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