1. If you were to choose 1 character from "Joe Cafe" to spin-off
into their own book, which one might have that appealing intrigue for you, and
why?
J.D.: Oh, that’s easy. Chet, for sure. He’s the most fascinating character. I love ‘Lolita’ by Nabokov because I am
simply astounded that he can make the reader empathize with a predator like
Humbert Humbert. Lots of people feel
this way. Not trying to claim it’s my
unique idea. But I love Chet for the
same reason. Logically, he is a
terrible, terrible person. He starts out
terrible. But then you get inside his
head and by the end of the book you want to give him a hug. And then beat his ass. It’s a weird dichotomy. He’s an interesting character because we are
so quick in our society to write off “bad” people without considering their
circumstances.
J.D.: I used to work with at-risk youth. Most of the kids were great. And I was always astounded. People get all upset about gangs and shit, but
you put a kid into a home where no one cares, maybe they are on drugs, they
watch TV and see some pop moron driving a gold Hummer – hmmm – that kid is
exposed to the American Dream, but his chances of achieving it are slim. If you have no guidance and the people you
look up to (because money is status in America) are the rich guys in your
neighborhood, you emulate them. You
don’t feel any alliance to the system because the system let you down.
Tons of people overcome that. Some don’t. But when people get all shocked about gang violence, I’m appalled. Given the division of wealth and power in this country, given the idols we are presented (money, power, sex), and given the fact that some people get born into shittier situations than we can imagine, I’m surprised things aren’t worse.
Tons of people overcome that. Some don’t. But when people get all shocked about gang violence, I’m appalled. Given the division of wealth and power in this country, given the idols we are presented (money, power, sex), and given the fact that some people get born into shittier situations than we can imagine, I’m surprised things aren’t worse.
So, yeah, Chet fascinated me because he
reacted to his life in a logical way, but it seems illogical because it is wrong. But you can only kick a dog so many times
before it bites back. That’s human
nature. That’s nature nature.
2.
What was a challenge you were forced to over-come in the process of
manifestation, in order to complete the book?
J.D.: Well, back to Chet. He was a challenge for me because some of the
things he does are so off the charts
horrible. I don’t think it is
gratuitous. There are people who do
terrible things. But, as a writer, you
need to do what’s right for the story.
Still, there is part of you that thinks, ‘Jesus, people are going to
think I’m psychotic’. But you have to
fight that because if you start censoring yourself, you are not being true to
the character and the narrative.
The other hard part was, as you aptly
explained in your review, it is not a typical noir, crime, whatever novel. It is about the characters' psychology. So, I got really deep inside these
characters. And I’m a pacifist. I don’t like horror movies. I like dark fiction, but it was hard for me
to imagine Frankie beating someone to death.
Or the things Chet did. I don’t
even kill spiders.
3.
Was there a story-line or character, without spoilers on plot-points,
whose arc was difficult to decide, on how it/he/she progressed?
J.D.: I wrote this book with no plan. Consciously.
I wanted the characters to write the book. So, I created an event…the murder at Joe
Café…and then the characters did what they did.
I made some conscious decisions, but they were guided by the
narrative. One of the criticisms of this
novel is that Michael is too weak. And I
knew as I was writing it that people would say that, but it was organic. And I think it makes perfect sense. Michael is a small town cop who doesn’t have
to deal with serious things. His life
has been a cakewalk. He cannot accept
the murder or his failure to deal with it.
So, it was difficult in that
sense…difficult to write, no. It was
clear from the second chapter that the characters knew what they were supposed
to do.
The only other issue (which is the other
criticism I get sometimes) is that the ending is too abrupt. That was a conscious decision, too. I wanted the book to be real. In real life, things
don’t get wrapped up neatly all the time.
The cop doesn’t always save the day.
Bad guys aren’t cardboard cutouts.
I really wanted to make these people real. I think it is a hard book for some people to
read because it doesn’t follow the
formulas they are used to. But that’s why
I like it so much.
4.
Would you name a couple of your writing peers/authors, who may or may
not write in similar Genres as you, and tell us what you admire about what they
do as writers?
J.D.: Richard Godwin is a good friend of
mine. I haven’t read his new book Mr. Glamour yet, but I will. Apostle
Rising is an amazing book. And like Joe Café, it doesn’t follow traditional
expectations people have for a ‘noir/crime/cop’ book. Sure there are bad guys and cops, but it is
so intricate and deep. Godwin writes a
“cop novel’ like Shakespeare would. His
command of language is incredible, so the story is good, but the words are pure
poetry.
I just wrote a novel with my friends
Stephen Hise and K.S. Brooks. It’s
called Bad Book. The idea was to write a terrible book. And we used it as a way to unwind. The funny thing is, it turned out great. It’s a weird novel, every chapter is a
different genre. But it was fun and
challenging and it is amazing to see what those two writers can churn out when
they are just riffing for fun.
Brilliant, funny stuff.
I’m friends with Rosanne Dingli and David
Antrobus. I have read David’s book (Dissolute Kinship) and a book of
Rosanne’s short stories (Making a Name). They are truly beautiful writers. The flow and rhythm of their words are
astounding.
The first indie book I read was Digging Deep by Boyd Lemon. It is an amazing memoir and I was astounded
by its honesty. I think honesty is the
most important thing for good writing, fiction or not.
I don’t have much time (really any time) to
read anymore. I wish I could give you
more examples, but my ‘to be read’ list just keeps growing. And I’m not checking any off, unfortunately. But, no complaints..
5.
What is one thing completing "Joe Cafe" taught you about your
own process of writing?
J.D.: Everything I write is very character based
and close to the characters. I took a risk with Joe Café because I am more comfortable with short stories. I didn’t know if my style – short vignettes –
would carry a novel. But it did. It’s been a lot more successful than I
imagined and hoped for, so I learned to have faith in readers. Some people don’t get it, but most people do. You did.
Which is why we’re doing this interview.
My new novel, The Biker, is
much more linear and traditional. Joe Café is not your typical novel, and
I was happy to see that readers are willing to embrace something outside their
comfort zone. I don’t know if I’ll ever
write another novel like it, but I’m glad I took the chance.
Obtain your copy of JD Mader's newly released, second novel, "The Biker":
Joe Cafe is an excellent first novel, a piece of assured Noir writing by Dan. Chet is a great character. Stories need to push the boundaries of genre definitions, to make it new. Thank you Dan for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteI thought JD's mention of your writing was a cool tip of the cap, Richard :) Dropping into psychologies with a different mental signature than the writer, is a creative way to push those boundaries ~ it's also in the actor realm. It's an effective way JD transcends expectations in "Joe Cafe," as in the mind-frame of Chet, the surprise, being his revelation of having a heart, even if somewhat bruised-black.
ReplyDeleteReading JD's ruminations on American obsessions in society, reminded me that this is an international exchange. That I was getting a piece of mind from a San Francisco based writer, over here in BC. I have also worked with at-risk youth, so I could identify with JD and his viewpoint on fractured youth culture, in context of societal disparity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow up, I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, JD :) thank you for being the first Indie Author subject on this blog.
ReplyDeleteMader can paint scenes and set a mood with three words unlike any other author I've ever read. Good writing. Good interview. And thanks for the mention, my friend.
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks, K.S. of "Bad Book" ~ but now, with you peeps referring to each other by sur-handles, I'm gonna have to take advantage...good weighing in with Mader, Godwin, and Brooks. (there. established ;) btw, when is "Bad Book" landing, for Readers to check out the author fusion?
ReplyDeleteBad book is OUT THERE. And available for purchase on Kindle. ;)
ReplyDeleteDiscover Brooks, Hise & Mader's mad-fusion, "Bad Book": http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Book-ebook/dp/B007SAVB7G
ReplyDelete