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Thursday, September 3, 2015

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR BEN R. FURMAN

Ben R. Furman writes murder mysteries and thrillers. He sits down with us today for an interview. 

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?
Fifteen years ago

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
Eighteen months

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
Traditional

Where do you write?
Home office

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
Silence

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?
Most are drawn from my real experiences and background.

Describe your process for naming your character?
The name of the main character, and the others for that matter, has to fit the genre. In this case, the story is a murder mystery. A Barney Fife name for a battle tested homicide detective doesn’t work. Carson Chandler does.

Real settings or fictional towns?
Real settings

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
He touches or fingers the sniper’s bullet on a chain around his neck that was dug from his chest. This is something he does absently while under stress.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?
Absolute Power by David Baldacci.  The reader is hooked from the start by knowing the President of the US is the killer. From there the story details the extreme steps that are taken by his inner circle to protect his presidency, and Baldacci shows just enough of the Washington, DC political underbelly to add flavor to the plot.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?
Mine is a timing issue. My first novel that involved an attack on Washington, DC by terrorists was published a couple of weeks after 911. The nation’s mood was somber and there was little interest in reading about more death and destruction. A few years earlier or later would have been better.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People that “tweet” during a live theater performance.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Male chauvinist wish list: 1) A young natural blonde female who can also cook.  2) A young brunette female with a 200 IQ who can figure out how to get us the hell off the island. 3) A good book to read until that happens.

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?
Writing letters to family members of soldiers killed in action.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
The Bible: from an historical and religious perspective.

Ocean or mountains?
Mountains

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?
Country

What’s on the horizon for you?
A sequel to Shadow Dance Murders is in the nascent stage.

Shadow Dance Murders
The Antebellum Theater’s annual gala begins in an hour. The executive director and the Theater diva meet off stage in the Green Room, unaware that they are being circled by a psychotic killer. Detective Carson Chandler has mere minutes to stop the killer, who inches from the shadows, weapon raised, ready to strike. The clock is ticking!

1 comment:

Angela Adams said...

"Carson Chandler" -- I like your character's name, Ben.