Interview with Bill Walker, author of "Note From an Old Aquaintance"

About the Author

Bill Walker is a graphic designer specializing in book and dust jacket design, and has worked on projects by Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Between his design work and his writing, he spends his spare time reading voraciously and playing very loud guitar, much to the chagrin of his lovely wife and two sons. Bill makes his home in Los Angeles and can be reached through his web site: http://www.billwalkerdesigns.com/

About the Book

Brian Weller is a haunted man. It's been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega-selling thrillers, Brian's life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife's prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair.

Everything changes the morning an e-mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short-lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book-signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.

I was lucky enough to get Bill to answer some questions for me. Here's what he had to say:

Where are you from?

I grew up in Wilton, Connecticut, a bedroom community about 55 miles outside of New York City. I went to college in Boston and lived there for many years thereafter.

When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing when I was eight years old. I suppose I started because of an overwhelming urge to create my own stories from out of the fantasies I had in my head. I also loved ghost stories and wanted to imitate those I read.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I´ve always considered myself to be a writer. Perhaps a more accurate question would be when did I consider myself to be an author? That would have been upon publication of my first collection of short stories for mid-graders (Five-Minute Frights) in 1993. I was very proud of that achievement. It also made me eligible to join the Authors Guild, a terrific advocacy organization.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book, which I wrote when I was nine, was titled The Adventures of Mouser. It was a blatant pastiche based on the famous children´s book Ben and Me. I thought I´d lost it ages ago; but some months ago, I received a call from an old friend who´d borrowed the only copy over forty years ago. I´d completely forgotten that I´d lent it to him. It was quite an experience to see my pre-adolescent scrawl and then re-read it.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I try to use a unique voice for each genre I write. I don´t know how you would classify my style, but I like to hope it´s both recognizable and enjoyable for the reader. My goal as a writer is to draw the reader into the story and not to call too much attention to the writing. Of course, that doesn´t mean I´m not happy to crank out a lyrical phrase, or two, every now and then ;-)

How did you come up with the title?

The title emerged from the subject line of the first e-mail Joanna sends to Brian, which is the catalyst for the entire story. It´s meant to be gently ironic, as they were anything but acquaintances.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

True love never dies.

How much of the book is realistic?

The characters and situations are from my imagination, but one of the main characters, the city of Boston, is of course based on reality, at least the realities of 1991 and 2006.

What books have most influenced your life most?

My favorite book is Time and Again, the original time travel romance. Another book would be Stephen King´s The Stand. There are so many books, too many to list, but these are the two that had the most measurable effect. I´m also a big fan of just about everything Richard Matheson wrote; Somewhere in Time is a favorite.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I would have to say Dean Koontz. I love his novels, but I still consider his non-fiction book How to Write Best-Selling Fiction to be a benchmark. He illustrates his teaching points on writing technique with precise examples of his own work, plus he gives budding writers good advice as to the pitfalls of the business. I firmly believe he should update it and reissue it, as the business has greatly changed since it was published in 1981, but his teaching is top-notch and timeless.

What book are you reading now?

Million Dollar Les Paul: In Search of The Most Valuable Guitar in The World by Tony Bacon.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Lee Child. I really enjoy his Jack Reacher series. I like Michael Connelly and James Patterson, too.

What are your current projects?

I really don´t like to talk about what I´m writing, but suffice to say I´m considering a spinoff/sequel to A Note from an Old Acquaintance. I also have a horror novel that I want to get finished.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

That would be my editor, Elizabeth Klungness. She is a true gem in that she really knows how to zero in on a problem. The best thing about her is when we talk over a scene, she will inevitably spark my imagination and I´ll come up with a solution right there on the phone. She´s the type of editor that will never tell you what to write, and they´re the best kind.

Do you see writing as a career?

As we all know, making a living as a fulltime writer is a rarified field. I would love to be one of those writers where readers can´t wait for my next book. To strive to earn that kind of admiration is the highest of callings.

What do you think makes a good story?

Good stories are out there everywhere. To me, it´s all about giving the reader an irresistible hook--a premise that perhaps is a little out of the ordinary--and then letting the characters carry the day. To me, what makes for a great story are characters that compel the reader to care about what happens to them. The best plotting in the world wouldn´t be worth anything without that.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

That my characters will stay with me forever. After all, they are a part of me—different facets of my personality distilled through various lenses and filters to become what they become. It´s especially cool when they start to take control of the story. A word of caution, however; you need to keep a firm hand on the reins or those pesky characters can run away with your story.