Monday, August 13, 2012

Getting to know James Callan


This week, we have mystery author, James R. Callan, visiting with us. I’ve read his novel, Cleansed by Fire, a Father Frank mystery, and I highly recommend it. Let’s get to know James.
Patricia:  Where did you grow up? Did your childhood contribute to your desire to be a writer?
James:  I grew up in Texas, specifically in Dallas.  My parents read a lot, often reading out loud to one another.  My paternal grandfather was a writer, first as an editor of small town newspapers, and later as a syndicated columnist.
Patricia:  Where do you live now? Do you use that locale for settings in your novels?
James:  I now live in rural east Texas and it provides the setting for at least four of my novels.  However, I also spend a lot of time in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and one of my novels uses Dallas, east Texas, and Mexico for its setting.
Patricia:  What inspired you to write your most recent novel?
James:  My most recently published novel is Murder a Cappella, which I wrote with one of my daughters, Diane Bailey.  Some years ago, she sang with the Sweet Adelines, an international organization of women who sing barbershop harmony.  One year, her chorus went to the International competition and placed fifth in the world.  Of course, her mother and I went to the competition.  Afterwards, Diane (who writes middle grade and YA) and I talked about setting an adult mystery in the glitz and excitement of an international singing competition.  It was several years before we managed to actually do it.  But, eventually, we did and Murder a Cappella was published this year by Wayside Press.
Patricia:  Do you plan to write a series before or after you write the first book?
James:  I always ask myself if there is series possibility when I start a new book.  For one thing, it affects how I treat the bio of the protagonist.  If a series might develop, it will have a bearing on the bio of the protagonist.  I want to leave myself room for future incidents. I don’t want to have something in book one which will kill opportunities in later books.
Patricia:  Name three of your favorite authors in the mystery genre.
James:  David Baldacci, Dick Francis, and Donn Taylor –  Baldacci for the intricate plots; Francis for the smooth flow of words; and Taylor for a “good read.”
Patricia:  What are your favorite things to do when you’re not reading or writing?
James:  I am active in a local writers’ organization (Northeast Texas Writers Organization – NETWO – where I ran its highly respected writers conference for fourteen years), but then, I guess that is too closely related to reading and writing.  So, I’ll just refer you to the answer to the next question.
Patricia:  Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to go?
James:  Yes.  My wife and I love to travel and we do a lot of it.  We spend roughly half our time in Mexico.  We just got back from a trip to Canada, and in the past have visited South America, Australia and the South Pacific, England, Europe, Morocco, and on and on.  Perhaps more important, we’ve visited all fifty of the United States.
Patricia:  How would you describe yourself personality wise?
James:  Easy going.  Then again, you might want to ask my wife.
Patricia:  What’s your favorite color? Why?
James:  Blue – probably because my mother thought it was a good color for me.  On the other hand, I usually drive a red car.
Patricia:  How would you finish this sentence? If I won a million dollars, I would . . .
James:  Build a school for a disadvantaged village in Mexico.

James, thank you for being with us today. I enjoyed getting to know you. And, by the way, I love Mexico! I hope you win the lottery so you can build that school.

If you'd like to read more about and/or order his books, go to: 
http://www.amazon.com/James-R.-Callan/e/B004KEMA32/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1344713589&sr=1-2-ent

14 comments:

  1. Good getting to know you, Jim. I also grew up in Dallas, and some of my fiction is set there. I look forward to reading your work. Pat, thanks for the good interview, as always.

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    1. John,
      Thanks for stopping by. I truly enjoy posting my "Getting to know you" interviews. So many wonderful authors, including you!

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    2. Another Dallasite! How about that. I still have family there, but I moved away before graduate school and after a twenty year stay in Connecticut, we moved back to Texas - but NOT Dallas. It had gotten too big - or I'd gotten used to small towns.

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  2. I enjoy Patricia's interviews because I always learn more about the authors. Good interview, James. Your book is on my TBR list. I wish I could figure out a way to read at least five books at a time, but it's not meant to be.

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    1. I know what you mean. Sometimes in Mexico, my wife will read a book a day. Don't I wish I could do that. I just plod through. But, I DO enjoy reading. Thanks for the comment.

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  3. Great meeting you, James! Continued success, and like Marja, your book is now on my TBR list (unfortunately very long!) but in a good way!

    Madeline

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    1. Hi Madeline,
      My TBR list is always long. But at least I don't have to worry about finding the next book to read. Thanks for the comment.

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  4. Enjoyed the post! I read 'Cleansed by Fire' and found it quite illuminating. It was unlike anything I've read before, so I'll be willing to give 'Murder a Cappella' a chance.

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    1. Thanks, William, for the kind words. As I've said, I wrote Murder a Cappella with my youngest daughter, who has published about 20 books herself. So naturally it is a little different voice from Cleansed by Fire. But, I think you'll like it as well. Do let me know what you think of it. And again, thanks for your comment.

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  5. Cleansed by Fire is a great novel. And I have to agree with your favorite authors too, especially Dick Francis. I keep getting confused as to which I've read because they're all about horses and then (happily) reading them over accidentally.

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    1. Ah yes, about horses. But Francis always manages to get in some area that I'm not familiar with (jewelry, or wine, or horse transportation, etc.) and very painlessly educates me. Thanks for the comment, John.

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  6. Enjoyed getting to know more about you, Jim. I have cousins and friends in the Dallas area but have never lived there. I wish I could spend that much time in Mexico. One of my favorite places. And I've got to get to Cleaned By Fire soon.

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    1. We've come to really enjoy Mexico. Mexicans are basically a happy people and very willing to help Americans. And Puerto Vallarta is hard to beat.

      Thanks for the comment. And I hope you enjoy Cleansed by Fire.

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  7. I always enjoy learning more about you, Jim. Thanks, Patricia, for the interview. So you lived in Connecticut for 20 years, Jim. That's right next door to me. Alas, I didn't know you then, but I can look forward to seeing you and your wife in Puerto Vallarta, however briefly, in February.

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