Interview with new mystery author Paul Petrucci
up with the title for the book was also fun. I’ve been told by more than one person that “Prodigal Logic” doesn’t have a “mystery novel” feel to it. There’s no death in the title, or any other sinister word. The reason that I stayed with it is because I like the sound of the two words together, and because I think the phrase very subtly spells out the two competing subjects: religion/philosophy versus computers, or feeling/ethics versus logic. I connote that word “prodigal” with religion because of the parable of the prodigal son. But even using its formal meaning of “squandered,” the title works for the book.
SUITE: What about writing is important to you?
PAUL: I think to answer that question I have to go back to a couple of things I said earlier. The first relates to the fact that instead of visualizing scenes, I tend to hear the characters speak. Even when describing scenery, I hear the sound of the words more clearly than I picture the setting. Maybe I should have been a poet. When it works for me, it is like hearing good music – so one important goal is self-serving: to hear that music play in my head. Also important to me is an answer I gave earlier: to entertain while giving information. I want my books to be thought-provoking and touch on important ideas, but they must be wrapped in a pleasing package so that they’ll be read. If they’re not read, the messages don’t get delivered. I don’t want to end up talking to myself.
SUITE: Advice to an unpublished writer?
PAUL: For an unpublished fiction writer, I would recommend the following: write often; write your early drafts without critique (see the dozens of good books related to this – these are the ONLY type of books on writing that I read); seek out and listen to critique. Writing groups are excellent things - the one that worked for me was very small and very dedicated. Don’t get distracted and don’t venture into the area of selling your book until it is completely done - don’t expect an agent or publisher to edit your book. Get it edited and completed before you start to peddle it.
SUITE: Anything that you would like to add??
PAUL: No. Great questions.
SUITE: Thanks Paul, and thanks for joining us here at Suite101. website url?
PAUL: www.paulpetrucci.com
SUITE: And where it can be purchased.
PAUL: It is available through the usual
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