Ask the Author: Brian Van Norman
Answered Questions (7)
Brian Van Norman
The disappearance of my mother's father. Not even a photo remains.
Brian Van Norman
I'm not young but I began "Immortal Water" when I was 35. I set it aside for other pursuits but I keep notes on all the research I've done. Over the years I would pull it out and think about it, trying to add additional elements I observed as I grew older. Finally, when I finished with teaching, then directing, then adjudicating, I decided to try to take my writing seriously and devoted the time required, as well as shouldering the many rejections. I have spoken of how I was inspired to write about Juan Ponce de Leon, but I must say that during my research years earlier in the swamps and on the deserted beaches and through the waters of Florida, I found incredible beauty and wanted somehow to communicate that to others. I hope those who visit Florida can get past the billboards and big venues and find the state's natural wonders.
Brian Van Norman
So many ways. I'll give an example... "Immortal Water" was not supposed to be what it was. It began as a thriller set in 1981 Florida but you can't research Florida without coming across Juan Ponce de Leon. Something about him was strange. It seems he lost his war dog Becerillo and spent an unusual amount of time mourning the dog. Why would a man, especially a hardened Conquistador, do that? Suddenly I found myself writing the novel on modern Florida but reading it's history. Often, when I research, there are 'holes' in the research. In my first novel "The Betrayal Path" it came down to an unknown man in a boat who took General Wolfe down the St. Lawrence River after which Wolfe completely altered his tactics. In "Immortal Water" I discovered records for the second voyage of Juan Ponce de Leon to Florida were mostly missing. In both cases I was inspired to fill those gaps.
Brian Van Norman
Currently I am in the final stages of a novel about English Luddites in 1812. In that time they terrorized the nation despite their small numbers. They were being thrown out of work (with no social safety net) and replaced by machines. The parallels to contemporary times are simply incredible. Once I've finished "Against the Machine", as I call it now, I intend to write a second novel set in contemporary times using the same themes. "Against the Machine" appears to be a simple historical novel until the reader reads the final chapters which harken to contemporary times and even our own futures in the man vs machine conundrum.
Brian Van Norman
If you write looking for money or fame, forget it. Amone the millions of writers in the world maybe 20 enjoy that position. If you write because you feel you have to then examine why you are in this position. If you write because it's a need that will not go away you really have no choice but to keep writing. I have run into some arrogant, rude, careless, even dishonest publishers and agents. To this day I have no agent. So you keep going because you want to or need to and hope one day someone will share your vision. When you break it all down the publishing industry comes down to money for those who are not writing. Just be aware of that.
Brian Van Norman
The best thing about writing is writing! It is like solving a puzzle each day as you build your storylines or fill out characters. I have notes to which I often refer but I love the sense of working my way out of a dead end, or a wrong curve, or a blank wall. The other part I enjoy is researching. I find that if one listens carefully and interjects someone's explanation only briefly and to gain additional information, the person often offers you more, or sends you to someone who will offer more. It's exciting.
Brian Van Norman
When I fall out of my routine if often experience writers' block. Because I travel so often I have to carve out a schedule which will allow me time to write. Most often, I will exercise in the morning for an hour, shower and change, then go to my writing desk and sit a minimum of two uninterrupted hours. Sometimes nothing comes. Sometimes I write material which I reject the next day. Sometimes, I write for three to four hours once the block fades. The key, for me, is to give time each day to writing.
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