April - Exit Strategy - Author Interview

[Melanie]

Interview with our author of the month for April, L.F. Falconer - please feel free to add your own questions for her at the bottom :)

[Melanie]

Interview questions and answers:

Q? It’s your fantasy dinner party—who are your guests?

A: First of all, my dad and my younger sister, Arlene. Both were taken from my life far too soon and there’s so much I’d like to catch up on. I’d also include Thomas Jefferson and John Locke, for I admire many of their philosophies. I think Helen Keller’s teacher, Annie Sullivan, as well as Lewis and Clark’s guide, Sacajewea, would have some interesting stories to tell. My favorite author, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) would definitely make the list. Hugh Jackman, just because, and lastly, Jeff Dunham, for what is a party without puppets?

Q? Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again.

A: Skipping all the gruesome details, I wake up and drink a half pot of coffee while I sit in silence and come to grips with the day. Then I shower and dress, check my email, maybe peruse a social site or two, then take care of some chores. After that, it’s eight hours of work at a job I can’t disclose any details to, then home again. I check my email, peruse a social site or two, grab some time for personal pursuits, cook, eat, take care of some chores, watch an hour or two of TV, then off to bed. And there you have it in a nutshell. Pretty dull.

Q? If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

A: Telekinesis. If I could think my housework done, I’d be in Seventh Heaven.

Q? What are you working on at the moment—do you have any other books in the works?

A: I am putting the finishing touches on the much-requested sequel to my first novel and hope to have it published sometime this summer. I’ve also begun a series of short horror stories that take place in Northern Nevada.

Q? What is your favorite quote?

A: It’s actually a short poem by Langston Hughes. “Oh God of Dust and Rainbows, Help us to see That without the dust the rainbow Would not be.”

Q? When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?

A: I had two big dreams. One—to be an author. Two—to be a Las Vegas showgirl. Truthfully, I could only pursue one.

Q? Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

A: Unfortunately, there is a bit of me in every single one of my characters, whether they be hero or villain. But I don’t lose any sleep over that.

Q? What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?

A: “Don’t let the bastard get you down.” Given by an anonymous friend in one of my darkest hours.

Q? Cats or dogs?

A: Definitely dogs. Who else, after only being gone for five minutes, is ever going to greet your return with so much honest, unabashed enthusiasm?

Q? Apples or oranges?

A: Oranges.

Q? Facebook or Twitter?

A: Facebook

Q? Text or Talk?

A: Mime.

Q? Favorite quote from a movie?

A: “Get busy living, or get busy dying.” The Shawshank Redemption. Words to live by.

[Stéphanie]

Hi,

Where does the inspiration for your stories come from?

[L.F.]

Stephanie,

I find inspiration in the oddest places sometimes. I once wrote a story inspired by the sight of my unwashed dishes. Exit Strategy originated from a thought on the edge of sleep one night, but changed dramatically from it's original conception as the characters of Gabe and Izzy took on a life of their own.

[Angel]

**SPOILER ALERT**

It seems that in most stories about multiple personalities, the subject is a woman. What made you write this one with a male lead? Also, are you familiar with the areas that you write about in the book? Your descriptions are very lovely and thorough. Have you been to these places?

Thanks again, just loved the book!
*Angel

[L.F.]

Angel,
I apologize for not answering sooner. I was having problems with my internet connection.
To answer your first question, I chose a male lead simply because the storyline worked better that way. I spent months researching MPD, and yes, most case studies involved women, but men were not certainly not immune. I mean, look at Fight Club.
As for the places I wrote about, unfortunately, no, I've never been (except Reno and the Black Rock Desert). Again, months of research. I fell in love with Newfoundland, Greenland, and the Shetland Islands during my research and the towns of Dunsport, Aansfjord, and Voham are purely fictional, but if I ever get the opportunity, I will try to visit those beautiful northern countries in person! I might even include Iceland :)

So glad you enjoyed the book. It seems to be one people either really like or they really don't.

[L.F.]

As the author, I would like to note that, while Exit Strategy deals with some very dark, disturbing subjects, I did try to have some fun with it in an attempt to keep it from becoming too heavy and overwhelming without undermining the seriousness of the issues at hand--an often precarious balancing act. I chose not to gloss things over, and some of the raw brutality might be offensive for certain readers, but the subject matter demanded it. Yet I did not abandon my protagonist (antagonist?) at the end. I like to believe I left him with a ray of hope.

[L.F.]

I would like to thank everyone who took part in this. All forms of feedback were appreciated.