INTERVIEW: Bestselling & Award Winning Author, Jon Clinch

Welcome to “Up Close and Personal.” For every interview I will be introducing a literary personality discussing his views and insights, as well as upcoming literary events around the world.

Today’s interview is with Jon Clinch. His new novel, “Kings of the Earth” is a powerful and haunting story of life, death and family in rural America is due for released in July of 2010.

In his masterful debut novel which springs from Twain's classic story, Mr. Clinch delves into the history and heart of one of American literature's most brutal and mysterious figures: Huckleberry’s Finn father Pap.

His book FINN was named one of the best novels of 2007 by three major newspaper, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and Christian Science Monitor. FINN was name a notable book by the American Library Association and was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle’s first-ever best recommended list and Sargent First Novel Prize.

E.I. Can you tell us a little bit about your short story “The Dog”?

J.C. You could think of it as a missing chapter of my novel FINN, although the truth is that it's a kind of farewell to Finn himself. The short story, like the novel, takes off from the details of his death room in HUCK—only this time, instead of black cloth masks and whiskey bottles and a wooden leg, the object in question is a dog collar.

E.I. What inspired you to release “The Dog”?

J.C. I liked sending it out there as a missing piece of my first novel, the way Twain's "The Raftsmen's Passage" existed as a missing piece of HUCK. There was a nice symmetry in that. I've posted it for free on my web site at www.jonclinch.com, and it's also available for the Kindle at Amazon. The Amazon version is about as cheap as I could make it.

E.I. It seems that FINN attracted a lot of publicity and readers. When are we going to see FINN on the screen?

J.C. Sooner than you might think. All I can say right now is that the story is in the best possible hands. I've read the script, and it's a thing of beauty. We have a mighty director. Casting is under way. I'll keep you posted.

E.I. With two books under your belt, how have you evolved as a writer?

J.C. I guess you're talking about my next one, KINGS OF THE EARTH, which Random House will publish in July. KINGS is a much more modern story than FINN, set in the twentieth century instead of the nineteenth. The book's language and method and themes have a more modern feel as well. With KINGS, and with the project I'm working on now, readers will sense an expansion beyond the high-intensity claustrophobia that marked FINN.

E.I. What can you share with us about “Kings of the Earth” without spoiling it?

J.C. One description of it begins this way: "The edge of civilization is closer than we think." KINGS is about three brothers who live in poverty on a crumbling dairy farm in upstate New York. One of them dies in his sleep, and things unfold rapidly from there.

E.I. Did you feel as much pressure when you were writing “Kings of the Earth” as you did following on the success of FINN? What was your biggest challenge and obstacle while writing and creating it?

J.C. The pressure was huge, and it really got in my way for a while. It's bad enough to be constantly looking over your shoulder—but when the person who's gaining on you turns out to be YOU, it's kind of a nightmare. I finally stopped trying to replicate what I'd done in FINN, threw out an entire novel that I'd spent a year and a half writing, and began fresh with KINGS. Instead of FINN's big, mythic narrative voice, it uses a dozen first-person narrators who tell their own versions of the story at hand. That technique alone freed me up a great deal.

E.I. Give us three "Good to Know" facts about you. Be creative. Tell us about your first job, the inspiration for your writing, any fun details that would enliven your page.

J.C. My wife, Wendy Clinch, is publishing a very funny mystery novel in January with Minotaur Books, called DOUBLE BLACK: A SKI DIVA MYSTERY (it's the first in a series, set in a little Vermont town like ours).

E.I. We've been married for thirty-three years.

J.C. The best thing the two of ever did is to raise our daughter, who's now a science teacher in New York City.

E.I. What's next after “Kings of the Earth”?

J.C. Another novel set in my home area in upstate New York. More details as they become available. Thanks for inviting me to visit your blog...

To learn more about Jon Clinch please visit his website at: www.jonclinch.com

To purchase his books please www.amazon.com

INTERVIEW: World-Renowned Bestselling Author and Playwright: Warren Adler

Welcome to “Up Close and Personal.” For every interview I will be introducing a literary personality discussing his views and insights, as well as upcoming literary events around the world.

Today’s interview is with World-renowned writer, and playwright, Warren Adler. Mr. Adler has written fourty books and published thirty novels two of which, “The War of the Roses” and "Random Hearts," were made into successful films.

"War of The Roses," the film, debuted in 1989. Two time Oscar winner, Michael Douglas , Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner, Kathleen Turner paid tribute to this sophisticated film noire with scintillating performances under the direction of Oscar nominee and Emmy award winner, Danny De Vito. It remains one of the most popular film noire genre movies of all time.

“Random Hearts” was released in theatres in 1999 starring Oscar nominees, Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas. Academy award winning director, producer the late Sydney Pollack was credited with much of the critical acclaim, but clearly much of the credit rightfully goes to the author.

Mr. Adler has optioned twelve of his books for film ensuring a film legacy equal to that of his publishing career. The manuscript for "Private Lies" sold for $1.2 million, which at the time was the highest price paid in the early 90’s for an unpublished manuscript.

Adding there short story to his accomplishment this prolific author also wrote the Fiona Fitzgerald Collection of five short stories. "The Sunset Gang" was selected by the American Playhouse for public television and presented in a three hour television series running from 1991 to 2002.

His 29th novel, "Funny Boys", was published by Overlook Press in the spring of 2008. "New York Echoes," his 30th novel, which was taken from one of the short story collections, was expanded into a novel and published in the winter of 2008 by Stonehouse Press.

In addition to his accomplishments as a writer Warren Adler was an enterprising business man. He founded WHAG-TV, the NBC affiliate in Hagerstown Maryland in 1970. Before getting into television, he acquired WQCM-FM, a Hagerstown radio station in the late 1960’s.

Mr. Adler is the founder of the Jackson Hole Writer's Conference, and has served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Jackson Hole Public Library.

E.I. Would you share some early insight into who you were as a teenager? What were you like? Please tell us more about Warren Adler -- the man behind the author.

W.A. I was child of the depression. My father was mostly unemployed through that period and we shuttled back and forth from my grandparents house in Brooklyn. I was a boy scout, marched as a bugler in the WW 2 victory parade, loved my childhood, my parents and grandparents. We had no money, but who cared. Life was sweet. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to tell stories, write works of the imagination and I haunted the library, loved books and movies. Still do. I have never lost faith in the promise of America.

E.I. What is it about the art form of writing that enchants you the most?

W.A. By my lights, writing is a calling. You either feel its power or you don’t. Writing is my life. I never attempt to analyze the urge to create parallel lives through novels, short stories and plays.

E.I. How do you imagine audience as you are writing? Do you try to do character development, chapter outlines, various novel-related brainstorming? Do you have sheets of newsprint covered in a story boards all over your walls?

W.A. I never imagine an audience, never brainstorm, never cut clippings, never outline. I research on google these days. I compose my books like a jazz man, create the characters and they work out their own destiny. If I knew how a story would end I would never write it. I have written forty books, published thirty so far and continue to write daily.

E.I. Do you let anyone read your manuscript, before you send it to your editor?

W.A. I never show my books to anyone until I am satisfied that they are finished. Never did. Never will.

E.I. When your novel “RANDOM HEARTS” was adapted to film, where you involved in the casting process? Had you considered Kristin Scott Thomas and Harrison Ford for the starring roles in the movie? And did you served as production advisor on the film location?

W.A. I have sold or optioned 12 of my books to the movies, a record of sorts. I do not write my novels and stories with the movies in mind. They have made two major pictures, of which “The War of the Roses” has become a classic. Random Hearts was a mess and I wrote a piece in the New York Times telling how much I hated it. I was quite satisfied with “War” and I loved the trilogy “The Sunset Gang” adapted from my stories. It appeared on the PBS network. I was on the Warner Lot for a year trying to get my other books made into movies. Frankly, I had no impact on the making of the movies and find the process boring and weird and many of the people associated with that business shallow and narcisstic. Today most movies are made for a target audience of people under fourteen.

E.I. What was your biggest challenge in developing the character, Kay Chandler in Random Hearts?

W.A. I never over-analyze or think in terms of challenges. Developing a character sounds like movie speak. I don’t know what it means. I eshew all this creative writing talk and I find it counterproductive. A writer is a writer is a writer. Deconstruction is for literary academics not for creators of literature.

E. I. If you were asked to read a chapter from your latest book “Funny Boys’”, is there one that you would personally select to share with your fans?

W.A. There are lots of jokes in Funny Boys. I do read those parts with the most jokes. After all it is about a comedian and people like to laugh. Authors who read tend to be boring and as an experienced public speaker I am very careful not to rely on reading my works before audiences. I would rather talk about the book, its origins and read only bit parts. I’m made hundreds of appearances and found that formula the best.

E.I. What inspired you to write “FUNNY BOYS” And has the book been optioned for film yet?

W.A. Yes, the book has been optioned for a film. I know the turf, have been to the Catskills in its hey day and have experienced relationships with Jewish gangsters when I grew up in Brownsville Brooklyn around the corner from the headquarters of Murder Inc. This will make a great film if the producers can assemble a perfect cast and understand the characters and the environment. I live in hope since I have been down that road many times before. I was quite lucky with The War of the Roses.

E.I. What was your biggest challenge and obstacle while writing and creating Mickey Fine and Mutzie Feder in "Funny Boys"? Did you work them out in advance, or did they evolve as you wrote the story? Are any of the characters in the story actually based on real people in your life?

W.A. Once again, I don’t think in terms of challenges. Everything evolves in the creative process. Characters form, inter-react and become real people in the parallel world imagined in the creative process. As I said before I am against deconstruction and the language of the creative writing classes. Talent is a mysterious force that happens. If you have it you know it and you must nurture and respect it. As for being based on real people, all fictionalized characters are an amalgm of those people who the writer has met in his life. But the process is subconscious and I try not think about how it pops into the writers mind. The less you know of the process, the better the performance. Just ask any painter, composer or “real” writer.

E.I. If you were allowed total control of the Hollywood version of (FUNNY BOYS) who would be in it? And in your opinion who do you think should direct?

W.A. Milton Berle, if he were still alive and in his twenties would be perfect and Speilberg, who lives, is my first choice. I’m sure there are people around who could play the part of the Tumler and many can play the parts of the gangsters. I can see the picture in the movie of my mind. I hope the producers can take a peek.

E.I. Mr. Adler, Thank you for contributing to my blog. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know your work a little better. Would you like to end your interview with a writing tip or advice for young aspiring writers?

W.A. You can get more on my website warrenadler.com If I sound somewhat like a curmudgeon forgive me. I tend to be too outspoken…but what the hell. Good for you to keep writing. Best Warren

To purchase Mr. Adlers books please visit www.amazon.com

INTERVIEW: Bestselling Author, Novelist, New York Times & San Francisco Chronicle Journalist: Tom Dolby

Welcome to “Up Close and Personal.” For every interview I will be introducing a literary personality discussing his views and insights, as well as upcoming literary events around the world.

Today’s interview is with Tom Dolby. He is the author of the best-selling novel The Trouble Boy. It was published in 2004 and was followed by his third novel The Sixth Form in 2008. He was a co-editor of , Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys in 2007. The rights to the anthology were optioned by Bravo TV in 2008 as a reality television series.

Mr. Dolby was born in London, but raised in San Francisco and now divides his time between Manhattan's West Village and Wainscott, New York. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Village Voice and San Francisco Chronicle. He is a graduate of Yale University, where he received his BA in the history of art.

Secret Society is his first book for young adults and is now available in every bookstore and on line.

E.I. Tell us about your latest book “Secret Society” for young adult? What drew you to attract the YA readers?

T.D. I had an idea to write a book about a secret society that was recruiting teens, and it seemed like the YA genre would be right for it. Secret societies are full of mystery and intrigue and it seemed like a good fit.

E.I. What was your biggest challenge or obstacle while writing and creating the characters Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch? Did you work them out in advance, or did they evolve as you wrote the story?

T.D. A little bit of both -- I knew the characters before I started, but they certainly evolved as the story developed.

E.I. If you were asked to read a chapter from this book, is there one that you would select to share?

T.D. I like the initiation scene a lot!

E.I. What inspired you to write “Secret Society”?

T.D. I was inspired by real-life secret societies, as well as classic adventure stories.

E.I. As a first time YA novelist, do you feel more pressure, feel insecure or are you able to separate all that from your own creative process?

T.D. I think a novelist just has to write the best book he or she can write -- you can't worry too much about the book's reception, particularly while you are writing it.

E.I. If you were allowed total control of the Hollywood version of “Secret Society’’ who would be in it? And who do you think should direct?

T.D. I would love to see a Wes Anderson version of it -- my favorite parts of the book are the quirky moments, and I think he would bring that out. As for casting, it's hard to say -- I'll have to think about that!

E.I. Mr. Dolby, thank you for contributing to my blog. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know you, and your work a little better. Would you like to end your interview with a writing tip or advice for young aspiring writers?

T.D. Just keep at it, and try to write every day -- it's important to stay in practice!

To learn more about Tom Dolby please visit his website at: http://www.tomdolby.com/about/

To buy his books please visit http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=tom+dolby&x=12&y=22

INTERVIEW: Stan Swanson - Author - The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck

Welcome to “Up Close and Personal.” For every interview I will be introducing a literary personality discussing his views and insights, as well as upcoming literary events around the world.

Today’s interview is with Mr. Stan Swanson. Mr. Swanson worked as a writer, columnist and editor for a Denver area newspaper. He also worked as the entertainment editor for Denver Magazine. He formed Stony Meadow Publishing in 2005 as a means to writing and publishing additional works

The Dragons of Shadara was Stan’s Swanson’s first book and was released in 2003. His book, The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck, is a juvenile fantasy adventure was published in 2007. The second book in his exciting fantasy series Pandemonium in Pennywhistle will be available in 2010.

Mr. Swanson currently resides in Colorado with his wife, Joy. He has three children and four grandchildren.

E.I. Would you share some early insight into who you were as a teenager? What were you like? Please tell us more about Stan Swanson -- the man behind the author and journalist?

S.S. I was rather shy growing up, but I learned to play guitar when I was about 14. I was in several groups through my college days and soon got over my stage fright. I wrote a lot in my teenage years and was really into science fiction. (I also got into songwriting so you can tell I was really into the creative process in my formative years.)

E.I. Do you enjoy writing? *What is it about this art form that enchants you the most? Why have you chosen to write in the genre in which you write?

S.S. I do enjoy the writing process, but people might be surprised to find out it is work just like any job. Sometimes I can sit down and write quite easily, but at other times I really have to force myself. I don't really believe in 'writer's block'. You just need to sit down and write no matter what comes out of your pen, pencil or keyboard. I think what enchants me the most is creating something out of nothing and then actually seeing it in print. It's like scoring the winning touchdown in a football game. And I actually write in different styles for different audiences even though I really enjoy writing stuff for tweens and teens. Even though the first book I wrote The Dragons of Shadara was aimed at teens, my next two books were non-fiction works for songwriters. I then wrote the first book in the Hobart Hucklebuck series and consider it one of my favorites. The characters really came to life for me and I could really use my sense of humor. However, my latest work is strictly for adults. (Forever Zombie: A Collection of Undead Guy Tales is now available on Amazon along with my other works.)

E.I. Could you describe your path that leads you to publication--any stumble along the way? Is there anything about you that you would do differently, knowing what you do now?

S.S. After many rejections on The Dragons of Shadara, I decided that self-publishing was the best route for me to take. There was a huge learning curve in doing it this way, but it has worked out well as I now have five books available on Amazon and other online bookstores. By the way, The Dragons of Shadara was originally published through AuthorHouse. I re-published recently under my Stony Meadow Publishing company as Dragontooth: The Prequel.

E.I. Was there a central theme that you wanted readers to grasp?

S.S. There was no central theme in The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck. I just wanted to write something that kids would enjoy reading. It has received good reviews, but sales are always hard for the self-publisher who must do all their own marketing, etc.

E.I. Are there any kid or teen books rocked your world while growing up? And why?

S.S. I loved Raold Dahl, but I read mostly science fiction while I was growing up. Most people won't know what I'm talking about, but the Tom Corbett: Space Cadet books were a great series for kids. As far as books go for tweens and teens, you can't ignore the impact that Harry Potter has had upon the reading habits of kids. My only problem with the books was that they got darker and darker as the series progressed. The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck will never take that route. I don't want to alienate my original audience.

E.I. How do you imagine audience as you are writing? Do you try to do character development, chapter outlines, various novel-related brainstorming? Do you have sheets of newsprint covered in a story boards all over your walls?

S.S. I've tried everything from post-it notes on my bulletin board to index cards. But I generally develop the basics of my story in my head and don't even jot down many notes the first few days. I usually fall asleep thinking through the plotline. The, when I'm ready, I do a chapter-by-chapter outline so that when I start writing, I know exactly what's going to happen in each chapter. Sometimes that changes as I go, but for the most part, I stick with the outline. I also do character development sheets so I get to know my characters before I start writing.

E.I. Let’s talk about Hobart Hucklebuck, the protagonist in your novel The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck. How much of Hobart planned out in your head? How do you know where you will go next with his character?

S.S. By the time I started writing The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck. I could visual Hobart as easily as the kid next door. I knew what he was likely to do in any situation, but he's basically an "everyday" kid that most readers can identify. He will grow and mature to a certain extent, but as I stated earlier, I don't want my characters to grow up too fast, so future books will have only short gaps in time from the previous book.

E.I. What is a typical work day schedule when you are in full writing mode? Would you tell us a little about your process for editing, revising, and novel development?

S.S. I try not to do the same thing everyday although If I really fall into a true writing mode, I might write for several days before doing anything else. But typically I will write for 2-3 days, then do some editing on a different book (I usually have 2-3 books going at once.) And some days I will stay away from the process completely and try to enjoy something else so my brain stays fresh and it all doesn't become too "work-like". I edit my books heavily. (Maybe too much...) I edited/revised The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck 9-10 times before I felt it was ready.

E.I. How long did it take you to write “The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck” and The Dragons of Shadara.

S.S. I wrote The Dragons of Shadara over a four year on-and-off period. The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck took about two years. I wrote the second book in the series in about 3 months, but still have several edits to go before it is actually done.

E.I. What's up next? Is there another book in the works? What can you share with your fans?

S.S. I just released Forever Zombie: A Collection of Undead Guy Tales a few days ago. It is a collection of 12 short stories, but they are not your typical 'slice-and-dice' zombie tales. They all have lots of humor and endings you might not expect. I think that even a non-zombie fan would enjoy the stories. The second book in the Hobart series The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Pandemonium in Pennywhistle is basically finished, but still needs a couple more edits. I have also started an outline for the third book in the series. (The second book should be available in the Spring of 2010.) I'm also working on a humorous book titled The Ultimate Survival Guide for Humanity: How to Survive Attacks from Zombies, Vampires, Aliens, Ex-Lovers and Other Scary Stuff which should also be available next year.

E.I. Mr. Swanson, thank you for contributing to my blog. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know your work a little better. Would you like to end your interview with a writing tip or advice for young aspiring writers?

S.S. My only suggestion for aspiring writers is just to keep writing. Don't get discouraged by rejections. All authors receive them. Many successfully books (including the Harry Potter series) were rejected many times before publication. Don't believe in writer's block -- just write, write write. And never worry about editing your stuff until you're done with the project. It just slows down the creative process if you try to edit as you go. And good luck!

To learn more about Stan Swanson please visit his website at: http://www.stonymeadowpublishing.com/

INTERVIEW: Bestselling Author and Journalist: Anna David

Welcome to “Up Close and Personal.” For every interview I will be introducing a literary personality discussing her views and insights, as well as upcoming literary events around the world.

Today’s interview is with Ms. Anna David. She is a TV personality, author and was a fulltime freelancer at People,. She had a contract with US Weekly Magazine and ,wrote a love and relationship column for Razor. Her first novel, Party Girl, was released May, 2007. Her second novel Bought is now available in bookstores and on line.

E.I. Your book, Bought explores the sexy, dysfunctional world of Hollywood's "kept women” and the tremendous pressures put on a hungry-for-promotion journalist. What drew you to explore these topics and was there something special that first sparked the storyline for the novel?

A.D. Years ago, I wrote an article on high-class prostitution in Hollywood for Details. I had anticipated interviewing people over a few weeks and gathering some anecdotes, but I ended up spending about six months obsessively infiltrating that universe, getting to know the girls as well as the detectives, FBI informants and other denizens of the underworld. I was always disappointed that the article ended up being this 2000-word story that essentially just relayed how rich men got their rocks off and didn’t get into the dynamics behind any of it. Sometime after finishing the Details story, I was reading an article about a beautiful, well-educated, seemingly cultivated girl who brazenly admitted that she took money from men in exchange for sexual favors. I was amazed that someone like that could do and say those things without seeming to have an ounce of shame about it and honestly, I admired it. I walk around feeling shame about all kinds of things I shouldn’t so for someone to own behavior that most of the world was going to judge just seemed so ballsy. I’m also slightly obsessed with the different versions of ourselves that we present to the world so I wanted to examine how someone like that – someone who, on the surface, had everything going for her and appeared confident – might be lying to herself and how her well-honed armor might crack.

E.I. Jessica Davis is a professional escort who gets paid in clothes, jewelry, and rent payments. What research did you do in preparation for writing about Jessica – did you know of anyone who are professional escorts to help you with your research for your book?

A.D. I got to know the women I interviewed for the Details story reasonably well but I mostly based Jessica on what I imagined the girl I read the article would be like as well as some of the women I’d run across in L.A. who seemed to accept the fact that they needed men to be their meal tickets. When I was promoting the book, I got to know a number of the women who were on a website that hooked aspiring gold diggers up with their “sugar daddies” – as well as Brooke Taylor, who works at the Cattle Ranch in Nevada (and is on the reality show Cathouse) and was amazed by how much they were like the women I’d invented.

E.I. What part of working on a book is most enjoyable to you? And how difficult was it to muster up the courage to write Bought?

A.D. The most enjoyable part, for me, is when the rewrites are complete and I’m printing up the entire book to go through it with my red pen. I have all kinds of tricks for getting myself to read something I’ve already read hundreds of times and still have a fresh reaction to it because books become like that small hole next to your coat hook in your entryway; in other words, you can cease to see the flaws because you’re simply so accustomed to them. So it’s almost like an acting exercise for me: I pretend I’m someone specific – a certain friend, my agent, my mom, whoever – and I read the book as if I’m that person, making every effort I possibly can to embody them so I can see the book the way they would. And I didn’t think that writing Bought took much courage. Party Girl required far more because I was really putting myself out there as an incredibly flawed and screwed up person.

E.I. The first time you saw your book in a bookstore, what did you think?

A.D. The first time I saw Party Girl in a bookstore, I hugged the saleswoman. It was at a reading for an anthology I had an essay in and Party Girl wasn’t due out for another month. But somehow this store had gotten my publisher to release copies early for this anthology reading so I was completely taken by surprise. I think I started screaming and demanding that the she tell me how she’d gotten this miracle to occur. I remember her smiling but looking at me like I was half insane. For years, I looked for Party Girl and Bought in every bookstore I went to but at a certain point I stopped. But I do get a bit of a serotonin rush when I see Laura Davis’ and Robertson Davies’ names because those always seemed to be the ones that came after mine on the shelf.

E.I. With four books under your belt, how have you evolved as a writer?

A.D. With Party Girl, I was really just teaching myself how to write a first person, present-tense book with one main character. Bought was far more challenging, not only because I was writing about a world I didn’t have any personal experience in but also because the protagonist, Emma, really isn’t the main character. Most people tell me they come away from the book far more intrigued by Jessica, despite the fact that she had fewer redeeming qualities, and that was always my intention. My third book is an anthology: I wrote only one essay in it and then assigned and edited the other 17 pieces. While I’d edited before (I’m a massive self-editor and pride myself on the fact that neither Party Girl or Bought received line edits; I’ve also been an editor at magazines), I’d never been responsible for articles by writers of this caliber. For me to have to go back to writers who are far more successful than I am and ask them to make changes wasn’t easy but the hardest part of that book was dealing with the writers who’d promised they’d contribute and completely flaked out! I’m about a third of the way through writing my fourth book and it’s absolutely the most enjoyable of them all because it’s something of a memoir. No disguising experiences I had, no developing characters and no inventing scenarios for them – just straight up storytelling from my own life.

Photo of Anna David by Eric Fischer

To learn more about Anna David please visit her website at http://www.annadavid.com/

To purchase her books please visit http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=anna+david

INTERVIEW: Author Andrew Grant & the David Travellyan Novels

Welcome to “Up Close and Personal.” For every interview I will be introducing a literary personality discussing his views and insights, as well as upcoming literary events around the world.

Today’s interview is with ANDREW GRANT. He was born in Birmingham, England. He’s debut thriller novel EVEN, is now available in every bookstores and on line. His style is sure to send adrenaline surging through to every hair on your body.

E.I. Would you share some early insight into who you were as a teenager? What were you like? Please tell us more about Andrew Grant -- the man behind the author.

A.G: When I was a teenager? That was a depressingly long time ago...

The thing I remember most from those years is a tangible feeling of my horizons expanding. My parents were very ‘hands-off,’ so I had plenty of freedom to discover music, literature, art, and so on for myself. I also enjoyed a lot of outdoor activities - caving, canoeing, camping etc - which I’ve not had time to pursue recently.

E.I. Do you enjoy writing? What is it about this art form that enchants you the most? Why have you chosen to write in the genre in which you write?

A.G. Sometimes writing is the most enjoyable occupation in the world; sometimes the most frustrating. I have never experienced any other kind of work with such a contrast, both in terms of the extremes of joy and despair, and the speed that one can change into the other. I choose to write crime fiction because that’s the genre I like best. If you enjoy reading, writing is the ultimate indulgence - you get to decide who the heroes and villains are, where the action takes place, what kinds of crime are involved...

E.I. Could you describe your path that leads you to publication--any stumble along the way? Is there anything about you that you would do differently, knowing what you do now?

A.G. My first love was actually theatre, rather than writing novels. When I left university I set up a small independent theatre company with five of my friends, and we were completely immersed in writing and producing original shows for the best part of two years. We had an incredibly enjoyable time - performing locally, touring the UK, and appearing at the Edinburgh Festival - but eventually our funds failed to match our enthusiasm and I was forced to find a ‘real’ job. This was supposed to be a temporary stop-gap while I repaired the hole in my bank balance, but in the end it ate up fifteen years of my life. During this time my focus gradually drifted from drama to fiction - and ultimately crime fiction - so that when I was finally able to escape the corporate world, it was clear to me what I wanted to do.

E.I. Was there a central theme that you wanted readers to grasp?

A.G. I’m not sure about themes, specifically, but my overall aim to make my books as enjoyable as possible by including everything I like about thrillers, and leaving out everything I don’t like.

E.I. Are there any suspense thriller books rocked your world while growing up? And why?

A.G. My favourite thriller when I was growing up was ICE STATION ZEBRA by Alistair MacLean. I loved the pace, the suspense, and the way the narrator repeatedly misled the other characters - not to mention the reader - as he tenaciously unravelled the complexities of the plot.

E.I. How do you imagine audience as you are writing? Do you try to do character development, chapter outlines, various novel-related brainstorming? Do you have sheets of newsprint covered in a story boards all over your walls?

A.G. I picture my hero, David Trevellyan, sitting in a bar with a group of friends, telling them a story about things that have happened to him. I use the first person, because I want the audience to see the events of the novel through his eyes and understand the decisions he makes. I develop his character as far as I can to make his reactions and responses seem credible, but I tend to stay away from outlining in too great detail as I don’t believe I could do it without taking some of the immediacy away from the narrative.

E.I. Let’s shift gears here for a second... let’s talk about David Trevellyan the protagonist in your novel EVEN . How much of him planned out in your head? How do you know where you will go next with her character?

A.G. I have a very clear sense of who David is inside my head - what motivates him, what’s important to him etc - and I try to illustrate as many sides of him as possible through the situations I place him in.

E.I. What was your biggest challenge and obstacle while writing and creating David Trevellyan? Did you work them out in advance, or did they evolve as you wrote the story? Are any of the characters in the story actually based on real people in your life?

A.G. Because I write in the first person, the biggest challenge is showing David through the eyes of other characters. Especially when you want to portray him in a positive light, but without him sounding boastful. This sort of problem generally crops up at regular intervals throughout each book, but fortunately ways around it - such as introducing parts of David’s service record in EVEN - usually present themselves as I go along.

E.I. It seems that your books been attracting more readers and publicity. When are we going to see them on the screen? And if you were allowed total control of the Hollywood version of EVEN who would be in it? And in your opinion who do you think should direct?

A.G. I’m delighted that EVEN has attracted a great deal of interest from Hollywood, and I’m hoping to have some more concrete news about this in the very near future...

E.I. What is a typical work day schedule when you are in full writing mode? Would you tell us a little about your process for editing, revising, and novel development? How long did it take you to write EVEN including the time it took to research it?

A.G. I find there’s a limit to the amount of time I can work and remain productive, so the ideal for me would be to write for two hours in the morning, two hours after lunch, and another two hours later in the afternoon. As my deadline approaches, however, I usually find myself stretching these periods out a little. And as I travel a lot these days, I often find myself making use of the time I spend on planes, where there are no phones or internet connections to distract me.

The basic ideas for EVEN were taking shape in my head for a couple of years before I quit my job, but once I was ‘free’ it took me almost exactly eight months to write the book.

E.I. As a first time suspense thriller writer, do you feel more pressure, feel insecurities fade away or are you able to separate all that from your own creative process?

A.G. Quitting my job to become a writer was a daunting prospect, but I just kept telling myself there are two kinds of things you can regret in life - the things you do, and the things you don’t. And I didn’t want to get to end of my days and regret not having at least tried to do the thing that most excited me.

E.I. What's up next? Is there another book in the works? What can you share with your fans?

A.G. My second book is due for release next summer. Obliged to leave New York City in the aftermath of his previous mission, David Trevellyan is summoned to the British Consulate in Chicago. To the same office where just a week before his new handler was attacked and shot by a Royal Navy Intelligence operative gone bad. Assigned the job of finding the rogue agent and putting an end to his treacherous scheme, Trevellyan soon finds that once again, his only hopes of saving countless innocent lives lie not within the system, but in his instinctive belief – you’re obliged to do what’s right, whatever the personal cost may be.

E.I. Mr. Grant, thank you for contributing to my blog. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know you, and your work a little better. I'm really glad that I had the honor to get your interview. I wish you all the best in the literary world. Would you like to end your interview with a writing tip or advice for young aspiring writers?

A.G. The pleasure was all mine. Thank you for including me in your blog. And my only advice for aspiring writers is - ignore all advice. Just sit down, write the book, and start querying agents.

To learn more about Andrew Grant, please visit his website: http://www.andrewgrantbooks.com/

Photo of Mr. Andrew Grant By Carrie Schechter

INTERVIEW: Updates on Bestselling Author Tish Cohen

Welcome to “Up Close and Personal.” For every interview I will be introducing a literary personality discussing her views and insights, as well as upcoming literary events around the world.

Today’s interview is with Tish Cohen, she is the best-selling author of Inside Out Girl and Town House, as well Little Black Lies for teens and the Zoe Lama series. Her adult novel ‘Town House’ was a 2008 finalist for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Her novel ‘Town House’ was sold to FOX movie producers before it was picked up by HarperPerennial.

E.I. Tell us about your latest book for teens “Little Black Lies”? What drew you to attract the teen readers? What sort of feedback do you get from readers that have contacted you about “Little Black Lies”?

T.C. I was drawn to write a teen novel after writing Inside Out Girl, which features three protagonists, one of whom is a fourteen-year old girl named Janie. I adored writing in Janie’s angsty, lovesick, insecure, fragile voice, and chose to write an entire book from a teen voice. I think the teen years are years we really remember as adults. That coming-of-age time is so fraught with memories good and bad, it is a great place to draw from when writing a story.

Readers seem to relate well to Sara Black from Little Black Lies because she is such an underdog. She’s the new girl at a school for genius kids, her mother has left the family and her obsessive-compulsive father—the school janitor) is inadvertently destroying any chance she has for a social life at school because his condition is growing worse. She’s in a sort of desperate situation.

E.I. What challenge or obstacle did you encounter in creating the character Sarah Black while writing and creating her in your novel?

T.C. It was challenging to show her as a loving daughter, in spite of the things she does to save her social skin. But the truth is, high school is so filled with angst and pressure, and many kids (like my own!) are terrified to even have their parents walk into the school, that a friendless girl like Sara—so desperate to fit in even in a small way—could easily make some bad choices in the interest of social survival.

E.I. Your novels are known for unusual and lovable characters. Do you always know a story's ending when you begin writing?

T.C. Thank you. Character is Number One for me. In terms of knowing the ending, definitely not. I didn’t know how Little Black Lies would end until I wrote the end. It was important to me that the readers’ emotions would be settled, but that Sara not have things in her life be magically resolved. Some things she’s just forced to accept.

E.I. Do you find that the real story magic comes in the editing? Does the story continue to evolve for you even beyond the first draft? Do you have any particular approach to editing your work?

T.C. I felt that for Inside Out Girl, the final scene on the riverbank where you see this broken family facing their next phase, both happy and terribly sad, was the magic of the book. That was one ending I had imagined right from the start. But in answer to your question, the story evolves with every draft, even to the point of adding or removing characters. For me, the story is ripe for change until I sign off on the final proof pages.

E.I. This may be a ridiculous question but do you ever get writer’s block? How do you overcome it?

T.C. I don’t believe in writer’s block, actually. I do believe in writer’s lack of focus and it definitely happens to me. And as much as I love writing, it still terrifies me and I still look for excuses to do anything other than write. But usually once I fall in love with the characters on the page and grow to care about their lives, the need to peruse the Internet or straighten my writing room dissipates.

E.I. When did you get the first inkling that your books might become wildly popular? Can you describe your feelings upon realizing this?

T.C. Well, when I heard the film rights for Town House had sold, I was gobsmacked. Filled with anxiety as well. What would it mean? Would my life change? As happy as I was, I found it terrifying. It’s taken a couple of years to get over that fear of success—the tortoise pace of Hollywood helped with that!—but I can honestly say I’m in a place now where I welcome it.

E.I. With four books under your belt, how have you evolved as a writer?

T.C. I think the books I’ve read in these years have helped me evolve as a writer as much as the books I’ve written. Nothing is more inspiring to me than coming upon a turn of phrase that makes me stop and read it over and over again. I think I strive harder now to create stories, scenes, sentences, that stir the reader in that very way. I don’t know if I’ll ever achieve it but I try.

E.I. What can fans look forward from you in the coming months? Can you give us a hint as to what it's about?

T.C. My next novel for adults will be released June 8, 2010. The Truth About Delilah Blue is about a twenty-year old nude model who discovers a terrible secret about her adored father, a secret she may never forgive.

To learn more about Tish Cohen, please visit her website: http://www.tishcohen.com/

To purchase her books please visit http:www.amazon.com