Interview with author Michael Meyer
The art of writing a great thriller or even a good one often eludes the most gifted of authors. But if there is one thing most readers can agree on it’s that when the elements come together just right a thriller can truly live up to the name. It is obvious within the first few pages of “Covert Dreams” that author Michael Meyer is not only a very talented writer but that he has a definite flare for the genre. The reader gets the sense that they are about to be taken for one wild ride, with this book, centering on the journeys of two men; one who travels to Munich in search of the reason behind his strange life-like dreams, and another in Saudi Arabia, who’s wife mysteriously disappears.
Let’s hear what Michael Meyer has to say about his book “Covert Dreams” and about the writing process.
Q: “Covert Dreams” explores two very popular themes, missing persons and mind games. Why do you think these themes continue to be so popular in the suspense genre?
A: Suspense has always been very attractive to people. We want to know the what, why, how, and who. Lookie-loos abound in our world. We are curious. We want answers. We hope to learn from the dread that happens to others.
Q: Dreams are an important part of this story. Have you always had an interest in dreams, such as dream analysis or psychic dreams?
A: I have always been very fascinated with the brain. My own dreams are often bizarre, and I wonder if even the great Sigmund Freud could get to the bottom of them. I know they serve a purpose, but I just haven’t figured out what that purpose is.
Q: The descriptions and narration in “Covert Dreams” are very impressive. Do these aspects of writing come naturally to you?
A: I have written my whole life. I love to write. I am fascinated by language. If you are going to come visit me, for instance, are you going or coming? Why would I swipe my credit card at a cashier’s stand if I already own the card? Can a goose goose a goose? Does something burn up or burn down? The possibilities are so endless. In addition, I taught writing at universities literally throughout the world for over forty years. Writing has always played a major role in both my professional and personal life.
Q: Do you prefer to write thrillers like “Covert Dreams”; if yes, why?
A: I have written two thrillers thus far and two comic novels. I guess I have eclectic tastes. I like to be thrilled, turning the pages as fast as I can in order to see what will happen next, but I also love to laugh. When I write, I am essentially a reader, never quite knowing how things will turn out in the end.
Q: It is common for writers to create central characters who are similar to themselves in some sense. Do you identify in any way with either B.J. or Stan; if so, how?
A: I know that bits and pieces of myself have found a home in my characters. For instance, the caring that B.J. demonstrates to his distraught wife, who is afraid of losing her husband, reminds me of me. Stan’s tenacity at not giving up in his search for his missing wife, no matter how difficult the circumstance, reminds me of me.
Q: Does your inspiration as a writer come from one special source or do you find inspiration from a multitude of sources?
A: I am a keen observer of others. I learn from what others say and do, and then my creative juices take over. I love to write. I find it to be very enjoyable. I write for myself, wanting the characters to be real people, the setting to be authentic, and the plot to be exciting. I am like a reader, rapidly putting words down in order to see what is going to evolve. However, my greatest inspiration comes from the many wonderful things that my readers post about my writing on my Amazon author’s site and elsewhere on the Internet. Their words are like the “wind beneath my wings.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with “Covert Dreams”?
A: I am retired, writing for fun, not necessarily for profit. I hope that many more readers will enjoy reading COVERT DREAMS and his siblings. Amazon Kindle had already enabled me to be an internationally read author. That, in itself, is an amazing thing, and all I hope for is more of the same.
Q: What are your writing plans for the future?
A: I plan to write until I die. I love it! I am currently hard at work on my fifth book, and I hope that this is still just the beginning for me.
To learn more about Michael Meyer and his books follow the links below.
My Amazon Kindle author’s site: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005E7M8CW
COVERT DREAMS purchase site: http://www.amazon.com/Covert-Dreams-e...
My Pinterest author’s site: http://pinterest.com/temmike/#
My Facebook author’s site: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMeyer...
My Goodreads author site: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Let’s hear what Michael Meyer has to say about his book “Covert Dreams” and about the writing process.
Q: “Covert Dreams” explores two very popular themes, missing persons and mind games. Why do you think these themes continue to be so popular in the suspense genre?
A: Suspense has always been very attractive to people. We want to know the what, why, how, and who. Lookie-loos abound in our world. We are curious. We want answers. We hope to learn from the dread that happens to others.
Q: Dreams are an important part of this story. Have you always had an interest in dreams, such as dream analysis or psychic dreams?
A: I have always been very fascinated with the brain. My own dreams are often bizarre, and I wonder if even the great Sigmund Freud could get to the bottom of them. I know they serve a purpose, but I just haven’t figured out what that purpose is.
Q: The descriptions and narration in “Covert Dreams” are very impressive. Do these aspects of writing come naturally to you?
A: I have written my whole life. I love to write. I am fascinated by language. If you are going to come visit me, for instance, are you going or coming? Why would I swipe my credit card at a cashier’s stand if I already own the card? Can a goose goose a goose? Does something burn up or burn down? The possibilities are so endless. In addition, I taught writing at universities literally throughout the world for over forty years. Writing has always played a major role in both my professional and personal life.
Q: Do you prefer to write thrillers like “Covert Dreams”; if yes, why?
A: I have written two thrillers thus far and two comic novels. I guess I have eclectic tastes. I like to be thrilled, turning the pages as fast as I can in order to see what will happen next, but I also love to laugh. When I write, I am essentially a reader, never quite knowing how things will turn out in the end.
Q: It is common for writers to create central characters who are similar to themselves in some sense. Do you identify in any way with either B.J. or Stan; if so, how?
A: I know that bits and pieces of myself have found a home in my characters. For instance, the caring that B.J. demonstrates to his distraught wife, who is afraid of losing her husband, reminds me of me. Stan’s tenacity at not giving up in his search for his missing wife, no matter how difficult the circumstance, reminds me of me.
Q: Does your inspiration as a writer come from one special source or do you find inspiration from a multitude of sources?
A: I am a keen observer of others. I learn from what others say and do, and then my creative juices take over. I love to write. I find it to be very enjoyable. I write for myself, wanting the characters to be real people, the setting to be authentic, and the plot to be exciting. I am like a reader, rapidly putting words down in order to see what is going to evolve. However, my greatest inspiration comes from the many wonderful things that my readers post about my writing on my Amazon author’s site and elsewhere on the Internet. Their words are like the “wind beneath my wings.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with “Covert Dreams”?
A: I am retired, writing for fun, not necessarily for profit. I hope that many more readers will enjoy reading COVERT DREAMS and his siblings. Amazon Kindle had already enabled me to be an internationally read author. That, in itself, is an amazing thing, and all I hope for is more of the same.
Q: What are your writing plans for the future?
A: I plan to write until I die. I love it! I am currently hard at work on my fifth book, and I hope that this is still just the beginning for me.
To learn more about Michael Meyer and his books follow the links below.
My Amazon Kindle author’s site: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005E7M8CW
COVERT DREAMS purchase site: http://www.amazon.com/Covert-Dreams-e...
My Pinterest author’s site: http://pinterest.com/temmike/#
My Facebook author’s site: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMeyer...
My Goodreads author site: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
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Jennifer K. Lafferty, author of Movie Dynasty Princesses, reviews a wide range of books and discusses various aspects of contemporary and classic literature.
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