7 Deadly Questions with Author Al Boudreau

1. In your thriller IN MEMORY OF GREED you've created a frenetically-paced plot which takes readers across the globe – quite a feat for a debut author. Talk to me about the research involved with such an expansive project?

Excellent question, Rich. Every foreign location in the book is a real place, and I spent an extended period of time doing research at each of them. I penned a detailed journal during my travels through Ireland, and Kenya, to capture their true essence. My goal—to give the reader an authentic look at two of the most stimulating places on earth.

The sites, sounds, smells, and overall feel of the locales my characters traverse are extremely unique. I didn't want to fabricate this aspect of the story. A true, and vivid sense of place was as important to the plot as any character I developed. I truly believe this approach enables the reader to become more deeply immersed in the story—that was my thrust in creating these self-imposed standards. It would have been nearly impossible to achieve a comprehensive level of richness by conducting research, as opposed to actually experiencing these remarkable places, first-hand. Further, the impact of the story's main event, in relation to it's specific location, is key to the climax and denouement of the novel. Therefore, nothing short of creating a virtual movie in the reader's minds-eye would have been acceptable for me.

2. You've created a strong, yet vulnerable, character in Joelle Barstow. Writing believable cloak and dagger espionage can be difficult in and of itself, but did having a strong female in this role make it even more difficult?

The development of a strong female, main character in my story was a priority for me. I've grown a great deal, both as a man, and as a writer, by interacting with smart, savvy women. I wrote Joelle Barstow's character as an homage to these women. The trials, and tribulations thrown in Barstow's path throughout the story force her to walk a tenuous line between success and failure, not just of her mission, but of simply staying alive.

In the real world, though people tend to keep their inner-most feelings hidden from view, eventually, all of us have bouts with self-doubt. Often, our confidence is whittled down to nearly nothing, forcing us to make a decision; do we give up, or do we dig deep and find the strength to soldier on? Joelle Barstow is a survivor who overcomes the odds through sheer determination, refusing to succumb to male dominance. And while she's not the true protagonist in my novel, her role, in regard to the story's outcome, is of utmost importance. If I had to choose a character from the book who was most like me, Joelle Barstow would be the one. She screws up and drops the ball, but in the end perseveres due to her tenacity.

3. The reviews for IN MEMORY OF GREED have been fantastic. Talk to me about when you first started believing that you had written a novel worthy of the praise?

As an avid, voracious reader, I've been disappointed, time and time again, by endings that missed the mark. There are hallmarks that make each specific genre shine, but all must be tied up properly to make a novel great. The ending of In Memory of Greed had to be right, or it simply would not have been published. I worked and reworked the climax until I was blue in the face. On a personal level, the day I felt the ending was right, was the day I knew my book was viable as a solid mystery/thriller. However, given the unavoidable bias we have toward our own work, I've always felt quite unqualified to judge whether or not my work would be embraced by the masses. As the old saw states, "the proof is in the pudding." I'm thrilled each and every time someone tells me they've enjoyed my book. It's like no other feeling, and it will never get old. I'm humbled by the grace of my readership on a daily basis.

4. I'm curious how you think Ms. Barstow, your sexy spy from IN MEMORY OF GREED, stacks up against some of the heavyweights in the espionage genre. Could she hold her own against the likes of Jason Bourne and James Bond?

Fantastic question…both Ian Fleming, and Robert Ludlum, cast a huge shadow in the world of authors who write espionage. In no way do I believe that my writing compares to these two heavyweights. Fleming's Bond is extremely entertaining, and classic, yet operates more like superhero than a spy—suave and super-cool. In my humble opinion, James Bond's escapades are sensational to the degree that belief in reality must be partially suspended in order to embrace each story. Though much less so with Ludlum's Jason Bourne, this spy still defies odds that, in the real world, push the envelope in regard to what's really possible. It seems there's really no way he can fail. Multi-story leaps, catastrophic accidents, and endless gunfire fail to undo Bourne from his objective. He's one of my favorite characters, and wildly entertaining, yet I'm not quite certain I believe his survival is possible.

Joelle Barstow was written as a character who could walk among us mortals…a real person, living in the real world. She has the drive, and many of the skills Bond and Bourne posess, but can, and nearly does fail on a number of occasions. She lacks nine-lives, unbreakable legs, and enemies who can't hit the broad side of a barn with their weapons. Her arsenal consists of intestinal fortitude, will to live, and a keen ability to read people—skills and characteristics necessary to endure the trials and tribulations that real-world operatives face in their line of work.

5. Talk to me about the journey to getting IN MEMORY OF GREED published.

I never had aspirations of obtaining representation by an A-list Manhatten literary agent, or big name publishing house. My goal was to write a novel that I, and others like me, would want to read. The advent of e-readers, and self-publishing allowed me to write a book to the best of my abilities then bring it to market, without the endless process that traditional publishing entails. I've always been a self-starter, running a successful business for twenty-plus years. All the while, I've dreamt dreams then chased after them with gusto. I'm happy to report that bringing those dreams to reality has worked out fairly well for me. The words "can't" and "no" are shoved out of my path so that positivity and the will to succeed can thrive. I designed my own book cover, using a photo I took in the Masai-Mara in Kenya. I also formatted In Memory of Greed myself, for upload to the Amazon, and B & N platforms. Suffice to say, my success or failure as a debut author will be mine, and mine alone. 

6. What's next for you, Al?

Currently, I'm writing a weekly blog that focuses on my journey as an indie author, and offers tips/advice gleaned along the way. I've also begun to develop an outline for my second, yet to be titled, mystery/thriller, which deals with the government's response to a societal breakdown within the United States. I'll also continue to travel the globe, capturing the wonders of all that each foreign land has to offer.

7. Where can readers go to learn more about you?

I would be honored to have readers visit my blog, http://alboudreau.wordpress.com , hit me up on Twitter @threecifer, check out my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Author.Al.Boudreau and say hello over at the wonderful site, Goodreads.

About Al

Al Boudreau has traveled the world exploring a multitude of countries. First hand knowledge of the locales his characters traverse lends a richness unattainable by simple research alone. The author also maintains a keen eye on geopolitical events, pushing the envelope to make his novels come alive. His fiction is based on the real world and the hidden truths buried beneath its surface.