Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with John L. DeBoer
Book Title: The Amazon Encounter
Released: 03/29/21
Genre: SciFi
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “The Amazon Encounter”?
DeBoer: An author I was familiar with through a mutual publisher approached me with an idea for an offbeat sci-fi story. Though I'd written one sci-fi short story, I'm a thriller writer. But I do enjoy good science fiction, and it looked like a fun project - focusing on the reactions of characters as a result of an encounter with super-advanced alien beings. A little The Day the Earth Stood Still, part Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but definitely not War of the Worlds.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
DeBoer: The characters that appear early on in the book were made up by my co-author. I invented the others. No formulas involved, as far as I'm aware, but I did have to research names for some foreign characters in the story.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
DeBoer: I'm a retired surgeon who always enjoyed writing but didn't start creating stories until I had the time to do it! The writing process differs widely among authors. But there are probably two main types of novel writers: those who outline the whole story before beginning, and those who write as they go. I'm in the latter category, so I'd be considered a "pantser," I guess. E.L. Doctorow once said, "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the entire journey that way." Until I read that, I thought I was the only one who wrote that way!
If "The Amazon Encounter” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
DeBoer: Funny you should ask that, because the main characters actually entertain that question in the book. So naturally, the author put those ideas into their heads. One suggested Bradley Cooper play him. The female main character wanted to be played by Jennifer Lawrence. The lead character didn't express an opinion, so I'll go with Chris Pratt for him.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
DeBoer: Because I'm a pantser, I often come to places in the story where I'm not sure how to proceed. What would be logical for the characters? What threads will that open up? Is it consistent with what's gone before? I just keep thinking about it - usually at night before going to sleep or in the shower, and the solutions come to me eventually, though it might take several days.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
DeBoer: Read! As much as you can in your chosen genre to see what works and what doesn't. Get a feel for how these stories are constructed.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
DeBoer: Too many good books to single out just one. My favorite genre is, of course, thriller, and I have two favorite authors: Nelson DeMille and Michael Connelly.
What are you working on next?
DeBoer: A thriller, tentatively titled, The Girl From Belgrade. It's a story about a young girl who loses her parents as a result of the NATO bombing of Belgrade during the Kosovo War, grows up embittered and becomes a skilled Russian assassin, and the American efforts to stop her. I'm a few thousand words away from completing the draft.
Learn More About the Author and The Amazon Encounter here:
https://www.facebook.com/John-L-DeBoers-novels-713214712080731
https://www.facebook.com/john.deboer.90813
Twitter:https://twitter.com/Johnldeboer
Website:www.novelsbyjohnldeboer.com
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/John-L.-DeBoer/e/B007VGEWCS
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