Ask the Author: Phil Valentine
Answered Questions (10)
Phil Valentine
That's a tough one. I'm partial to Europe. I can't think of any book in particular, but I love the history of Europe. Some authors dream of exotic tropical locales, but they don't offer much for me beyond the beautiful scenery. It's the rich history that attracts me to Europe, and it's why the Janus series excites me. Yes, The First Face of Janus is just the first installment. I've already begun the second book. It starts in Rome. I'm not sure where it goes from there. That was one of the wonderful things about the first one. I started it in Montreal, but the research dictated where the story went. I just followed along.
Phil Valentine
I'm reading Theodore the Great by Daniel Ruddy. Next up is Shattered by Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen.
Phil Valentine
Ah, very sneaky. Trying to find some dirt, eh? I actually wrote a screenplay that was based on my own life experience. It was one of those experiences I have not shared publicly. Not sure it would make a great book, but we've been talking with various producers about the possibility of a movie.
Phil Valentine
Interesting question. I gave it a lot of thought and I don't really have one. Several adulterous couples come to mind (Daisy and Gatsby, Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden) but those types of relationships usually don't end well. I tend to gravitate toward loners (James Bond, Robert Langdon). Not that I'm opposed to romance in fiction, but sometimes relationships get in the way of a good story.
Phil Valentine
Inspiration has to come to me. I'm not that disciplined that I can sit down each day and just do it. Ian Fleming wrote for 3 hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening. I can't make myself do that. Wish I could. When the inspiration hits me I'm at it for days, until every drop is rung out of me. And I feel so much better.
Phil Valentine
Expression. Isn't that what it's all about? Authors have something to say that's itching to get out. Once it's out, we feel so much better.
Phil Valentine
In my opinion, writer's block is God's way of telling you you're on the wrong path. On this novel that's coming out in 2016, I had writer's block for six months. I literally put the project away and didn't touch it for half a year. When I became inspired to go in a different direction I picked it back up. If you're standing in front of a brick wall, go back to where things are familiar and choose a different path.
Phil Valentine
Just keep writing. I write because I love it. When it's commercially successful that's great, but that's not why I do it. If you're writing just to get famous you're writing for the wrong reason. Do it because you love it. Market yourself. Keep writing. The rest will fall into place.
Phil Valentine
I actually have two other finished novels. I'm trying to decide which to release next. One is a spy thriller. The other is, well, it's really like nothing else out there. It's probably my favorite of the two, so we'll probably go with that one sometime in the summer of 2016. I'm traveling to Europe this spring to do some final research on it.
Phil Valentine
I actually started writing this book about 20 years ago. It wasn't until the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage that I was convinced it was time to get serious about getting it published. I've written several non-fiction books, but this was my first book of any kind. I was amazed at how fresh the manuscript read when I pulled it out after all these years. I did some minor tweaking to bring it up to date and here it is, in all its controversial glory.
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