Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Wes Verde

What inspired you to write “Jalopy”?

Verde: Several years ago, I discovered a book series called Images of America from Arcadia Publishing which specializes in collecting old photographs from around the US. At the time, I had a broad, unrefined interest about history in general but I decided to pick up the collection about my hometown, curious how it had changed in the last century. The buildings were the first thing I noticed. Of those that had survived to the current day, few were unscathed, either partially demolished or expanded upon. The phrase “lost to fire,” was something that I kept seeing

Growing up in northern New Jersey, I was vaguely aware that many towns, which today are commuter suburbs, were once vacation destinations for residents of New York City. It was one of those things that was acknowledged in passing, but to which I never gave much thought. Now, book in hand, I was seeing it as it was. Places familiar to me, but 100 years ago were venues with a Coney Island or Atlantic City feel, albeit on a smaller scale.

That got me wondering if there was ever a “city mouse/country mouse” moment between a vacationer and a local who got together and how they sorted out who had the better situation. From there, enough of these elements started coming together where I finally decided to put pencil to paper.

How did you come up with the names of your main characters?

Verde: It may not come as a surprise for many, but during the 1920’s the practice of Anglicizing one’s name upon immigrating to the US was common – one of my own forebears changed from Antonio to Tony. I wanted to include that as an element but without causing excess confusion to the reader by switching between versions. For Art / Arthur / Arturo, the male protagonist, this also helped to convey his place the beginning of the story firmly beneath his parents’ – specifically his mother’s – thumb and the conclusion of his arc.

Etta means “Ruler of the House,” and I thought that was appropriate.

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Verde: I fit the work in where I can. As a result, most of my writing is done in the small hours of the morning before my kids wake up. During that time, it’s just me and my dinosaur mug. My neighbors aren’t close, but it’s quiet enough that I can hear their chickens. So in the book, when I describe how Etta’s rooster crows long before sunrise – that is based on personal research.

When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?

Verde: Your mind can have the remarkable ability to solve problems when you aren’t focusing on the wrong things. I find that taking an hour to go for a walk, chop firewood, or what-have-you and come back to the problem with fresh eyes can fix much.

Knowing and understanding your characters is also crucial. When I encounter a dead end, a solution often presents itself by thinking about what someone would not do next and narrowing the list of possibilities. Have a shy introverted character, but they’re in a bind and must force themselves to ask for help? That could be a great developing moment. Or maybe their phobia is so all-consuming that they resort to increasingly desperate measures and using their environment for a solution.

What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?

Verde: While I have lately been trying to branch out, I keep going back to grounded fantasy. Name of the Wind and The Lies of Locke Lamora are definitely on my shortlist. The magic system is part of the appeal, but they both have well done characters and elements of tragedy. However, I’m not above the occasional foray into action / thriller with my recent discovery of the Ryan Drake series by Will Jordan.

What are you working on next?

Verde: The Interwar Period is my current literary home with a great deal of real world lore that is worth exploring. Like Jalopy, the setting of Book 2 will be in 1920’s New Jersey but instead of a historical drama / romance, it will be a historical crime / adventure.

The main story revolves around a band of shysters and rogues who quickly discover that they have bitten off more than they can chew while hiding out in a lake resort town that caters to the wealthy and powerful. I have been doing a great deal of research on scam artists from the early 20th century. With luck, my internet search history will never be read back to me in court.

Learn More About the Author and Jalopy here:

Author Website: https://wesverde.com/

Instagram: @wesverde7

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21026924.Wes_Verde

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