Ask the Author: Dean Cycon
Answered Questions (6)
Dean Cycon
My new novel titled The Inquisitor's Apprentice that tells the tale of a young woman whose family is taken in by the Inquisition and she has to figure out how to save them. Based loosely on true story from Cordoba, circa 1503. Way more complex and literary than this sounds, I promise.
Dean Cycon
I was researching post-WWII and came across reports of pogroms against the surviving Jewish concentration camp survivors who tried to return to their home villages, only to find their homes and businesses owned by their former neighbors and friends. I was shocked that I had never heard of this. As I dug deeper in the academic literature, I discovered interviews with perpetrators and bystanders and realized that novels rarely show the people in those towns as anything but evil cartoon-like characters. I wanted to understand (not excuse) them, and the book began to take shape. I went to Hungary to interview survivors and witnesses. I put aside everything else I was writing and spent two years writing the book, FINDING HOME (Hungary, 1945), which will be published by Koehler Books in June.
Dean Cycon
DO NOT GIVE UP!! When I started writing seriously I read that it takes about seven years for a writer to develop their style, get good technique, etc. That nearly put me off for good. But I kept pecking away, as a hobby, because I enjoy the creative process, thinking I might create something through which my grandchildren (someday) might know who I was and what I believed. I wrote a non fiction book that did surprisingly well. I wrote my first full length historical fiction and got rejected by seventy agents (although I had several full ms. requests and other near-misses). Wailed about the injustice of it all and began my second novel. After another seventy misses I approached small, independent publishers directly and got four out of six offers. My first novel comes out in June! And the publisher has looked at that first novel and said they are interested. Then I looked at the calendar and realized it had been seven years since I started...
Dean Cycon
Creating my own world based on my life experiences and insights. My secret reason for writing is to share these with people through fiction. If I write non-fiction it seems a magnet for criticism and personal disparagement, instead of listening and considering another point of view. If it is done through fiction and I tell a really good story, anyone can read and enjoy it and hopefully appreciate the themes.
Dean Cycon
I usually move on to something else that is related to the book. For example, work on character arc or plot development. Sometimes I will jump into research, but usually that ends up being a long, deep rabbit hole. Sticking with the book advances my work and usually cranks up the old mental engine to get back to the actual writing. Stay away from the fridge!!
Dean Cycon
They died. They are back.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more