Ask the Author: Jerry Dubs
Answered Questions (9)
Jerry Dubs
I had to look up Gloucestershire Old Spot to be sure it was a pig, so I learned something new today already! Thank you. I do think we (in the USA) are in a period of retraction. It is distressing, but I try to remind myself that, despite the constant media barrage of bad news, we are in a much better place than we were 50 years ago. When I was young interracial marriage was banned, we had 'colored' drinking fountains and bathrooms, misogyny was institutionalized, voting was a white man's game, and anyone other than heterosexuals was attacked with impunity. We have a long way to go, but I do think we are farther down the road, despite this temporary detour.
Jerry Dubs
Hi, Lynn. Thanks so much for reading my books. I really enjoy hearing from readers.
Now, about your question ... When I began writing the "Imhotep" series, I was fascinated by the politics playing out in the U.S. ... that conservatives and liberals view the same data, hear about the same news events, listen to the same speeches, but come away with a totally different view of what they saw/heard/read.
(Unfortunately it has gotten worse. The folks who listen only to Fox news have a radically different view of the U.S. than do those who listen to CNN or who read the NY Times. Right?)
So, especially in the first novel, I have a modern American viewing and reflecting on the ancient Egyptian judicial system, religion, medicine, even the appropriate age to marry. Tim Hope was viewing those facets of ancient life through modern eyes - seeing the same thing the ancient Egyptians saw, but understanding them differently.
That was the reason I had Tim spend so much time considering the appropriate age for Meryt to be considered a woman. I wanted to make it a little uncomfortable for readers. I wanted them to stop and think about something that they take for granted.
My hope was if readers would give a little thought to something that basic, they might consider re-examining their views on other fundamental beliefs and world views. rather than just accepting what Fox News or Huffington Post tells them.
That was the idea.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
Again, thanks for reading the books and for taking the time to write.
Now, about your question ... When I began writing the "Imhotep" series, I was fascinated by the politics playing out in the U.S. ... that conservatives and liberals view the same data, hear about the same news events, listen to the same speeches, but come away with a totally different view of what they saw/heard/read.
(Unfortunately it has gotten worse. The folks who listen only to Fox news have a radically different view of the U.S. than do those who listen to CNN or who read the NY Times. Right?)
So, especially in the first novel, I have a modern American viewing and reflecting on the ancient Egyptian judicial system, religion, medicine, even the appropriate age to marry. Tim Hope was viewing those facets of ancient life through modern eyes - seeing the same thing the ancient Egyptians saw, but understanding them differently.
That was the reason I had Tim spend so much time considering the appropriate age for Meryt to be considered a woman. I wanted to make it a little uncomfortable for readers. I wanted them to stop and think about something that they take for granted.
My hope was if readers would give a little thought to something that basic, they might consider re-examining their views on other fundamental beliefs and world views. rather than just accepting what Fox News or Huffington Post tells them.
That was the idea.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
Again, thanks for reading the books and for taking the time to write.
Jerry Dubs
Those moments when I'm lost in my writing. A scene materializes in my imagination, I hear the dialogue, I smell, see and hear the scene. It's sort of like a runner's high. (But your legs don't cramp.)
Jerry Dubs
Reading Mark Twain. I wanted to entertain the reader while getting across some fundamentally important ideas. he was the best.
Jerry Dubs
i was casting about for an historical peg when I cam across stories about the Lost Labyrinth of ancient Egypt. I was planning to write a story about a young Egyptian's search for his identity. The idea of setting an novel about searching for yourself inside a labyrinth seemed like a perfect fit.
Jerry Dubs
A detective novel called "Suti and the Lost Labyrinth" set in ancient Egypt. The "detective" is a 16-year-old scribe. His "superpower" is unrelenting, honest curiosity. In addition to the mystery aspect, I'm hoping the novel will be a coming-of-age story that will shed some light on the construction of personal identity.
Jerry Dubs
I spent two years reading different authors and then writing short pieces mimicking their style. (For my own consumption.) I think it helped me decide HOW I want to write. When I wrote my first novel, I did it only to see if I could write a novel, not because I wanted to make money on it. So, I guess, my advice would be to write as yourself, for yourself. Even if your work doesn't sell, you have the satisfaction of being authentic.
Jerry Dubs
I don't want to jinx myself, but so far (I'm 65 years old), writer's block hasn't been an issue. In addition to the novel I'm working on, I have the seeds for couple more ancient Egyptian novels floating around in the back of my head, a contemporary work on the back burner and a memoir (combining graphics, video, audio and text) waiting for a turn. I do sometimes hit a speed bump with a plot turn that doesn't feel right, but I usually wake up in the middle of the night with an answer.
Jerry Dubs
I recently read "Journey to the End of the Night" by Louis-Ferdinand Celine and am now enjoying his novel "Death on the Installment Plan." The books are terribly dark, but the writing is illuminating. Even more fantastic because I'm reading it in English, not the original French. I'm also re-reading Ellery Queen mysteries. I first read them 40 years ago and fondly remember both the light touch in the writing, but also the classic detective style.
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