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Interview with Suspense Author Peter Abrahams
by: Jennifer Minar
Peter Abrahams is the author of thirteen novels, including
"The Tutor," (Ballantine Books) "A Perfect Crime," (Ballantine
Books), "The Fan" (Fawcett Books), and most recently, "Their
Wildest Dreams" (Ballantine Books).
Known for his sharp wit and incredible gift for keeping
readers on the edge of their seats, Abrahams has been
entertaining readers for more than two decades--spinning
multi-layered tales involving ordinary people who find
themselves in horrific situations. Nominated for the Edgar
Award, and known for his memorable, unique characters,
colorful writing style, and non-stop suspense, Peter
Abrahams seems to have it all--even the praise of horror
author Stephen King.
Here is what he had to tell Writer's Break.
THE INTERVIEW
WB: What formal training did you have before becoming an
author?
Peter: I had little formal training. My mother--who wrote
television drama--taught me a lot about writing when I was
very young. For example--don't use linking words between
sentences (however, nevertheless, etc.), but use linked
ideas, mood, rhythm.
WB: What's a typical writing day like for you?
Peter: Typical writing day--I drive my daughter to school,
hit the gym, then breakfast and finally the office, where I
work from about 10 to 5. Late in a book I sometimes do more
after dinner.
WB: How long does it typically take for you to complete a
novel?
Peter: The actual writing of a book takes me 5-6 months if
everything is going well. I wouldn't call myself fast, just
steady.
WB: What inspired you to write your latest novel, Their
Wildest Dreams?
Peter: I don't know if inspired is the word. I've often got
little ideas drifting around in my mind. In the case of
"THEIR WILDEST DREAMS," I was thinking a struggling woman
and a Russian immigrant and a heist gone bad. Then, on Don
Imus's radio show, I heard Delbert McClinton singing a song
called When Rita Leaves. Most of the story--Mackie, the
southwest, the dude ranch, Buckaroo's--came to me in the
next five minutes.
WB: How did you decide to become a full-time novelist? What
were you doing before?
Peter: The short answer is that I finally started doing what
I was designed to do. The long answer isn't that
interesting. Earlier, I worked in radio. Before that, I was
a spearfisherman in the Bahamas.
WB: What would you say is the best and worst aspects to
this job?
Peter: The best is that hard-to-describe pleasure that comes
with making something out of nothing. The worst? A toss-up
between the business aspects and the solitary nature of the
job.
WB: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Peter: Lots of dead favorites, and a few living ones,
including Stephen King and Saul Bellow.
WB: What can fans expect from you next?
Peter: My next book, "OBLIVION," comes out next year. It's
my first detective novel. I think I can safely say that the
detective, Nick Petrov, faces challenges unlike any previous
fictional detective. I'm also involved in another new thing
for me--a young adult mystery series that I'm really excited
about.
WB: Do you do a lot of research for your books?
Peter: Research--it depends what you mean. A lot of it just
comes from living. But as for all the little facts, I do
what I have to to get them right. I visit places I write
about--some, like southern Arizona in "Their Wildest
Dreams," have a deep effect on me.
WB: What would you like to do if you weren't a novelist?
Peter: If I wasn't a novelist, I'd like to be a musician.
WB: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Peter: My advice to writers, at least those of the narrative
kind: Don't watch TV. There's nothing for you there.
About The Author
ennifer Minar is a freelance writer in the health & fitness
and writing markets. She is also the founder & managing
editor of Writer's Break
http://www.writersbreak.com , a web site and ezine for
fiction and creative non-fiction writers. Jennifer can be
contacted at
[email protected] |
