My passion for the real history of World War I caused me to struggle, first to understand its intricacies, and second to convey details which might afford readers the opportunity to experience those realities.
J.B. Rivard – 7 February 2023
The Back Flap
Four lives. Three destinies. Two continents. One devastating war.
It’s the early 1900s in Europe, and young Adrienne Boch is pursuing her dream: a successful career in the booming world of high fashion. When she meets Will Marra, a debonair American with a passion for aviation—and Adrienne—romance is the last thing on her mind. Aside from her career, she’s focused on writing to her cousin, Gregor Steiner, who’s training to be an officer in the Imperial German Navy. Out at sea, Gregor waits eagerly for his letters from Adrienne, recalling their childhood romps at the Belgium shore.
Then World War I breaks out. Adrienne’s life is turned upside down as the invading German army threatens Paris, Gregor advances to captain a U-boat, Will becomes a pilot in the U.S. Army, and Adrienne’s family flees an overrun Belgium. In Central America, a spy is recruited to defeat the United States.
Adrienne’s feelings for Will have grown, but she fears it’s too late. She’s terrified for him and for Gregor, now on opposing sides of the war, and for her family, refugees from the only home they’ve ever known. As the global conflict simmers and tension rises, Will, Gregor, Adrienne, and the spy’s lives converge in an epic, unexpected clash. With life—and love—on the line, they must each fight for what they believe in…or pay the ultimate price.
About the book
What is the book about?
A German, a Belgian, and an American reach adulthood prior to the First World War. The novel follows as family ties and romance draw them to each other. They strive to achieve life goals while coping with the war. Yet the sum of their experiences cannot prepare them for the fate that awaits them.
When did you start writing the book?
January 1, 2021.
How long did it take you to write it?
Eighteen months.
Where did you get the idea from?
My 2019 book, Low on Gas – High on Sky, the true story of Nick Mamer’s record-setting flight of 1929, included much about Nick’s experiences in the U.S. Army during World War I. The research for that book led to fascinating details about that war, especially flying the crude ‘aeroplanes’ of the time. My idea for Dead Heat to Destiny evolved from this enthusiasm.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
My passion for the real history of World War I caused me to struggle, first to understand its intricacies, and second to convey details which might afford readers the opportunity to experience those realities. Although it was never easy, I embedded a number of real events from WWI in the story.
What came easily?
My background, including aviation training in the U.S. Navy, technical know-how—25 years as a nuclear reactor specialist, and participation in detonations of nuclear weapons during Pacific Ocean testing, helps me understand how people react to the rigors of both small-and-large-scale military operations.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Although the primary characters are fictitious, a number of real people from the period 1903-1917 appear. They include French comedienne Cécile Sorel, Admiral Gustave Bachmann of the Imperial German Navy, race driver Arthur Duray, and Captain B. D. Foulois, commander of the 1st Aero Squadron of the U.S. Army in 1916.
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?
I credit Sol Stein, author of Stein on Writing (1995), as a major influence. His plea to thrust the reader into each ongoing scene of the novel is primary in my mantra. I also pay attention to “Elmore Leonard’s Ten Rules of Writing,” especially when he says “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.”
Do you have a target reader?
A reader with an abiding interest in the history of the twentieth century who wonders how people cope with the conflicting stresses of wartime while attempting to attain life goals and meeting the human need for love, meaning, and family.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
The process usually differs for each project. Writing nonfiction books is certainly different than writing novels. My process for Dead Heat to Destiny seems unique because of the large quantity of historical research that it required. Also, because I had to immerse myself deeply in each specific environment before attempting to write each scene.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
For this project, I began an outline with 15 major headings for the years 1903 to 1917, inclusive. Each year’s fictional events were grouped under each year’s heading, together with that year’s real events, local and worldwide. As I completed scenes chronologically, I entered each’s topic and its document title under each year’s heading, with notes as needed. (To prevent the outline from becoming unwieldly, descriptions were severely compressed.)
This outline template facilitated the chronological integration of the real with the fictional—my organizational goal from the start. The finished outline comprises four densely-packed, single-spaced pages. The novel itself proceeds chronologically by years (except for 1904, 1907, and 1909) rather than by chapters. It was assembled directly from the completed scenes.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit the previous day’s production before beginning the day’s writing. This invariably results in major revisions.
Did you hire a professional editor?
As with past books, my wife Anya edited Dead Heat to Destiny for content. Line and copy editing was performed by BooksFluent. Final editing (minor alterations) was performed by Anya and me.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No. Dead Heat to Destiny was planned from inception as independently published.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-published or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Since 2001 all my books are independently published.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Anya and I collaborated closely with the BooksFluent cover designer. The result is smashing!
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
The publicists at BooksForward have complete charge of marketing Dead Heat to Destiny.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
No matter how many words (or books) you’ve written, the only proven technique for achieving effective communication is to rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite again.
About you
Where did you grow up?
I grew up as a city dweller in Indiana.
Where do you live now?
I live in Arizona.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am a Vet, a graduate engineer, became a nuclear reactor specialist, and retired to a life of writing.
What are you working on now?
Besides working with the book design and marketing teams, I compose nonfiction articles about history, writing and other topics. See my website www.illusionsofmagic.com
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Dead Heat to Destiny from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
