Indie Author Interview with Frank T. Klus - Author of the Dystopian Adventure Novel Azaleas Don't Bloom Here.
Frank T. Klus was active in politics from the time he was in college and became a shop leader for the United Auto Workers. He received a bachelor's degree in engineering technology from DeVry Technical Institute and an MBA in business management from Western International University. Take the Pilgrim Road was his debut novel. Frank Klus currently lives in Phoenix, Az.
Interview with Frank T. Klus
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| Author Frank T. Klus |
Frank T. Klus: I am a published author of two novels: Take the Pilgrim Road, which came out in 2014, and Azaleas Don’t Bloom Here, which is set to go live on June 6.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
The world we live in—the politics, culture, lifestyle, etc. is what influences my writing. I leave it to others to write about monsters and superheroes. I prefer to capture life as it is, portraying my characters as coping with their environment in some way. Probably my favorite authors are or were John Steinbeck, Toni Morrison, Upton Sinclair.
"Indie Publishing made it possible for someone to write a book & publish it"
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always had a good imagination, but I never thought of a career as a writer. I’m 66 years old now, and only recently has indie publishing made it possible for someone to write a book, publish it cheaply—even for free—to test out whether one has any talent. I work full time, I have something to say, and so this is the time to get my writing out of my system.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, though I don’t remember the title. It was a short story based on a story by Rod Serling. A few people read it and liked it. Probably, I should have submitted it to magazines, but I didn’t have the confidence yet that I could write.
"[...] something screams at me to be written down."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I suppose if I get popular and can make a living writing novels I’d have to get a routine, but right now I usually mull over stories in my head until something screams at me to be written down. Then I can write a 300-page novel in about three months. Then I take more than a year to refine it.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
Pretty simple: a desk, chair, and laptop; and a few shelves with computer software and notebooks. Usually, there is scribbled notes lying around, and some scattered ideas wedged between a hope and a prayer.
What do you find easiest about writing? What’s the hardest?
I divide writing into three categories: conceive and develop, elucidate, and edit. First, I get the idea for the book and plan everything out, then write it down, and finally, edit it. Editing takes the longest, writing it down requires the most work, and development is probably the toughest.
"[...] watch the characters come alive for me."
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
To watch the characters come alive for me. They often take the story in a different direction than what I intended. I usually let them have the run of it unless it takes the story down a dead end.
Frank, please tell us a little about your Dystopian Adventure Novel Azaleas Don't Bloom Here.
It’s a reflection of the world we live in today. It takes place fifty years in the future with the rich and powerful becoming the de facto government. It picks up where my first book, Take the Pilgrim Road leaves off, but one generation removed. The economy has crashed, leaving vast swaths of the country as nonfunctioning dead zones. The police have largely been replaced by paramilitary organizations controlled by NOGOV, the de facto government. To help businesses remain profitable the government legalized drugs, gambling, and prostitution.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
The protagonist, Eugene Sulke, has been successful helping these businesses get into these new areas of profit, and has been offered a lucrative promotion and a home in the Fortress, a place only the rich and successful are allowed to live. It was everything he had worked for and yet he felt guilty about it. Eugene Sulke felt he was above the fray without realizing he was part of it. His world was about to fall apart, and soon he would be fleeing for his life.
In many respects, the book is filled with symbolism mirroring the world we see today. Eugene Sulke is living in a dying world, but sees the warning signs as light entertainment. He’s mildly liberal, but feels outside of the nonsense. When his wife starts drinking he doesn’t see her behavior as anything but her own failure. When a stranger pops into his life warning him he’s in a lot of trouble, he ignores her and just wants to watch the azaleas bloom from his new home in the Fortress. Even when he’s arrested and about to be tried for murder he continues to ignore all the warning signs. Now he must escape to a New America, a part of America that won its independence some thirty years earlier. But his own ignorance becomes his biggest enemy.
It’s like this today, though not on the scale I portray in the book. The book is social commentary as well as a pretty good adventure tale. I take the reader inside the minds of the main characters and unravel the mystery of how things got so bad. Eugene’s escape, along with several other characters in the subplots, all share something in common. They are all victims of the wishes and demands of what we today might call the one percent.
"The mystery of why Old America is dying [...]"
What inspired you to write the book?
I’m passionate about what I believe in, but I wanted to tell the world how I feel in a way that is entertaining. The mystery of why Old America is dying is told in conversation and action-packed scenes. Some people will miss the political message altogether, others will reject that message, and some will embrace it. Love it or hate it, I felt it was a story that needed to be told.
Who do you see as your target audience?
I think progressives will embrace the book the most. They will see and understand the book better than most. Hopefully, they will spread the word about it.
What makes your book special?
I think it tells a unique story in an entertaining way. I pulled no punches and held nothing back. I had something to say, and I tried to say it no matter if it will turn some people off.
How would you describe the success of your self-published books so far?
Well, thank God I have a job that pays the bills. I’m a part time writer, but I take great pleasure in writing. I have to believe that if I keep at it I might be successful.
"[...] just do it."
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
I’m hardly the expert here, but I’ll say this much. If you’re passionate about writing then just do it. Do it for the love of it. I have to believe that if you do this because you love it, then somewhere down the road you’ll be rewarded.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I actually have about a half dozen books in my head, but right now I’m working on the release of Azaleas. I’ll let my readers tell me if they want to read more of what I have written so far.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
Well, the question is probably beyond my ken, but I don’t think paperbacks or bookstores will ever die. At least I hope not.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
While I use my laptop and desktop for some reading I mainly use my Kindle for the convenience.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
As I alluded to earlier I have a full time job as a delivery driver. It allows me time to read and write. I am currently taking a Writer’s Digest certification course on editing to move in that direction for extra income. I’m also busy with so many other activities. I’m studying German, I love jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, and of course, reading.
"I hope to hear from everyone who picks up my book."
How can readers connect with you?
My readers can reach me through email: ftklus@mail.com. I hope to hear from everyone who picks up my book. You can also connect with me via Twitter: @fthomasklus
Thank you very much for the Interview, Frank.
About the Book Azaleas Don't Bloom Here
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Caught in a web of intrigue and the warnings from his wife, Eugene could not see the unfolding chaos around him. Suddenly his wife is dead, he’s in prison, and then subjected to the government’s final solution—a mind altering technique that would change anyone from who they are to anyone they want him to be. A rescue is attempted, but Eugene’s own fears become his worst enemy.
He must make it to New America or face consequences he cannot even imagine, as a result of events he cannot understand.
- "There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and the characters (good and evil) were interesting and well developed. The ending was also excellent and, closing my computer, I knew I'd be happy to open another of this author's books.[...]'what struck me the most' about this novel was the knowledge of the author. He knows this genre very, VERY well and this shows in the depth of the futuristic world he created. It is a very scary world but, still, it's fun getting lost in it. Enjoy!" - Reader Review
Link to the Book
Link to the eBook Azaleas Don't Bloom Here on Amazon
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