What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Mindless?
‘Mindless’ is my newest psychological thriller since the release of ‘Passing Through’ and one that I am quite excited about. ‘Mindless’ is a tale geared directly at adults; this book is not for the young mind. The reason for going back to this genre was based on the response I got from my book ‘Passing Through,’ which seemed to garner a more extensive fan base and made me realize that perhaps fans wanted me to stick with psychological thrillers. I was ready for such a change myself.
I wrote the book with the full intention of disturbing the reader. That was the reason for Melvin Frink’s mental instability being as shaky as it was. This guy has been through so much in his life, so many terrible things. Even though he had made it to med school, he was walking a fine line in his mind. Before his accident, he was shy around girls and had, in fact, never even dated. It wasn’t for lack of trying. After suffering his brain injury, Melvin became not only sick of being lonely. He decided that trying wasn’t worth it. He was going to make it happen; he would take the girls he wanted and render them mindless.
Why did I choose to write such a sexually disturbing and violent psycho-thriller novel after so many that were so mild-mannered? Many, many reasons come to mind. For one, fans expressed a liking for my books, ‘Passing Through,’ ‘Brother’s Keeper,’ ‘Retribution,’ and ‘Box Office Butcher’; all four are psychological thrillers. I felt it was time to indulge my love for thrillers while satisfying my fan base by giving them what they wanted. ‘Mindless,’ while much more disturbing in many ways than the others. It’s what I think we all needed—the satisfaction of turning the pages to find out what sickening behavior could occur on the next page. I think readers will be surprised, and I hope they enjoy every last page of this suspense thriller.
I also understand that some will not like the book. That’s okay. As individuals, we must be true to what we prefer, and this will not be the book for everyone. I wrote it for my psychological thriller fans, warning those who prefer more laid-back plotlines. I have to admit that I was ready for something a bit more gritty. Something that would cause my readers and me alike to grind the teeth and wince while allowing the passages to wander through the mind. Deep inside, we carry our anger and resentments, pain, and suppressed memories, but we can never be rid of them. I like to explore the sickness of the mind and where it can take an individual. So, I offer you ‘Mindless,’ and it is my desire that you get from reading this book what I got from writing it. The realization that insanity is just a step away from every one of us. With that in mind, tread lightly, and enjoy the food for thought I am offering to feed you.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Mindless, what would they be?
Melvin Fink- More than a feeling by Boston, Adele Frink (Melvin’s mother) - Mother by Pink Floyd
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Psychological thriller, yes.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Misery by Stephen King.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I don’t have one. I’m not very superstitious or ritualistic. When I sit down to write, I just zone in.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“The glory of fiction is in its falseness, but the impact of fiction is found in its painful reality.” – R.W.K. Clark
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Always leave a review and follow the read with another one of my books.
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