What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name
is Mike Romeling. I was born in Burlington, Vermont but have resided for the
past 35 years in the Taconic Mountain region of eastern New York State which I
have used for the setting of my recently released novel—not surprisingly
entitled "Tale of the Taconic Mountains."
Did you always want
to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I first
began writing short stories and some poetry in my early teenage years and hoped
I might find success eventually. At about that same time I discovered the James
Bond books and would have been fine with abandoning writing to instead become a
secret agent who would stumble upon outrageously beautiful women during every
dangerous assignment and in every exotic location. Oddly that never panned out
:>)
When did you first
consider yourself as a "writer"?
By my
late teenage years I had branched out into pursuing the singer/songwriter path
which I still pursue. When some of my songs were published and I had some
modest success with my albums, I felt that perhaps I was "legitimate"
to an extent. Later on I was able to place some of my regular writing (mostly
humor pieces) in some small publications which felt good too.
Do you work another
job as well as your writing work?
For
many years I worked for the New York State Talking Book and Braille Library.
About two years ago I retired from that job and now split my time up between
music and writing.
What is the name of
your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what
would you say?
My
current book is "Tale of the Taconic Mountains" and I will confess
straight away that I am cheating a bit on the 20 word limit. I was asked
recently for a 25 word synopsis and I just can't seem to pare it down any
further. Here it is:
Synopsis
Beneath the brooding mountain, clashing
agendas hide a timeless truth— in these ancient hills, something stirs, both
lighter than air and darker than starless night.
Who is your
publisher? or do you self publish?
I used
eBookIt for converting and distributing my novel to most of the major e-book
sites. I found them to be very competent and refreshingly low-key. I think the
determining factor for me was in the FAQs
where they
responded to the question, "Will my book earn back the investment I put
into it?" by answering, "Don't count on it." Sometimes honesty carries the day.
Do you have plans for
a new book? Is this book part of a series?
While
going through the process of finishing up this book and getting it out into the
world, ideas for a sequel have been floating around in my head. But I've been able to reach no decision and
am on the verge of just flipping a coin. I've always preferred tails and have
sometimes wondered if there's anything significant about that.
Do you have a certain
routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
Except
when my music endeavors force me to adopt "musician's hours," I am an
early riser and like to work from 4 or 5 in the morning until 8 or 9. Seems to
best fit my biological clock and ensures I will get a good chunk of word done
before the phone rings or there's a knock on the door and the day goes off in a
different direction. I insist on having my coffee cup on the desk at all times
but seldom get more than a couple sips before I get distracted by the writing
and the coffee goes cold. That's a good reason to get up and stretch and wander
off to the kitchen to heat it up in the microwave after which it returns with
me to the desk where it soon grows cold again. Just as well. Although I have
moved my computer recently, at the time of writing the novel, I was facing a
wall. But since my Dad was a watercolour artist, I have one of his best
paintings on that wall, the view was fine. Now I am by a window where I can see
the trees and flowers and occasionally watch my cat, Boots, saunter by with a
rodent in his mouth. That's always a useful reminder that no matter how bad
things may seem, they can always get worse.
Would you ever ask a
reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your
book/books?
No I
would not. I believe that when a reader enters into the author's world, it
becomes a sort of collaboration where the reader and/or reviewer should have as
much free rein to react to the experience as the writer had in creating it. And
everyone's a little different. I
remember when Tolkien was asked for his reaction to some of the mixed reviews
that were written when "The Lord of the Rings" was first published.
He remarked how some aspects or sections of the book that were censured by some
critics were the very same that were particularly praised by others. He
concluded by saying this: "The author, of course, finds many faults both
large and small, but fortunately being under no obligation to either rewrite or
review the book, he will let them pass."
How do you come up
with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of
your books?
Once I
had decided the book would be set in the Taconic Mountain region where I live,
the title just seemed a natural extension. But recently I've wondered if
subconsciously—since I read much Poe in earlier years—I might have been
remembering the title of his fine short story, "A Tale of the Ragged
Mountains."
Are character names
and place names decided after their creation? or do you pick a character/place
name and then invent them?
I
usually choose "working" names for characters and places right away
but then end up changing some as the writing progresses and better choices
reveal themselves.
Do you decide on
character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or
as you go along?
Without wanting to sound too metaphysical here, I am frequently (and
pleasantly) surprised how some characters simply take matters into their own
hands and take me where they will. It
happened a couple of times in this novel, particularly in the case of Amber
Steele
Do you basic plot/plan
for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the
writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I
sketch out basic plot ideas, but because characters should drive the plot, and
because characters often evolve in unexpected ways during writing, I think it
best not to bind yourself too tightly to preconceived plot elements.
What do you do to
unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?
Exercise works for me for relaxation and recharging the batteries. I play some tennis, ski, swim, and bike. But I must hasten to add I could be more consistent
with doing these things.
What is your
favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
I
found a discarded copy of "Lord of the Rings" when I was in high
school and fell in love with it. I read it numerous times as the years went by;
it became a favourite "summer" read for me. Later, when the movie
came out, I was quite prepared to dislike it.
Instead, despite whatever nit-picking might be done, I found it captured
the spirit of the book quite wonderfully. And so of late years when I get the
urge to detour into Middle-earth, I have been content to let the movie take me
there.
What are you
currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or
paperback)
I have
just recently finished "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.
Definitely a unique book and I thought it very good.
Do you think ebooks
will ever totally replace printed books?
Because of my musical endeavors, I had a ring-side seat watching and participating
in the music "digital revolution" that has preceded the emergence of
the e-book in the writing world. The two stories are so similar that I already
know the outcome. In both industries, there has been the initial denials,
price-fixings and dire warnings by the traditional music companies and book
publishers/sellers. Just recently the handful of remaining major book
publishers were caught with their pants down conspiring to keep the e-books by
their own authors priced artificially high. The "warnings" are the
same we saw earlier from the music companies too—there would be so much
"bad stuff" out there that no one would be able to filter through it
all to find the good stuff. Or how could anything be any good if it hadn't
passed through the traditional gatekeepers of agents, editors, publishers,
etc.? But while there will always be physical books and physical music
products, I believe the speaker at a recent gathering of publishers, editors,
etc. was right on target when he said, "The e-book revolution isn't
happening; it's already happened."
Is there a book you
know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
I've
always felt a little guilty—because the book in question is considered such a
literary landmark—but after a couple of attempts I have come to terms with the
reality that I will never plow all the way through "Ulysses" by James
Joyce.
What do you think
about book trailers?
Speaking strictly for myself, I have never found trailers for movies, TV
shows, and now more recently, books, to be very helpful for me in determining
whether I might like the item in question. So one might think I would leave the
whole "video" thing alone, right?
But no, instead I created a much longer video for my novel—a sort of
multi-media reading of excerpts with accompanying photographs of the Taconic
Mountain region and background music, etc.
My idea was (and still is) that I could use it for presentations at area
libraries and other venues. I posted it on the internet a few weeks ago
and—oddly and surprisingly—it's had over a couple hundred views the last time I
looked. Of course, as with trailers, the question is whether that will
translate into some book sales. Time will tell—and make us all older too.
Should any readers of this blog like to view it, it can be found here. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq0uam_tale-of-taconic-mountains-medium Make some popcorn.
If you could invite
three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting
with?
My
choices would first have to be reanimated—shouldn't be too hard—then I would
choose Mark Twain and Kurt Vonnegut (for their great sense of humor), and
George Sand (more for her truly remarkable life than for her books). The menu would consist of eggs and soup—the
only things I can cook. And of course a little wine to loosen them all up. Maybe a Pinot???
And any other information you wish to supply?
It's been a
pleasure to share some thoughts with you all concerning the wonderful world of
books. I am in the process of battling away trying to create a specific FB page
for my writing and music—and of course they would have to radically change
their "look" while I'm in the middle of the process. But meanwhile, from time to time, I post
updates on these matters on my regular FB site at: http://www.facebook.com/mromeling?ref=tn_tnmn
Thanks for taking the time to take part in this Interview Mike!
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