Q & A with Valerie Biamonte author of Wiretap and Silent Russian
I’d like to welcome Valerie to As The Page Turns. She is a writer of
adult mysteries and children’s books. She also is the owner of The
World is our Oyster Publishing and Screenwriting, Inc.
When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing in grade school for fun. I would write short plays, then my sister would design the 'set' and costumes (or puppets) and we would put on shows for our parents. They were very supportive and we had a great time! I got away from writing as time progressed and my love for numbers took hold. I still have and love my day job as an accountant. I got back into writing several years ago when my husband suggested I write a kids book about our pets...and I haven't put down the proverbial pen since.
What is Silent Russian about?
Silent Russian, while a complete work of fiction, touches on a side of the 1968 Democratic Convention riots that reporters of that era (or since) never really got into...the point of view of the patrolmen out there risking it all to save their city, the citizens in it, and themselves. Media at that time focused almost entirely on the hippies and Yippies point of view. In my searches, I couldn't find a single interview with a police officer.
That aside, Silent Russian is a story about a patrolman, Mikhail Ivanov, who's beat is in one of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods. Mick finds himself stalked by a serial killer who is determined to destroy him and his career. In order to put a stop to it, he must delve into his murky past to discover the madman's identity. When his family is threatened, his world is turned upside down and the search becomes desperate. It takes place before and during the 1968 Convention riots.
Where did the idea for the book come from?
I have several friends who are on the force or used to be. I have to say, Page, I can listen to their stories for hours and hours (and I have, too :-). I love to listen. The police have a tough job, and back in the 60's and earlier, they had very little help doing it. But in listening to everyone's experiences, I realized I could easily come up with a heroic protagonist, a creepy antagonist, and weave it into a tale that others would enjoy.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
I like Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwell (her older works), Dean Koontz (Brother Odd...love it!), Michael Palmer, and once in a while I enjoy a good Bentley Little novel. I'm currently reading Andrew Kaufman's 'While the Savage Sleeps'.
What one book inspired you to become a writer?
It really wasn't any one book. When I first renewed my interest in writing I was in my 20's, and this is actually a strange reason...I was into romance novels, since that was the Big Thing back then. Everyone was reading and writing romances. There were quite a few of them I would read and be thinking, "Jeez, I can do better than this!" So I did. At that time, however, it was more for fun than anything else. I didn't put any effort into getting anything published. It wasn't until a few years ago I decided to get serious about sharing my stories.
Do you see yourself as becoming a full time author and leaving
accounting behind?
Now that's a tough one... I love my work and everyone I work with, not only in the office but I've made friends and contacts all over the country. I'm going to see how it goes. It would take a lot to entice me away from the place I work.
What’s next for you? Do you have another book in the works?
I am about halfway through the first draft of my next novel. This one has a horror/thriller flair to it. I decided to take one of my screenplays, The Ghost of Retirement, and turn it into a novel. You can see the synopsis for it at www.TheWoopsInc.com, just click on the Screenplays button. I'm enjoying it immensely! I'm also thinking about a sequel to Silent Russian. Mick and his family are so much fun, I think readers may want to hear more. I have a growing list of ideas, and I can't wait to dive into it all!
Thanks to Valerie for stopping by As The Page Turns.
Thank you too, Page! This has been great fun and I hope you enjoyed Silent Russian.
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