Interview with author of Reverb, J. Cafesin!

I’m a native Californian, originally from L.A., but now reside in the Bay (San Francisco area, but I liked the rhyme). In order of importance to me, I’m a mom, a wife, a writer, creative director, dog owner (she has few demands, which is why she’s a bit down the priority line), teacher, builder, dreamer.

Tell us about your book? How did it get started?

Reverb isn’t your typical romantic suspense. It’s spun from The Magus (John Fowles), also about a man who learns to love someone other than himself, and way beyond 50 Shades of Gray, Reverb is told like Crime and Punishment, modern, tight, edgy verging on sharp. It’s like nothing you’ve read, guaranteed.

How do you create your characters?

Recently posted a blogspot: Storytelling is Truth—Tweeked. Reverb is the truth, tweeked, too. It’s about most men I know—self-absorbed, into their own heads, their careers, their toys, sports, whatever, but not so much into listening to anyone unless it serves them. James, the main character in Reverb, is a master musician, more into his career than the people in his life. To change this basic character flaw in him (and most men), he needed a seminal event to connect him outside himself. Reverb takes James on the ride of his life, the journey his evolution awakening his ability to truly love.

What inspires and what got your started in writing?

I find life, in general, the day to day must get done stuff rather tedious. So my imagination inspires me to conjure more interesting scenarios. Beyond the tedium, I’m often disillusioned or dissatisfied with the reality at hand, and find myself making up what I’d like to have happen. Been storytelling forever. Ever read And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street by Dr Seuss? My dad used to call me Marco.

Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?) I need quiet. I have a TuffShed in my backyard, but my evil neighbor keeps his dog out all day and it loves to bark, at everything—the mailman, the wind blowing a leaf… People tell me to call animal services because the poor dog is unhappy, but that’s bull. The dog is thrilled to be out all day listening to itself bark. The neighbor never bothered to trained the dog not to bark. I imagine recording his dog’s high pitch barking and playing it through a hidden mic into his bedroom all night long. Turn about’s fair play, isn’t it?

How do you get your ideas for writing?

Tweeking real life.

What do you like to read?

Fiction—contemporary, modern, clean writing that not only tells an interesting story but reveals real people with motivations for their actions I can relate to. In John Fowles The Collector, he unveils the story of a psychopath, and I related to so much of that character it was scary, even though I’m about as non-violent as one gets. I don’t even watch sports because they are so often brutal.

What would your advice to be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?

Write because you love to, and I mean passionately LOVE to, love the process, love editing (as good writing is mostly editing), love the action of writing. And keep your day job so you don’t end up homeless.

Anything else you’d like to share?

The way to get good at anything is practice. The more you write, the better you’ll get at communicating the vision inside your head. It ain’t rocket science…but even that is doable by just about anyone with enough practice.