Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the third of three children. My oldest brother is a clinical psychologist. Along with his wife, as well as by himself, he has written numerous books, both for the lay public and for the professional. The second brother is a journalist, writer and editor. He was the founding editor of one of the top men’s health magazines in the United States and also is the author of many books on a variety of subjects.
From a young age I was always interested in science, eventually choosing a career in medicine and pursuing this for many years before I felt the need to do something more creative. I tried painting, photography and sculpting, but never got very far with any of these. Finally I tried writing; after all, I figured, it must be in the genes. This turned out to be just the avenue I needed—a way to express myself and feel that I created something that might live on after me (besides children and grandchildren).
I’ve written several short stories, two screenplays and two novels, one in progress.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Crossword, a novel about espionage and the quest for nuclear material needed to manufacture the atomic bomb that Hitler hoped would save the German war effort.
One Sunday afternoon, while reading the LA Times, I noticed an article about Lake Constance, also known in Germany as the Bodensee. The lake forms a border between Switzerland and Germany, and the article noted that during WW II many spies from both sides used the lake as an entry point into the other country. Being a fan of Espionage and the associated tradecraft, I began to wonder if this might be the nidus for a story. I started researching covert operations that occurred in this general region, utilizing the internet and recently declassified documents I obtained. The vague outline of a story that was forming in my mind seemed to lack one more element. This led me to look at Hitler’s effort to make an atomic weapon. Assembling these various plot points into the idea for a fictionalized story soon followed. Although the story as a whole is fiction I was able to utilize some historical characters and true incidents to add just a touch of verity to my novel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really; although sometimes I do dress up in my Teddy Bear costume but it makes it quite difficult to type.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Thomas Hardy’s Return of the Native. Ernest Hemmingway. Isaac Asimov, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
What are you working on now?
The working title is A Visiting Acquaintance. It traces the life of a boy born of well to do English parents. His life (barely) starts on the dusty plains of British East Africa in 1940, and leads him to England, the United States and countries abroad. The novel is a tale of innocence, selfishness, corruption, death and redemption.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far it’s been Awesome Gang and Authors Marketing Club.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
WRITE! Set aside some quiet time and start to write. About almost anything. Don’t worry about the so called “shitty first draft.” Just get it down on paper. I use the term “paper” to include bits, bytes and electrons. When you’ve written a few paragraphs or a couple of pages go back over each sentence and make revisions. It’s still far from a final draft, but you can refine as you go. It will make subsequent writing a bit easier. Make good use of a dictionary, a thesaurus and a couple of grammar books
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Alan, always live below your means.”
What are you reading now?
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain; Engineers of Victory by Paul Kennedy.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Complete A Visiting Acquaintance; market the script version of Crossword.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Robot series by Isaac Asimov
Author Websites and Profiles
Alan Bricklin Amazon Profile