Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guests Dr. David R.Fett and Stephen Langford authors of White Sleeper.

 Dr. Fett is an ophthalmic plastic surgeon specializing in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery around the eye, such as removing skin cancers around the eye, fixing children born with drooped lids, accidents, etc. He holds a BS degree in applied biochemistry, an MS degree in toxicology from MIT and received his MD from Dartmouth Medical School. Fett has published numerous articles on medical topics; White Sleeper is his first work of fiction. He lives in the Los Angeles area with his family.

Stephen Langford is a TV and movie writer and producer of more than 150 hours of prime time television. His credits include “Family Matters,” “Malcolm and Eddie,” and the movie “Lovewrecked,” for which he was screenwriter. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, West, and lives in Tarzana, CA with his family.

Good day David and Stephen and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm:

How did the two of you decide you were ready to write White Sleeper and how did you share the writing?

David:

I have a medical background and toxicology background. I wanted to write a bioterrorism non-fiction book. Steve suggested telling a story.

Stephen:

We met and went back and forth building the structure of the story. Then we wrote and made changes as we progressed.

Norm:

As a follow up, what was your creative process like? What happened before you sat down to write White Sleeper?

David:

We researched bioterrorism and the government and the CDC. We sat down and started a story line based partially on my life’s experiences and Steve’s writing experience.

Stephen:

We both had a learning curve as we had never written a novel. I had written for the movies and television and David had written scientific papers so we had to learn a new way to write.

Norm:

Stephen, how does the writing of a novel differ from writing for TV and the movies?

Stephen:

Well, I think the word density comes to mind. In a book you’re creating ten times the amount of information that you do in a screenplay. As author you’re the writer, the director and the actors all in one. It requires amassing a staggering amount of detail so the reader can lose themselves in the story.

Norm:

David, did the writing of this novel interfere with your profession as an ophthalmic plastic surgeon? How did you manage to find time for both?

David:

Writing became a passion so I made time by committing myself.

Norm:

How has your environments/upbringings colored your writing?

David:

My parents encouraged me to follow my passions.

Stephen:

I have similar answer. My parents encouraged my imagination.

Norm:

Did you learn anything from writing White Sleeper?

David:

Writing a novel is very time consuming and thought provoking.

Stephen:

Everyday was a learning experience from developing the technique to research that led up to the book. Even the way books are published and sold was a learning experience.

Norm:

How did you go about creating the characters of Ben Curran, Dr. Dave Richards and FBI agent Paula Mushari?

David:

Dr. Dave Richards had many parts of my past. Paula Mushari grew out of a Muslim woman who wanted to prove her loyalty to the United States as now many Muslims are forced to do as they find themselves in this awkward position.

Stephen:

Ben Curran had to be not only the antagonist but a brilliant one. He couldn’t be the average villain. I think this makes the reader feel that this guy isn’t easily beaten. The Ruby Ridge incident was the jumping off point and we created a son of the dead white supremacist as our jumping off point.

Norm:

You include some very detailed dialogues in the book between Dave and Paula, where did this dialogue come from?

David: I’ll leave this one to Steve

Stephen:

A good story has a strong relationship and Dave and Paula have this. Even though they are thrown together they have an instant bond that shows two people with completely different skill sets that complement one another. Their journey emotionally is tied to this incident and their dialogue is built on that.

Norm:

What are the chances of something disastrous as you write about in White Sleeper ever happening?

David:

There is a high likelihood.

Stephen:

Now that Osama Bin Laden is dead I think we’re going to enter into a terrorism cold war. I think the threats will change and we need to plug the holes of opportunity in the same way we did with the Soviets.

Norm:

Do you agree that to have good drama there must be an emotional charge that usually comes from the individual squaring off against antagonists either out in the world or within himself or herself? If so, please elaborate and how does it fit into you novel?

David:

Dr. Richards had to transcend his weaknesses’, alcoholism, lack of devotion to his marriage.

Stephen:

I think the idea that you’ve fallen from grace and then are handed a crisis that only you can solve is a profound situation for someone.

Norm:

What kind of research did you do to write this book? What are your hopes for this book?

David:

One year researching bio-terrorism and medical journals, CDC, FBI, Homeland Security and writings containing modes for dealing with bioterrorism in the medical community.

Stephen:

Our hopes are that as many people as possible read the book.

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

David:

It was sent to major publishers like Harper Collins. They promised monthly to read it and never did.

Stephen:

The same for Forge. So we self published. Publishing is going through a change that hasn’t completely corrected itself. The E-book is bringing a profound change to the industry in the same way VHS changed the movie business and the same way television changed the movie business in the fifties.

Norm:

What is next for you both and where can our readers find out more about you and White Sleeper?

David:

http://whitesleeper.com/

Stephen:

And http://www.drfett.com/

The next thing we’re working on is White Lies the second book in the Dave Richards series.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

David:

We all need to be vigilant after 911. We’re dealing with a different war from home grown and foreign terrorists.

Stephen:

I agree we have to be aware.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

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