Chit Chatting with Michael R. French
Chit Chatting with Micheal R. French
Interviewed by: Jill Sheets
J: Tell us about your book "Ghost with Two Hearts."
In an age where everything gets a label, this book might be called a “supernatural fantasy.” Yet, at its heart, it’s about a successful but personally unhappy software engineer, Adrian, searching for deeper meaning than what American culture offers him. He goes on a self-appointed mission to Japan to make amends for his grandfather’s misdeeds in World War Two. A typical Westerner, he is dismissive when he first finds evidence of a ghost or kami named Emiko living in his rental house. She has been banned to a hellish eternity but, for some reason, hangs out in this house. She convinces Adrian his life is in danger—from a kami seeking revenge for what Adrian’s grandfather did in the war. The way of revenge in Japan is one theme of the novel, but equally important, besides Adrian’s risky efforts to save himself, is helping Emiko persuade Shinto Gods to give her a second chance at redemption. Adrian finally returns to the States, feeling lonely and bereft, but his real adventure is just beginning. Is there a sequel here? Maybe.
J: How did you come up with the idea for this story?
My wife and I have traveled several times in Japan. My fascination deepens exponentially with new discoveries and insights, which Japan provides in abundance. As for the ghost elements in the story, they are part of a drama of good and evil, as seen in kabuki and noh dramas in Tokyo. My imagination individualizes most of the characters, including the all-important Shinto priest. My novels certainly have roots in my factual past—for example, my father fought in Japan in World War Two—but I get surprised, as we all do, by what thoughts percolate in me after a night’s sleep.
J: How did you come up with your characters in this book?
Adrian is based on me—or a small part of me, the overly anxious dude who has to worry about everything and be ultra-responsible, often to get in trouble for it. Emiko, the ghost, I can’t say where her personality and character came from. I’m sure she’s a distillation of Japanese that my wife and I met. I wanted to make her angry, sweet, desperate, mischievous, and selfless. The Japanese are full of contractions and secrets. I’m touched by their vulnerability as a society.
J: Did you get to pick what the cover of your book looked like?
I fell in love with the cover image and wouldn’t want anything else. I love it. It was created by a friend of friend, Dale Travous, whose digital talent captures the fragile beauty but steely determination of the Emiko.
J: You have written many books. Please tell us some of them.
My books have changed over a 50-year career. I had some early novels warmly reviewed in the New York Times in the seventies, but they don’t hold my interest anymore. The books with staying power, at least I feel this way, are The Art of Frank Howell, Mountains Beyond Mountains, The Reconstruction of Wilson Ryder, Once Upon a Lie, Cliffhanger, and now Ghost With Two Hearts. People generally slow down mentally and physically with age, but I’m too wired to slow down. And there are more themes, conflicts, ideas, and temptations to write about today. I hope to keep going.
J: You have a Master's in Journalism. How has this degree helped you in your writing?
Journalism is storytelling in the sense of structure, pace, and keeping a reader’s interest. The one limitation is you have to be factual about everything. I had planned to make my living as a journalist, but it didn’t work out. After graduate school, I was drafted in the Army but was never levied to Vietnam. I became editor of the Fort Ord Panorama, in Monterey, California, and learned new things about writing. Whatever medium you’re writing in, the heart of almost any story is getting the emotions right for the reader to savor and remember. So, no pandering, no melodrama, no cliches. Catch the reader by surprise —subtlety is the holy grail of making a story memorable.
J: What are some of the places that you have traveled to?
My wife and I have been to over 100 countries. We never had much money for most of our travel, but those early trips were some of the most inspiring. I love to look at our photos and think about the crazy things we saw and did. Many of those sights and experiences are no longer available.
J: What book are you currently reading?
I don’t read any novels when I’m on my own clock. I don’t want to be influenced by other writers. But there’s a lot of decent nonfiction to take advantage of. Right now, I’m reading Doris Kearns Goodwin, being absorbed as I am by American history. I’ve grown weary of political best-sellers touted on talk shows. To me, if I have three-dimensional characters I care about, I recommend those books to friends. I don’t belong to any book club. I wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall, but I’m not sure I’d fit in.
J: What is your favorite rare book that you have?
At one time I had all of James Joyce’s first editions—I still have a signed, very early Dubliners that I actually open on occasion to read.. Somehow this makes it easier for me to imagine Joyce sitting in front of a typewriter in a Trieste cafe in 1914. Dubliners is his most accessible book, and some of his sentences still give me chills.
J: Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’ve learned a lot about the craft of writing….I mean the actual words one uses, the sentences, how to use adjectives (very carefully), chapter transitions…stuff that some readers take for granted, but if you’re on the creative end, you work under a microscope. I love talking one-to-one with people who see the creative process different than I do. I hope AI doesn’t start writing novels.
Book Summary
Approaching 30, Adrian, a talented software engineer, takes stock of his wealth and accolades - and how unhappy he is. He doesn't make friends easily, dislikes social media, and was bloodied in a divorce. He finds no common purpose in a country defined by political vitriol, distrust, and inequality. Taking a leave of absence from his company, he travels to Japan with a samurai sword that his grandfather stole from a Japanese captain in World War Two. Adrian is determined to find its rightful heir. Doing the morally correct thing, he hopes, will make him feel better about his life.
Print Length: 193 Pages
Genre: Fiction, Cultural Heritage Fiction, Ghost Fiction
Publisher: Independently Published January 12, 2023
ISBN: 979-8370416842
Ghost with Two Hearts is now available to purchase in print and as an e-book at Amazon.com. Add it to your GoodReads reading listing as well.
About the Author Michael R. French
Michael R. French graduated from Stanford University, where he was an English major, focusing on creative writing, and studied under Wallace Stegner. He received a Master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. He later served in the United States Army before marrying Patricia Goodkind, an educator, and entrepreneur, and starting a family.
In addition to publishing over twenty titles, including award-winning young adult fiction, adult fiction, biographies, and self-help books, he has written or co-written a half-dozen screenplays, including Intersection, which has won awards in over twenty film festivals. He has also had a long business career in real estate, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His passions include travel, collecting rare books, and hanging with friends and family. He describes his worst traits as impatience and saying "no" too quickly; his best are curiosity, taking risks, and learning from failure.
French’s work, which includes several best-sellers, has been warmly reviewed in the New York Times and been honored with a number of literary prizes.
Find Michael online at:
Author website: http://www.michaelrfrench.com/
Blog site: http://www.michaelrfrench.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRFrenchAuthor/?fref=nf
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-French/author/B001ITYVES?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrfrenchbooks/
-- Blog Tour Dates
March 13th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us at the WOW blog to celebrate the launch of author Michael R. French’s “Ghost with Two Hearts”. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/
March 14th @ A Storybook World
Hear from Michael R. French about "What Drives an Author" as he delights readers at A Storybook World. Find out more about his latest novel "Ghost with Two Hearts" and learn more about this talented author!
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
March 15th @ Madeline Sharples
"Helping or Hurting" is today's essay title at Madeline's blog as readers of Choices hear from Michael R. French about his latest novel "Ghost with Two Hearts".
http://madelinesharples.com
March 17th @ Author Anthony Avina
Author Anthony Avina reviews fellow author Michael R. French's latest work "Ghost with Two Hearts". Find out how this novel measures up today!
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
March 18th @ Bring on Lemons with Crystal Otto
Crystal Otto reviews "Ghost with Two Hearts" by Michael R, French. Crystal has read many of French's books - find out how his latest novel measures up!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
March 19th @ Fiona Ingram
Is there a "Place for Older Authors" ? Find out by stopping at Fiona Ingram's blog and reading the essay by Michael R. French today! This is a great chance to learn more about this successful author and his latest novel "Ghost with Two Hearts" !
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com
March 23rd @ Book Santa Fe with Carmen Otto
Hear from a teenager as she reviews "Ghost with Two Hearts" by Michael R. French. How many stars will she give? Will this be the novel she refers to her friends? Find out today!
http://www.booksantafe.info/booksantafeblog
March 30th @ The Mommies Reviews
Texas girl, Glenda offers her review of Michael R. French's latest novel, "Ghost with Two Hearts"! Stop by Glenda's blog to learn more today!
https://www.themommiesreviews.com
April 14th @ Pages and Paws
Michael R. French shares his essay "The Tail or the Dog" for readers at Pages and Paws. Stop by to find out more about Michael and his latest novel "Ghost with Two Hearts".
https://pagesandpaws.com/
April 20th @ Knotty Needle Creative
Judy from the Knotty Needle offers her thoughts after reading the latest novel by Michael R. French. Find out what Judy has to say about "Ghost with Two Hearts" today!
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
April 21st @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles reviews "Ghost with Two Hearts" by Michael R. French. Read what she shares with readers at her World of My Imagination blog.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
April 28th @ Wildwood Reads
Megan offers her review of Michael R. French's "Ghost with Two Hearts" for readers at Wild Wood Reads; don't miss her valuable insight of Michael's latest novel!
www.wildwoodreads.com
May 2nd @ Jill Sheets
Jill sheets interviews Michael R. French. Find out more about this talented author and his latest novel "Ghost with Two Hearts" by stopping by Jill's blog today!
http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
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