Ask the Author: Laurence Shames
Answered Questions (5)
Laurence Shames
Hi David--
Actually, you didn't miss anything. But there were 12 years between Naked Detective and Shot on Location, and I thought it would have been too cruel to keep poor constipated Don Giovanni alive for that long. But on the other hand, it would have hurt too much to kill him on the page. So I briefly alluded to Bert being in mourning, then blessed him with Nacho. Thanks for the careful re-reading!
Actually, you didn't miss anything. But there were 12 years between Naked Detective and Shot on Location, and I thought it would have been too cruel to keep poor constipated Don Giovanni alive for that long. But on the other hand, it would have hurt too much to kill him on the page. So I briefly alluded to Bert being in mourning, then blessed him with Nacho. Thanks for the careful re-reading!
Laurence Shames
Hi Lance--Thanks for your question, and sorry for the delay getting back. And thank you for reading all the books, in whatever order you like! I wish all my readers were as thorough as you!
You are correct that part of the book is from Nacho's POV. This turned out to be pure, liberating fun for me. I'd been struggling with the opening of the story, and once I heard it in the dog's voice, it just felt like it was flowing. I loved imagining how the beach would look and smell to a small dog, and I loved thinking about how the dog-and-master relationship would seem from the other end of the leash. Also, much of my thinking about human nature felt refreshed as I considered how a dog might view us. We're weird creatures, us bipeds!
Re: influences, what I most admire about Chaplin is that he can make you laugh and cry almost at the same instant. I'm in awe of Mozart's ease of transition from one idea to the next. And I'm grateful to Groucho for reminding me that mayhem should always be grounded in character. It's not for me to say if the influence of these geniuses is reflected in my little novels, but I do try to keep those ideals in mind.
Thanks again for your interest. Please help spread the word!
You are correct that part of the book is from Nacho's POV. This turned out to be pure, liberating fun for me. I'd been struggling with the opening of the story, and once I heard it in the dog's voice, it just felt like it was flowing. I loved imagining how the beach would look and smell to a small dog, and I loved thinking about how the dog-and-master relationship would seem from the other end of the leash. Also, much of my thinking about human nature felt refreshed as I considered how a dog might view us. We're weird creatures, us bipeds!
Re: influences, what I most admire about Chaplin is that he can make you laugh and cry almost at the same instant. I'm in awe of Mozart's ease of transition from one idea to the next. And I'm grateful to Groucho for reminding me that mayhem should always be grounded in character. It's not for me to say if the influence of these geniuses is reflected in my little novels, but I do try to keep those ideals in mind.
Thanks again for your interest. Please help spread the word!
Laurence Shames
Professionals can't afford writer's block. Just admit you're not having your best day and soldier on. Something will come.
Laurence Shames
Creating stories in which justice is done. What a relief!
Laurence Shames
Write every day. Treat it as a job. Don't wait for inspiration; cultivate craft, and inspiration will come.
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