Today's Adventure is proud to be playing host today to author Stephen Meier. Stephen's latest book, Katka (watch for my review next week) is an gritty novel about the mail order bride business. Gavin talks his girlfriend, Katka, into selling herself and then running away so they can pocket the money. Everything goes wrong and Katka disappears with the buyer. I asked Stephen to tell us a bit about his inspiration and research for this novel, as well as a little about his writing process. So without further ado, here's Stephen Meier!Katka was inspired by my time living abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, when I happened to stumble upon a Mail Order Bride conference. I was absolutely blown away. I mean, here there were hundreds of absolutely beautiful women sitting about for these guys to get to know and make the decision of marrying. Crazy! Yet, it happens, and now even more so over the internet, even Facebook has an ad for it!
Anyway, as for research, I pretty much just talked to several girls who happened to be mail order brides. Yet, truthfully I didn't do exhaustive research, as my story really concentrates on the emotional side, and is a love story at the heart of it all. And like a lot of writers, perhaps i'm a hopeless romantic, but with a few issues.
As for my writing process, I concentrate on scenes and dialogues and then try to weave them together later in the process. I never write anything straight through. For example with Katka, I wrote several different scenes, then laid them all out on the floor, and stood above them all and just stared and thought to myself, how can I get from this scene to this one, and so on. Plus, I never know how a story is going to end when i'm writing! And, i have to have music blaring when i write. Have to.
About me, well, i'm thirty five years old and currently reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. I've lived all over the United States, and for a time in Europe and Asia. I'm the youngest son of two great parents, and have one older brother. I love to read and watch movies, and i'm constantly thinking of story ideas. I'm currently working on two other projects right now.
Thank you for posting today, Stephen!
About Stephen Meier: Stephen Ross Meier was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the first of many places he would live worldwide. He received his Bachelors in English from Arizona State University. He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Inspired by music, films, books, and the world around him, he is currently working on several projects, with his next book, Teaching Pandas to Swim, ready to be released soon. A huge fan of such writers as Charles Bukowski, Milan Kundera, Irving Welsch, Irving Stone, Chuck Palahniuk, and Brett Easton Ellis, Stephen has always been drawn to writing and story telling. Having been diagnosed with Heart Disease on May 10th, 2006, Stephen has been reminded that life void of passion is really not a life at all.
4 comments:
It's a very interesting chance for a reader knowing something more about the inspiration and the real intentions of the author. That's why it's a pleasure sharing the same idea about the love story that is like the engine of the whole book. Reading Katka has been a discovery of an unexpected way of describe feelings, an adventure inside the darkest part of human nature but at the same time the reader is well aware that sometimes good and bad actions can be mixed. Through the overwhelming attraction between the main characters S.Meier has been a master in telling a trip to the extreme consequences of greed and unfullfilled passions.
Wow. Sounds like an interesting story.
What a unique way of writing. I might be tempted to try it if I didn't think the cats would stand on the scenes lying on the floor. Best of luck with the book.
Malcolm
Thank you very much for taking the time to interview me and putting me on your page! It's greatly appreciated.
Stephen Meier
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