Author Q&A: Dwayne Kavanagh

[Renee]

Good morning all. I think I actually got it right this week. Dwayne Kavanagh has graciously (crazily) accepted our invitation to participate in a Q&A with everyone. I've read his book, A Child's Wound, and I recommend it. It's a great debut and I'm eager to read his next work which is coming soon. Right?

So Dwayne, take it away. Tell us a bit about yourself to get started.

[Dwayne]

Thank you Renee, I'm happy to be a part of your QA session.

There's so much I could post here that would get me into trouble, so we'll start with writing because that's why here.

I wrote my first draft of a story while I was on duty as a private investigator. It was fantasy story that I wrote longhand on a white notepad. I showed it to a friend and of course he liked it (don't they always). That was back in 1998. I think an ex-girlfriend burned it after a bad break-up. I never wrote again until 2005. I had this story in my head that I couldn't shake and it took me 3 months to write the first draft. Although the story was good (in my eyes) it was a long way from something I would actually read. I decided to go to college and take a writing for publication course to improve the tool box. That was weird. Here I am 34 years old with grey hair dusting the sides of my head and I'm going back to school. I was happy to see that most of the writers there were actually my age or older. We were all there for the same reason: to perfect the craft.

My first critic was worse than a root canal, but I learned a lot from them. I completed 'A Child's Wound' during that three year stint.

[Renee]

Ewww...a writing course. Just kidding. I was lucky enough to find a few amazing 'author friends' who shared their wisdom with me.

You've had some 'mixed' reviews for this book. We won't get into that, every author gets a different range of reactions to their work. But I'm wondering if you expected to get such a strong response either way.

In my humble opinion, any reaction is better than nothing at all. When an author writes about 'taboo' subjects, they don't always get a positive response. A Child's Wound deals with some strong issues and subject matter, (rape, murder, and morality) handled tastefully I might add; how do you deal with a negative reaction to these things?

Also, 'trouble'? What trouble? Come on, tell me.

[Dwayne]

I was waiting to see how long it took to bring up that question...if you're going to get into it, you might as well dive from the cliff.

I expected to sell millions of copies, become the next big thing, and maybe get a movie deal. No that was my dream. I knew this was my first book and that I hadn't built up my chops yet. I certainly didn't expect 4 and 5 star reviews. I knew I was in big trouble when that happened. That high lasted about all of two seconds because with the good comes the bad. Nothing really prepared me for my first bad review. I swear to God...it haunted me for weeks.

The book is controversial and I don't plan on winning everyone over. That said, I let the characters tell their story. When I started writing 'A Child's Wound' I wanted to write it from the POV of the bad guy. I wanted the reader to get inside his head. See what he sees. I also wanted the protagonist to empathetic. I never planned to make him likeable, yet some of the readers do. There are a few scenes that cross lines. I couldn't help it, that's what happened. The reason it sparks emotions is that some readers take offence to the way Tim (the protagonist) carries out the act of rape. He's broken. He's damaged. That's the point. He’s also controlling and he uses some of his victims as tools.

Also, this is an adult book, and there are a few graphic sex scenes (I don't shut the door). I think some of the people that purchased the book at my signings (although they’re being nice) don't read books of like 'that'. I know one for sure.

[Renee]

I figured if I just shoved you over the edge, we'd get that cleared away fast. I am a writer who doesn't shut the door either. I don't think Tim's story would have impacted me as it did without those scenes. Although they're graphic, they aren't 'gratuitous' which is a fine line that many authors don't realize is there.

You're right about the reviews though, too many four and five stars, especially for a new author, brings the reviewers who are literally licking their chops at the idea of bringing someone down out of the woodwork. I do want to point out though, I read a couple of these reviews, the first few posted, and the reviewers hadn't yet read the book.

But I'm suspicious of a book with only good reviews, and more likely to pick up one that has as many 1 stars as 5 stars in its list.

So, changing the subject, I wondered if you'd write more on the other villain. I won't spoil it for everyone, but there is another character in this story that grips the reader. I'd have liked more on that one. Do you plan on expanding, perhaps giving him his own book at any point?

[Dwayne]

I'm writing the sequel to 'A Child's Wound' now. Christine's going to play a larger role, but as for Lawson, I think he's outlived his usefulness. It's so hard to comment without giving too much away, but in the sequel Tim is no longer the hunter. For those that have read the book, there's a character (Rebecca) that caused major conflict for Tim. In the sequel, something happens to Rebecca and the result smacks Christine across the face with the hard hand of reality. Christine comes to the sick realization of who Tim really is. But there's a big problem...I’ll leave it there.

I did finish two other books during my break from writing the sequel. One is scheduled to be released this summer. If people don't think my writing is sick and twisted after reading my first book...'Through A Child's Eyes' will leave no doubt.

[A.F.]

I'd like to know your thoughts on using a villainous character as your protagonist. Did you feel it would make a better thriller using a bad guy? Were you influenced by books such as American Psycho and Darkly Dreaming Dexter?

[Karen]

Dwayne wrote: "Thank you Renee, I'm happy to be a part of your QA session.

There's so much I could post here that would get me into trouble, so we'll start with writing because that's why here.

I wrote my first..."

You should also consider being a comedian --I am also considering a writing for publication course to beef up my skills. so such thing as to much education--ev en though my family thinks I am on education overkill and i should geet a real job. My question is what inspires you to write?

[Renee]

I can't wait for 'Through a Child's Eyes'. I'm accused of being rather...strange and twisted myself. I'm sure I can handle it. Let us know when you have a release date.

[Dwayne]

Hello A.F.,

That's funny...as soon as I finished the final draft, I was talking to one of my clients (the day job) and I was telling him about my book. He recommended that I watch this HBO show 'Dexter'. I now watch it religiously. So the show (or the books) had no influence. Up to the point that I wrote the first draft, I'd never read a book where the protag was the upfront and in focus. That's where it started. The character told the story and was just some mystic voyeur typing away.

While I was in my writing class, I came across John Folwes ‘The Collector’. Now, that book was extremely inspirational.

[A.F.]

Dwayne wrote: "Hello A.F.,

That's funny...as soon as I finished the final draft, I was talking to one of my clients (the day job) and I was telling him about my book. He recommended that I watch this HBO show 'D..."

I'm a fan of Dexter myself.

Do you prefer writing the villains over the heroic characters? I also write slightly twisted stories and I always have a soft spot for my villains.

[Dwayne]

Hi Karen,

When I first started writing I had goal in mind: I wanted to be the next big thing. Now, the inspiration comes from an emotion.

You see, when I write... I mean when I really dig in and get lost in the prose the feeling is hard to describe. It's like a drug. I wake up from my dream like sleep and I feel so refreshed. No movie, book, or song has ever come close to that experience. It's not easy to get there and some days are harder than others, but I chase it like an addict chases coke.

[Dwayne]

I will Renee...they were thinking hardcover, but I'm not there yet. So it will probably be released trade paper. I really liked writing that one. I took a risk using two different POVs: 1st person for the main character (Christopher) and 3rd person for all others. The story is about an eight year old boy that's abducted by a serial killer and I needed the intimacy of 1st person.

[Dwayne]

Hi A.F.,

I don't think I've scribbled enough to know whether I prefer villains as my protagonist, but I think everyone has a little evil in them and I get jazzed watching what happens when I put them into tuff situations. That's kind of the idea in my second book...will Christopher become just like the monster that slaughtered his family?

[A.F.]

Dwayne wrote: "Hi A.F.,

I don't think I've scribbled enough to know whether I prefer villains as my protagonist, but I think everyone has a little evil in them and I get jazzed watching what happens when I put t..."

It sounds like an interesting premise.

[Shannon]

Hi Dwayne:

I wanted to say that I echo Renee's opinion about books and reviews. I would gravitate to a book that has a combination of 1 and 4 or 5 stars over one that is all 3 and 4 stars. It tells me that there is something interesting going on between the covers.

I am not normally a thriller reader but many of the above Q and A's have piqued my interest and I am glad to read that the subject matter is handled tastefully and the graphic is not gratuitous. Do you find it difficult to keep the reins drawn in with respect to the subject matter? Or do you find a natural balance?

Are you still working as a private investigator? And if so, does your job inform your books? And is it through that job that you have developed the POV of the villain (not suggesting that you are a villain).

Thanks.

[Dwayne]

Hello Shannon,

With this book, to say it was difficult, would be a huge understatement. Tim's a serial rapist/killer. His MO changes with the each victim, but his purpose remains the same... he longs for intimacy. Tim's sexuality was destroyed (I won't give away anymore) at very young age. He's struggling with this and at the same time he's trying to control the rage that burns inside him.

Writing a scene where Tim's mixing romance with murder was extremely difficult. In the end, I did the best I could with the story my characters gave me. I read a few erotic books to get a feel for the graphic sex scenes, but mostly went with my gut.

I left that job a long time ago. You have a lot of down time as private investigator, so much so, that your imagination begins to wander. That's about all the job provided. There were no exciting stories to pull from.

[Dwayne]

Here's a link to my book trailer for those interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuOhyl...

[Djdee]

The trailer was intriging.I will keep an eye out for this book as well.Thanks for doing the interview.Nice to hear an author's perspective

[Erma]

Thanks for posting your trailer! It's intriguing in a gory sort of way. I read a chapter on your profile and it was really gripping. I thought your use of the Picasso exhibit at the MET was quite clever. Why did you choose NYC as the setting for A Child's Wound. Have you been to NY or did you research it?

[Dwayne]

Hello Erma, Thank you. I've been to NY a hand full of times over the past 10 years. The city lives and breathes. It injects you with this 'mad' feeling. You get swallowed up. I attended the letterman show four times and he's funnier in person. In the end the decision was easy...it's where the story began in my head. I bought every book I could get my hands on and studied each scene location. I used Google Satellite, as well as, my own photos (I have hundreds of Manhattan) for the descriptive settings. I also took liberties with some locations; I didn't want everything being familiar.

[Erma]

So, that means your book has the pulse of NYC and all the craziness that goes with it. That sounds great! And a thriller with some culture thrown in - an interesting approach. Know what you mean about NY and the 'mad' feeling (spent a lot of time there myself because my sister lived there).