Joseph
Valentinetti of bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest  Bob Adamov Author of Sandustee: A Writer Speaks

Bob is  a Kent State University graduate and author of the new novel Sandustee. Bob can be seen at Put-in-Bay, Key West and the Cayman Islands with his scuba diving and treasure hunting friends. He had worked for an Arlington, Virginia-based defense contractor in the intelligence sector.

Joseph

Give us a brief description of you novel.

Bob:

If you liked National Treasure and DaVinci Code, you’ll love Sandustee. It’s a worldwide chase for clues to finding a lost Biblical scroll, the Nazarene’s Code, which gives the holder the power to control nations. Running through the novel is a thread – the Legend of 13; words with thirteen letters have stunning implications on the plot line.

Joseph:

Let’s fool around a little with these questions.   What is the most overrated virtue?

Bob:

The cardinal virtue of justice because in many cases, justice is not accomplished.

Joseph:

What is the one thing other people always seem to get wrong about you?

Bob:

They think I’m shy. I’m at both ends of the spectrum. If they see me during my quiet and subdued time, they think I’m shy. I’m shy around women until I get to know them better.

Joseph:

If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

Bob:

For people to be more understanding/tolerant of others and their cultures/religion.  The richness from our diverse backgrounds can help us all achieve our goals and lead better lives.

Joseph:

What pet peeve do you have about other people?

Bob:

Talkers. They don’t talk with you, they talk at you and are inner focused as they allow their words to bulldoze over your comments when you try to speak. A conversation is a two way process where we have an opportunity to empathize and encourage each other.

Joseph:

Is there any occasion when it’s OK to lie?

Bob:

Yes. In social situations where you could hurt someone’s feelings by telling them the haircut or outfit which they are so proud is horrible. If it’s someone I’m close to, I’d say “that’s nice, but I bet it’s would look nicer like ….”

Joseph:

What is your philosophy of writing?

Bob:

I write because I enjoy writing. I start with a premise and build from that point. The research process is the most interesting as it’s like gathering the pieces of a puzzle during interviews and seeing how the pieces fit together or tossing out the one that don’t fit. It’s doing the puzzle without having the picture on the box for reference. When I’m finished, I sit back and say, “So, that’s how it was meant to look!”

Joseph:

Is your writing an art or craft or some combination of both?

Bob:

It’s a combination. The creativity portion with plot lines and dialog is the art. The mechanics of writing is the craft and I’m always working to better my craft side.

Joseph:

If you could go back ten years and give yourself one piece of advice what would that advice be?

Bob:

Spend less time and money on creating and placing advertisements. Interviews are more effective in giving readers insight into the author’s persona.

Joseph:

What’s the name and genre of you book?

Bob:

Sandustee – The Search for the Nazarene’s Code. It’s a mystery adventure.

Joseph:

Who is the audience for this book?

Bob:

My writing style is often compared to Clive Cussler and Clive has become a fan of mine. I speak at his conferences and he has endorsed one of my novels. Readers of his style would be attracted to my novels.

Joseph:

Is this book part of a series?

Bob:

It’s a series based on the adventures of Washington Post investigative reporter, Emerson Moore. Here’s the order of publishing – Rainbow’s End, Pierce the Veil, When Rainbows Walk, Promised Land, The Other Side of Hell, Tan Lines, and my latest, Sandustee.

Joseph:

Describe your protagonist and describe the challenges the protagonist needs to overcome and the motivation for overcoming them.

Bob:

Emerson Moore is tall, dark and handsome – and in his early forties. He went through a bout of alcoholism when his wife and five-year-old son were killed in a tragic auto accident in Washington, DC. He has relocated to the Lake Erie Islands and the resort town of Put-in-Bay where he resides in a waterfront home with his aging aunt. From this base of operations, he takes on investigative assignments. He’s no James Bond and he does make stupid mistakes like we all do. He’s an everyman.

He’s wary of alcohol and tried to manage his intake. He is trying to overcome his fear of women and becoming emotionally attached as he has not healed from his wife’s death. Women find him attractive and gravitate to him, especially the redhead Martine, who is in a bad marriage (Rainbow’s End.)

Readers tell me that he’s the sort of character with whom they like to sit at the bar and buy him a drink.

Joseph:

Describe your antagonist physically and emotionally, and talk about motivation.

Bob:

The key antagonist in Sandustee is Ahmet Yarian, a muscular Turk in Istanbul who works for anyone for a fee. He is brutal and pulls out all stops in the pursuit of power and money. He is a greed-driven lowly snake.

Joseph:

Quote a passage from your book that you love.

Bob:

Reaching into the dented fridge, Grissett said, “Hope you don’t mind a warm drink. Fridge is busted. Warm beer or warm water?”

Water,” the two visitors responded in unison.

He handed Karim and Moore bottles of warm water as he grabbed a beer for himself and popped the tab. Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Grissett grabbed a fly swatter and used it to kill a fly that had landed on his desk phone. “Killed six flies so far today. Three male and three female.”

Moore’s face had a bewildered look. “How did you know they were male and female?”

The three on the beer can were male. The three on the telephone were female.” Grissett laughed at his joke

Joseph:

Elaborate on the meaning of the passage.

Bob:

It’s just a light hearted exchange with the eccentric owner of Miracle Airlines in Egypt. Their motto is “If we land in one piece, it’s a miracle!”

I had so much fun in creating this character and have been receiving great comments from readers about Grissett. In response to reader reaction, I’m actually relocating to the Lake Erie islands to run the island airlines.

Joseph:

What surprising things did you learn while writing this book?

Bob:

I’m a researcher and love the research and interview process. The most interesting was the Legend of 13. I stumbled upon it during a dinner in Key West with treasure-hunter Kim Fisher. He told me about the legend and I starting researching it and included it throughout the novel. It includes names and places with 13 letters such as The White House, boy and the boot, Andrew Jackson, Osama Bin Laden, Fort Jefferson, Jesus and the 12 disciples, Marilyn Monroe, a judge and a 12 person jury, Bourbon Street and the Eastern Market in DC.

Joseph:

How has your upbringing influenced you writing?

Bob:

I was always encouraged to read. Mom would drop my brother off at the art institute and I was dropped off at the library where I’d spend hours with my favorite authors. It helped develop my imagination and love for reading.

Joseph:

Where do you live and how does that influence your writing?

Bob:

I live about 40 minutes form Lake Erie and spend a lot of time at the islands. My love of the islands lured me to set my novels there.

Joseph:

Do you prefer fermented or distilled?

Bob:

I enjoy both. Like our protagonist, I’m a light drinker and drink rum and coke.

Joseph:

Here’s another generational question.  If you could go back ten or twenty years and change one thing about your life, alter one decision, what would that be? And, you guessed it, why did you say that?

Bob:

I would have started writing novels sooner. I had no idea that my novels would be as well-received as they have been. Being compared to my hero, Clive Cussler, was awesome and humbling. Then, I had the chance to meet him and hear how much he liked my novels. It’s just been a wonderful experience – one which my family and friends share with me. I’ve met so many of my readers who have become friends and track me down on the island or at events.

We just completed a movie script on Tan Lines and started working on one for The Other Side of Hell. We’re presenting the script next week to a producer with whom we’ve been working. We also have two marquee actors reading my novels. This is getting very exciting!

I’m living a dream!

Joseph:

Thank you Bob. 

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