December 2017 Group Read Author Interview: Zach Abrams

[Quantum]

Thank you, Zach, for taking the time to participate in our interview and help people get to know you better.

Members: If you have any follow-up questions for Zach, please feel free to post them.

Tell us about your writing.

Why do you write?
Having spent many years working in industry and commerce, I discovered that it is therapeutic, even cathartic, to write fiction. It enables me to release energy in a creative way which I’ve never been able to do before. It would be untrue to say it helps me relax, as it’s not uncommon for me to wake in the middle of the night with an idea. Out of fear that I’ll forget it by morning, I have to write it down and I’m often still sitting at my computer a couple of hours later.

When did you decide to become a writer?
I don’t think I ever decided to become a writer. About eight years ago, I decided to start writing for leisure and recreation and I joined a writing group. I enjoyed what I was doing and started writing a story which turned into a book. I didn’t really consider myself a writer until after my book was published and I started to get feedback.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I’d love to see one (or more) of my books turned into a movie or television drama.

What books have you written?
My first novel, “Ring Fenced” was a psychological thriller, about a wealthy, powerful and intelligent sociopath who separated his life into five distinct compartments. The story evolves as circumstances cause the barriers separating the compartments to break down

This was followed by my Alex Warren murder mystery series set in Glasgow. To date, this comprises, ‘Made a Killing’, ‘A Measure of Trouble’ and ‘Written to Death’. In between, I wrote my financial thriller, ‘Source’.

I’ve started writing non-fiction on a few occasions, but found it less enjoyable as there’s less opportunity to express myself and use my imagination. However, in the last few days, my guide book to the Scottish property market - ‘So, You Think You Want to be a Landlord!’ has been published

What genre(s) are your books in?
My fiction books are all thrillers; a series of three murder mysteries and two stand alone thrillers, all of which are influenced by business and financial crime. My non-fiction is a guide book for current and would be landlords. It contains general information, guidance and anecdotes together with details of laws and regulations particular to Scotland.

Are there any correlations between the books you write and your life experiences?
Without question! My fiction books have a leaning towards business, finance and financial crime and utilise my experience and knowledge of this area. Alex Warren, my main protagonist in the series was born and raised in the West of Scotland; he was married (although he’s now divorced) and has two children and he shares many of my interests. Ben Short in Ring Fenced loves music and he was educated in Glasgow and works (in one of his lives) in the finance sector. He’s borrowed some aspects of my childhood and a lot of my work experience. Source is perhaps more distant from my own live, although the travel sequences are based on some of my experiences.

Do you adhere to an outline or go wherever your imagination takes you?
In my first book, ’Ring Fenced’, I didn’t even know it was going to end up as a book. I had the idea for the character and I wrote about his life. The plot developed as I wrote. Most of my books have worked this way, having an idea but not certain where it would end, or sometimes knowing the end without a planned path of getting there.

How do you withstand critiques of your masterpiece?
I respect that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I’m happy to receive genuine and constructive comment. What I find more difficult to stomach are the trolls who will rubbish anything and often give poor ratings without reading a book. A close friend of mine received a one star review from a ‘reviewer’ who admitted they hadn’t read the book but merely took offence at the cover.

You know sales can be a little tough until you make it big time. If I told you now, that you'd sell up to 1,000 books within the next 30 years, would you still write?
Yes, I write because I enjoy telling a story. Obviously, I get pleasure from knowing that I’m being read and my voice is being heard. But, for me, that’s a bonus, although I don’t say no to the royalties

Put yourself in the place of a reader (not easy, I know). Why would s/he want to read or have to read your book?
As with all authors, I try to include real information into my books so the reader can learn something as well as (hopefully) having an entertaining experience. (I even tell some truths in my non-fiction and tax returns.) I also try to inject humour into my work although, as I’m often accused of having a strange sense of humour, perhaps that’s a matter of opinion.

Does writing interfere with reading?
Not really; I am able to read other works while I’m writing. Having so said, I’m a slow reader at the best of times and often, when my focus is on what I’m writing, I have less time and concentration to read.

If you needed to make a choice in your literary career what would it be: glory and literary recognition or lots of sales and steady income?
Some of the bestselling books are critically slated, but as a general rule, sales (maybe less but still significant) will follow recognition. As I’m fortunate enough to not rely on royalty income to live well, I’d much rather have literary recognition than income.

Do you have a WIP and what’s exciting about it?
Not just one. I have very recently completed my first non-fiction, a guide book titled, “So, You Think You Want to be a Landlord!” I have plans to write the corollary, “Tenant Rights - and Wrongs,” and I’ve also started my fourth book in the Alex Warren Murder mystery series, titled, “Offender of the Faith.” This one deals with religious and racial prejudice and intolerance.

What are your recommendations for reading and why? For example, which book do you consider a must-read (apart from your own, as it's a must-must, of course -:))?
This is no easy question because there are so many authors I respect and revere. On the non fiction side, I choose Machiavelli (The Prince) for strategy and Stephen Hawking (A Brief History) for science. For fiction, I love Hemingway (A Farewell to Arms) for the beauty of prose but enjoy most of the books by Grisham, Baldacci, Child and Banks for their story-telling. I must also commend Patterson for his commercial genius.

What non-writing-related things would you like to say about yourself. Here are some ideas that might help you.
Although I’ve gown up and lived most of my life in Glasgow, I now spend a large part of each year in France, living in a small spa town in French Catalonia. I’m semi-retired having worked as an accountant and business executive. I’m married and have two adult children and I love to spend time socialising with them and with friends. I enjoy walking in the Pyrenees Orientales, sampling local food and wine and I love listening to music

Where can readers connect with you?
Website: http://zachabrams.wixsite.com/zach-ab...
Blog: (rarely active) http://zachabrams.wixsite.com/zach-ab...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zach-Abrams-...
Twitter https://twitter.com/Authorway
Amazon Author Page: http://author.to/zachabrams
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[Nik]

Nice interview, giving insight into Zach's work, muse and background. I guess, we can invite him to our weekend wine/booze corner -:)

[Zach]

Nik wrote: "Nice interview, giving insight into Zach's work, muse and background. I guess, we can invite him to our weekend wine/booze corner -:)"

just let me know when/where :-)

[Nik]

As of where, here is one: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... . There are a few more mostly in the lounge area -:)

As of when - mostly on the weekends, but basically any time you feel like it -:)

[Scout]

Hi, Zach. I enjoyed the interview. I'm wondering if you have a favorite quote or two from Machiavelli.

[Zach]

Hi Scout
There are many good quotes, but high on my list of memorable ones are:
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both
If an injury has to be done to a man, it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared
Necessity knows no laws and morality has no place when the interests of the state are a stake

[Scout]

I read Machiavelli in college, and I remember him as one of my favorites. I think Lincoln must have read him.