Donika Mishineva
May 25, 20214 min
Updated: Jan 30, 2022
Today I meet again with Stephen Ross, known for his books Operation Wolf Hunt (2020) and Memoir From Hell (2019), for which he won a readers' award. I would like to present to you his new novel, Severed Things, which just hit the market.
Thank you for your kind words, Donika. It’s always nice to hear that someone appreciates your work. I don’t believe any one thing has helped me create characters, develop a plot, or construct any other aspect of my writing. I didn’t practice criminal law, so my direct involvement with the criminal mind is minimal. I believe that living an observant life makes us who we are and defines the ability to write. So, dealing with parents, interacting with friends, travel, reading, and watching movies and TV all play a part.
Severed Things is a detective story that takes place in 1954 in a small midwestern town. Detective Vince Nolan and his partner, Petuski, are tasked with solving a rather unique crime. Vince drinks whiskey, smokes Old Gold cigarettes, sees the humor in life, deplores poor grammar, and appreciates the shape of a woman’s body. He and Petuski encounter a variety of interesting characters and situations while persuing the perpetrator.
The most challenging part of writing the story was making sure that it rang true to life in the United States in 1954.
A bit of sexual innuendo, the hint of a possible romance, and hopefully, an enjoyable way to escape reality and spend a few hours in the wonderful world of make-believe.
Absolutely. While writing Severed Things, I become Detective Vince Nolan. I’m constantly asking myself what would Vince think, say, and do. So, in a very real way, I was tasked with solving this crime.
I can’t say I’ve dreamed of being a detective, but I have thought I might try it if given enough lives. I think it would be fascinating and challenging to be given a few bits of evidence and then try to string them together to solve a case. My hat is off to the people who do it.
Hmm … maybe?
I’m interested in all genres. I don’t try to force myself to write in any particular style. I get an idea, put down a sentence, which leads to a paragraph, and eventually a story. It is what it is.
I’m motivated to write as a means of creative expression. Something I believe most people desire in some form. The idea of creating something from nothing is exciting. I’m retired but still need to be engaged. Writing provides that.
I don’t have a rigid schedule. I usually get up, make coffee, and turn on the computer. I try to write at least one page a day: sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t, and sometimes I bang out three or four pages. Some days I don’t feel inspired to write at all, so I don’t. Other days, I don’t write but will think about the story and where it wants to go next. Typically, I run out of creative gas after two to three hours. I write as long as it’s fun.
Honestly, I can’t think of anything funny from my writing life that people find weird or funny. Well, on second thought, they may think me weird or funny for choosing the particular crime I chose for Severed Things.
Severed Things by Stephen Ross is available on Amazon. Read an excerpt from the book on this link. Grab your copy today! Enjoy!