INTERVIEW FOR:Book title: Defying
Death In Hagerstown
Genre: suspense fiction adventureOne- or two-sentence synopsis of book:
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Price: $15.24
Website: www.johnpaulbooks.com
What was your inspiration in writing this novel? The idea for this
fiction book happened purely by accident, when I won a diary from EBay, which
was penned in 1923, by a young woman from Hagerstown Md. The 90 year
old diary of 365 pages, was fully handwritten by a young woman with only a
first name in the diary. I knew there was a story there somewhere, but more
importantly I was drawn into the time, the young woman, the love interest she
had throughout the year.
I was CONSUMED with finding out who and whatever happened to this young
woman from Hagerstown, Md. It took two years to find out who she was, that she
married the love interest, and when she passed on. SO, I wrote a FICTION
suspense novel, based very loosely on a character from Hagerstown. It’s as if I
was supposed to honor this young woman, around the age of 21, from the 1923
diary, by writing fiction, but with her in mind. I felt that this long ago
departed woman was motivating me on for the more than 5 years it took to
complete the novel
What process did you go through in creating your characters? By whom were they inspired? The characters were inspired loosely on many characters in my life, my community, work, and even by people I have befriended in Hagerstown over the more than 7 years I have researching this and other books of the local areas. You see I take a certain trait of a person and mix them with many other traits to form one new character.
People often say the personality of an author can be found in
their writing. Did your novel accurately portray your personality and/or point of view on life? YES, I have put some of my own personality
into the protagonist. Also the inspirational messages throughout the novel are
from my philosophy on life, love, and even the hereafter that I so strongly
believe in. Because of my past 3 self help, motivational books, I was able to
interject many of the messages of faith and hope into this book, though the
eyes of the 110 year old, very philosophical, Lolita, that the story revolves around.
Was there a specific reason you chose to make the protagonist
of this novel a reporter? YES. We needed the reporter to tell the story, but more
importantly, we needed a very disillusioned person, someone at the end of their
rope, ready to give up on life, on love, and almost turn to the gutter. Someone
battered so badly by terrible news stories he had been bombarded with.
Did this novel require any research? If so, can you explain your process
of incorporating factual evidence into a fictional storyline? The idea for this fiction book happened by accident,
when I won a diary from EBay, which was penned in 1923, by a young woman from
Hagerstown Md. The 90 year old diary of 365 pages, was fully
handwritten in pencil, by a young woman with only a first name in the diary. I
knew there was a story there somewhere, but more importantly I was drawn into
the time, the young woman, the love interest she had throughout the year.
I was CONSUMED with finding out who and whatever
happened to this young woman from Hagerstown, Md. It took 2 years to find out
who she was, that she married the love interest from the diary, and when she
passed on. It wasn’t till I researched this woman fully that I decided to write
a novel. SO, I wrote a FICTION suspense novel, based very loosely on a
character from Hagerstown, and because I was so touched by the diary and the
year 1923, I incorporated a diary in the novel that is used somewhat in solving
a triple murder mystery that had been unsolved since 1923.
The novel discusses many ideas affiliated with religion,
proposed by Ms. Lolita. Was this your own internal desire to include a
religious aspect in the novel, or was it solely for the purpose of creating Ms.
Lolita's character? My motivation for the past 40 years has been and is still
to touch someone, to encourage them to help themselves. I tried to, through a
very philosophical Lolita, to help the reader feel good about themselves, life,
and to appreciate all that they have going for themselves in their own life. My 1st goal in writing was
to inspire people the way I was positively inspired at age 21, by attending a
speech by Rev. Bob Richards, the Olympic gold medal winner, and motivational
speaker. That was the turning point of my life. I soon became very successful.
His speech motivated me to consume motivational and inspiring books by Og
Mandino, W. Clement Stone, Napoleon Hill. My goal was to one day motivate and
change someone’s life the way I was motivated to change my attitude and life
forever. That is why I wrote the three self help books.
How has this novel differed from the other books you have
written? Because I had been
so touched by the diary, the town of Hagerstown, and the friends I made in
Hagerstown in the years of research, I feel that this may in fact be the best
and exciting book out of the 9 I have written thus far .
Are
you working on anything else at the moment? I have been researching a new novel for years that
takes place in Gettysburg, PA. Searching out gold that had mysteriously disappeared
from the Gettysburg civil War. It will take another 2-3 years to complete.
"In Search Of Gettysburg Gold"
Where can readers purchase “Defying Death in Hagerstown?” The book is
available as an ebook and paperback online though all bookstores, but the best
place they can purchase signed copies is at the
Turn
the page bookstore, 18 N Main St. in Boonsboro, Maryland, where I have made
special arrangements for that store to haqve an exclusive of signed books on
hand befare other stores. Also the can contact me through my site at: www.johnpaulbooks.com
ADDl. INFO.
What's the significance of the book's title? Defying Death In Hagerstown was decided because the main character, Louis Gerhani, uncovers an unsolved triple murder from 1923 that he starts to investigate, and stirs up a hornets’ nest. Someone is clearly upset by the investigation, and his life is threatened numerous times. Also, Lolita, the 110 year old woman in the nursing home, in reality, has defied death for all those years.
What prompts Louis to become so obsessed with Lolita's life story? He reluctantly begins the assignment to save his job, but slowly is convinced by his friends that it may be a good story because of her advanced age. Then he learns how insightful and philosophical Lolita is, and he is drawn to her.
How does Louis adjust when he finds his life suddenly in danger as the result of his investigation? He appreciates just how valuable life is once he almost loses his.
How have readers reacted to the story thus far? They feel for Louis right away, as he almost loses his job, his fiancée leaves him, and he is drinking heavy, hitting rock bottom as he gets one last shot at keeping his reporting job. They are rooting for Louis throughout, happy about the newfound love interest, and they love the philosophical 110 year old Lolita and her special inspirational messages.
Please share more with us about your other writings. I have penned 9 books so far, three are self help, motivational books that have been translated and published in foreign countries, and the other 6 are action adventures. All the novels were written so that they can be adapted to the big screen, and readers say that the novels are all very visual.
some of John’s works include: An All-Consuming
Desire To Succeed, The Power of Being Different, In Exchange of Life, Share Your Mission #5, A Second Chance , The
Psychic Boy Detective, Better Off Dead, Better Off Dead In Paradise, An All
Consuming Desire To Succeed, Defying Death In Hagerstown, Awesome Success
Principles and Quotations, and A Gift from Above. I have also written
the screenplays: Better Off Dead, A Second Chance, and Better Off Dead in
Paradise, adapted from my novels.
Author, poet, songwriter, CEO - you're quite the accomplished individual. Please share more with our readers about your various artistic and professional endeavors. I love to write songs, I began at around age 13, but the unique thing is I don’t play an instrument. I write the words, and sing out the melody, not knowing what notes and chords I am hitting. Then I ask studio musicians to record the songs with the same notes I have sung out. I have hundreds of songs that still need to be sent to a studio. I want to write only books that I feel would hold my interest, and want to make me keep reading on. I run my own Insurance agency for almost 40 years now, helping people with their insurance and investment needs.
My writing was first
influenced by self help authors and motivational books. Then I progressed to
action adventure novels that I gear towards the big screen. My characters are
very visual. I was inspired by John MacDonald, and his Travis McGee novels,
written in the 1st person.
How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts? My website is: www.johncarinci.com , Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/john.carinci Twitter page: blog page: http://john-paul-carinci-author.blogspot.com/
How can they contact you directly? My email address: john.carinci@verizon.net Business phone number is: 718-966-8988
What inspired you to craft this page-turning tale of mystery, betrayal, and unsolved murder?
How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts? My website is: www.johncarinci.com , Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/john.carinci Twitter page: blog page: http://john-paul-carinci-author.blogspot.com/
How can they contact you directly? My email address: john.carinci@verizon.net Business phone number is: 718-966-8988
What inspired you to craft this page-turning tale of mystery, betrayal, and unsolved murder?
The idea for this fiction book happened by accident, when I won a diary
from EBay, which was penned in 1923, by a young woman from Hagerstown
Md. The 90 year old diary of 365 pages, was fully handwritten by a
young woman with only a first name in the diary. I knew there was a story there
somewhere, but more importantly I was drawn into the time, the young woman, the
love interest she had throughout the year.
I was CONSUMED with finding out who and whatever happened to this young
woman from Hagerstown, Md. It took years to find out who she was, that she
married the love interest, and when she passed on. SO, I wrote a FICTION
suspense novel, based loosely on a character from Hagerstown.
www.johncarinci.com
