Interview with James M. Corkill, author of Alex Cave's series

     

James M. Corkill, author of the Alex Cave Series, was kind enough to participate in this interview on "Books and Movies: Reviews" blog.

Thanks for the interview, James. Can we begin by having you tell us what got you started writing this series of books featuring Alex Cave?

Of course, and thank you for this opportunity. Although I did a little writing during my early years in high school, I never aspired to be an author until twenty-five years later while I was a Federal Firefighter. I was always reading in my spare time and thought some of the stories were awful. During the oil crises in the late 1980’s, a friend asked a general question; what would happen if suddenly we didn’t have any more fuel? I began writing down some of the issues that might arise if it actually happened, and it was the beginning of my first novel, Dead Energy.

Q. Is the Alex Cave character based on you or anybody that you know?

A. I suppose Alex and I are very similar.  I loved the adventure of being a Federal Firefighter for thirty-two years, and I was always exploring something new in my off time. When I began the series, I decided to send him on the kind of adventures that I could only enjoy in my imagination.

Q. Is there a lot of technical research behind the scenes for you to write believable passages or is this just your imagination at work?

A. I do have a vivid imagination, but I do extensive research for each story. Wikipedia and I are close friends, and I try to keep up with several science magazines. I enjoy the science and weather channels for ideas and current facts that would make an interesting and believable plot. Since I try to keep my stories based on fact as much as possible, I studied resonate frequencies of atomic structures for book 2, Cold Energy. For book 3, Red Energy, I studied Volcanism, (volcanoes, not the planet Vulcan from Star Trek). For this new story, Gravity, I did research on Astronaut Rusty Shchweickart’s B612 Foundation project, the Sentinel Asteroid Detection Satellite, as well as study the effects of the lunar orbit on the planet for the past 4.5 billion years.

Q. “Gravity” is the fourth book in the series. And it is getting better and better as it progresses. Can your readers be assured that there is many more to come?

A. Oh, Definitely! I always have new ideas rattling around in my head, and as you might have noticed throughout the series, I set the stage for the next adventure by mentioning an object that is only slightly related to the events in that particular story. My biggest challenge is coming up with a completely unique idea that has never been used by another writer.

Q. Do you feel yourself like the next George Lucas? I am asking that because I feel like Alex Cave is in a way similar to Indiana Jones, that although he is a professor, he lives a life full of adventures.

A. I suppose in a way my stories are similar, in that Alex is always involved in some kind of exciting situation, and has been compared to Indiana Jones. He has also been compared to Clive Cussler’s, Dirk Pitt, and Tom Clancy’s, Jack Ryan, only with a geophysics background.

Q. Is there any book that changed your life?

A. Yes, Clive Cussler’s, Night Probe. I decided that if I write a book, that’s the type of story I would want it to be, a lot of action to keep it exciting.

Q. If you could meet any of your characters, who would it be and why?

A. That would be Alex’s best friend, Okana. That’s his last name, by the way, pronounced, O’Kaw-nuh, like O’Conner without the R’s. While growing up on one of the Islands in the Puget Sound, I was always a loner and never had a best friend, so I created Okana as the type of friend I would have wanted. He’s become my favorite sidekick, always jumping into the thick of things on impulse, whereas Alex would handle the situation in a much more reasonable way. Most of the time.

Q. Any final words?

A. Yes, I would like to thank you for this opportunity, and all the people who have supported me with the series. It’s nice to know that my hard work has given someone the opportunity to escape from their own reality for a little while, and since people enjoy my stories so much, I’ll keep writing.

Interview with Stephen H.Banks - author of "Chaos Theories"

Stephen H.Banks, author of the novel "Chaos Theories" was kind enough to participate in this interview on "Books and Movies Reviews" blog.

Q-) Thanks for the interview, Stephen. Can we begin by having you tell us what got you started writing your new book, "Chaos Theory"?

A-) It’s my pleasure to meet you and your readers, Mr. Mattos. It began as a different book entirely. Back in 2000 I was running an IT department and felt the need to do something more creative. I started writing a straightforward thriller about a software developer who shot everyone in his office, then lead a manhunt across country. This was about a year after day-trader Mark Barton went on an office killing spree, I guess that’s what initially inspired me. The first chapter of that book became the third one in Chaos Theories, except that it was set in Boston rather than near Seattle. 

Q-) But you never finished it? 

A-) Well, about two months into writing it, there was another office massacre that actually took place in Boston. The similarities between what Michael McDermott did there and what I’d written were chilling – right down to the temp working reception. I stopped partially because it became too real for me, and partially because I figured people would think I just copied the news reports. 

Q-) There’s a lot more to Chaos Theories than the story of a serial killer. What inspired you to take on probability mathematics, chaos, free-will and predetermination? 

A-) That’s a harder one to talk about. In 2002, my twenty year old daughter Olivia was killed in a car accident. It was just a random, stupid set of circumstances on what started out to be a totally morning. I don’t know if “obsessed” is the right word, but I needed to address for myself how such a horrible thing could happen. Somewhere in the five-year break I took from reality, I wrote a short story called “Baby Bird” that became the first chapter of Chaos Theories. I think I just needed a random occurrence to save someone, if that makes sense. I wanted to write more on the subject and explore its darker side, but didn’t want anything that was actually about what my family had and still is going through. Then I remembered the other book I’d started, and realized they were really the same story. 

Q-) Are any of the characters in the book based on you or your family, then? 

A-) Not really; I intentionally worked to make them all fictitious. There are a few incidental things, though. Olivia was a strange and magical child, and animals seemed to be drawn to her. And, she couldn’t be around clocks – people who didn’t know her never believe it, but I’ve seen her electric alarm clock run backwards. Oh, and I have some of Jim’s quirks. For example, I find it hard to leave the house if the time isn’t exactly on the quarter hour. 

Q-) How would you describe the book? Is there a lot of math? 

A-) I’d call it a philosophical thriller. Some of it gets pretty deep, but I balance that off with short chapters, a lot of action and a kind of goofy love story. I reference a lot of theoretical mathematics, but the reader doesn’t have to have any kind of background to understand what’s going on; some of the characters are experts, and they explain it to the others, who sometimes get it and sometimes don’t. So if the reader doesn’t, he’s in good company. 

Q-) What kind of educational background do you have? Did you concentrate more on literature, philosophy or mathematics? 

A-) I’m mostly self-taught. I was all-honors everything in high school; the guidance counselors and my test scores said I could have gone in any direction, so I never really picked one. I majored in Theater at Bennington College with a minor in philosophy, but dropped out after a year. I taught myself programming when the PC first came out, and ended up running both development and IT operations for a few companies. I’m probably the only drama school dropout that has software he’s written running in MIT’s business offices. Other than that, I read voraciously and am pretty good with this whole internet thing. The math, physics, and philosophy are all well grounded, but when I don’t know something or it doesn’t fit the story I don’t mind just making things up. 

Q-) What authors influence you? Who are your favorites? 

A-) Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut, to both questions. Adams had a way of writing the most hilarious stories with such deep, dark insights hidden underneath. His most popular work started out with the destruction of the earth, after all. And Vonnegut had such style and clarity. I think that the end of “Breakfast Of Champions” explains my approach to writing better than I ever could. 

Q-) Do you have a sequel or any other works planned? 

A-) I’m already working on my next novel. It isn’t exactly a sequel, but some of the characters from “Chaos Theories” do carry over. I’ve also written a play that I’m producing at the Atlanta Fringe Festival this year, and now that I’m really concentrating on my writing I may revive a young adult novel I started some time ago. So you can expect to see a lot more work from me.

Q-) Any final words?

A-) I’d just like to thank you and your readers for supporting my work. The only way we sell  books is through word-of-mouth. I really appreciate it when people go out of their way to tell others about the book. This is really the work of my heart and I’m always touched by other people’s support. Thanks so much!

Well, Mr. Stephen Banks, you deserve every support you get because this is truly a magnificent book. Congratulations!

Interview with Julien Longo - author of "Hera"

Julien Longo, author of the novel "Hera" was kind enough to participate in this interview on "Books and Movies Reviews"blog.

Q-) Thanks for the interview, Julien. Can we begin by having you tell us what your new book, "Hera", is all about?

A-) It’s my pleasure to meet you and your readers, Mr. Mattos.

HERA is the first book in my Goddess Chronicles fiction series, which is a feminine re-telling of the lives of Gods and Goddesses from around the world. In the first book I begin with one of my favorite characters in mythology, Hera, queen of the Greek pantheon. This is a fictional autobiography—Hera tells us how she lived as a mortal woman in the time of Atlantis, weaving together her mystical journey into the Emerald Temple and her very human love story. Then, in book two, we discover how Hera becomes immortal.

Q-) In "Mists of Avalon", Marion Zimmer Bradley also uses a female's point of view to narrate Arthur's story. What inspired you to use a similar technique to retell Greek mythology from Hera's point of view? 

A-) Actually, “Mists of Avalon” really influenced me when I was younger and I thought what a great way to reinterpret a very male dominated tale! Then, as I began to study mythology and mysticism I realized how the stories that have been passed down to us are most often told through the male voice and I was caught up in imagining what the women’s stories might have been. Hera is such a juicy, passionate and powerful female character, one that goes un-sung in western mythology that I gravitated to her immediately. She is the Mother goddess, powerful, passionate and righteous. I don’t like that she is mis-represented in our mythological stories. Most people don’t even know that she predates Zeus as an Aegean goddess by hundreds of years!

Q-) How much research is "behind the scenes"?

A-) As a lover of mythology and one who has always wondered about the mystical roots of religion, I’ve studied a great deal. I have an M.A. in humanities with an emphasis on mysticism so that gave me the time to really dive in. When tracing spiritual traditions to the their mystical origins it was natural to delve into the Western traditions that brought me to the Greek mystery schools and their myths.

Q-) How difficult was it writing your book? Did you ever experience writer's block and, if so, what did you do?

A-) I wrote the book rather quickly, in just two months. However it took several years of study and outlining ideas and imaginings before that! And as most writers find, the revision process was where the real work came in and that took a year. It was the same with the second book too.

Q-) What are your daily writing routines?

A-) I stimulate my mind by reading and writing Sacred Poetry everyday. This keeps me in touch with what really has heart and meaning in my life. By doing this I am able to keep that creative juice and flow going. Then I turn to my Into The Mystic blog at www.julienlongo.com. That keeps me focused, fresh, and the words flowing. Other then that, I don’t work everyday on my fantasy books. I just take notes as idea pop into my head. I notice that when its time to write another book, I just sort of sit down and really get into it. Usually, I’ve gone away from home, isolated myself for a month to write the ‘bones’ of the piece down. That’s how I work best.

Q-) If you could meet any of your characters, who would it be and why?

A-) Oh, I’d love to meet Artemis! She’s the Goddess of Beasts and Goddess of the Light. She’s the mistress of wild things! In my books, she’s Hera’s best friend and mentor and I think she has such a quiet dignity and sensuality about her that I’m looking forward to seeing how she will appear in future books! I have thought of writing her story as one of the Chronicles as well, or making it a serial novel on my blog. She’s a really rich character.

Q-) What book changed your life?

A-) Well, there are so many, but I think I can point to the two that made me want to write fiction. First, when I was 14, I read Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy and that swept me away into Merlin’s fictional autobiography. I got really lost in it and knew that I wanted to write. The second was in college when I read Kate Chopin’s book, The Awakening. Wow, that showed me the power of fiction to educate and inspire in a way that non-fiction can’t do. It was the way the Chopin SHOWED the character’s awakening that touched me so deeply.

Q-) What is your passion? What is it that you're most passionate about, more than anything else?

A-) Sacred Poetry! Oh my, it just gives me goose bumps! I love to read all kinds of poetry but anything that brings me deeper into relationship with love is what draws me in. I delve in everyday, asking Poetic Inquiries. I started MysticPie.com as a Sacred Poetry site just so I could feed my addiction to wisdom and engage with others who enjoy the same!

Q-) What do you do to relax?

A-) I cuddle with my dogs, get foot rubs from my wonderful husband, Martin, and I love to sing and recite poetry. I’m also a shameless foodie!

Q-) Any final words?

A-) I’d just like to thank you and your readers for supporting my work. The Goddess Chronicles are not published through some huge publishing house that will back it with a bunch of PR money so the only way we sell the books is through word-of-mouth. I really appreciate it when people go out of their way to tell others about the series. This is really the work of my heart and I’m always touched by other people’s support. Thanks so much!


Well, Mrs. Julien Longo, you deserve every support you get because this is truly a magnificent book. Congratulations!

Interview with Mike Manos - author of "God's Poor"

Professor Mike Manos, author of the novel "God's Poor" was kind enough to participate in this interview on "Books and Movies Reviews" blog.

Q-) Thanks for this interview, Mike. Can we begin by having you tell us what your new book, God's Poor, is all about?

A-) My book, GOD’S POOR, is a fiction book. It starts with the sudden deaths of pregnant women, which cause world panic. Then a dangerous heresy reappears from the misty past. Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches face an unknown enemy. The quest for immortality leads to the first Jerusalem and incredible revelations. Finally an earthquake produced by HAARP gives a temporary solution.

Q-) In "DaVinci Code", Dan Brown makes hundreds of citations of apocrypha texts when trying to supply some support for his theories. How do you "classify" your use of citations from "Gospel of Thomas" in your book? How much research is "behind the scenes"?

A-) Besides the citations used from the “Gospel of Thomas”, which in reality are chapters, there is tremendous amounts of research being done. The sect of my book, “GOD’S POOR”, which derives from the great heresy of the Paulicians with origins to the first centuries of Christianity and the Marcionites, used only some of the doctrines of the Christian faith and Gospels from the “Apocrypha”. The sect of the Bogomils, which survived until our days, even through constant persecutions from Emperors, Popes and Patriarchs, only used the Gospel of Luke. Since the heresy of Paulicians and the sect of GOD’S POOR are of dualistic origin, the “Gospel of Thomas” has its merit. It is indeed of dualistic origin and Gnosticism influences it. It is a fact that all the powerful heresies of the past have dualistic origins. It is the old believes of the people, Good and Bad, Light and Dark, Virtue and Sin, against the Triadic faith of Christianity.

Q- ) How difficult was it writing your book? Did you ever experience writer's block and, if so, what did you do?

A-) It was really difficult if you consider that I needed four years to finish it, but I never really experienced what you refer to as a ‘’writer’s block’’.

Q- ) What are your daily writing routines?

A-) I usually write during night since I usualy work daytime shifts.

Q-) If you could meet any of your characters, who would it be and why?

A-) George Eastman. He is a contemporary man with all our virtues and vices.

Q-) What book changed your life?

A-) “The Stranger” by Albert Camus. A powerful book indeed.

Q-) What is your passion? What is it that you're most passionate about than anything else?

A-) I am passionate about archaeology. The old civilizations keep well-hidden important secrets, which very few can imagine.

Q-) What do you do to relax?

A-) A good sleep is always relaxing

Q-) Any final words?

A-) Giving is the essence of life. Thank you very much.