Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea Virtual Book Tour

Title: LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA

Author: Richard Levine

Pages: 396

Format: Paperback, Kindle

When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was
the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied
summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable…until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man
who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago,
we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is available at Amazon.

At what point did you decide to be an author and what was your path to publication?

Although I didn’t realize it at the time, in 2011 I began writing my first novel, Eye of the Redeemer. I had become quite bored with the offerings on television and decided to entertain myself with a challenge of writing a descriptive paragraph of my surroundings. It was easier than I had thought, and it was quite fun. The next night I continued the exercise by adding on to what had been written the night before. Before I knew it, I found myself repeating this activity on a daily basis, each night adding, subtracting and editing as I went along. Soon, I was far enough along in the process that I decided to give my characters more depth and fix the formatting into chapters. After a couple of months, I had come to realize that I was actually writing a novel. The funny thing was that the story hadn’t been planned. It simply developed and changed as the process continued. Fast forward one year and I was finished (or so I thought). I had called an acquaintance to share the news of my accomplishment, and he said, “Congratulations on your first draft. Now start rereading and begin to clean it up.” So, the fun part was over and now came the work. Several drafts later, I handed the manuscript over to an editor, and the rest is history. I suppose it was at that point I subconsciously made the decision that I was now an author and began creating the sequel which is called Beyond Redemption. Anyway, I didn’t bother trying to pitch the book to a literary agent because I was, and continue to be, extremely impatient. I was tired from the editing process, and I simply wanted to see my creation in print, so I chose to self-publish through Amazon’s KDP platform.

What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?

This actually happens to me quite frequently, but rarely when I’m physically and mentally engaged with a current project. The hours spent crafting Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea, I am immersed in and focused on that world. But ideas do and can come while I’m driving, exercising, or in a dream. And they almost always seemed to be triggered by music. I won’t act upon it, though. I already have too many distractions in my life, so I choose not to do that. I want to be fully present in one project at a time. So, if a new idea pops into my head, and I like it, I’ll put it on the back burner to be revisited when my current project is finished. If I do remember it later on and there’s still a special energy around that idea, then it was meant to be explored further. Otherwise, I let it go.

Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?

I once tried outlining, storyboarding and other things, but the finished product was nothing close to the original concept. And that’s because for me, the entire process is organic.

I’m often asked how the concept of a story comes to me. Would you believe me if I told you that they simply come to me? It’s true. However, for me, there always needs to be something that opens the door to my imagination, and they always come in this order: The first is music. But not just any kind of music. It has to be music that vibrates at the same energy level. How do you know what kind of music vibrates at the same level as you? That’s easy. It’s the music that stimulates your imagination. It’s the music that takes you to places you’ve never been before. It’s the tune, the arrangement, the combination of instruments and the speed of the movement that stirs emotions from within you that you do not normally experience. It allows your mind to wander without reservation and without limitations. For my newest work—which, by the way, never felt like work until the editing process started, (he said, then rolled his eyes), I was listening to a movie soundtrack when protagonist Mitch Brody, his situation, and the final outcome was instantly born. And each time I played a specific song from that soundtrack, Mitch’s personality and the details of his life developed. The same can be said for his lifelong soulmate Jess Ramirez, the town where they lived, and the life they lived together. She, of course, had her own music. And yes, there were even some wonderful scores that helped give rise to their lives as a couple. Music is magic. And like us, it vibrates and has energy.

The second is physical movement. For me that means walking. When I’m out walking, my mind is open and clear. I’ve walked for miles with no intention other than to get fresh air, sunshine, unplug from the grid, and to get my heart, lungs and every muscle possible working as they were meant to be. And while in the middle of a good three- or four-mile walk, the endorphins begin to flow, the intentional mind is on hiatus and the imagination goes into overdrive. My characters come to life. They reveal things about themselves that I would have never been able to consciously do. Secondary characters begin to introduce themselves and explain why they want to be cast in the story. LOL, they are literally auditioning for a part and guess what? Some don’t get a call back.

Tell us what you enjoy most about writing Romance.

While Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is technically my first romance novel, I have incorporated a romance between the main male and female protagonists in the five novels I’ve written prior to this one. First off, I love the escape that crafting characters and a new world provides. I have supreme power over the day-to-day, and I get to be a part of that world from start to finish. Beyond that, in the creation of the romantic relationships in each of my novels, I am in a way, putting out to the universe the kind of relationship I desire for myself. Author James Allen wrote about this in his book As A Man Thinketh (1903), which if written today would probably be called As A Person Thinketh. In it, he discusses the power of thought. It shows how in each person’s own way, their thoughts control their destiny. Each person holds the key to every condition, good or bad, that comes in and out of their lives. In other words, what you put out to the universe is what comes back to you. So, if you’re going to want something that bad, you should not just think about it, but put it in writing.

Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in your jobs/education in your writing?

While I certainly cannot speak for other authors, for me that is a definite yes. But it goes a little beyond formal education or job experience. It comes down to what I believe I know about human nature. I believe crafting a quality narrative should also come from a combination of reading the works of others, watching a screenplay unfold before my eyes, reading non-fiction accounts of human events, and of course, my own desires; all of which are combined with an imagination and life experiences which includes personal triumphs as well as heartaches. Fantasy, desire, and personal experiences which for me are too uncomfortable to openly talk about with others are carefully woven into each of my characters without revealing which of those things actually belong to me. It’s quite therapeutic. As with anything else that deserves the best effort possible, I take my time, never force the process and I have fun with it. I always write for an audience of one which is me. It’s my entertainment.

 Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?

The short answer is yes there is. Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is more than just a love story between Mitch Brody and Jess Ramirez, and with all sincerity, I did not set out to weave a tale with hidden messages or simple lessons about life. But those hidden messages are there throughout the book, and while I want people to focus on the story itself, it will be interesting and fun to see if they can find those little gems and if they find value in any of them.

 

What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism has been no criticism at all. I’ve been blessed with many five- and four-star reviews with all 6 of my novels. And the comments, good, bad, or indifferent are all welcomed. I love knowing what it was that connected with an individual to make them want to post their thoughts. The toughest critique came from a young woman posting on one platform with nothing more than a one-star rating and no commentary whatsoever. If she hated the book that much to post what is really a negative review, she could have at least had the decency to explain why she felt that way. Anyway, this is actually the first time I thought about that in several years. As far as the best compliment, that came from my daughter: “Hi! I just finished reading LDOTSS – Dad, this book was incredible!! Your writing is so beautiful, and you painted such descriptive and vivid scenes. I cried at the end, I loved the story. Well done!! .” That means more to me than all of the other 5-star reviews combined.

Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?

I have not experienced the classic definition of writer’s block and it’s because I will never try to force an idea, a paragraph, a sentence, or a word. I also refuse to chain myself to the desk until I can get something down on paper (or the computer). If the inspiration isn’t there, I simply go off to do something else, be it the laundry, cleaning up the kitchen, going out for a 3-mile walk, or playing with my kitties, two-year-old Koa and his girlfriend 18-month-old Peanut Butter. I’m not one of those writer’s who will suffer for his/her art. Because of that, some may think I’m not a serious author. Good! I don’t want to be serious. For me, writing is my escape from a serious world. It’s my entertainment. If it’s not fun, it’s not worth it. I believe that if you try to force the creative process, you actually shut down the innate connection between you and the universe. So, I shut out the world, I free up my mind, and I allow my imagination to sail across the cosmos.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

It depends on the day and how I feel physically. 5 years ago, I experienced a freak accident that sent me to the hospital with a fractured arm and wrist, a dislocated shoulder, and a concussion. The road to recovery has been a long one, and sadly I’ve been living with chronic pain as a result. I’m very lucky though because it could have been much worse. Most days are manageable, and I feel that I do continue to improve. With that said, lately I’ve been busy with an upcoming move to another state. So, I’ve been packing, and shipping off cartons, and making piles of things I no longer need which will be donated to charity. When I’m feeling good, I enjoy a good long hike, going to ball games, shopping at farmer’s markets, and cooking.