An Interview That Hits the Skids

When people ask me about my favorite author, there’s really no debate.

Without batting an eyelash, I tell them, “Richard Paul Evans.”

As an inveterate reader, I have several authors I read. James Patterson is tops for crime but his human interest stories are also worthy. Mitch Albom is among my choices. He, too, has me turning pages without hesitation, beginning with Tuesdays with Morrie. And Nicholas Sparks for romance, ever since The Notebook. Some I have read twice.

But for one desert island writer, Evans is my man, dating back to 1993 when he self-published a gem called The Christmas Box after being unable to find an agent. The rest is history.

Since then, 31 nationally best-selling books have erupted from his keyboard and I’d venture to say, I’ve devoured them all with a expansive appetite for beautiful stories.

I’ve read his blogs, seen his movies, and would be the one person I’d invite to dinner, given the opportunity. But would he attend?

“Why not an interview?” I was asked by another Evans fan. “Pretend he’s at your home and you’re asking questions over the table.”

After dismissing the idea as poppycock, I gave it another thought. Why not? It wouldn’t hurt to ask. So I popped off an e-mail after turning to his website, not expecting any great miracles.

With such a busy writing schedule, why would he bother with some small-town columnist working for a weekly? Well, I was wrong.

Within a couple days, he got back to me through his assistant saying he would be delighted to have an interview and would be answering the questions himself. We could handle it electronically and follow up by phone if necessary.

So, if you were this columnist and had an opportunity to interview one of the world’s most popular authors, what would you ask? Assume it was James Michener, Harper Lee, or John Grisham—what would you want to learn about them?

For openers, I would want to know who his favorite author was, who he might read for a diversion. If he listed himself, I would see some conceit here. And I’d call for a book title or two. That would expand my reading base if we thought alike.

I’d want to know something about them that might surprise others—a quirk, hobby, or bad/good habit. Another pertinent question is the writing schedule he keeps. I’ve always been a morning sort of guy. Others write best after midnight. A discipline for his work?

I asked Evans how he maintains a low profile at places like the airport, restaurants, and theaters without being badgered by people. How does it feel to be so well known? Fame carries its burdens.

How would Evans feel about having his books read electronically as opposed to text? I can see the day when bookstores will go in favor of iPads and Kindles.

How does he ventilate, what’s a stress buster? And how would he combat writer’s block? As a columnist for 45 years, I might heed his advice.

Evans wrote an eclectic series of five books called The Walk. Would any of them be considered for a film, or perhaps a TV series? Does he prefer writing for adults or children? Both ages are accommodated with his talent. With children, it’s the Michael Vey series.

Having a close rapport with noted Midwives author Chris Bohjalian (we e-mail often), I know the demands of any book tour. How does Evans handle a life of suitcases, hotels, and airports? And how does he juggle his career and family?

Any thoughts about social media and the decline of newspapers in this country? What does Evans feel the next decade will bring in terms of book publishing and readership?

Did he always feel writing would be his career? Or was there another option? I wanted to become a chemist after high school.

His hobbies? What he does for fun and leisure.

I asked Evans about what people and events in his life influenced him the most and his indomitable human spirit. Since his books deal with the heart, what does “love” mean to him? One of his best books about love is, The Last Promise.

Where does he derive his inspiration? His greatest challenge in life? Deepest regret? And what would be his greatest wish for humanity?

Now, I cannot take full credit for all these questions. Allan and Julia Press, two avid Evans readers, provided some insight.

Because I waited too long to respond, not taking into account his rigorous schedule, he pre-empted the interview because of a book tour—until after Christmas. Hopefully, we’ll have a sequel to this Almanac.

Such is the life of successful authors. And tardy columnists!

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Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian is a retired journalist with the Haverhill Gazette, where he spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer. He has volunteered his services for the past 46 years as a columnist and correspondent with the Armenian Weekly, where his pet project was the publication of a special issue of the AYF Olympics each September.