Great Minds Think Aloud Interview with Doug Lucas
1. What inspired
you to write your first book?
Retirement…
retirement and boredom if the truth be known. There were other
factors, but those two are the prime suspects motivating me to write.
After all…how hard can it be to sit down and just write a story
with enough skill to make folks think you've become a literary giant? Years ago I watched
my wife start a book, join a writer's group, and read everything she
could get her hands on about the correct way to write a novel. She
had a super story to tell, worked her heart out learning the craft,
and managed to finish half the book before putting it aside,
disgusted with life in general and writing in particular. This was to
become another factor in my decision to write and have a book
published. When I say it's a factor, I mean the turmoil she went
through before she became apathetic towards the notion of finishing
her book.
I would watch her
write something she dearly loved and share it with her writer's group
or friends. They in turn would say this is great…but if you just
wrote it this way the story would be so much stronger. She in turn
would take their suggestions to heart and make the suggested changes.
Once again they would read what she had liked and changed because of
their suggestions to improve or strengthen it and make
even more "if you just tweak it this way" helpful
hints. I watched one evening as she shut her "faithful Tandy"
down, boxed her paper copies of the story and floppy disks up
and walk away from the whole idea.
Anyone who has ever
started a book can understand those actions and they don't require
explanation. What does require explanation is it was the very first
time I'd ever seen her fail to finish anything she’d started. When
I retired I wondered if I could finish a book, without being forced
to kill my computer…because other than my wife, no one would see it
until I was done. So you might say it
was more a stubborn determination to see if I could finish a book,
than a desire to write or publish a novel. That would change after I
received three rejection letters from literary agents.
2. What specific
writing style or genre do you enjoy writing in?
I'm not sure what a
specific style really means. If you're referring to consciously
emulating a particular author…there is only one I try to stay true
to…me. Each book I wrote is my story, therefore it should be told
my way. I don't think like Stephen King or Tom Clancy, why should I
attempt to write the way they do? I also don't have the education of
most of the famous authors whose books I've read; therefore what I
know about grammar is what you'll read. I do try to avoid grammar
mistakes, but I pretty much write the way I talk. If you find a book
I wrote boring, then most likely we won't be spending an afternoon in
the local bar chatting…unless of course you're buying.
As for genre, well
that's a grave of a different depth.
Once I managed to
get the first book published, I decided to see if I couldn't write
several more in slightly different genres. I know that an author who
wants to be famous is supposed to only write in one genre to develop
a following. I don't expect to be famous, find telling the same story
monotonous and I've got to admit I like the challenge of seeing if I
can get a few readers to try each different book.
At this point in our
little blog together I'll admit I didn't know there was a genre
labeled pedagogy, never had any intentions of trying my hand
at non-fiction and of course didn't even want to compete with a book
titled All About Dinosaurs.
Having admitted to
those facts, then the confusion surrounding the release of my last
book, “Flats Teachers' Test," becomes a funny story
pointing out that when things go wrong…they really go wrong.
My publisher
released the book with a three day give away on Amazon, which is free
advertising as far as I'm concerned. I checked it the morning it was
released and was pleased to find it was listed as number one in its
genre. Later that afternoon I again checked on the book's progress,
this time paying closer attention to little things…like genre and
category. Yes…I had to look up the meaning of pedagogy…I'll also
bet a few of you will be doing the same thing right about now.
I'd been a little
shocked to discover I'd been beaten out of the number one slot by a
dinosaur. But must admit I was pleased I'd managed to stay ahead of
"Enticing and Exciting the Non-Reader." (Just
barely…but I did stay in the number two slot!). What scares me is
if my fictional characters are listed as non-fiction…does that mean
they'll be using an absentee ballot in the next election? Now that
would be an honor for not only for my fictional characters, but me as
well.
3. How do you
come up with the titles for your books?
I don't and at this
point I'd love to say something sounding like a sagely witticism from
Mark Twain. But the truth is I start a book and the title just seems
to happen. I've been told I should invest far more time seeking the
Holy Grail of book titles than I do. I also know a snappy title aimed
right at the selected reading audience…Something like All about
Dinosaurs; is an important part of catching the reader's
attention. Unfortunately…I just go with what seems to fit. Forgotten
received its title because the folks who died and suffered in
Beirut are forgotten by all but those who loved them.
Man in the
Mountain was chosen as a title because one of the characters
lived in a mountain. From the start of the first paragraph, it had
its title.
My book
Conversations with a Dead Man because the main character was
dead…and still talking.
Buzz Words
just seemed to fit a homicide investigation, although one reader
pointed out the buzz word perps was spelled preps. So maybe I should
have given that one just a little more thought. The Flats
Teachers' Test came from a quip a gym teacher made to me and when
I sat down to write the book I had a title before I ever started…that
time. He said the real test of a true teacher is can they make an
entire school year without killing an administrator or hurting a
student. I'm working on a
SciFi right now have completed ten chapters. Before I've completed
the last chapter I hope to have a title….other than "what I'm
writing now." The two books I have awaiting the editors chain
saw have titles…for now.
4. How many of
your novels have certain messages that you'd like readers to grasp?
Probably only the
Flats Teachers' Test has a message I'd like to have a reader
understand. I tried to use fiction to show just how much trouble this
nation's school systems are really in. We've got some good schools
and a few truly great teachers, both of which are in danger of
becoming extinct.
5. How much of
your books are based on reality or things you've been through I your
own life?
If I were to write
an autobiography on all of the extraordinarily exciting events of my
life worth telling…….it would be shorter than a church bulletin
and just about as well read.
Besides…now that
I'm old, it's clear to me that no other young man could ever be as
fantastic as I remember myself being. Therefore I shouldn't depress
the younger generation by telling them just how much better I was
than they are or ever could be.
As you can see from
that statement, I write fiction. I firmly believe people read fiction
to escape the pressures of everyday life. Maybe they want to
experience something uncommon or for a few hours just live in a
bizarre world of fiction. It isn't unusual or unexpected for a
writer's life to sneak into the tales they tell. But I'd point out
that I wrote Conversations with a Dead Man and to the best of
my knowledge I'm not dead yet.
6. What books
have you read that have influenced you in some way?
Other than the
Bible, the two most critical literary works would be "The care
and feeding of the M-60 machine gun" and of course "the
many orders and regulations published by the Pennsylvania State
Police on evidence handling and processing.
The Bible will send
you to God, a malfunctioning M-60 will send you to hell and break the
chain of custody on a piece of evidence and you'll wish you were in
hell.
7. What writer
would you consider to be your mentor?
Me…I've said it
before and like all old men will repeat myself. I want to tell the
stories in my books my own way.
The very first
Author, whose books caught my attention, was Thomas B. Costain. The
man has no idea how many tours he did in Vietnam or the loss I felt
when his books The Silver Chalice and The Black Rose met
with an untimely demise in 1983. But there is no way I'd ever attempt
to copy his style of writing. He was my safety valve and secret
pathway to a safer and much more exciting world.
8. Are there any
new authors you have read that you like?
In no particular
order: Julie Powell (author of Gone and not the author of
Julie and Julia), Marissa Carmel, Lee Ann Graff-Vinson (Love and
Liberty--I read it by mistake) Dawn Colcasure. Brian Anderson, Mike
Evers, and Chris McKenna. Of course I never read children's books or
chick books. A manly man such as myself has only heard that some of
these authors can write. I'll add that I've never read anything
written by Sheila Deeth and you can't prove I have.
All of these folks
can spin a yarn in their own way and are well worth finding. Some
have books with Gypsy Shadow publishing and the rest can be found on
the Great Minds Publishing web page.
9. What's your
current project and when might it be available?
I'm trying my hand
at a Sci-Fi that at present I'm just calling Evolved Man. I thought
it might be fun to show a society in the distant future which
punishes a non-conformist by sending them into the past (via time
travel of course). I have no idea when it will be done because I'm
only on chapter ten, I have several poker games (BYOB of course) that
need my attention and it's coming up on my favorite time of year to
ride motorcycles (fall foliage). As you can see I have a few
different priorities than other authors. Writing for me is a hobby…I
refuse to work myself to death over a hobby.
10. Can you give
us an excerpt or tell us a little about your current work?
Sure, Here is the
first few paragraphs from chapter one:
My name is Daniuca
West 320…the date chosen for my birth was day two twenty-one in the
agreed cycle of thirty fifteen. I was part of the last generation
conceived and born in the west wing of the old creation hall. My
tissue mass was designated as female, and I was the very last of the
six hundred tissue masses for that cycle allowed to evolve into a
human.
My early years of
education and conditioning were normal. I met the female donor of my
DNA at age cycle twelve and the male donor at age cycle fifteen…I
found them both to be uninteresting. I spent the required twenty life
cycles in basic courses for enrichment required by the Committee
for Human Growth and Instruction.
The Educational
Guidance Committee recommended I study Forgotten Pre-Human
Skills. I was allowed to spend the next eighty cycles of my life
learning how dangerous life for the human race was before order and
structure was established.
I was thrilled by
the recommendation to study Forgotten Pre-Human Skills. It would mean
society had decided I would be working as a Harmony Protector
or Regulation Enforcement Officer. I would be helping society
move forward without the hindrances of the past.
Of all the things
which have changed during my lifetime, I find my computer Companion
to be the single most disturbing. The implanted synchrony is always
with you…never dormant and leaves you with no option but to think
whatever message is being transmitted. I know our society is far
better off because of their existence, a fact my Companion constantly
reminds me of. But there are times
when I would just like to feel or discover new things on my own. I
also suspect this is the very reason I've been summoned to the Hall
for Social Justice and Harmony again.
I am far enough into
the start of this story to have already had the lady sent back to
1775. I think it will be rather unique to contrast the far future to
the distant past.
11. Is there
anything you would consider challenging about your writing?
Yes…making sure it
doesn't interfere with the things in life that are truly important.
Things like afternoon naps, late night poker games (that now means
anything after nine PM) and of course long motorcycle rides.
12. Do you have
any advice or anything you'd like to say to your readers?
To anyone who may be
thinking about writing a book. First and foremost write it to make
you happy, not some friend who only wants to make it a little better.
Finish what you start; at the very least you'll be an author with one
book to their credit. If you find a publisher who wants to publish
tour work, then you're a published author. If the book is published
and one person (family doesn't count here) buys it, you are a
successful author with a following.
To my readers…keep
buying my books…She Who Should Not Be Named saw another yorkie
puppy in need of a home. This means I'll may need two leashes and two
pooper scoopers.
About Doug Lucas
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| Doug and Yorkie |
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My name is Doug
Lucas, well in reality it's Raymond D. Lucas. Like most people I
sometimes forget I have a first name. Mine was borrowed from my
father---I tend to confuse myself when I tell others my first name is
Raymond.
My Dad had dreams of
sending one of his sons to West Point; I had dreams of escaping any
form of academic endeavor. Neither one of us was a total success in
making those dreams come true. He did manage to force my nonacademic,
rebellious mind and body through high school. I managed to join the
Marine Corps right after high school before he could inflict the pain
of higher learning on my soul.
I began a
twenty-five year odyssey that in the beginning worked very well
towards the completion of my life ambition of not being forced to
endure any more formal education. The Marine Corp started my
"reeducation" by training me to become a machine
gunner---this worked well for me because no college was required for
this position. After my first tour in the exotic Far East the Marines
waited for me to reenlist and then changed my status to Combat
Photographer, a reward for some misdeed that to this day I am still
unaware of committing.
I once again found
myself in academic situations, but with a twist that added zest to my
desire to learn. Fail a military school and for the most part your
career is over at all levels. You might say that I became a very
enthusiastic student, with a new found motivation to excel at
academics.
As a reward for
completing the "schools" I was selected for, I was returned
to the Far East to apply my new found knowledge of Combat Photography
in a practical environment. I learned very quickly that in a combat
situation, taking a shot with a camera was far less rewarding than
taking one with a machine gun.
In the time that I
served in the Marines I manage to become a Drill Instructor at MCRD
Parris Island, South Carolina and serve a tour as a recruiter at RSS
Long Island, New York. I have no idea what crimes I committed that
forced the Marines inflict those punishments on me.
During this period
of travel and education I did managed to entice a lovely young woman
to share her life with me, on the condition that she controlled the
purse strings. This condition has worked very well for us over the
last forty some odd years, at least it has managed to ensure my bills
were paid on time. She presented me with two sons and a daughter.
Both of my sons had
the same attitudes toward higher education that I had. I would often
tell them that they may roll across the stage in a wheel chair on
graduation day, but they would graduate from high school.
I take all of the
credit for raising our daughter, who now has her Master's Degree in
Literature. Having read some of what I've produced, she has
requested that if I ever publish a book, I not mention her name.
After retiring from
the Marines I went to work for the Pennsylvania State police as a
Forensic Photographer. I liked that job a lot because it was for the
most part very quiet and peaceful---you might say dead end. After
working at that for a few years I became interested in Forensic Video
analysis. I think my main reason for interest in that field was as a
way of proving to my father that you can make a living watching
television.
I am now totally
retired from all forms of work, with the exception of those small
requirements my wife now inflicts on me. Tasks that are preformed for
little or no pay I might add.
My lovely and gentle
wife added to this blend of joy and frustration by acquiring an
attack dog for home security. Very few people have the slightest
conception of the sense of failure a former Marine achieves as he
walks behind a six pound miniature Yorkshire terrier, appropriately
named Trouble.
With the profits
from my book sales, I hope to be able to afford a "pooper
scooper."
Doug's books:
Conversations With a Dead Man: A
stroll through an old cemetery will reveal very little about the
people buried there. Their headstones will whisper of father, wife or
lost child----but they don't sing of the lives those men and women
led. Even our national heroes are lucky to have one or two of their
life's accomplishments inscribed on their markers for future
generations to marvel at.
Cemeteries are filled with forgotten
people. They were people who had lives rich with or empty of the joys
that just being alive creates for us. Once we are dead and gone,
our lives quickly fade into small morsels of oral history and are
slowly forgotten by family and friends as time and generations
pass.
What would these forgotten souls tell us if they could talk?
The Man in the Mountain: For
most of us, we have mental pictures of just what and how our favorite
authors live. Their lives must be far richer and more interesting
than ours, because they have the ability to engage our minds and
thrill our souls with their visions of what life was, is or could
be.
These word smiths can hold our imaginations in a vise grip
with the grace and skill they weave action, love, adventure, and
science fiction genres into a whole cloth we can clad ourselves in
for an hour or a life time.
This magic cloth allows us to escape
our own truth and absorb realities that thrill, intrigue or titillate
us. At times authors can: relieve boredom, fear or want, and offer
the grace of comfort to our mundane day to day existence. Most at one
time or another has sought the company of our favorite author's work
to do some or all of those things.
Poets entice us to spend an
hour On Walden's Pond, historians teach us the lessons of The Rise
and Fall of The Roman Empire, theologians interpret The Last Days of
Christ for us, and humorist show us The Redneck Dictionary is really
us as others see us.
We think we know these word smiths, those
tellers of tales who will join, entertain and instruct us with the
turn of a page or the touch of a screen. To one degree or another, we
are what we read and what we read depends on the author who engages
our mind.
But what would happen if a group of people found
themselves in a real life web of entanglement and relied to one
degree or another on their favorite author?
Forgotten: Historical
fiction has a foundation of truth but that truth is often shrouded in
fiction. Some claim that only time and distance can separate the
two.
We have all lived through events that have shocked or changed
our nation.
The
assassination of Martin Luther King, or John and Robert Kennedy, men
traveling into space, and landing on the moon, and of course the
bombing of the World Trade Center; these are just a few examples that
have occurred in my life time. These are the pivotal events that
surround us I and others think we know all of the important
facts.
But do we remember? Ask yourself or a friend what date any
of these events happened on, see if you or they can give the exact
date or even some of the facts surrounding any of these or other
major past events of your lifetime.
Americans are noted for their
short memories, we invented the term "Attention Deficit
Disorder" to describe it. We immerse ourselves in an event for a
short time span, then quickly lay the event aside and move to the
next. If those events didn't or don't affect us directly----they are
quickly forgotten.
Buzz Words: Most
of us think we understand how police investigations work. We've seen
them depicted on television so often we believe it's really only one
or two hardnosed, lone wolf detectives who will shoot, punch or
intimidate criminals as they investigate crimes and apply justice in
their own way. The image fiction has imprinted on minds is one of
fast paced, rough and tumble fearless officers who are always at odds
with their bosses, politicians and the law. They also manage to solve
every crime in the amount of time allotted for the shows time slot,
normally in forty-five minutes or less after you remove the
commercials.
Real life police work is not for the faint of heart,
and it is work; mind numbing work that at times makes you feel more
like a researcher with a weapon than a law enforcement
specialist.
Those
lone wolf fictional police officers would mostly be unsuccessful in
real life for one single reason, lack of teamwork.
Law enforcement
requires a dedicated team of people who possess many different
specialized skill sets, all working towards a single goal, and the
processing of evidence to aide an officer in making a solid
arrest.
There are specialized segments of police work that are
accomplished by shadow people. These are the ones who're given the
artifacts of a crime and asked to find information to confirm facts
or assist the efforts of investigators as they search for answers to
who, what where when and most importantly why.
The Flats Teachers' Test: A
great teacher is a rock jutting from and sometimes engulfed by an
ocean filled with the rip tides of passion, ineptitude, arrogance and
ignorance. They are protruding spikes of granite which cannot be
eroded easily. These are the teachers who make every effort against
tremendous odds to polish young minds into the building blocks of
society.
Great teachers are awe inspiring in their efforts to
create excellence and their influence is powerful, extending beyond
even their own lifetimes.
A fortunate few of us have had
exceptional teachers who gifted our lives with knowledge as they
challenged us and created a need to meet the potential of what we
might achieve. These individuals changed the way we thought, possibly
sent us down a career path or simply gave us a passion for learning.
A passion which will move forward with us for all of our lives.
All
of us have encountered educators.
More than a few of these
educators started out to become teachers, only to be crushed at some
point in their career. Those individuals have lost the desire to
teach. Once this desire was destroyed, they ceased to care about
anything but themselves and their retirement.
A
number of these educators can and should be faulted for their effort
to instruct their students. There are more than a few teachers who've
simply been beaten into submission by the very system they drove
themselves to become part of.
Most
of those teachers who've been destroyed by our education system,
toiled under the constraints of weak administrators. Administrators
who care more about the system and the political realities of their
own success, than education. For this type of administrator the
people on the front lines of education and the children they strive
to entice, excite or simply drag kicking and screaming into an
academic environment are of little or no consequence.
This type of
administrator creates educators out of gifted teachers. In the
process, they destroy the gifts and fervor for knowledge that could
have been passed to future generations.
I invite you to wander
through the very foundations of our education system and spend a few
hours with a few truly great teachers. When you finish I'd ask you to
answer one very simple question, "Would I be a great teacher or
end up an educator?"
