Topic: Author Interview
Nolan Lewis The Person
1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?
Pushover - Tenacious - Lazy
2. How do you think others describe you?
Pushover - Talented - Creative
3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.
Politics - It is my firm belief that the last war our troops were allowed to win was WW2. Since then they have had their hands tied by false boundaries which they couldn't cross while the enemy crossed at will. I futher think, that whether we should have gone there or not, our biggest problem is the fact we turned tail in Vietnam. The Taliban are sure we will give up like we did there if they just hang in.
4. Do you have any pets? If so tell us about them.
I have one pet ... I have lived with her for over twenty years. She has five cats and one dog, so I don't feel the need. One cat moved in, uninvited, three years ago in January. She lies on the sofa while we are watching TV, but we are still not allowed to touch her.
5. What is your most precious memory?
Probably the birth of my oldest daughter ... I was in the delivery room.
6. What is your most embarrassing memory?
I can think of a number of embarrassing events, but none that really stand out. One comes to mind: I was going to take a client on a flight. He was nervous so I spent some time reassuring him and then fired up the engine. When I started to taxi I discovered I had forgotten to untie the plane.
7. If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?
So far my writing hasn't paid enough to allow me to quit my day job. I have sold a few articles to a few magazines but as I mentioned above, I am too lazy to make it reach its potential. At my age, the question should probably be, what have you done, but the answer would require a long response. B-24 Pilot in WW2, where I became Public Information for some reason. B-26 Pilot in Korea, more PR. Brief stint at Portland Oregonian followed by several years at KGW-TV News. Seven years at Portland Public Schools PR department. Emergency Services Director at Kelso, Wa when Mt St Helens blew her top. Deputy Sheriff. Suffice it to say, I couldn't seem to hold a job... or got bored easy.
8. In two paragraphs or less, write your obituary.
Nolan Lewis, died of gunshot wounds, inflicted by an irate husband, while bailing out of a second story window
Nolan Lewis The Writer:
9. Can you describe the first time you realized you were a real writer?
Still not sure I am. I think I came closest when my London publisher said they would be printing my book in hard cover first with paperback to follow in about a year. Just something about the mention of hard cover.
10. What is going on with your writing today?
Very slow at the moment - most of my writing was done in a computer with Windows ME. Since Microsoft has all but quit supporting that version, I sprung for a new laptop that came with Windows Vista. I have been fighting it for two months. I do have a few projects underway. At the request of my publisher of my WW2 novel, I have begun a sequel, carrying my protagonist into the Korean war. I have sixty plus thousand words of a sequel to my mystery. I have about half of a book, a creative non-fiction, tongue in cheek look at my experiences with Mt St Helens. I have a forty foot wooden trawler, built in 1921, that I am restoring, and detailing the process.
11. What are your future goals for your writings?
Goals? What goals... I don't even plan my books.
12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?
Again there is no typical day. I may not write anything for several days, then get started and spend a whole night at he keyboard. Discipline? What's discipline?
13. Why do you write?
Certainly not for the money. I live in a small town where I am known by most everybody as "the writer." I find it flattering, but also a bit embarrassing.
14. What writer most inspires you? Why?
I read almost anything, but try to copy my writing after me, not anyone else's. I would like to think mine compares to Hemmingway, but not copies. One reviewer for Mid West Reviews compared one of my books to Mark Twain. I asked her if that was before or after, as I understand it he wasn't too good without his editors.
15. How do you define your writing?
I try for a conversational tone - use quite a bit of dialog - never use large words if I can find a small one. Definitely not literary I suppose.
16. In one sentence- What do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?
That it was a shame that his genius wasn't recognized much sooner.
Nolan Lewis The details
17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?
My WW2 book, Clouds Are Always White On Top, is published by One Off Publishing in London and is available throughout Europe, on the internet at Amazon and B&N, and any US bookstore who buys from Ingrams. My mystery, Mauled, is available at the same stores on line and several stores in the Spokane area. My self published, memoir, Ione Circa 1930, is available only locally. More information at my website (Did I mention, I am also a publisher) http://www.pendoreillepress.com/ . Any of the books, I will sell at cover price and pay the shipping.
18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?
My email is: nolanclewis@yahoo.com
19. Can you list all of your book titles so people can look for them?
I think I covered this under 17 above but always willing to mention them again.
My WW2 Air War novel, Clouds are Always White On Top, Subtitled: Flying The Box The B-17 Flying Fortress Came In, has received a number of great reviews including two aviation magazines.
Mauled, I call a fun mystery - officially known as a cozy I believe.
Ione Circa 1930, self published memoir. The growing up in a very small town during the depression years. Compared to Mark Twain by one reviewer.
20. For new readers - what can they expect when they read your books?
I don't believe in sex, blood, and foul language unless they fit the story. My memoir, is entirely pure. I think the worst is on the cover where I call myself one of the damn kids. The mystery has a few mild expletives and a lot of implied sex. The WW2 story chronicles the experiences of a group of men - women weren't involved then - who lived under the threat best told by the expression, "Live for today for tomorrow we may die."
Nolan Lewis In conclusion:
21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers - what would you like them to know about you and your writing?
I think I have fairly well covered it. I don't do outline - just start writing - and let my characters lead me where they want to go. It is like I am watching a movie and just putting down on paper what I see. My hope is that my readers see the same movie.
