Ask the Author: A. Robert Allen
Answered Questions (12)
A. Robert Allen
Hi Adrienne,
I just noticed this unanswered question on my author page, but I see we've already exchanged emails on this topic. Thanks for your interest.
A. Robert Allen
I just noticed this unanswered question on my author page, but I see we've already exchanged emails on this topic. Thanks for your interest.
A. Robert Allen
A. Robert Allen
As much as I hate to say it, my reading list will not be impressive this summer. I'm in full writing mode now on my third book, which I hope to have out in the Fall. Please check back with me about my Winter list in a few months, and have a great summer!
A. Robert Allen
A. Robert Allen
A. Robert Allen
This was the exact question that prompted my genealogical research as well as my first novel of historical fiction, Failed Moments. I grew up with a mysterious background in terms of ethnicity. My research, which included DNA testing, uncovered roots that were White, Black, Irish, Caribbean, Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish. Solving this personal mystery became the inspiration for my first book, which is a fictional account of my ancestors.
A. Robert Allen
I'll answer this question from the standpoint of my novels. Venture and Georgia Simmons were my favorite couple to write about. Georgia was so verbal and outgoing, while Venture was anything but. I had fun writing the dialogue between the two of them!
A. Robert Allen
A glass of Scotch and some smooth jazz always does the trick!
A. Robert Allen
Creating a story that is only limited by my own imagination and then receiving feedback from a reader that they loved the story and took away a meaningful message.
A. Robert Allen
Write about what interests you and stick to it. This is the best way to build your brand. Also, aspiring writers need to understand that the writing of your next book will help with the marketing of your last.
A. Robert Allen
Right now, I am doing the research for the third novel. It takes place in New York in the mid 1890s just as the New York that we know today was being formed.
A. Robert Allen
The idea for my most recent book came to me while admiring a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge. I wanted the next installment in my series, "Slavery and Beyond," to take place in the post-Civil War period, and that picture of the bridge inspired me to make Brooklyn the setting for this book.
A. Robert Allen
Thanks for your interest. The novels are stand-alone stories and only connected by the general theme. You could read either one first. I hope you enjoy them!
A. Robert Allen
Hi Judy,
I'm so happy you enjoyed the book! Thank you for your questions. The broken English spoken by Camille was in recognition of the fact that she did not have education of any kind. Her son, Andre, also a slave, spoke very well because he had been educated by Patrice. If you recall, there was a passage in the book where Andre expressed great pride in the fact that he had read everything in Patrice's library. Very few of the other slaves have a tremendous amount of dialogue except for the maroons. Given that I presented most of their dialogue first in Creole and then translated English, the English was proper because I assume their Creole was fine. The leader of the maroons, Alanso, was also educated, so his non-translated English was at a higher level.
As for Molly, there are two references in the book regarding her height. The first you mentioned---Patrick had to stoop to kiss her, and there was another indicating that she needed to bend down when she received the occasional kiss from a man of normal size. Given those references, I would say that she might have been 5'6" or 5'7", which would have been very tall for a woman in that time, but a foot smaller than Patrick.
Again, thank you for your questions and your interest in the book. I am looking forward to reading your review.
A. Robert Allen
I'm so happy you enjoyed the book! Thank you for your questions. The broken English spoken by Camille was in recognition of the fact that she did not have education of any kind. Her son, Andre, also a slave, spoke very well because he had been educated by Patrice. If you recall, there was a passage in the book where Andre expressed great pride in the fact that he had read everything in Patrice's library. Very few of the other slaves have a tremendous amount of dialogue except for the maroons. Given that I presented most of their dialogue first in Creole and then translated English, the English was proper because I assume their Creole was fine. The leader of the maroons, Alanso, was also educated, so his non-translated English was at a higher level.
As for Molly, there are two references in the book regarding her height. The first you mentioned---Patrick had to stoop to kiss her, and there was another indicating that she needed to bend down when she received the occasional kiss from a man of normal size. Given those references, I would say that she might have been 5'6" or 5'7", which would have been very tall for a woman in that time, but a foot smaller than Patrick.
Again, thank you for your questions and your interest in the book. I am looking forward to reading your review.
A. Robert Allen
A. Robert Allen
I get inspired to write by my surroundings. I seem to be much more creative outdoors. A beautiful view on a nice day almost assures a good writing session. Being outside makes my writing feel less like work, and relaxes me. This, in turn, puts me in a state that is both creative and productive. The main character in my novel, Failed Moments, has “a thing” about terraces. I must admit that aspect of his character comes from my own experience!
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