Ten Minutes With Abe March, Author of They Plotted Revenge Against America
Hello and welcome to Fiction Scribe Mr. March!
List five words that define you as a person.
A. Adventurous, creative, sensitive, persistent and willing to risk.
Tell us about They Plotted Revenge Against America and how it went from idea to published book.
A. The idea for the book was inspired by America’s invasion of Iraq. Having lived and worked in the Middle East, and understanding the mentality of the people, I knew there would be repercussions. It was not just the unwarranted invasion by America, but another action that would create the desire for revenge.
In the west, many view collateral damage as unavoidable, but to the people of the region, “an eye for an eye” is part of their psyche and their religion. The stalemate between Israel and Palestine in reaching a peaceful settlement is part of that same mentality. I knew that efforts for peaceful solution would be further jeopardized by America’s actions.
The perception that America supports Israel, right or wrong, but still wants to be seen as an “even-handed” broker, is no longer a reality. I felt that the victims of these aggressive acts would either take action themselves or find an organization that would satisfy their need for revenge. My story was intended to inform. To alert the average American about the root cause of the problems and that they were no longer secure so long as injustice prevailed.
Also, acts of revenge may not always be with guns or explosive devices, but could take on an entirely different form of weapon. I felt that it was important to understand the possible consequences in the form of a novel. The characters are fictitious as well as the mission, but the events written about are real.
If you were a character in your book, who would you be?
A. David Levy.
What would you say is the most difficult thing about being a writer?
A. To write a story that is conceivable and believable, a story that is well balanced, and have interest to the reader.
If you could pick any author to collaborate with, who would it be?
A. Steve Berry
Do you have any weird writing habits/quirks?
A. None that I can think of. I write when I’m inspired. I don’t force myself to write.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given/learned in your life as a writer?
A. Not to rush to completion.
When you’re not writing, what are you doing?
A. Doing physical activity, i.e., hiking, working in the garden, doing projects around the home and helping others.
What are you working on now?
A. Putting the final touches to my latest novel, “Journey into the Past.” It is a romance novel – a change of pace for me. The main characters are taken on a journey through time where they experience the plight of a 15th century love affair.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
A. Enjoying what I can of my life. I’m 70 years old.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers here?
A. If you are referencing my book, I would suggest that they read it with an open mind and realize that there are always two sides to a story or a problem.
Thank you very much for coming by this blog. I wish you great successes with They Plotted Revenge Against America.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:01 am
This sounds like such an excellent book. I read “Patriot Acts” by Steven Clark Bradley not too long ago and “Marwan” at the beginning of the year. Abe’s book sounds similiar in idea, so I bet I would like it.