Interview with Richard I Levine - Author of the Action/Adventure/Romance Eye Of The Redeemer..
Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker who grew up in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. "I fondly remember the days of sneaking into the Stadium through the bleacher seat entrance to watch Maris and Mantle play, sipping egg cream sodas at the corner candy store and playing sidewalk games until mom called out from our fourth floor apartment window that dinner was getting cold."
After working in the auto parts business for several years and a one year wanderlust trip that took him coast to coast and back again, this one time volunteer firemen, auxiliary police officer and bartender eventually returned to school to become a chiropractor.
Interview with Richard I Levine
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| Author Richard I Levine |
Richard I Levine: None really. When I was in high school and college I took some creative writing courses and played around with writing poetry and song lyrics but I never took myself seriously. When I wrote Eye of the Redeemer I had never intended it to become a novel. It started as a simple way to entertain myself because I had become bored to death of television. It wasn’t until the characters started coming to life and a coherent storyline began to develop that I decided to continue on. At no time, however, was I writing with the thought of having it published. But once I had the finished product I said, why not?
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who and what are your writing influences?
I’m a history buff and I like biographical accounts but historical fiction is great too. I recently read Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken which chronicled the true ordeal of American Olympian Louis Zamparini and what he went through surviving for weeks in a raft after his plane crashed into the Pacific and then as a prisoner of the Japanese during the second world war. My all time favorite book is a science fiction tale called Earth Abides by George R. Stewart. I first read it when I was a teenager and I think I read it a dozen times since then. Being an introvert , I was intrigued by the events and challenges that the protagonist, Isherwood Williams, had to face in a world in which almost all of the population had succumbed to some sort of virus. Back in the 80s I read a lot of Joseph Wambaugh and Stephen King. I also like W.E.B. Griffin. The Genres are different but the writing styles of each of those authors easily captured my attention. I often felt as if they had written specifically for me.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Ever since I was a kid I had always been writing something at one time or another. Because of a lack of discipline, focus, intent, whatever… I can come up with a number of excuses as to why I never saw a project thru to completion, I never took my writing to that next level. Perhaps it was out of a fear of being judged. But when I finished Eye of the Redeemer, just knowing that I wrote it for me, I really didn’t care if someone liked it or not. Don’t get me wrong, praise is a wonderful thing. It gets the endorphins flowing just like a good piece of dark chocolate. And having the book be a finalist in the 2012 Indie Reader Discovery Awards Competition was an unexpected surprise that had me on cloud nine for quite a while.
"[...] it had evolved over the entire process that the finished product was very different."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I never force anything. It’s either there or it isn’t. I guess when you’re an Indie author you have the luxury of walking away from the computer because there’s no agent reminding you of a deadline. When I sit down to write the first thing I do is put on music. In “Redeemer” a number of the scenes were influenced by what was coming out of the iPod. When Leigh Anne was at a critical time in her life and she had made the decision to move on, I was listening to the title track from the movie An Unfinished Life. When the protagonist Ray Silver was searching the terrorist ship while he and the guys he was with were in a fierce battle I was listening to some of the songs from the movies Pearl Harbor and The Last Of The Mohicans. Tender moments between Ray and Leigh Anne were influenced by Mindy Smith’s One Moment More. And I listened to a whole host of similar tunes while writing the sequel Beyond Redemption—which is currently being edited. But whenever I sit down to write I’ll always start off by reading what I wrote the night before. As I’m doing that, I find that I’m adding descriptions, adding to the dialogue, or even cutting out passages that seem way too wordy or even out of place. I never allow myself to be married to anything that I’ve written. In one chapter there was this excellent exchange between two of the characters. I was really proud of the intricacies of the dialogue. But as the story progressed I realized that the content of that conversation was irrelevant and I ended up deleting it. There was a certain point in the process—when I realized that I was actually creating a viable novel—that I decided to work up a storyboard/timeline of events. When the manuscript was finished I looked back at that storyboard and I laughed because so much of it had evolved over the entire process that the finished product was very different.
What do you find easiest about writing? What’s the hardest?
As I write, I’ve found that as long as I’m in the mindset that I’m simply writing to entertain myself then my imagination is free to be expressed without reservation. When that happens, if I’m working with a character or with several characters, it seems as if they come alive. There have been many times during the writing of Eye of the Redeemer, as well as with the soon to be released Beyond Redemption and now as I work on the third book in this trilogy (yet to be named), that the characters actually take over and influence the direction of the story. There have been a number of times where I’ve completed a long section of dialogue and felt as if I wasn’t even involved in the conversation. The hardest part comes when I second guess what I’ve written with questions such as “will this be believable?” or “Will this be offensive?” When that happens, then the creativity turns off. I’ve had friends that have read Redeemer and have loved it but then say things like “Ya, know, if you really want to sell more books you should try to be more politically correct…” Sorry, but I don’t think I want to do that.
Richard, please tell us about your debut novel, Eye Of The Redeemer.
In Redeemer, we are introduced to four main characters, The protagonist chiropractor Ray Silver, marine biologist Leigh Anne McMillen, nurse Stella Leone and an elderly janitor Abner Lewis. Each have their own demons and desires that they are struggling with and it’s during Ray’s journey to justify his existence and to make his life count for something that he crosses paths with the other three. While it initially appears that there are four separate and independent sub-plots, they do weave together as the characters meeting and subsequent relationships act as a catalyst for their individual quest for redemption.
This is the description that is on the back cover of the book:
Newly divorced and with two grown kids off to pursue their Naval careers, all Dr. Raymond Silver wanted to do was move on with his life as peacefully as he could. But unanswered questions, guilt, and an unfulfilled desire to carry on a family tradition to serve his country gnaw away at him. When he sets out on a personal quest to atone for his past and validate his existence, he never imagined that he would be the catalyst for three others longing to do the same. As his life becomes intertwined with a young marine biologist, a nurse and an elderly veteran, this 45 year old “average Joe” chiropractor battles with bureaucrats at the local veterans hospital, becomes the love interest of two beautiful women, and finds himself on a 60 year old naval relic sailing for the Philippines, an accidental key player in a CIA operation to stop a terror group from unleashing a nuclear holocaust.
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| Click To Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
As I stated earlier, I didn’t set out to write a novel. I was just entertaining myself because I was bored with television and at the time, my half-hearted effort to find a novel that could penetrate the barriers of my attention deficit had been unsuccessful. Not that there aren’t tons of great Indie novels out there, I just didn’t know they existed at the time I began this journey. The thing that inspired me to write the sequel, Beyond Redemption, as well as to begin work on the third book in this trilogy is the desire to see what happens to Ray and the others as there are loose threads in Redeemer that need to be tied up.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
Eye of the Redeemer has a little bit of everything that a wide demographic would be able to relate to. Action, adventure, romance, intrigue. In one review posted by a reader on Amazon the book was described as: “A birdseye view of contemporary America. Has all the elements of good versus evil, the hero's journey, the connection between events and peoples’ lives. A hard to put down book that presents characters that are driven by doing what's right, having the courage to do so, even when others’ moral compass goes awry. A story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” I think that last sentence really nails the attraction. Ray is an ordinary guy. He’s no Hollywood action-hero hunk who seduces every woman he meets. Ray can be klutzy but he’s genuine. He has a moral and ethical code that he lives by and we see that he also has flaws. I think people can relate to him. They like him and want to see him get the girl at the end of the story. The book is currently available on Amazon in paperback and in kindle format. It’s my understanding that if you go to indiebound.com that site will help you find an indie book store that can order it for you.
"[...] learning how to navigate my way through a maze of promotional options [...]"
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
I’m new at this whole book promotion thing. As an Indie author I’m still learning how to navigate my way through a maze of promotional options and I’m doing it with limited financial resources. With that being said, I’ve noticed some positive reader reviews that have been posted on Amazon as well as recognition as a finalist in the 2012 Indie Reader Discovery Award Competition. So with increased exposure and word of mouth I’m hopeful that more people will be willing to give the book a chance. By the way, It will make a great gift for the holidays (hint hint) ;o)
How long did it take you to write the book?
From the very first sentence to actual release the whole process took twelve months.
Please, tell us when you self-published. How smooth was the self-publish process? Any issues? What are things to look for when self-publishing?
I published with CreateSpace and the reason I went with them is because a friend and fellow indie author Robert Rosell published his first novel with them. I have a lot of respect for Rob’s knowledge and thoroughness so I just followed him. It was a good decision. The staff at CreateSpace treated me very well. They were responsive to my needs, worries, concerns…you name it. They were and remain very helpful. As I get ready to submit my next book I’ve been concerned about growing resistance from some large retailers to any connection with Amazon (CreateSpace is a subsidiary of Amazon). I’ve had a number of questions about this issue and there have been emails back and forth with one of my CreateSpace representatives. I’m still trying to sort out the pros and cons and haven’t yet decided what to do. I do think it’s important to work with a company that is going to be quick to respond to your inquiries as well as provide you with a team that is knowledgeable and respectful of the fact that you are handing over a very precious creation. I think it’s also good to check out some indie books from different publishers and examine the quality of the finished product from the cover design to the look and feel of the printed page to the quality of the construction. One plus to doing that is that you’ll also find some good reads out there.
Did you hire an Editor and/or a Cover Designer for your book?
I did hire an editor. My grammar is horrendous. My spelling has its problems too (thank hevan four spelcheque). I was lucky that one of my patients is a copy editor and it was a no brainer to ask her. I had the concept for the cover design and the art work was done and contributed by a friend.
"Just write. Get it down on paper (or computer) and then worry about cleaning it up."
Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
I still consider myself a newbie at this whole thing and I’ve got a great deal to learn. If I can pass along anything it would be to have patience. Enjoy the writing process, take your time with it and know that what you first put down will probably not look the same by the time you are ready for publishing. Just write. Get it down on paper (or computer) and then worry about cleaning it up. When I completed Eye Of The Redeemer a friend congratulated me on the quickness with which I completed my “first draft”. I laughed at him. Well, five drafts later It was ready to be edited.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
As I’ve already been plugging the sequel during the interview, Yes there is a follow up and a planned third book which I have started working on. There is unfinished business for three of the four main characters. Sadly, one of the four is killed in the first book. Believe me, it wasn’t easy to let that happen and in fact, I grieved for a few days knowing that I had a part in that character’s death. (Is that silly or what?) But the three survivors have unfinished business and in the second book, while Ray (well, c’mon now I couldn’t kill him off) continues his search for a certain person (hint: at the end of Eye Of The Redeemer he begins searching for his brother who everyone thought had been killed many years before), a very powerful Congresswoman is also looking for this person along with a package of documents that could bring an end to her quest to become the most powerful woman in the United States Government. It’s pretty amazing and scary to see how powerful and corrupt she really is and to what lengths she’s willing to go to make sure that those documents never see the light of day. We also explore the relationship that Ray has with his two adult children (Jimmy and Casey) and how he fears that his influence on their career choices may end up being a detriment to both.
Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to having one of your next books to be traditionally published?
I’d be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about being “discovered”. Until that day happens, I’m not going to pine away hoping for a traditional publisher to come knocking on my door nor am I actively trying to get an agent. As long as the strange voices continue to run with reckless abandon in my head, I will try to put it down in some coherent form and then send it off to be independently published. If some literary agent or traditional publisher takes a liking to what I write and they make me an offer…well, at the risk of sounding high and mighty, I’ll give it serious consideration. But if my books are selling and if Indie authors continue to gain market share then I’ll have to see.
"[...] I just love the feel of a book in my hands."
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will bookstores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I haven’t the slightest clue. I hope to God that physical books don’t disappear. If small Indie book stores go the way of record stores or small town barbershops then we will lose one more piece of Americana. I really think that these big box stores and all this internet shopping, while convenient, are just more ways that we are alienating ourselves from our neighbors. I was given an e-reader last Christmas and I have a hard time using it. Not because I’m electronically challenged but because I just love the feel of a book in my hands. I like being able to feel actual pages with my finger tips and having the satisfaction and the sense of accomplishment when I close the rear cover at the end of a good novel. And besides, if you get really mad at a something you just read in a book, it’s too expensive to throw an e-reader across the room.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
In my real life I’m a chiropractor, just like Ray Silver the protagonist hero in Eye Of The Redeemer. One day, God willing I’ll be able to devote a lot more time to writing.
How do readers connect with you?
I have a facebook page called Eye Of The Redeemer—a novel. Feel free to stop by, leave a message and tell me what you thought of the book.
Thank you very much for the Interview, Richard
About the Book Eye Of The Redeemer
.jpg "Eye Of The Redeemer (Richard I Levine)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
When he sets out on a personal quest to atone for his past and validate his existence, he never imagined that he would be the catalyst for three others longing to do the same.
As his life becomes intertwined with a young marine biologist, a nurse and an elderly veteran, this 45 year old “average Joe” chiropractor battles with bureaucrats at the local veterans hospital, becomes the love interest of two beautiful women, and finds himself on a 60 year old naval relic sailing for the Philippines, an accidental key player in a CIA operation to stop a terror group from unleashing a nuclear holocaust.
- "[...] this is a MUST read! Not only that but the story line is thrilling! I read a LOT of books and this is the first one in a very long time that I could NOT put down. Thank you, Dr. Levine!" - Dr. Dan L. Mosier
Links to the Author and the Book
Connect with the Author via Twitter: @In8inside
Connect with the Author via Facebook: EYEOFTHEREDEEMER
Link to the Paperback Eye Of The Redeemer on Amazon with Excerpt
Link to the Kindle eBook Eye Of The Redeemer on Amazon with Excerpt
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