John Czarnota, first-generation American born in Brooklyn but calling Kansas City home, has had numerous entrepreneurial ventures over the years that allowed him to pursue the arts with passion. Besides developing a new form in painting, he has written songs, screenplays, and now, at age 70, his first novel, The Last Roadshow.
Q: What inspired you to write your book?
A: At first this was going to be a screen play. I’ve written two in the past. But the bad taste of dealing with L.A. agents and the like came right back. So the thought of writing a book that I could have total control over if I so chose to was a no-brainer. On the business side, millions watch Antiques Roadshow here, in Europe, and Australia. So there was a strong probability of a built in audience.
Q: How did you come up with the title?
A: Most everything in the book happens after the Antiques Roadshow in Palm Springs, so it was an easy choice. The same for my design of the book jacket.
Q: Where did your love of writing come from?
A: I’ve always been a dreamer. I’ll never forget my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Lusko, telling me I had a vivid imagination.
Q: Which writers inspire you?
A: Right now, I would have to say B.A. Shapiro. Her last two books, The Art Forger and The Muralist, leave me wanting more.
Q: What was the hardest part of writing this book?
A: The middle. Filling it in.
Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
A: The dialogue. For me, it’s the biggest challenge. Also the most enjoyable.
Q: Do you write every single day?
A: No. But I think about what I’m going to write every day. I’m always blocking scenes in, like a screenplay.
Q: Do you have any advice for other writers?
A: If not at the end of a page, then at the end of each chapter, ask yourself: “Is this the best I can do?”
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Transparency: The above Qs & As with John Czarnota are part of a blog tour organised by BookBear Author Services. I have selected eight questions and answers that are the most interesting to me as a writer and reader. I believe every writer, be them established or emerging, has something unique from which others can learn. In this case, I think Czarnota’s advice for other writers is excellent.
I, too, feel that filling in the details throughout a book is perhaps the most difficult part of writing. While a book can be like a screenplay whose plot is arranged on a scene-by-scene basis, it is the fluency, coherence and integrity of the whole story that is crucial in producing something highly readable. As for dialogues, I point out in my review of The Last Roadshow that Czarnota has a talent in handling them. I myself find it really, really hard to write good dialogues.
Finally, I love it when writers talk about those individuals, books and event that most inspire and/or influence them. It leads to a myriad of interesting literary topics, themes and techniques, as well as real-life experiences of extraordinary individuals and communities, that can help to broaden our horizons. In this case, B.A. Shapiro’s books are worthy checking out if Thomas Crown is your type.
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 