1. What motivated you to write your book, to
force you from taking an idea or experience and turning it into this book?
Boxing has always interested me. The main
character, Danny Green is a composite of many people, some athletes, I have
known and worked with through the years. Experiences Danny has are reflective
of personal experiences I had in New York and Hollywood. The book is primarily
set in New York and LA in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. It was a time of tumult and
transition which in many ways parallels the struggles of our hero. The
idea for the book developed over time as I began to explore the psychology of
athletes in primo condition, understanding what it took for a boxer to endure
repeated punishment in the ring. I also wanted to see if that same man could
take the energy from boxing, apply it in a completely different realm, and
demonstrate skill as a storyteller and artist.
2. What is it about and who is it for?
Danny Green is from a
small town in rural Mississippi, born on the wrong side of the tracks but to
the right family. His parents emphasize education as well as an appreciation
for sports. He and his older brother are very close but also competitive. Passing
an old gym one day Danny is drawn in by the sound of leather hitting leather.
He begins to train and discovers he has a powerful left hook. He travels to New
York and achieves success in the ring, but also realizes he has a gift for self-expression
and begins to write about his new life and the world he sees around him. There
are no limits to his potential as an extraordinarily gifted fighter and
talented writer. ‘It is the kind of real-life story you can’t make up, but I
did.
3. What takeaways might the reader will be left with after reading it?
I am hopeful that
everyone who reads the book will see a part of themselves in Danny, and be
inspired by his rise from humblest beginnings to the pinnacle of success. We
all have vast potential in us. Danny shows that with drive and ambition, the
right circumstances and a little help from others he is able to achieve great
things.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?
When Danny’s older
brother is born the doctor tells his mother Rose May she will not be able to
have more children. When She and husband Joe find out she is pregnant again and
Danny is born they are thrilled. As Danny journeys through life so many things
happen that are unexpected and as the world begins to discover the man and his
talents the surprises keep coming. In that regard there is always something new
around the next corner. Danny Green was never ‘expected.’ He should never
have been born but thankfully he was and the world is a more entertaining and
colorful place because of it. The cover design took a great deal of time. We
experimented with many images until we found the right one. Should we show the
main character? Show his romantic interest? Only show a silhouette so the
reader could fill in their own image of him? We decided on classic boxing
gloves because Danny is a boxer at heart but I wanted to give the story
context as well and tease that it reaches beyond the world of boxing. The is
why we included the words: FROM MISSISSIPPI TO MANHATTAN… HARLEM TO HOLLYWOOD…
BOXING WAS JUST THE BEGINNING
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?
When you sit down to
write cast aside all doubt. Do not censor yourself. If the words don’t come
initially, write about anything, the room you’re in, the bird in the trees,
anything to lift the veil between yourself and your subconscious. Like the
great Wall of China, you build one brick at a time. One word, one sentence
leads to another and before you know it you have a paragraph, a page and a
chapter. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite until what you meant to communicate is clear
not just to you but to the reader. They need to have the enhanced emotional
experience that you had when writing the story.
6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the
book publishing industry is heading?
I don’t know about
trends or the fickle nature of the publishing world. Be truthful, authentic and
tell stories you find interesting. Create adventures and take your reader
to places you find fascinating. Do not be afraid to let the characters
have their way and speak to you. You can always pull them back if they go too
far afield but you’d be surprised at the unexpected – there’s that word again –
places they take your story.
7. What challenges did you overcome to write this book?
Only the limits of my
imagination and willingness to do the necessary research. Then it was just
discipline and a workman like approach to write everyday, reward myself with
positivity, and keep the story moving forward.
8. How would you describe your writing style?
I work very hard to
make the subject matter and characters as engaging and accessible as possible.
There are times to be very economical with words, but I also believe it is my
obligation to be highly descriptive in places where the story calls for it. Specificity
is king.
9. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be
yours?
The Unexpected Danny
Green has universal appeal. Whether you’re a sports fan -there’s plenty in here
for you - or not, man or woman, old or young there is something about this
young man’s attitude and spirit that is irresistible. Danny demonstrates,
persistence, grit, and determination. He has the ability to make the most of
opportunities when they come his way and is a loyal and loving man to the beautiful
and talented Julianne. Theirs is a monumental love that will be tested, but
ultimately endures.
About The Author: Paul R. Friedman is a Los Angeles native
whose family traveled the world by the time he turned 16. After college, he
settled in New York City and spent over two decades creating content for CBS
Television as a writer/producer in the On-Air Promotion and Marketing
Departments. Paul has worked for both the News and Entertainment divisions in
New York and Los Angeles. Most recently, while serving as Vice President and
Creative Director at CBS Marketing, he was responsible for the award-winning
launch and continued marketing stewardship of the three most successful
‘reality show’ franchises in TV history: “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race” and
“Big Brother.” Paul also headed up On-Air Campaigns for various network
programs: The Grammys, ACM Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Victoria’s Secret
Fashion Show, plus numerous other specials, dramas and comedies. In addition,
he was Executive Producer of the CBS Fall Preview Show from 2013 to 2017.
Please Contact Me For
Help
Brian
Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell
their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully
helping thousands of authors in all genres.
Catch Up & Read These !!
28 Time
Management Practices Of Effective Authors
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/28-time-management-practices-of.html
How Can Authors Make Book Sale
Connections?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/how-can-authors-make-book-sale.html
Networking Tips For Shy, Stupid Or Ugly Authors
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/networking-tips-for-shy-ugly-or-stupid.html
Why Authors Need The Momentum Of A Yes
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/why-authors-need-momentum-of-win.html
Getting Others To Buy -- Or Help You Sell -- Books
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/getting-others-to-buy-or-sell-your-book.html
Will You Sell More Than 200 Copies Of Your Book?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/will-you-sell-more-than-200-copies-of.html
Why Bad Books Outsell Yours
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/why-bad-books-outsell-yours.html
How Can You Grow Your Writing Career?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/how-can-you-grow-your-writing-career.html
Do You Have A Good Author Tagline?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/do-you-have-good-author-tagline.html
The
Truth That Authors Need To Hear
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html
Book Publishing Expose For Authors From An Insider
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/book-publishing-expose-for-authors-from.html
About Brian Feinblum
Brian Feinblum should
be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by
BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in
Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue
dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and
IBPA’s The Independent. This blog, with over 4,000 posts over
the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by
BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and
recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing
blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For
the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s
largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has
worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along
with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth,
Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey
Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne,
Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a
panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA,
Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers
Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors
and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published
in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News,
Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The
Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun
Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information,
please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.