Questions about The Revolutionists?
Welcome aboard reader! So, you have some questions about The Revolutionists? I want to hear from you when you have the time. Every author depends on his readers for feedback, both good and bad. In this initial installment of Biff’s Blog, let me explain why the book was written. First, I wanted to have some fun with the genre. By the time this book was written, I had already written several books about stories that are quite different from this one. (You’ll hear more about them in the future). So, when this book began to take shape I wanted it to be somewhat over-the-top and have a little fun. Many of the characters are truly outrageous. (Who can forget the “Butler from Hell” or the Dupree Triplets?) Chapters end at suspenseful moments. (So you’ll want to turn the page). My overall purpose is to tell the story, move it forward, and make it an easy read. My general approach to writing grew out of the need to get to the point. In other words, say what is necessary…and move on. I am not generally a “big word” kind of guy. I’ll look forward to hearing from you about what you like…and don’t like.
(2) Question: Why doesn’t the man who loved the Gulf have a name? Answer: Because I don’t want to identify him. He’s quite a man…and you’ll hear more about him in the next book. Sometimes a writer wants to break new ground, and he is one of those characters who can stick around a long time. In fact, the next book is well along the way, and the man is back with a lot more detail about his character, power, and substance. If a writer desires to “…put flesh on the bones and make them stand up and walk…” it takes time to build someone you want to know more about. What you learned about him in The Revolutionists is only the beginning. The Duprees will be back again, too. So will many others. The fun is going along for the ride and seeing where our paths take us. Rick (rescued from the Nebraska torture chamber) plays a far bigger role in the next novel. He was lucky to be alive at the end of The Revolutionists. His friends got there just in time before Ollie could use his scalpels! Does Ollie really look like the Pillsbury Doughboy? Yeah, on steroids!
(3) Question: Who is my favorite character? Answer: You have yet to meet him. He’s in another novel that isn’t like The Revolutionists at all. His first name is Guido. Sorry, but you’ll have to wait for that book. As far as The Revolutionists is concerned, my favorite character would have to be Michael Stonebreaker. His character is a composite of people who have been in my life, events that give shape to my ideas, and the strength and resolve I have been privileged to see in some of my most influential people. Writing is personal. You dip your figurative pen into the well of your memory and sketch a character from those who have walked through your life, in one way or another. Your knowledge of good and evil comes from what you observe. Experience helps you draw word pictures that describe truly wonderful (and sometimes monstrous) aspects of human nature. Good fiction is the next step of reality. Most people probably have daydreams. Writers write their dreams on keyboards in front of screens. Story telling began long ago when people were invented. One of our greatest gifts is imagination. Life would be very sad without the ability to think about things that are not real…but could be!
(4) Question: Is The Revolutionists advocating a revolution? Answer: No. It’s fiction! It tells a story. It has good people and bad people in it. It was written for fun! It’s timely. It is not intended to change the world. We’ll leave that to people who want to deal with such things. Yes, there are some truly evil people in the book. Pierce Armstrong is about as evil as they come. He’s also wacky about food, personal hygiene, and unable to touch others. Perhaps Jack Nicholson can play him in the movie? Speaking of movies, my books are written because they can also be translated to the big screen. It is fun to think about what characters in a book look like. It is also interesting to see them portrayed in a movie. If you have read the book I know you want to see Norman in his Mickey Mouse costume! That would be a hoot! Books are written (at least, by me) to entertain readers. It all goes back to telling stories to each other when we were kids. If you want to read more into the book than is intended, go ahead. As someone said, “Beauty (and truth) is in the eye of the beholder!”
(2) Question: Why doesn’t the man who loved the Gulf have a name? Answer: Because I don’t want to identify him. He’s quite a man…and you’ll hear more about him in the next book. Sometimes a writer wants to break new ground, and he is one of those characters who can stick around a long time. In fact, the next book is well along the way, and the man is back with a lot more detail about his character, power, and substance. If a writer desires to “…put flesh on the bones and make them stand up and walk…” it takes time to build someone you want to know more about. What you learned about him in The Revolutionists is only the beginning. The Duprees will be back again, too. So will many others. The fun is going along for the ride and seeing where our paths take us. Rick (rescued from the Nebraska torture chamber) plays a far bigger role in the next novel. He was lucky to be alive at the end of The Revolutionists. His friends got there just in time before Ollie could use his scalpels! Does Ollie really look like the Pillsbury Doughboy? Yeah, on steroids!
(3) Question: Who is my favorite character? Answer: You have yet to meet him. He’s in another novel that isn’t like The Revolutionists at all. His first name is Guido. Sorry, but you’ll have to wait for that book. As far as The Revolutionists is concerned, my favorite character would have to be Michael Stonebreaker. His character is a composite of people who have been in my life, events that give shape to my ideas, and the strength and resolve I have been privileged to see in some of my most influential people. Writing is personal. You dip your figurative pen into the well of your memory and sketch a character from those who have walked through your life, in one way or another. Your knowledge of good and evil comes from what you observe. Experience helps you draw word pictures that describe truly wonderful (and sometimes monstrous) aspects of human nature. Good fiction is the next step of reality. Most people probably have daydreams. Writers write their dreams on keyboards in front of screens. Story telling began long ago when people were invented. One of our greatest gifts is imagination. Life would be very sad without the ability to think about things that are not real…but could be!
(4) Question: Is The Revolutionists advocating a revolution? Answer: No. It’s fiction! It tells a story. It has good people and bad people in it. It was written for fun! It’s timely. It is not intended to change the world. We’ll leave that to people who want to deal with such things. Yes, there are some truly evil people in the book. Pierce Armstrong is about as evil as they come. He’s also wacky about food, personal hygiene, and unable to touch others. Perhaps Jack Nicholson can play him in the movie? Speaking of movies, my books are written because they can also be translated to the big screen. It is fun to think about what characters in a book look like. It is also interesting to see them portrayed in a movie. If you have read the book I know you want to see Norman in his Mickey Mouse costume! That would be a hoot! Books are written (at least, by me) to entertain readers. It all goes back to telling stories to each other when we were kids. If you want to read more into the book than is intended, go ahead. As someone said, “Beauty (and truth) is in the eye of the beholder!”
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