Rafael Hines interview and blog by Emily Lawrence
Indie Authors-The Small Project
https://buildyourbookshelf.wordpress....
I was given the great privilege of speaking to Rafael Amadeus Hines and an even greater privilege to read his book Bishops War. Bishops War isn’t what I normally read, yet I loved it. The first thing that I noticed when I read the first chapter was that this author did a SUPERB job on the descriptions and the wording literally made the story flawlessly play in my head. The phrases he used were articulately very well with describing everything that needs to be sensed in order to best understand the circumstances. I’m a pretty big fan of shocking stories or things that would make other people gasp, and this exceeded my expectations. The way Rafael went into detail about the torture of the murderers. Loved every bit of it. I would recommend anyone with a sense of intelligent humor to read this, if you don't mind the occasional curse word, which I didn't mind at all. I also want to add that I found it hilarious that he put ‘Big Frank’ in this book because I have a cop in my town that fits his description and I about died laughing. The way this book was written feels so personal, like your being told this story and every bit of it is happening right in front of you. I loved it. The best thing about this book was that it brought out a patriotism in me that I didn't know I had. Of course I love my country but reading this just put it in a whole different perspective. I’m excited for the second book, Bishops Law, and will definitely read it!
Interview Questions:
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Rafael: Elmore Leonard, John Sandford, Tom Clancy, James Lee Burke, Stephen Hunter
When did you know you wanted to sit down and write a book?
Rafael: I was constantly flying for work and I would always grab a best selling suspense-action-thriller at the airport. Some were amazing, but many were mediocre, and others were extremely disappointing and actually unreadable. I kept saying to myself that I could write in this genre and then one night after my kids were asleep in 2011 I decided to give it a go. Being a chronic insomniac has been a definite plus for me because once I got started I couldn’t stop and I’ve been writing at night ever since.
What made you decide to write about what you did?
Rafael: I watched my office in Tower 2 come down with all the others on 9/11 so terrorism was definitely going to be an integral part of my first novel, but I also wanted the backdrop of Bishop’s War to take place on New York’s Lower East Side where I was born and raised. I grew up in Alphabet City, a very poor and very rough neighborhood that was dominated by the drug trade, yet despite all the crime and violence it was still a really strong and vibrant community. Many of the characters in Bishop’s War are loosely based on the gangsters, cops, and Vietnam combat veterans that I grew up with.
What are some of your hobbies besides reading and writing?
Rafael: Basketball has always been an integral part of my life and although I don’t play in the top NYC tournaments anymore I still play full court two or three times a week. I’m also actively involved in my community, and a board member of my local Y.
What is your favorite type of music?
Rafael: I’m still a big R&B and Hip Hop fan although nothing tops the 1990’s for cool/smooth dance music:-).
Thanks so much for reading and thank you for this amazing experience!
https://buildyourbookshelf.wordpress....
I was given the great privilege of speaking to Rafael Amadeus Hines and an even greater privilege to read his book Bishops War. Bishops War isn’t what I normally read, yet I loved it. The first thing that I noticed when I read the first chapter was that this author did a SUPERB job on the descriptions and the wording literally made the story flawlessly play in my head. The phrases he used were articulately very well with describing everything that needs to be sensed in order to best understand the circumstances. I’m a pretty big fan of shocking stories or things that would make other people gasp, and this exceeded my expectations. The way Rafael went into detail about the torture of the murderers. Loved every bit of it. I would recommend anyone with a sense of intelligent humor to read this, if you don't mind the occasional curse word, which I didn't mind at all. I also want to add that I found it hilarious that he put ‘Big Frank’ in this book because I have a cop in my town that fits his description and I about died laughing. The way this book was written feels so personal, like your being told this story and every bit of it is happening right in front of you. I loved it. The best thing about this book was that it brought out a patriotism in me that I didn't know I had. Of course I love my country but reading this just put it in a whole different perspective. I’m excited for the second book, Bishops Law, and will definitely read it!
Interview Questions:
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Rafael: Elmore Leonard, John Sandford, Tom Clancy, James Lee Burke, Stephen Hunter
When did you know you wanted to sit down and write a book?
Rafael: I was constantly flying for work and I would always grab a best selling suspense-action-thriller at the airport. Some were amazing, but many were mediocre, and others were extremely disappointing and actually unreadable. I kept saying to myself that I could write in this genre and then one night after my kids were asleep in 2011 I decided to give it a go. Being a chronic insomniac has been a definite plus for me because once I got started I couldn’t stop and I’ve been writing at night ever since.
What made you decide to write about what you did?
Rafael: I watched my office in Tower 2 come down with all the others on 9/11 so terrorism was definitely going to be an integral part of my first novel, but I also wanted the backdrop of Bishop’s War to take place on New York’s Lower East Side where I was born and raised. I grew up in Alphabet City, a very poor and very rough neighborhood that was dominated by the drug trade, yet despite all the crime and violence it was still a really strong and vibrant community. Many of the characters in Bishop’s War are loosely based on the gangsters, cops, and Vietnam combat veterans that I grew up with.
What are some of your hobbies besides reading and writing?
Rafael: Basketball has always been an integral part of my life and although I don’t play in the top NYC tournaments anymore I still play full court two or three times a week. I’m also actively involved in my community, and a board member of my local Y.
What is your favorite type of music?
Rafael: I’m still a big R&B and Hip Hop fan although nothing tops the 1990’s for cool/smooth dance music:-).
Thanks so much for reading and thank you for this amazing experience!
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