Today I'm pleased to welcome author Mike Kearby to the blog to talk a little bit about his short story The Illusionist and being a writer.
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Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or did you always just know you wanted to be a writer?
From the moment, I read my first book; (around age 6) I knew that someday I would write. There was something about the mental images created by a writer’s words that were highly addictive.
What inspires most of your short stories?
For me, they come from news headlines, or newspapers, or just observing everyday life, then asking, “What if this happened instead?”
Is there anything you found particularly challenging when you were writing The Illusionist?
Yes, making sure that early on the reader was presented with the idea that Fredrick was completely mad. It is a central point of understanding the ending.
If you could be one of your characters from any of your books, who would you chose? Why?
It would have to be Boston Nightly from my novel, Long Term Parking. Boston is a Noir-detective that uses every private detective cliché known to the genre. Plus, he’s half blood-hound. What’s not to like?
When writing The Illusionist, was there anyone or anything that inspired the character Fredrick Knowles?
Fredrick’s inspiration comes from those megalomaniacs among us, be they politician or world leader.
What are your three favorite novels and why?
Something Wicked This Way Comes, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Cowboy and the Cossack. Each conveys a powerful truth through short, simple sentencing.
Which do you prefer hard copy books or e-books? Why?
e-books definitely, if for no other reason than hard copy books have not really changed in their production and distribution since Guttenberg.
What kind of weather do you write best in?
Sunshine.
In your opinion what three words best describe Fredrick Knowles?
Delusional, Grandiose, Pitiful.
Who are your favorite three authors and why?
Ray Bradbury: he is the writer that prompted me to be a life-long reader. Harper Lee because she could tell a large story with simple words. And lastly, Robert Parker: the master of dialogue.
If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?
I think a great movie could come out of A Hundred Miles to Water. In my mind, the two main characters, Pure Reston and July Walker would be played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Curtis Jackson respectively.
Mike Kearby (born 1952) is an award-winning American novelist and inventor. Since 2005, Kearby has published ten novels, one graphic novel, and written two screenplays: (2011) Boston Nightly, with fellow writer Paul Bright and (2012) The Devouring. Boston Nightly is scheduled for filming in Dallas in the spring of 2013.
Interesting interview. Really enjoyed it! This probably doesn't relate much to your site but I wonder if you can do a feature post on the site, ReadWave and perhaps the founders, Rob and Raoul?
ReplyDeleteI would be very grateful if you could get back to me on my blog (the link is there if you click my name) or by email: submissions@readwave.com
@NyNy Hi there, requests like this usually need to go through out contact us page. So if you want to fill that out, give us a link and a little more information about the site we'd be glad to look it over and see if it fits with our blog! :)
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