(2002-12-12)Q: Can you tell us a bit about "Put your hands here..."? A: This manuscript is a mystical journey for two main characters, written in a sort of postmodern style where one is in first person, the other in third. There are no chapter separations other than the transition from first to third person. Also I managed to keep all characters nameless. The two mains are an artist and a traveler, both are Americans in Europe, each addressing mid-life crisis circumstance. The artist travels from France to England and back, while the traveler begins in Portugal and goes to France from Spain. Q: How did you come up with the idea for the book? A: While living near Agen, France myself I had the opportunity to delve into certain quatrains from Nostradamis. One of those concerns the rise of aggression between Turkish and Western cultures. Where most agree that the 'new city' referred to in the quatrain is New York City, I met those who maintained that a small Southern French community, Villeneuve, which is on the same meridian as NYC, is indeed the place where the finalization between the cultures occurs. Q: Where do you get your inspiration from? A: I was inspired to tell this tale using the Artist and Traveler and all those they met over an approximate three week period to justify this particular quatrain set forth by Nostradamis. Certain aspects of New Age culture and quasi religion helps to move these characters and the prophecy into a culminating event. Q: What led up to the publication of the book? Did you use an agent, or did you submit it directly to the publishers? A: After many months and huge amounts of money in postage sending the manuscript to publishers on a cold call basis with no success, I finally contacted a print on demand publisher. I am happy to report that I am now selling the book on the Internet and to bookstores in my area as well as using contacts in the Midwest to also further sales and circulation including book signings etc. Q: What did you like to read when you were a child? A: As did many children, I was raised on the fantasy of Nursery Rhymes and eventually as a boy I indulged in tales of King Arthur, Norman and Valhalla, as well as classic English and French novelists (Dickens and Hugo, etc.) I eventually found my way to Vonnegut, Heinlein, Asimov, not to mention the menagerie of Marvel Comics selections. I love Gunter Grass and Tom Robbins. Q: When you're not writing, what do you like to do to relax? A: I am currently teaching Physics and Chemistry for a local secondary school since I retired from my college position teaching art history and studio. I ride my bicycle fanatically during warm months and still sculpt and paint for certain commissions. Q: What has the Internet meant for you as an author? A: The Internet has cut many hours of research time I might otherwise would have spent in the local library. Also I have at my fingertips, a vast area to tap in the way of sales and contacts for the books. I look forward to publishing my next work in February 2003, also a mystical experience concerning lifetimes remembered after over five thousand years, a time that predates written history.
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