Interviews

Dieses Thema dient als Sammelthread für Interviews mit Ace Atkins. Hier habe ich auch gleich ein hochaktuelles, sehr lesenswertes gefunden:

ACE ATKINS on the Writing of ROBERT B. PARKER’S WONDERLAND

Q: Hawk is notably absent from this novel, something Robert Parker elected to do once in a while himself. What spurred you to make the decision to keep Hawk off-stage in WONDERLAND?

A: Hawk is such a powerful character that you break that glass at the right time and when needed. Mr. Parker was spare in his use of Hawk, but when Hawk walked upon the page, the reader paid attention. More than anything, I wanted this novel to link with RBP's last Spenser -- Sixkill -- and continue the mentoring of Zebulon Sixkill.

Q: You’ve spent a fair amount of time in Massachusetts conducting research for the two Spenser novels you’ve written thus far. How did you undertake your investigation of Wonderland’s and Revere Beach’s back story?

A: I knew that the old Wonderland dog track -- at one time -- had been under consideration as one of the casino sites. The title was too good to pass up, as was the back story of the old amusement park on the beach. Revere is also very specific to Massachusetts. When I signed onto continue Spenser, I wanted to make sure the books remained very local and, as Parker often did, ventured beyond just downtown Boston. I got to spend a lot of time in Revere -- or, as it should be known, Re-ve-ah. Great people and terrific local restaurants.

Q: Susan Silverman appears in her familiar role as sounding board to Spenser here, but for much of the book she, too, is kept offstage by having her be out of state as a visiting instructor. As a longtime reader of the Spenser novels yourself, going back to the ‘90s, what were your feelings about the way Robert Parker utilized the character of Susan?
A: So many opinions abound about Susan and what her role should be in the books. Having her away during the events of WONDERLAND allows the focus to shift to other characters and to Spenser's relationship with Sixkill and Henry Cimoli. I personally love Susan, and I go back to Mr. Parker's early drawings of the character to bring her back to full strength. Susan is a very powerful, sharp, intuitive ally.

Q: It’s fun to have a Retro location like Revere Beach featured as a setting in WONDERLAND. What are some other classic Massachusetts or New England locales to which we can look forward in subsequent Spenser tales?

A: Plymouth. I have a whole Spenser novel laid out around the death of a pilgrim reenactor. He's stuffed to death and served with cranberries.

Q: What were a few of the more interesting comments you received from fans who contacted you after reading LULLABY, your first Spenser novel?
A: When I took the job, I braced myself for comments both good and bad. For the most part, I've been overwhelmed and appreciative of how many people like the new books and are so thankful that Spenser continues. That's a tribute more to RBP and his beloved characters than anything.

Q: In WONDERLAND you have Spenser ceding a bit of territory to the much younger Zebulon Sixkill, who nearly gets killed not once but twice in this story, at least partly due to inexperience and poor judgment. Did you enjoy writing about the mentoring process between Spenser and Sixkill, which seems to be a staple of the series now? Obviously that was the direction Robert Parker intended to follow, as evidenced by his final Spenser novel, SIXKILL.

A: I think this is a fun prospect. There was much discussion on how Spenser would continue. My view was simply Spenser should continue after RBP's last novel. He definitely had created a character in SIXKILL who he intended to continue into more stories. To me, the idea of Spenser having an apprentice was an interesting addition to the Spenser story. It makes sense at this stage in his life that he would be passing on some of his knowledge.

Q: Henry Cimoli and Vinnie the hitman are two of the legacy characters whom you feature prominently in WONDERLAND to good effect. Is there one particular character from the Robert Parker oeuvre whom you’re dying to revive for one of your own Spenser novels?
A: I've brought back Wayne Cosgrove in this novel, reporter for The Boston Globe who was actually based on a mutual friend of mine and RBP's. I also have found good reason for Spenser to return to The Tennessee Tavern to reach out to the bookie Lennie Seltzer. But I'd really like to check in with Paul Giacomin and Rachel Wallace. These are more than just contacts for Spenser, and I'd love to see what they are up to today, especially Paul.

Q: What is your methodology for writing two distinct series—Spenser, and your own creation, Quinn Colson—almost simultaneously? Do you alternate weeks, or even months, during which you work first on one, then on the other? Or have you been brave enough to tackle both of them sometimes within the course of a single day?

A: I never write the books at the same time. I may have an overlap with an edit while I work, but to actually tell the stories at the same time wouldn't work for me. I write Spenser for half the year and then switch over to Quinn. The style, setting, and characters are so completely different that I must get in a completely different mindset. But that's the fun. I think that's why Mr. Parker developed his other series. To stay fresh and attentive. When I return to each series I've had some time away and some perspective. It's very much like calling on an old friend.

Quelle: https://www.facebook.com/RobertBParkerAuthor