Saturday, April 22, 2017

Interview with author Gene Boffa



Deception


1.   What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?  To be honest, what truly inspired me to write was the encouragement from my dear friend Warren Murphy. Warren and I had been friends most of our adult lives (50 years).  Warren is a very successful writer who has been on the New York Times bestseller list and received several Edgers for his various mysteries. I had been Warren’s attorney and he often told me that I was a good storyteller and he wanted me to tell my stories. I managed to put it off because I’m not a good writer, my degree is in science. Warren threatened to find another lawyer unless I wrote my first story. I didn’t want to lose him as a client and while he never paid his legal bills, I put pen to paper (that’s how old I am) and wrote my first novel. My first book The Deed had some degree of success. Many of the fans had been asking about my next book so Warren started to encourage, truthfully he nagged me to write my second book, which I did. The second book Deception was completed however and most unfortunately Warren died before its publication. So to whatever degree of a writer I am, I owe it to Warren Murphy.

2.   What is it about?  North Korea’s weapons-grade uranium is missing and the Korean spies back in the U.S. have confirmed that it is the United States. Although the U.S. denies knowledge…but the truth is, Mac Daniels has stolen it. Now to prevent a war Mac may have to make the ultimate sacrifice. He returns to North Korea to face the Supreme Leader, confessing his role in the stolen uranium. While in North Korea, Mac learns that ISIS has just brokered a deal with the North Koreans for surface to air missiles and the deadly gas, sarin. His only hope of getting out alive is Astrid and against his better judgment about putting what he loves most at risk, Mac must accept her help. Astrid, the CEO of a media conglomerate, secures a rare interview with the Supreme Leader in Pyongyang, so she can support Mac and provide an exit from the North. But the clock is ticking on Astrid and Mac, as the Ministry of State Security start to unravel their plan—and both could be facing the firing squad, just as a ship carrying the sarin rapidly makes its way toward Syria. What turns out to be was not what it was...Deception.

3.   Who do you believe is your targeted reader? My targeted readers are adults who enjoy a thriller with a twist. I have no one demographic that I am focusing on. I have had people of all ages and gender contact and meet me to discuss my books.

4.   What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? That they enjoyed a light fun thriller and that they were fooled by the ending.

5.   What should remain with them long after putting it down? When is his next book coming out?
 
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Writing is hard work and don’t give up. Try to set a reasonable goal of so many words per day. I try for 350 words. Sometimes I fall short and sometimes I’m on a roll. This past Sunday I did over 1,800 words on my next Mac Daniels book. Most importunately don’t take yourself too seriously. When those reject letters come in, read them and save them and keep on trying. I was told by one publisher that I couldn’t write a sentence. I wrote back with the following, “See Dick run.” 

6.   What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing, way industry is heading? The book publishing world, especially fiction is upside down thanks to e-books and Amazon. Many of the large chains are closing their stores as more people are online shoppers. I have 4 children and I don’t think they were ever in a bookstore. The only “real” books my kids have besides text books are copies on my books because I gave them copies. They all read e-books which, sell for a lot less. The royalty on a hard cover book is more than an e-book usually sells for. Amazon has changed they we all shop. Jeff Bezos of Amazon is now the second richest person in the world.

7.   What great challenges did you have in writing your book? Time! There are just not enough hours in a day. I am a practicing attorney and that takes up my working day and more. I need time for my family and I do need some sleep. I try to write from 11 to midnight. On weekends, especially in the winter I do a lot of writing. When I am on vacation I travel with my laptop and try to write. Then there is that famous disease that affects all writers, “writer’s block”. Sometimes I sit and stare at my screen and I can’t think of a word to write.

8. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?  My books are fun. Deception and for that matter The Deed are not the great American novel. It’s just a fun book, it’s a mystery book, it’s a thriller with a surprise ending. If you want to have some fun and you want to enjoy yourself read my book. Put your feet up and have a good time.

Gene Boffa is a “Jersey boy,” born and bred in the Garden State. He currently lives in northern New Jersey with his wife Patricia, an accomplished painter, sculptor, and lawyer. They have four grown children and five grandchildren. The Boffa clan enjoys spending summers at the Jersey Shore boating and fishing. Gene is a partner in the law firm of Schumann Hanlon specializing in transactional law. He holds many legal honors and practices law in New York as well as New Jersey. In addition to his involvement with multiple charities, he is a guest lecturer and adjunct professor at Saint Peter’s University graduate school. His first novel was The Deed; he’s currently at work on his third Mac Daniels novel. Fir more info, see: www.geneboffa.com


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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blog


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