support also feel important. Which relationship in this book was the most meaningful for you while writing?
For me, the most meaningful relationship was the friendship between Yang and Will. They come from completely different backgrounds—Uganda and China—but each brings something valuable to the other. It reflects my own life, because the friendships I’ve built with people from different parts of the world have shaped who I am today.
Several characters seem to be searching for who they really are. Do you think people discover themselves, or do they slowly create themselves over time?
I think it’s a bit of both. We are constantly discovering ourselves, but that discovery never really ends. As life keeps evolving, so do we. For me, it’s an ongoing process of alignment—understanding who we are in each moment and allowing that to unfold over time.
If Will sat across from you in real life and started asking you questions, what question do you think would make you uncomfortable to answer?
I think it would be a question that feels too personal—something about parts of my life that I’m still understanding or not ready to fully express. Like many people, there are areas of life we’re still growing through, and not everything is easy to put into words right away.
While reading the book, I felt that many characters are trying to move from fear into hope. Do you think hope is something people find, or is it something they choose?
I believe hope is something we choose. In order to manifest anything in life, there has to be hope and belief—it’s what opens the door to possibility. In the book, I wanted the characters to hold onto hope, because that’s what allows them to move toward what they’re striving for.
Some of your characters receive opportunities that change their lives, but they still have to decide whether they are ready for them. Have you ever experienced a moment where life opened a door before you felt prepared?
Yes, I’ve experienced that. When I started writing, I knew I wanted to be published, but I held back because I didn’t feel ready and believed self-publishing was too expensive. But the moment I let go of that limiting belief, everything began to shift, and the path opened up for me.
The title itself, Dance of The Phoenix, carries the feeling of rising again. What does being a “phoenix” mean to you beyond simply overcoming struggles?
For me, being a phoenix is not just about overcoming struggles, but about understanding that alignment is something we choose in every moment. It’s not a one-time achievement. It’s something we return to again and again—rising each day, no matter where we are.
If readers finish Book 2 and close the final page, what is one feeling or thought you hope stays with them long after the story ends?
I would love readers to walk away with the feeling that whatever they truly want is possible. We all have the power to focus and align with what we desire. That understanding alone can change the way we see our lives.
Looking ahead, what can readers expect from the future of Dance of The Phoenix? Are there new journeys or surprises waiting?
At this stage, I don’t have a clear picture yet. I’m allowing the story to unfold naturally rather than forcing a direction. But I do believe there are still more journeys and deeper layers to explore, so I’m open to wherever the story wants to lead next.
Finally, if readers around the world could remember one message from Wilson Semitti, what would you want that message to be?
Life is meant to be enjoyed. There is joy in every moment if we allow ourselves to see it that way. I’ve learned not to become too focused on constant growth or chasing the next step, because expansion is a natural part of life. Instead, it’s about appreciating the journey as it unfolds.
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