Interview and Giveaway: Threads West

I'm pleased to invite Reid Rosenthal, author of Threads West: An American Saga to The Life and Lies today! 

 

1) Why and when did you begin writing?
I was nine when I promised myself I would write books. The family was taking a very rare vacation to St. John, the Virgin Islands which had just become a National Park. We camped there on the beach and celebrated my sister's birthday. A mongoose ate her birthday cake, but that is yet another tale. My penance for the week away from school was an admonition by my fourth grade teacher that I had to keep a daily journal and read it to the class when I returned. I'll always remember standing in front of the class on that first reading, the tablet with wide blue lines and the dark ink of my scribbles, and the thick beige cover in my shaking hands, reading to my classmates and wondering "Why am I doing this? No one wants to listen."

I looked up and they were silent, some mouths were agape and my teacher clapped. It was an epiphany. I realized I could tell stories, and more than that, people wanted to hear them. It took 45 years, but I am finally in the process of keeping that promise a nine-year-old boy made to himself long ago, and enjoying every minute of it!

2) What inspired you to write your book?
I love the land, America, and the West, and I'm enthralled by the interconnected energy of all things. Many have queried as to what inspired me to write the Threads West An American Saga series. The more primal and current, the greater my interest. In the wide range of topics that touch the human soul, nothing compares with the power of the land which underlies all we are and do, and the primal heartstrings of passion filled romance. These magnets to our spirits coupled with the rich texture of the mid-1850’s—a time when America and the world held their collective breaths just prior to exhaling with the rush toward the American West – is our story, a memory we need to recall, courage we need to again touch and a reminder of the foundations of our uniquely American spirit.

3) How did you choose the title?
The title, Threads West became lodged in my thinking even before beginning the book. Many suggested other titles, and at time I was writing and prior to publication of the work the novel indeed had another title. In the end, though, as with most things, all returns the beginning. The story is of the uncommon threads of lives of diverse and complicated characters most of whom originate in Europe, in Book. All are being pulled, some reluctantly, some with enthusiasm to a far distant frontier by the power of land, the promise of America, and the mysterious rivers of fate. The series is meant to be our story. This is a tale of spirits forged on the anvil of the lands of the West, and the attitudes that made America great and can do so again if we simply remember and return to that basic set of values. The addition of the words "An American Saga" was eventually made to Threads West title for exactly that reason.

4) What books and people influence your writing? Was it a positive influence, or negative?
The influences that shaped the Threads West An American Saga series, and the first book and namesake of the tale, Threads West, are many and varied. In all the characters of the books there are more than just seeds of truth in their life, outlook, motivations and conflicts. One could say they are people who I have known embossed with the paintbrush of fiction and then transported through the portal of imagination into the world of 1850’s Europe, America, and the West.

My writing is also influenced by my core principles. The messages may be subtle or subliminal in some respects, but my respect for the land, and property as the foundation of America, her spirit, the aspirations of her generations, and as a symbol of individual freedom is more than a whisper in Threads West, and all the successive of books in the series. The descriptive passages of land, places, or even rooms which form certain scenes are all things I've seen. My pen is the shutter, the page the film.

There is no doubt, too, that my writing is heavily influenced by certain other authors, their styles, and their presentation. These great writers have set a particularly high bar for. Crane and Hemingway whose detailed description of scenes and circumstances have always enthralled me, and Leon Uris, whose brilliant themes of converging threads of lives have all had a major effect on my presentation. The gritty Western personalities and thought-scapes of McMurtry and L’Amour, the impeccable historical detail of McCoy, and my own personal experience as a rancher have likewise impacted my writing.

5) How did you go about researching for your books?
Ha! The research! That was a much bigger task than anticipated. I thought I was familiar with this magical moment in American history, but I was mistaken. 1855 may be one of the single most difficult years of which to write of the history of this country and the West. The Great Western migration was in its infancy. Turmoil between the northern and southern states was beginning to foment. Conflict between Native Americans and the vanguard of white men heading west heating up, and the treachery of some white men and continual breach of treaties and agreements had been ongoing for twenty years and was accelerating. The huge 19th century European immigration was just beginning. The Singer sewing machine had been invented in 1851, heralding the coming industrial revolution which at that time no one could perceive. Revolvers were only a few years old, and the repeating rifle was just a few years from invention. It was the year of America on the cusp of greatness, but embroiled in inner conflict.

My research includes other books of the period, how-to manuals written by the United States Calvary, memoirs of folks who lived in the 1850s, extensive research on Wikipedia and other informational sources including, in the coming books, interviews with descendants (or old-timers who lived in the more contemporary books) whose immediate ancestors lived, loved and struggled in the 19th century West.

6) Are any of your characters from real people?
Indeed! In fact, some the subset of characters who interact with the eight primary personalities of the first book are real historical people. Ferdinando Wood was actually the Mayor of New York. Zeb’s friend, Jim Bridger is a name known well in American history. Captain Kennedy of the Edinburg and his dog likewise existed. The historical tidbits surrounding these characters all spring from research, and the basic facts, painted with the colors of fiction are true. The personalities of the primary characters are real, albeit derived from modern persons I've encountered in my life travels, all them particularly intriguing at least in my personal view.

7) Was most exciting part of being a published author? What was the hardest part?
For me the most exciting part of being a published author is holding the book in my hands and realizing it is the achievement of a 45 year goal. More than that, it is fulfillment of a decade’s long dream. I like to see people achieve their dreams, and I wish everyone well in doing so. I even signed a book to myself, from very first printing, with the inscription “Congratulations, you did it!” I'm chuckling as I write this. That was a fine day indeed.
When you enjoy something 125%, it is symbolic of your passions and beliefs, and people are thoroughly enjoying what you've created nothing is “hard.” Sure, there's lots of work, long hours – I doubt I slept more than two hours a night in the months before the launch the book—and a continuing barrage of tasks; writing the next book, marketing the first book, and interactions with people, media, readers, bookstores, etc. But, it is all great fun and hugely satisfying. If this story can return readers to the roots of this country, and make a difference far beyond simple enjoyment for reader of the novel, than I will truly be content.

8) Are there any other books planned in the future?
I’m laughing. After 45 years of pent up demand I’ve become masochistic in my writing. Not only are the next five books the Threads West An American Saga series coming, the second – Maps of Fate in February/March and the third, North to Wyoming, in late summer 2011—but in early 2011 I intend to release my narrative nonfiction book, underway for quite some time, called Land, For Love and Money.  This is an instructional collection of anecdotes of real-life experiences of with land, and ranches, and real estate related business and management meant to instruct and entertain.  It is intended to be the handbook for the 28 million owners of land and the 5.6 million want-to-be owners of land in North America. That work is based on my forty-year career and land ownership in numerous states, three countries and on two continents. I hope that book, besides being an enjoyable read, also helps countless others in any and all aspects of the land acquisition, ownership, spiritual attachment and financial reward. I have ideas for other books in the future, too. But for now I’ll concentrate on the very full plate I’ve set for myself.

9) What advice can you give to young writers who wish to publish their books?
Being a neophyte I’m not sure I’m qualified to give advice. What I can relate are some thoughts based on my actual experiences. First, write! Thinking about a book or saying you're going to write a book doesn't count. Get it on paper. Fine tune it, twenty times if you have to, but get the words on the white sheet. Then you are well on your way. Secondly, while books are indeed a business and authors and publishers like to sell books, write about what you love. People will sense the passion, excitement and commitment.  Without those three ingredients I’m not sure you can ever hook your readers. Finally, never give up. Believe in yourself and believe in your book. Keep submitting. Investigate thoroughly the many ways in this modern day and age you can get your book in print, and marketed. And finally I will say good luck and enjoy! It is an experience you don't want to miss.

Just for fun

1) What are your 10 most favorite things?
Putting aside the smiles of my grandson and the love of my family, and in no particular order:
1.      My dog’s head resting lightly on my lap.
2.      The nuzzles of my horse and the corresponding whinny as he reaches for the carrot.
3.      The fire of a sinking sun and the bright gold of the dawning day
4.      Telling a story, seeing the reader or listener nod assent and become immersed in the arc of the tale.
5.      The energy, power, and second by second ever-changing, never to be repeated, landscapes of the wild and remote.
6.      The echo of a bull elk’s bugle between the cold white trunks of leafless aspens high at timberline on a late fall day.
7.      The dimple of a rising trout, my fly lighting in the current just above.
8.      The watery dip of the oar, and in the lap of river current on the drift boat hull.
9.      The electric touch of the heated skin embraced in the moments of tender romance.
10.      The smell of leather and horse sweat.

2) What you do when you're not writing?
Smile. See number one above. My “passions” are riding, fly fishing, skiing, weightlifting, and landscape photography.

3) Do you have any pets?
Asking a rancher if he has "pets" is like inquiring of ducks if they have water. Horses, though I have unfortunately lost three of my best in the last two years, and dogs—again with the painful loss of my favorite fairly recently. And there's a host of other wild critters around the ranch house to whom I say hi often. Not pets, perhaps, but certainly friends.

4) What are your favorite (and least favorite) foods?
I've always thought that the three main food groups are elk, chocolate, and coffee. Everything else is a derivative!

5) Is there a specific place in the house (or out of the house)that you like to write?
Given the fact that I hate to type, though I can pound the keys at a seventy words per minute – with at least 30 typos per line – my writing is all dictated. I have a writing desk where I outline my stories but most of my writing is done pacing about the kitchen, living room or exterior deck. And – I am chuckling – at least a third of my writing is done in the one ton Ford hurtling from ranch to ranch. I have far too late seen the blinkies of the state patrol, and missed many an exit when I have become so engrossed in the tale I have become detached from the drive.

6) If you could go anywhere in the whole world either for vacation or to live there, where would you go?
The lands of the Canadian and American West are so vast and varied that one probably could not do them justice in a lifetime of travel and they remain my favorite spot. However, there are places in South America I've been and wish to go to which are stunning. I have a special love for Alaska, perhaps the last real frontier. Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are most certainly on the list.

7) What was your favorite and least favorite subject in school?
I was never bad at math but I did everything to escape the clutches of its classes. My favorite subjects by far were literature and creative writing.

8) What book are you reading right now?
I’m afraid I have to admit I'm not reading any particular book right now. I am instead focused on writing the next of the Threads West, An American Saga series.

9) Give us a random fact about you that we would've never guessed.
That I'm better than a half bad cook (the alternative was starvation!) and have even gotten compliments on my interior decorating, though I have been told it is heavily laced with testosterone.

 

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Giveaway

 

Thanks for stopping by, Reid! Thanks to The Candence Group, I have one copy of Threads West to give away. Just leave a comment with your e-mail address. Ends January 15! USA only. Extra entry if you like the Candence Group on Facebook.