An interview with : Cody Roach; the author of “Manifestation of Life and Love”, Instagram blogger and traveller. 

Setting the scene; months after I first contacted Cody to arrange an interview for my blog, the morning for our Video Call Interview had arrived. A while before we were due to start, Cody messaged me to say he was running slightly late because he was fixing his partner up some french toast ( valid reason). I was also rather grateful for the opportunity to grab some breakfast myself and pour another cup of strong coffee. When we were both ready and we finally got over a few IT issues, the first thing I couldn’t help but blurt out was how awesome his tash was. So naturally I had to ask if he was doing Movember. After laughing at the compliment ,he said no, it’s just he doesn’t pull off a beard.  It was then that I very much realised how laid back and easy to talk to Cody is. 

Based in Cambridge, Cody works for the RAF, but in his free time likes to take every opportunity he can to travel. Among his favourite places are but not limited to; Switzerland and Norway. He has fond memories of hiking in Switzerland, finding a spot at the top of a mountain to sit and enjoying the “serene” surroundings which put him in a good headspace. If you look at his personal instagram page, you’ll see what an extensive traveller he is, it’s enough to make anyone jealous. However, you get a real sense of humbleness from Cody, there was no bragging about it, merely how therapeutic experiencing the world is for him.  

There wasn’t anyone growing up in his family, who influenced him into his love of writing. Since being a teenager, Cody has struggled with anxiety, so he turned to writing as therapy; something I can certainly relate to. Like many writers, Cody keeps a journal with him, but obviously chooses to keep his most private thoughts that way, he also uses this to pluck out inspiration. He likes to write his notes down on his phone or a notepad and then revisit them the next time and then re-imagine how he was feeling at that moment. The end result is an unpolished style of writing. Cody is very understanding if that’s not your cup of tea. It’s certainly mine though. His idol is philosopher Alan Watts. Watts’ work has helped Cody see life from a different perspective and has helped Cody live in the now, rather than the “what if” state anxiety induces. 

Cody’s current project is his next title;“Thoughts from a Sunflower”. A collection of thoughts and writings inspired by a breakup he experienced.  The sunflower is used as a metaphorical representation of not just the obvious feelings attached, but also the hidden ones. The collection will take us through the seasons of one year; from the highs of love in the summer, the fall in autumn, the survival mindset in winter, to spring time’s healing. He is currently in the editing stage of the project, something that he is happy to take his time over to get right. Especially as he admits his first book “ Manifestation of Life and Love” isn’t a collection he is totally proud of. Mostly written while in school he just wanted to get his work out there, but what came with that was an end product he felt was rushed. So experience tells him to take things slower this time. 

If Cody could pick any author’s brain apart from Alan Watts who would it be? His answer; Jordan Petersen and Carl Jung. This came as no surprise considering his ultimate goal apart from becoming a full time writer ,is to be a psychologist. Two men with some out of the box views and concepts that could be seen by many as controversial but to others unique. Cody also insisted he doesn’t think he really has any guilty pleasures, but the closest thing he could think of would be perhaps children’s books. He was particularly fond of a series of books he used to read as a child called “The Magic Tree House”.  About a group of kids who would go to their tree house every night and get transported to different places for adventures. Sounds like a guilty pleasure to me. Maybe even a book that served as the initial imprint for a desire to travel. 

In short, Cody’s passion for writing mixed with the heart of someone wanting to live his life without regrets, makes for an honest read. So be sure to keep an eye out for “Thoughts from a Sunflower”. I hope 2024 brings along the release of this book. Apart from his first book, you can find his work on his Instagram writing page and he occasionally adds some of his work onto this poetry blog. However he has now just gone live with a website. So which ever platform you’d like to use, be sure to check his work out.   

© Megan Layley