RM Johnson
This week On The Same Page has the honor of interviewing
R.M. Johnson, author of The Harris Men, Father Found,
and new novel, The Harris Family. M.E.T.: Tell us about yourself, R.M. How does your background inform
your writing? R.M.J.: My past experiences greatly inform my writing. The basis for
The Harris Family is my life, for that reason I often times refer to it as
semi-autobiographical. The emotional scenes, the passionate behavior of
the characters come directly from how I would've felt if I found myself
in similar situations, how I had felt in similar circumstances.
M.E.T.: When you started out writing about The Harris Men, did you
initially conceive of this family saga as being told in three books? R.M.J.: Actually, the story regarding the Harris family is written in
only two installments. Father Found is unrelated. But I really had no
intention of writing a sequel to The Harris Men at its completion. Like I
told many people, when I wrote that last sentence, I truly felt that would
be the last time I would think that story, but during signings, and
appearances at book clubs, readers would ask about a sequel. After poling
a number of fans, and them responding favorably to the idea, I decided
that I would write one. Before The Harris Men, I've only written short
stories. M.E.T.: My mistake. I thought all three books were part of a trilogy.
As your last book, what is the dramatic question that The Harris Family
raises? R.M.J.: I never thought to ask myself this. When thinking about, or
plotting a novel, the question that I ask myself is, 'hat problem does
the subject matter address?' If I had to answer this question, I would
say that question is...'When is it time to consider forgiveness? What
good does it do to harbor resentment and bitterness toward someone? What
is truly more important than family?' M.E.T.: Would you say that the behavior of the three sons, Austin,
Marcus and Caleb mirror that of the father, Julius Harris's abandonment
twenty-five years earlier? R.M.J.: Without question. When Austin left his wife in the first novel,
it was almost as if he was following the same steps taken by his father so
many years before. I would often tell people that I wanted it to seem as
though it was inherent, almost genetic, that the behavior we are taught,
or witness as children, we are very likely to repeat. M.E.T.: I really like how flawed, yet real your characters are. For
instance, what motivated Austin to admit to his wife that he had an affair-during
their son's seventh birthday party? R.M.J.: People are flawed. We all know that no one is truly perfect. I
like for my characters to support this truth, and I'll have them do
things based on how they feel emotionally in a minute. Often times they
don't give their actions a lot of thought, but then again, most people
don't. Actions generated by the heart, are always so much more
entertaining then those that have been methodically figured out. Regarding
the admission during Austin's son's birthday party. Well, Austin
remembered how his wife behaved the first time he brought her news she
didn't like. He didn't want the dish throwing, or the screaming, and
so he figured she wouldn't lash out like that during this event for her
son. Also it was just that moment that triggered something in him. How
Trace was standing there, and as he put it, 'Thinking everything was
just perfect in their world.' Things weren't, and he felt that was her
fault, so he wanted to set things straight for her. M.E.T.: What was the significance of the last scene when Marcus arrives
15 minutes after his father's death? R.M.J.: The significance of the last scene. It says so much, or at
least I wanted it to. And I will not totally deconstruct this thing,
because I want people to formulate their own ideas. It ends differently,
depending on who has read it, what they believe, about life, death, about
the power of love. What I will say is that Marcus really did love his
father, if for no other reason than that he was his father. Him arriving
fifteen minutes late let that emotion really come out. Not just the love,
but the anger and the hate. Even though I tried to be impartial while
writing that ending, I do believe I may have tried to influence the reader
some. Fact is, and Marcus said something to this effect, Julius was able
to stay alive five years for his youngest son, couldn't he at least hang
on fifteen minutes for him. I also think it wraps everything up nicely.
Regardless of all the distractions, diversions and drama we go through in
our lives, what is really important ultimately makes itself known, and
everything in comparison pales greatly. M.E.T.: As a writer, do you write by long hand, outline on computer, or
both? What is your writing schedule like? R.M.J.: I don't write long hand. I believe most people do that
because, it allows them a step before actually, formally putting their
words down. Like drawing in sand, before carving in stone. I skip that
step because after coming up with an idea, I'll plot and note-take for a
month or so. I determine every plot twist, every character trait and
idiosyncrasy, all the story lines, major and minor. Like I say, I know how
the novel will end before I write my first word. Something else that I do,
even though I'm awful at it, (I tend to drag on, and it makes the novel
sound terribly boring) is, I'll tell those people who want to know what
my next novel is about. Repeating the story, the plot over and over again
like that, you’d be surprised how that can really cement the idea in
your mind, and also allow you to see problems in the structure, and open
the door to possible useful criticism from the person you're telling the
story to. My writing schedule is pretty straightforward. It has to be
because I'm lazy. Some people like to write at 2am, after everyone is
all to sleep, and the house is quiet. Couldn't do it. 2am, I'm knocked
out as well. I write first thing after waking. 8am - 12pm. Those are my
hours, Monday through Friday. In my opinion, you have to write at least
five days straight, and continue to turn those thoughts over in your head
during the weekend, or you'll lose something. M.E.T.: I understand you were in Atlanta in the early part of this
month. What is your tour schedule like? (BTW, will you be in LA anytime
soon?) R.M.J.: My tour is over now. It was a short, but effective one, so I
will not be in LA promoting, unless something else comes up. M.E.T.: What do you hope to accomplish with your novels regarding The
Harris Men? R.M.J.: I really didn't set out to accomplish anything with The
Harris Men, but to write a good novel. Father Found, that was my radical
look at the situation. That was me standing on a soap box, ranting and
raving, and I really believe that comes across in the pages. I think there
are so many good discussion points in that novel. Like I tell everyone, I
feel that is the best book I've ever written, probably the best I'll
ever write. I love it. The Harris Family is an entertaining sequel. That's
how I refer to it. I haven't studied the effects of "fatherlessness"
on kids, at least not in an academic sense. I'm glad if readers get
something from these books, if they helped people in some way to cope or
understands issues that they've been troubled with. I know they've
worked for me in that manner. But really, I just wrote a handful of novels
about a subject matter that I was familiar with, in essence following the
first rule of writing. "Write what you know." Helping others is
just icing on the cake. M.E.T.: What are some of your future projects and plans as a writer? R.M.J.: I've been working on my website for what seems years now. Hopefully, by the time this is read it'll be up and running. Wanna' find out, go to Rmnovels.com. If that doesn't work, which I wouldn't be surprised in the least, reach me at rmwirter. ~~~ |