~ Interview ~

Molly and Walker Joe One on One

Hmmmm!!

Note: Since our interview, I have changed the title of this book to Private Dick Hackney McTrite. It only makes the book better.

molly: I'm currently reading your book Private Dick Hackney McTrite. Walker Joe, please tell us why you choose New Orleans as the setting for much of your work?

wj: Let me first mention what lured me to the craft. I backpacked to the Wimbledon Tournament seven times and slept in a line/queue over night to get great Centre Court seats. When I returned home from my first trip in 1989, after an incredible experience, I decided to record my Wimbledon sojourn. I went the next three years and each time I recorded my experiences. Zap! I was hooked. I then spent five years writing "That Neapolitan Furlough" and "Rose, Ma Petite." These were the learning years. Did I mention that I'm an avid sometimes rabid tennis player?

In the first novel, I took several chapters from my own life and enhanced the plot with a great deal of fiction. That's really what authors do isn't it? It was true of Earnest Hemingway just to mention one. He literally lived his books. The second one I simply don't remember what sparked its creation, but I'm pleased something compelled me to write about Rose. I spent considerable time researching the history of 1864 Paris and New Orleans. So, the history is authentic, but Rose is a figment of my imagination. To say she's nonpareil is not an exaggeration. Marjorie, my wife loves this novel.

Now, I'd become more knowledgeable about the publishing world. I'd heard many editors preach that clichés were unacceptable. And yet, I'd never read a published book that didn't include quite a few of them. So, I decided to write a book and include as many clichés as feasible. I thought a down-on-his-luck PI from N'Awlins who used clichés like they were going out of style, chewed bubblegum, and drank Early Times was the perfect vehicle. This imagination produced "Private Dick Hcakney McTrite." And it includes about 500 clichés I'm proud to admit. So, over the next three years I wrote more Private Dick Hackney McTrite Mysteries. I did good when I introduced his partner Deloris Pillsbury. They became the café au lait PI Duo. (PI Harry Walker) is being published at PublishAmerica around July 2002.

Now, Molly, after I've managed to evade your question masterfully, let me paraphrase it. You said that you were currently reading my book PI Harry Walker, and you wanted to know why I choose New Orleans as the setting for much of my work?

wj: I fell in love with New Orleans the first time I visited. It's my kind of town. What's not to like? It presents scintillating jazz and the blues. That endears it to me, since I played the trumpet for fifty years. However, I quit recently. And how about that food? And it's wicked. I'll quote from the second McTrite Mystery, Vieux Carré Pillow Strangler. "Where else do you walk on a banquette, be offered a lagniappe, munch on jambalaya and muffulettas, dine on filet gumbo and top it off with café au lait and beignets. Then go fais do-do to zydeco or second line with Creoles, mulattos and Cajuns in a impromptu parade, which happened just for the fun of it." Really, I try to pick interesting places to send my PI Café au lait duo: Paris, Key West, Florida, London, Las Vegas, and the likes.

molly: Chuckle. You answered the question masterfully WJ. As you work do find your characters 'come alive' when you are writing? Do they take over and direct the tale as you go along?

wj: I try to breathe life into them. I'm big on description. I try to paint a picture of them with words. Here's a quote from Rose, Ma Petite. Rose asks the French poet, "Monsieur Baudelaire, are you a lawyer?" "Non, Mademoiselle. I am a poet. My paints are words. The painter, if skillful mixing pigments, has the infinite nuances of the rainbow to depict his subjects. Only imagination and vocabulary limit poets’ colors. Possessed with the latter and a knack for mixing words, he might depict the subject authentically; or distort to be more sensational; or shade to be humorous; or pervert to appeal to prurient interest. 'Tis no different, Mademoiselle Rénaud. Edouard uses la brosse. I use la plume." I think this aspect of writing is the most difficult for writers and yours truly. I start out with a general overall notion for a plot. Like in ("PI Harry Walker") the idea that kicked it off was to have the wife of a mob boss looking for a PI to get infidelity evidence to support her divorce case. No other PI in New Orleans will touch it. Finally, she telephones Harry. He's desperate, and he reluctantly takes her assignment after she offers him the Washington Mint. As I develop the story it creates the needs of the words that follow. So, in my case the continuing story line feeds off of what's been writ. Aren't you glad you asked Molly?

molly: Well WJ, yes, I am. You add a delightful viewpoint for your work. Now tell me please what your writing plan included. Did you write your book first or did you seek out an agent or a publisher?

wj: I never thought about selling my work until I'd finished several novels. I was having a great time writing them and going to literary places on the NET learning the craft. The day I thought my work had commercial potential was the turning point that took the joy out of writing for me. Every writer,
even the well-known novelist, goes through this black period of finding an agent or publisher. Those who endure get published. Few get rich. The irony is that finding a creditable agent is harder than finding a reputable publisher. And to get published by the giants of publishing your work has to be presented to them by an agent. Well, I was unable to sell my work through my first agent. I don't have one now. And I'm not eagerly seeking one. When ("PI Harry Walker") gets printed, I'm going to make some moves that I hope will launch my writing career. Sorry molly, I could've answered this with a simple, "I wrote two books first." Thank you for giving me an opportunity to rave about my writing experiences.

molly: I’m glad to hear your writing story! Listening to other writers helps us all put our own work into perspective. Would you care to tell us what you are working on right now?

wj: I'm working on my horror mystery, which I will call "Blood Trust." Three teens go to Hobglobin, Mississippi, a small town well known for scary places and people, and they disappear. One of the affluent parents engages my two favorite sleuths Hackney McTrite and Deloris Pillsbury to find her son. Then all the horror and haunting begin. Eat your heart out Stephen King.

molly: Brrr! Look forward to it, I think WJ. I know many writers belong to writing and critique groups. Do you belong to a writers or critique group?

Wj: No. But they're only a few clicks away on the NET. They can be a valuable experience if you are perceptive, objective, and heed the criticism offered. If your skin is thin stay away.

molly: Chuckle, gotcha. I know PI Harry Walker is in process of publishing with Publish America. Do you have appearances and/or book signings lined up for the next few months? Do you enjoy these activities?

Wj: Not at the moment. I'm going to plan several appearances when PI Harry Walker is published. I think I will enjoy the experience. Recently, I presented a paper at the local college. I told about my writing and read an excerpt from PI Harry Walker. I enjoyed that.

molly: That sounds like fun. Do you have special advice for aspiring writers?

Wj: Write for the love of it, and pray that you find an audience after you've perfected your crafts.

molly: Good sound advice for certain. Writing should come from the heart. Sales and all of that should never be the focus. What does your family think of your writing?

Wj: My wife has read and enjoyed all of my writings. My young grandson, who is attending John Hopkins Medical College has read and loved my mysteries. He was the valedictorian of his class. So, my work seems to appeal to younger people and the intelligent. What do I know? I l just love to write.

molly: Thank you for a delightful interview Walker Joe. And I want to wish you great success with your work. Especially with PI Harry Walker as it comes into print.

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