On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, Scott Stapp, the lead singer of the multi-platinum rock group Creed, chatted via phone with Suite101 about his newest memoir Sinner's Creed that he co-wrote with David Ritz.

For Stapp, this memoir began as a process of self-discovery, which turned into a cathartic experience that subsequently allowed him to scrutinize his life. “There came a time in my life where I was addressing making changes and going into a new direction, and as I was doing that, I was seeking sobriety and I was trying to reconcile myself and have a new beginning,” he says.

He dubs his co-author David Ritz as an amazing friend, mentor and collaborator. “He really showed me the ropes and guided me through this process. His writing is incredible and he really challenged me as a writer. It was almost like a student-teacher relationship but it was more indirect. When we were editing, he would end the paragraph with a question that would inspire me to explain and add more details. He is such a gifted man and we’ve even begun writing songs together. He has been somebody that I confide in and he’s been a real blessing in my life,” he says.

Particularly impressive about this memoir is that he incorporated many of his well-known song lyrics in there and he elaborated on the stories behind the songs. “I used them since they were theme or story appropriate within the context of the book and they showed the parallels of the realities of my life and the songs that I write. I wanted to show that to the fans and I hope they appreciate it,” Stapp says.

Throughout his book, he talks about his relationship with fellow bandmate Mark Tremonti, and even though they were estranged at times, he considers him to be his “musical muse” and credits Mark’s songwriting for the band’s success. “Mark’s guitar playing and the songs that he writes inspire me and they are on the same vibe. As disconnected as we can be in our personal lives and as friends, within the music there is a divine connection and we feel each other, so it’s a special relationship that I’ll never have with anybody else,” he says. “I am very grateful and blessed to have others that appreciate the music that I am involved with and they have stuck by me and they continue to show their love and support,” he says. “To be able to make that relationship with the fans is just amazing for me since I’ve had a hard time maintaining relationships my entire life. My personal goal is to improve my connection with the fans. I hope this book answers a lot of questions and I hope that it clears a lot of stories. I am being totally honest in this book and I hope that it becomes a new way that we connect on a deeper level.”

Yet another important person in his life that he honors in this book is his supportive and loving wife, Jaclyn. “She has been a gift from God and an angel that has been sent in my life and I couldn’t say enough. She has saved my life many times especially when I was suffering from depression and when I was self-medicating. Jaclyn is an inspiration to me and I want the readers to know how much I love her for what she has done and how she has impacted my life,” he says.

Stapp will continue to tour as part of Creed and his book is expected to be released on October 2, 2012, via Tyndale Publishers, Inc. He is also giving out a new song to his fans called “Sinner’s Creed: A Prayer for Sunrise.”

On September 9, 2012, the band will be playing at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, New York, which will include material from all of their previous albums. “It’s going to be a powerful rock and roll show and it’s going to be a journey,” he says. “We owe it to our fans to rock every single night. It’s going to be a good time.”

He revealed that their set will include their smash hit single “One Last Breath,” which has always been an audience favorite.

To learn more about Scott Stapp and his new book, check out its official website.

Read more at Suite101: Interview with Scott Stapp: "Sinner's Creed" | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/interview-with-scott-stapp-sinners-creed-a411345#ixzz24xq8r1iL