Interview – Gary Morgenstein

The Dark Depths Series

Book 1 – A Mound Over Hell

– When did you start writing stories/novels, what moved you to start writing?

I remember, oh, maybe I was eight or nine, writing baseball stories about a shortstop named Davey who played for the New York Yankees. I followed those themes with my first two novels, both baseball, Take Me Out to The Ballgame and The Man Who Wanted to Play Center Field for The New York Yankees. But the first novel I ever finished was a massive sci fi book called A Giant Step Back which I wrote in college and it was nearly accepted by Doubleday! Gore Vidal said that writers are born with a stock company of characters; Shakespeare had like nearly 30, and then there are the rest of us mortals. Vidal said the key is running the characters in and out of wardrobe to keep them fresh and new.

– In what genres do you write? Do you plan writing in other genres?

While I certainly don’t want to claim that there have never been any science fiction baseball dystopian novels, I will say that mine is fairly unique. I love science fiction because of the endless possibilities it offers, the wondrous beauty of “What if?” Often people say they don’t like science fiction because they think it’s all about aliens and space ships. The genre is remarkably broad and supple. There are no limits to what you can create as long as you remain true to the laws of your world. In the novel, I speculate that America’s days as a world power will end. Nothing is preordained. Because America is a world power now doesn’t mean we will always be great. Ask the Romans or the Greeks or the British or the Russians.

– Tell us about your novels. Why should everyone buy them?

If you want a novel that is truly original and challenging, then my novel is for you. And it’s just the first book in The Dark Depths series.

My fifth novel is set in 2098, twenty-five years after America has been defeated by Islam. Led by Grandma, a new society has been established based on love, ethics, and honesty.

All acts of patriotism, from flying the flag to singing the National Anthem, are illegal. Social media has been banned. Religion is illegal. Children are now revered, and abortion and the use of contraceptives are capital offenses. Teachers, police, and doctors are the most trusted professions, while the entertainment industry, lawyers, and the banking industry are outlawed.

As A Mound Over Hell opens, baseball is beginning its final season—forever. The once all-American sport is now synonymous with terrorism and treason. Holograms run the bases for out-of-shape players and attendance averages fifteen spectators per game. The only ballpark left is Amazon, the once-famous Yankee Stadium. Led by Puppy Nedick and a band of former baseball greats from the past and future, the game grows popular again, only to become a pawn between those who want peace, and those eager for another war.

– What is your all-time favorite novel? What makes it special?

That would be The Great Gatsby and For Whom the Bell Tolls. The depth and complexity and truth of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway’s writing are extraordinary and timeless.

– Tell us a bit about your writing process.

Dealing with the blank page. The bloody terrifying white abyss which mocks you and says, “Ha ha, you ain’t got nothing left, do you loser?” To me, that is the most horrifying aspect of being a writer. On the flip side, there’s the creative orgasm of writing a good scene where everything is clicking and the characters are listening, behaving, and it all actually almost comes out exactly how you imagined. I often thought a wonderful invention would be a plug directly into a writer’s imagination so that nothing would be lost between the mind and the page. Philip Roth gave excellent advice, that you should always stop writing with a few lines left in the creative tank so you have something to get you started the next day.

– What author would you love to have dinner with?

One of my literary heroes and inspirations is Philip K. Dick. What an amazing mind. I love the boundless ways he takes readers inside a character’s mind confronting a dangerous and terrifying world with humor. I can just imagine the conversation we’d have.

– Tell us about your hobbies and passions other than writing.

I love practicing yoga, baseball (New York Yankees) and basketball (Brooklyn Nets), reading, and I’m also a history buff and political junkie.

We have many followers who would like to start writing a book or are already writing their first novel, any advice for these brave people?
Brave is exactly the right word! Just do it. Somerset Maugham said there are three rules for writing a novel. Except no one remembers what they are. Folks can give you all sorts of advice but, at the end of the day, either it comes out of your heart and your head, either you have the persistence and stamina and sheer will – you must edit and rewrite over and over – or you don’t.

– How often do you write, daily, every other day or?

Usually six days a week. Generally I recharge on Sundays though writers are always writing in our heads. The mind of a writer is like a scary funhouse at an amusement park.

– Do you keep a notebook with ideas for your novels? If so do you carry the notebook with you so you won’t forget any ideas?

I really wish I were that organized. I envy writers who are. My wife set up a genius board for me and I spent an hour sticking post-it notes on it. I was very proud of myself. Only I never referred to it again. I’ll scribble down ideas, but I’m a great believer in surprising myself. I might have a very clear idea how a scene will go, but once I start writing it just as often as not takes another path. If you can’t have that mystery of not knowing, why bother writing?

– How important is research when writing your books?

I do research to make sure I get things correct. For example, in A Mound Over Hell, I use Arabic phrases and words, so I wanted to make sure they were right. Or if I’m referring to a street location or the date of an historical event. Otherwise it’s all me.

– What are you reading at the moment?

A biography of Philip K. Dick called Divine Inspirations. Before that, a biography of Stan Musial.

– Certainly, you have had some interesting episodes as an author, fans related or others, share one of them with us.

Someone on Facebook who I’ve never met, but who loved my novel, just got a new cat who he named Grandma after one of the main characters in my novel. But my favorite is when I tried out for the Yankees to promote my second novel. Here’s a YouTube link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQWqvq_cha8

– A final message for our circleofbooks.com readers.

I want to thank everyone who has read my new novel, and everyone thinking of reading it, for honoring me. There is a very special bond between writer and the reader, who takes the time to enter our world and experience our imagination. Reading a novel is not a passive experience like watching a movie or listening to music. You must exert energy and attention, be engaged, care.

Thank you Gray Morgenstein. We at circleofbooks.com wish you much success!

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