John Reinhard Dizon
Andrea: I read that you have been writing suspense and thriller works for over twenty-five years. Why did a sixth grader in Brooklyn, NY decide to write his first novel?
John: I was absolutely fascinated by Ian Fleming's James Bond, as was the rest of the world back in the day. Enemy Ace was a Bond knockoff, but the protagonist, Fritz Hammer, is featured in Tiara and my work-in-progress, Rituals. Some ideas never die.
Andrea: How many books have you published? Are they all in the same genre?
John: Actually I enjoy the challenge of expanding into new genres just because I can. My novel Stxeamtown is the best example. I knew nothing about steampunk, but decided I'd give it a shot. It's been getting five-star reviews on Amazon thus far.
Andrea: What tip would you give an aspiring author about overcoming the fear to start and finish a first novel?
John: Writing a book should be like a virus. The only way to overcome it is to get it out of their system. If they don't have that bug that they can't shake, then they don't have the necessary drive and should just set the work aside until that overwhelming urge sets in. There's too much half-hearted effort out there these days. An aspiring writer shouldn't quench his spirit by contributing to it.
Andrea: What makes your writing style unique?
John: Imposing backdrop, dynamic characters, snappy dialogue and a powerful climax. Without these four elements there is no JRD novel. I can't get started without it.
Andrea: Could you please give a brief description of Tiara?
John: It's about Princess Jennifer of Edinburgh, a beautiful widow dedicating her life to humanitarian causes. In pursuing peace in Northern Ireland in 1998, she runs afoul of Loyalist militants who fear it will lead to Ulster seceding from the UK. She is kidnapped and the blame is placed on Republican militants, who accept an offer from the World's Most Wanted Man to rescue her. Berlin Mansfield has a fixation on her, and when he finally meets her it's like Beauty and the Beast. It ends as a touching love story against impossible odds.
Andrea: What research, if any, did you conduct to write this book?
John:I started this a quarter-century ago, and it culminated after years of study on a previous IRA novel, Bloody Sunday (which is still in the attic). There are so many activist groups in Ulster that the challenge was in making them distinguishable from one another lest the reader drowns in alphabet soup (IRA, UDA, SAS, RUC, UDR, et cetera).
Andrea: In three lines or less, please tell readers why you regard Tiara as a page-turner.
John: First and foremost, the love affair between Jennifer and Berlin is one for the ages. Second, the Princess Search is an action-packed hit-and-run affair pitting the SAS vs. the Mansfield Gang and the IRA vs. the UDA. Third, the cast of characters is an array of dauntless heroes, dastardly villains and charming maidens that you'll never forget.
Andrea: What's next for John Reinhard Dizon ?
John: Transplant , a horror/suspense thriller, is being released by Assent Publishing in May, and my publisher Les Denton has been so supportive that I've got a feeling this may be the breakout novel. I've also got Both Sides Now, a romantic comedy about pro wrestling with ETreasures Publishing, and Generations, a family saga with Solstice Publishing. As always, I've got a little something for everybody!
Andrea: How can readers keep up with you online?
John: I spend most of my time at http://www.facebook.com/johnreinharddizonUSA
Visit http://www.amazon.com/John-ReinhardDizon/e/B00DU9JNUQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 to purchase Tiara.
About the Author
John Reinhard Dizon was born and raised in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, NY. He participated in local and high school sports at Bishop Loughlin MHS, and was a key figure on the Brooklyn rock scene during the Punk Revolution of the 70's. Relocating to San Antonio TX in the 80's, he moonlighted as a pro wrestler before pursuing a BA at UTSA and degrees in Korean martial arts during the 90's. He currently lives in KC MO where he is studying for his MA in English at UMKC. Mr. Dizon has been studying and writing about American and European society and culture for over twenty-five years.
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