I picked up a magazine from an animal rescue organization called Best Friends and read an article on the millions of animals that were being euthanized in shelters every year. I decided I wanted to write something to increase awareness of the issue.
Stephen Evans – January 28, 2019
The Back Flap
Nick is charming. Erratic. Brilliant. Quixotic. And maybe Delusional.
His passion for environmental and animal rights constantly gets him in trouble. And his ex-wife and former law partner Lena inevitably comes to his rescue.
But when he ‘liberates’ the lobsters from Minneapolis grocery stores and loads them into the mayor’s pool, the ensuing media event goes one step too far. While Lena fights to save Nick from being committed or going to prison, her hopes for a normal life are left dangling.
And when the man she still loves has one more wild idea, Lena has a choice to make.
In this funny and endearing extension of Stephen Evan’s The Marriage of True Minds (also included in this volume), we follow this Hepburn and Tracy-like pair through animal rescues and courtroom dramas toward an ending only Nick could foresee.
The Island of Always is a fast-paced comic novel about a partnership that extends beyond law, beyond marriage, and possibly beyond reality.
About the book
What is the book about?
The book is about Nick and Lena, two former Minneapolis Law partners who are also divorced from each other. Nick, who was always unusual, has gotten more eccentric since the divorce; he gets in trouble trying to rescue animals, and Lena finds herself constantly going to his rescue.
When did you start writing the book?
The book is in two parts. I started the first part in 2000 and it was published in 2008 by Unbridled Books as The Marriage of True Minds. I started the second part (Let Me Count the Ways) in 2014 and I published the combined work on January 6, 2019.
How long did it take you to write it?
Off and on for seventeen years or so. In terms of actual writing/editing time, I couldn’t really say.
Where did you get the idea from?
I picked up a magazine from an animal rescue organization called Best Friends and read an article on the millions of animals that were being euthanized in shelters every year. I decided I wanted to write something to increase awareness of the issue.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I try to write first draft as quickly as possible. I wrote the first draft of The Marriage of True Minds in about three weeks. The first draft of Let Me Count the Ways took about two months. Many drafts for both followed. I think my biggest concern in writing the second part was making sure I was true to the characters from the first part, that they evolved in ways that would not disappoint. And since I was publishing together, I tried to make sure that the two parts fit together smoothly.
What came easily?
The dialogue is easiest for me. Everything else tends to change a lot.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
All but one of the characters is fictitious. Sancho the puppet is based on a real puppet.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
For this book in particular, Cervantes influence is pretty obvious, and maybe a lighter take on The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. In general, Shakespeare, Tom Stoppard, Neil Simon. Fay Jacobs is a friend, theater director, and author who taught me so much about comedy.
Do you have a target reader?
I think more about story than readers while I’m writing. But in general I would say I like to write smart funny gentle books for smart funny gentle people.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?
It used to be that I would just sit down at the computer and see what happened. Lately I have taken to going for a walk before writing. And I usually have a glass of Coca Cola. I often don’t know what I am going to work on when I sit down.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No outlines, ever. Sometimes a notion of a beginning and ending.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I never edit during the first draft. Then I usually work somewhat sequentially through the subsequent drafts.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I think good editors are a great help. For The Marriage of True Minds, I had a freelance editor and also the publisher Fred Ramey as editor. Lately, I have not hired an editor, relying instead on many drafts myself and some friends who are very honest with me as readers.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes. Classical for energy, New Age type music for contemplation. Not really finger tapping but tapping into something.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes, I have a wonderful agent who has been very patient and supportive of my books.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
My first book The Marriage of True Minds was published by a small publisher (Unbridled Books) and it was a very good experience for me. For whatever reasons (and I suspect they varied according to the book), the books I published myself never found a publisher. A Transcendental Journey was submitted to close to 50. But I was happy with them and they received good advance notices, so I decided to go ahead myself. I do like having control of the process, but it involves an enormous amount of non-writing work. But then traditional publishing requires that now also in many respects.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I hired Tanja Prokop of BookDesignTemplates.com. I am very happy with the result.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I hired two marketing consultants, one for publicity (http://www.caitlinhamiltonmarketing.com) and one for online marketing (Libby Jordan – musubuink@gmail.com). They are experienced professionals who are so easy to work with, and I’m very happy with what we have accomplished to date.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Write the book that only you can write.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Maryland.
Where do you live now?
Same place.
What would you like readers to know about you?
For much of my life I hated to write but loved having written. Now I am finding more joy in the writing itself. I hope that shows in the work.
What are you working on now?
Some friends and I are working on an evening of one-act plays, and I am writing a nonfiction book on the evolution of comedy.
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of The Island of Always from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
