I plan to start posting interviews and personal spotlights about once a month, so if you’re interested drop me a line at ddtreasures1976@gmail.com or use the contact form on my home page. We’re kicking things off with Richard Wall, a native of England with a fascination for the dark side of American culture. You can find out more at https://richardwall.org/.
Tell us about your latest work. Wow us with it.
My latest work is my second novel, Near Death.
Sing Sing Penitentiary, 1962. Troubled prison chaplain, John Henry Beauregard, gives the last rites to Joseph Hickey, a psychopath sentenced to death for killing a young family in New York State.
After witnessing Hickey’s execution, John Henry quits his job and moves to a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains in South Carolina.
Soon after, another family is murdered in identical circumstances, and John Henry is drawn into a mystery that has devastating consequences and leads to a showdown where his life and soul are at stake.
If the main character were to have a drink with us, what would that be like? What would they order?
The main character is John Henry Beauregard. Former prison chaplain who moved back to his childhood home of South Carolina. John Henry is a deep thinker who struggles with PTSD as a result of the Korean War, he would come across as quiet and reflective – unless the conversation turned to American Muscle Cars. If that were to happen his passion would shine through. He would most likely drink Bourbon.
If he brought along his friend and fellow-character, Vinnie De Matteo it would be a whole different occasion…
What were you most afraid of as a child? Has that changed?
I went through a stage of being bullied at school, there’s no fear like it.
Now I’m not afraid of anyone.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Tough question, the answer to which changes depending on my mood. If I absolutely had to nail one down it would Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.
Are there any books that you like to read over and over again? What are they?
The ‘Burke’ series of crime novels by Andrew Vachss.
Do you ever get blocked in the middle of a story? How do you get around it?
Full on Writers’ Block hasn’t happened yet, which, considering that I don’t plan my stories, is something of a miracle. Lately I’ve discovered that if I think about my story just before dropping off to sleep, I will wake around 4:30am with an idea to resolve any plot issues.
Do you listen to music while you’re working? What are some of your favorite bands?
Always. I usually put together a playlist that’s connected to the story I’m writing. Currently I’m writing the sequel to Near Death, which is set in the USA in the late ‘60s with links to the Vietnam War, so I downloaded the soundtrack from a documentary about the war. Favourite bands are The Clash, early Rolling Stones, but my first love is scratchy old blues from the 1930s.
Has anyone ever told you something that really stuck with you? What was it?
Find your own voice. You may not write like Stephen King, but he doesn’t write like you.
If you threw a dinner party for your literary heroes or inspirations, who would you invite and what would you serve?
I would invite Burke and his crew from the Andrew Vachss novels, but I doubt they move in dinner party circles. If they accepted I would request that Mama bring food from her Chinese restaurant.
Tell us something awesome that happened to you.
A couple of years ago a musician friend called Half Deaf Clatch posted on Facebook that he’d had an idea to write a supernatural spaghetti western concept album based around an outlaw called Beelzebub Jones. I contacted Clatch and offered to write a short story to go with the album. Clatch said OK and off we went.
Neither of us thought it would be anything more than a vanity project, a one-off. But, a few months later, the album was released and it started getting amazing feedback. So much so that Clatch decided to continue with it and make it a trilogy.
After the release of the 2nd album I received an email from a guy who had stumbled across the Beelzebub Jones albums.
He said:
“My health is pretty up and down and along with it come bouts of depression and that’s usually where the immersion in music comes in to play….From the first track I was hooked… I had to find out more, that’s when I discovered your accompanying literature. What a fantastic idea combining art mediums the way you both have and what an extraordinary job it is too. I love the character, the narrative, the language you use paints the picture perfectly. I can now listen to the albums with my eyes closed and see the story play out like a movie.
It’s led me to discover the works of Half Deaf Clatch which has in turn deepened my appreciation for blues. Playing guitar, I already had an interest but I now look upon it from a slightly new direction. His music is inspiring me and opening up new areas of my playing and which direction I want to head. And your literature has had a huge impact on my own creativity. I’ve a renewed appreciation for language and seeing the two art forms combined has got me spinning with ideas about what else could be possible. And with a little hindsight I realise just how big of an impact has been made in so many areas of my life – creatively, mentally, inspirational, all this seeps into my normal life of being a husband and parent. He’s become such a pivotal part of my life, and it’s for that I’ll always be grateful to you for your contribution – it really has been life changing. Sincerely thank you.”
To receive praise like that has blown me away. It kind of makes it all worthwhile.
Mr. Wall, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your stories with us. Best of luck to you!
Dawn Napier 