Ask the Author: Michael Raleigh
Answered Questions (15)
Michael Raleigh
All his life Gallagher had searched relentlessly for the Leprechauns, the Little People who, he was certain, lived beneath his house, despite the Old Ones warning him not to try too hard. Nonetheless, Gallagher spent years tunneling under his house and yard, and finally one gray day, saw the earth move, stuck his big fist into the wet ground, and saw a tiny human-like head sink its fangs into his hand, felt the poison paralyzing his entire body, and understood he was dead.
Michael Raleigh
I think anyone who studied Medieval English lit, as I did, probably has a deep wish to be transported back to the half-imaginary Englande of Malory and other writers -- dense forests, dragons, knights, and it was always high summer.
But from the age of 18 I've been fascinated by the possibility of life at the world's edge, on a Pacific island (I once contemplated going to Polynesia after college to teach English). And the book that did more than any other to fix the image of life on a small island firmly in my consciousness was PITCAIRN ISLAND by Nordhoff and Hall, the third book in the BOUNTY TRILOGY.
Pitcairn is the place where the mutineers went after setting Capt. Bligh adrift in an open boat. It was small, remote, and apparently perfect. A little uninhabited paradise. Unfortunately, the mutineers brought their own trouble to this little Eden -- violence and jealousy and, most foolish of all, native women but not enough to go around so that there were always going to be men without partners. Violence erupted almost immediately.
But I still think about their little island and what life might have been like there. One mutineer did survive all the trouble and continued to live there for many years after the others died, surrounded by the women, his children and his grandchildren.
But from the age of 18 I've been fascinated by the possibility of life at the world's edge, on a Pacific island (I once contemplated going to Polynesia after college to teach English). And the book that did more than any other to fix the image of life on a small island firmly in my consciousness was PITCAIRN ISLAND by Nordhoff and Hall, the third book in the BOUNTY TRILOGY.
Pitcairn is the place where the mutineers went after setting Capt. Bligh adrift in an open boat. It was small, remote, and apparently perfect. A little uninhabited paradise. Unfortunately, the mutineers brought their own trouble to this little Eden -- violence and jealousy and, most foolish of all, native women but not enough to go around so that there were always going to be men without partners. Violence erupted almost immediately.
But I still think about their little island and what life might have been like there. One mutineer did survive all the trouble and continued to live there for many years after the others died, surrounded by the women, his children and his grandchildren.
Michael Raleigh
I'm out of school during the summer, so I read more. This summer, I will read
A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, by Amor Towles and I'd like to get hold of David Grann's new book, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. I'll be reading a couple of books on the Civil War, and I'll read A.J. Liebling's book THE PRESS --he's my all-time favorite essay writer, funny and erudite, whether he's writing about food, politics, or boxing.
I hope to read one or two of Louise Penney's mysteries (my wife introduced me to her books). And because I'm working on a new detective series, set in the 1960s, I will revisit the great Ross MacDonald to remind myself how it's done.
And magazines, on astronomy and archaeology, usually while sitting in a floating chair tied to a pier.
That's what I hope!
A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, by Amor Towles and I'd like to get hold of David Grann's new book, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. I'll be reading a couple of books on the Civil War, and I'll read A.J. Liebling's book THE PRESS --he's my all-time favorite essay writer, funny and erudite, whether he's writing about food, politics, or boxing.
I hope to read one or two of Louise Penney's mysteries (my wife introduced me to her books). And because I'm working on a new detective series, set in the 1960s, I will revisit the great Ross MacDonald to remind myself how it's done.
And magazines, on astronomy and archaeology, usually while sitting in a floating chair tied to a pier.
That's what I hope!
Michael Raleigh
I'm far enough along in my career that I've almost always got a couple of stories in progress, and I need no further inspiration to start writing if I am fortunate enough to have a morning to write (I still teach, so there are times when my time is taken up with other responsibilities.).
But the inspiration for a new book, that's a different question. Sometimes an image will strike me -- for instance, I drove past a magic shop and imagined a young boy entering the shop and encountering a mysterious old man, and this became the inspiration for THE CONJURER'S BOY. A minor character in that book became the inspiration for the private detective Harry Strummer in PEERLESS DETECTIVE. Harry isn't even the main character in PEERLESS, which is about the relationship between a young drifter and a street-wise private eye. But he is the main character in a new book I'm working on, a traditional mystery set in Chicago in 1967 and called DEATH IN THE SUMMER OF LOVE.
Inspiration is a little different for each book.
But the inspiration for a new book, that's a different question. Sometimes an image will strike me -- for instance, I drove past a magic shop and imagined a young boy entering the shop and encountering a mysterious old man, and this became the inspiration for THE CONJURER'S BOY. A minor character in that book became the inspiration for the private detective Harry Strummer in PEERLESS DETECTIVE. Harry isn't even the main character in PEERLESS, which is about the relationship between a young drifter and a street-wise private eye. But he is the main character in a new book I'm working on, a traditional mystery set in Chicago in 1967 and called DEATH IN THE SUMMER OF LOVE.
Inspiration is a little different for each book.
Michael Raleigh
I think there are a number of ways our lives produce the elements of a mystery. I've always been interested in those times when we cross paths with a person and then lose track of that person. What happened to him? Where did she go and what sort of life did she have?
"Whatever became of X?" is the start of a pretty good story, I think.
I'm also fond of old photos, especially of my parents and grandparents. Sometimes in those old shots, there is one person in the background whom no one can identify. Why is he there? What's his story?
"Whatever became of X?" is the start of a pretty good story, I think.
I'm also fond of old photos, especially of my parents and grandparents. Sometimes in those old shots, there is one person in the background whom no one can identify. Why is he there? What's his story?
Michael Raleigh
My favorite fictional couple? Probably Yuri Zhivago and Lara in DR. ZHIVAGO. I'm fascinated by second-time-around love stories, and this is a great one. (There's a Frank Sinatra song about 2nd-time-around romances, and Jimmy Webb wrote about a dozen on that subject). And it's a great book, a more sweeping story than they were able to put into the film.
If I might add a 2nd choice, it would be John McCabe and Mrs. Miller in Edmund Naughton's novel MCCABE, which became the basis for the Robert Altman film MCCABE AND MRS. MILLER -- a couple of people living on the edge, a gambler on his last chance and a woman running a whorehouse.
Hmmm. Julie Christie stars in both of the film versions.
If I might add a 2nd choice, it would be John McCabe and Mrs. Miller in Edmund Naughton's novel MCCABE, which became the basis for the Robert Altman film MCCABE AND MRS. MILLER -- a couple of people living on the edge, a gambler on his last chance and a woman running a whorehouse.
Hmmm. Julie Christie stars in both of the film versions.
Michael Raleigh
Hello Claudette
It was in many ways my favorite book to write, and as you can probably tell, I have a thing about circuses. I've thought about doing a sequel, and I've thought about a book about carnival workers (there's a chapter about a carny in my book THE CONJURER'S BOY).
But at the moment I'm involved in few other projects. So only time will tell. But I'm glad you liked the book.
It was in many ways my favorite book to write, and as you can probably tell, I have a thing about circuses. I've thought about doing a sequel, and I've thought about a book about carnival workers (there's a chapter about a carny in my book THE CONJURER'S BOY).
But at the moment I'm involved in few other projects. So only time will tell. But I'm glad you liked the book.
Michael Raleigh
I'm currently working on two things. The first is a comic novel set in 1969, about a failed actor who comes into some money and decides to make a movie. In this effort he is guided by a slightly deranged old man who has been involved with movies since the very beginnings of the industry. It's called THE EDERLE BROTHERS PRESENT --
The other book I'm working on is a mystery novel set in Chicago and following a group of characters connected by the murder of a wealthy man in his mansion in 1941. The resolution is delayed by the War. Most of the action takes place in 1946. It's called POE STREET.
The other book I'm working on is a mystery novel set in Chicago and following a group of characters connected by the murder of a wealthy man in his mansion in 1941. The resolution is delayed by the War. Most of the action takes place in 1946. It's called POE STREET.
Michael Raleigh
This answer contains spoilers…
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Michael Raleigh
Hello Linda
THE BLUE MOON CIRCUS is the result of my interest in three things: first, obviously, is circuses. I've loved circuses all my life, and I have a modest collection of old circus posters; I'm also fascinated by magicians.
Second, related to the first, is an on-going interest in people who live lifestyles quite different from people in a settled 9 to 5 life. I'm interested in bartenders (having been one for many years), waitresses, performers, carnival workers, migrant workers, private detectives, and any number of other kinds of people who don't show up for work at 9 every morning. People who work in a closed community are also interesting to me, and a circus is just that.
Finally, I'm interested in old friendships and people relying on old relationships in times of trouble -- as the circus owner Lewis Tully must when he tries one final time to get a circus together.
I hope that answers your question. Thanks for writing.
Michael R.
THE BLUE MOON CIRCUS is the result of my interest in three things: first, obviously, is circuses. I've loved circuses all my life, and I have a modest collection of old circus posters; I'm also fascinated by magicians.
Second, related to the first, is an on-going interest in people who live lifestyles quite different from people in a settled 9 to 5 life. I'm interested in bartenders (having been one for many years), waitresses, performers, carnival workers, migrant workers, private detectives, and any number of other kinds of people who don't show up for work at 9 every morning. People who work in a closed community are also interesting to me, and a circus is just that.
Finally, I'm interested in old friendships and people relying on old relationships in times of trouble -- as the circus owner Lewis Tully must when he tries one final time to get a circus together.
I hope that answers your question. Thanks for writing.
Michael R.
Michael Raleigh
Hi Patty
I actually have several things happening in the next year. The five books in the Paul Whelan mystery series are all being re-released by Diversion Books on February 17, including THE RIVERVIEW MURDERS, which has never been in paperback.
Later in the year I have a young adult book coming out, called DOC LOGAN'S MUMMY, set in the 1890s, in which a lonely young girl befriends a traveling magician who is pursued by men seeking to steal his prized possession, a mummy.
Finally, my newest book should come out at the end of 2015 or early 2016. It's called PEERLESS DETECTIVE. It follows the adventures of a young drifter who comes to Chicago looking for his childhood sweetheart. He meets an eccentric private detective who changes his way of seeing life and his place in it. Set in the 70s. Diversion Books will publish it.
Thanks for writing, and happy holidays to you.
I actually have several things happening in the next year. The five books in the Paul Whelan mystery series are all being re-released by Diversion Books on February 17, including THE RIVERVIEW MURDERS, which has never been in paperback.
Later in the year I have a young adult book coming out, called DOC LOGAN'S MUMMY, set in the 1890s, in which a lonely young girl befriends a traveling magician who is pursued by men seeking to steal his prized possession, a mummy.
Finally, my newest book should come out at the end of 2015 or early 2016. It's called PEERLESS DETECTIVE. It follows the adventures of a young drifter who comes to Chicago looking for his childhood sweetheart. He meets an eccentric private detective who changes his way of seeing life and his place in it. Set in the 70s. Diversion Books will publish it.
Thanks for writing, and happy holidays to you.
Michael Raleigh
I've worked long and hard on this. My first strategy is always to have something to switch to if I'm having trouble with a story. This can mean working on a completely different manuscript -- I actually do this fairly often. Or, it can mean simply moving on to a later scene in the troublesome book, or an earlier scene that needs revision.
Early on, when I was still new at this and my writing time was limited by the demands of a house full of children and a full-time teaching job, I developed the habit of going out for walks and thinking about a scene I wanted to work on the next time I got a chance to write. Sometimes this meant actually composing a scene in my head, including dialogue. It worked for me, and I still do that from time to time.
I've also borrowed one of Hemingway's stratagems: he would sometimes quit in the middle of a scene, so that the next day, when he sat down (or stood, I guess, since he frequently wrote standing up) and started the day's work, he would have something ready to work on.
I do all of these things and as a result, I'm never really troubled anymore by the sort of writer's block that drove me crazy years ago.
Early on, when I was still new at this and my writing time was limited by the demands of a house full of children and a full-time teaching job, I developed the habit of going out for walks and thinking about a scene I wanted to work on the next time I got a chance to write. Sometimes this meant actually composing a scene in my head, including dialogue. It worked for me, and I still do that from time to time.
I've also borrowed one of Hemingway's stratagems: he would sometimes quit in the middle of a scene, so that the next day, when he sat down (or stood, I guess, since he frequently wrote standing up) and started the day's work, he would have something ready to work on.
I do all of these things and as a result, I'm never really troubled anymore by the sort of writer's block that drove me crazy years ago.
Michael Raleigh
One of the rewards of being a writer is the actual act of storytelling: when one writes a book, he or she is really telling the author a story. We write stories that we would like to be told.
Michael Raleigh
Develop patience. Develop a thick skin. Read a great deal. Write something, even if it is just a couple of phrases or the idea for a story, every day.
Michael Raleigh
I got the idea for THE CONJURER'S BOY when I drove past a small, dark magic shop in Chicago. I had a sudden image of a boy reluctantly entering this shop and encountering the proprietor,an old man possessing some supernatural or psychic powers. Then I recalled a tiny junk shop in the shadow of the El tracks on Addison when I was a boy, and the genial Irish gentleman who owned it and taught me about old coins and the coins of the world. He became the "Conjurer" of the book's title.
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