… in general, whenever you write anything, even if it’s fiction, you open up a small part of yourself. This is always hard to do.
Marina Raydun – 4 December 2014
The Back Flap
Joe is lost. A sudden widower, he is alone in the trendy apartment he had earned at a great cost to himself. He has nowhere to look but back. His wife Maya violently murdered, the next week of Joe’s life is a dizzying whirl of revelations and cigarette smoke as he reflects on their time together in the effort to uncover who killed her and why. On his journey, Joe reluctantly finds and faces himself.
About the book
What is the book about?
Joe After Maya is a story of a man named Joe, told over the course of the first week after his wife’s murder. Used and underestimated by all those around him, Joe is lost and alone. His wife, Maya, was what centered him, what gave him purpose, so it’s only natural that he wants to figure out who killed her and why. Along the way, however, Joe has no choice but to find and face himself.
This is a murder-mystery/suspense novel, but, on a larger scale, it’s about self-acceptance, the importance of being true to one’s self, and the danger that looms when these things aren’t there.
When did you start writing the book?
Early 2013.
How long did it take you to write it?
About a year and a half.
Where did you get the idea from?
I love a good suspense story and have always wanted to write one. I tend to write about relationships that have some unexpected twists to them, so I wondered what it’d be like to take that a step further. This was somewhat of a personal goal, a challenge I’d set for myself—to write a suspense story I’d enjoy reading myself. It may not be a classic “whodunit,” because it focuses more on the main characters’ psyche than it does on the chase, but I’ve been told it’s a satisfying read.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
This isn’t specific to Joe After Maya, but, in general, whenever you write anything, even if it’s fiction, you open up a small part of yourself. This is always hard to do. No matter how thick your skin may be, it’s not easy to expose yourself to criticism, let alone accept it. So that part is always the hardest. You never know how people will interpret and use your words.
What came easily?
The main characters. And once I saw them clearly, they sort of told me what they would and wouldn’t do. It may sound cliché, perhaps, but it’s true, I swear.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
All my characters are fictitious, though, of course, a small trait or characteristic here and there may, in some way, be inspired by my surroundings. 99.9%, however, they are their own.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
An Israeli writer, Savyon Liebrecht is of huge literary influence in my writing life. She never shies away from the murky, never afraid to confront what’s dark. Also, Gillian Flynn—she’s just such an incredible storyteller. If I can produce novels of even half the quality of these women’s fiction, I’d consider myself successful.
Do you have a target reader?
Anyone who appreciates literary fiction and psychological suspense; anyone who likes a good story, really.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I always tend to want to write a chapter or two before going back to try to outline the entire work. I like to first get a feel for the story and the characters before I can even think about the end game. Once the main characters begin to take shape, I can think of the big picture.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I’m mostly about bullet-points. I know what I want to see happen and at what point in the story. It isn’t a very rigid outline with me, but yes, there is always one.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Both. Writing and editing are intertwined for me. Every time I finish reviewing a particular draft, I start over. Then, when I’m “done,” I do a more detailed read-through (or two…or five).
Did you hire a professional editor?
I did. After a while, you know your work so well, your eyes simply can no longer pick up whatever small typos that may still be there. Of course, in a book of sixty to seventy thousand words, even with a proofreader, you’re always risking some stubborn typos remaining, but a fresh pair of eyes certainly helps minimize those.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
In general, there is little I do without music on in the background. The soundtrack depends on what it is I’m working on at the time, but with Joe After Maya, there was a lot of Into the Presence, The Idan Raichel Project, and some Tokio Hotel. With my novella Foreign Bride, it was mostly Ingrid Michaelson, Darren Hayes, and Maria Mena, whereas with One Year in Berlin, there was lots of Lisa Marie Presley and old school Amanda Marshall to be heard around the house. Nowadays, it’s all about Dido, Michael Jackson, Train, Mira Awad, Noa, Ayo, Big Elf…and many more. I love music!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No. And I still haven’t.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
The first book I was ready to present to the world was a compilation of novellas (One Year in Berlin/Foreign Bride). Having done some research, I realized that novellas are notoriously difficult to publish the traditional route. I understood early on that even looking for an agent to shop them around would inevitably prove to be a significant challenge. However, the stories were too important to me not to put out there, so I knew that I had to go the indie way. And then I sort of stuck with it, at least for now. It’s a brand new world out there, after all.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Oh, I’m not terribly gifted by way of “visual arts.” A fantastic graphic artist named Rahul Philip created both of my covers for me. The initial concept for both was mine, but he is the one who made them what they are, start to finish. He’s very talented and I often hear compliments on the artwork. [You can check out Rahul’s work here: www.rahulphilip.com]
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m not a marketing-guru by any measure, but I do the best I can. I’m not a full time writer, and whatever free time I do have, I want to spend actually writing, so I suppose you could say I’m sort of, kind of, winging it.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Write. You can’t be an author, traditional or indie, unless you write. You must write something every day, in my opinion, even if it’s something that will never see the light of day. It’s an exercise for both your brain and your fingers. And edit, edit, edit. Be tough on yourself, because others sure will be. Whether we like it or not, there is still somewhat of a stigma on self-publishing, so it’s up to us to do our best and put out only quality material. Oh, and thick skin! That’s a big one.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Until the age of 11, I lived in Belarus. Then, my family and I moved to the United States. The way I see it, I grew up in Brooklyn.
Where do you live now?
I’m still in Brooklyn.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I love to sing and I love to bake. What can’t music and dessert fix?
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on a two-part romance/suspense novel. You can expect a relationship (or two, or three) with a twist (and then some) for sure. Technically, I’m working on book one, while simultaneously drawing up a general outline for book two.
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of Joe After Maya from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).