How did you get the idea for FAST TRACK?
It began as a writing exercise about a personal experience -- witnessing a car/train collision in 1959 which killed
three people at this grade crossing in Chadwick, Illinois. As I wrote, I also remembered hearing a radio news report of a
similar accident in which an infant survived. I started asking myself "what if" questions. The answers turned into
FAST TRACK.
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How much of FAST TRACK is based on personal experience?
FAST TRACK is a work of fiction and is not about persons living or dead. However, all writers draw upon personal experience
for inspiration. In my case, some of the inspiration for the novel comes from my sister's suicide in 1980. FAST TRACK is set
in South Central Wisconsin in the fictional town of Pine Bluff, which resembles Stoughton, where I used to live, and La Crosse,
where I grew up.
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How long did it take you to write the novel?
It took four months to write the first draft in 1995. It took another year-and-a-half of tweaking before I had the courage
to let anyone else read it. I've been blessed with many friends whose honest feedback prompted fourteen major rewrites and
a subsequent book deal with ArcheBooks.
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How did you get an agent?
I got my first agent by networking and getting referrals from author friends, then sent a one-page query letter to ten agents.
Several asked to see all or part of the manuscript, and one agent actually wanted to represent me. We had a very good relationship,
but then, just as I delivered a major rewrite to him, he informed me that he was leaving the business. So, I was in agent-search
mode again. I met Barbara Casey, my current agent, in the summer of 2004 at the Hariette Austin Writer's Conference at the
University of Georgia.
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Why didn't you just self publish your novel?
I thought about it, but decided it's not for me. While self publishing is a great way to get your book into print quickly,
there are many obstacles, too: distribution mostly depends on your willingness to slavishly promote your book, and many book
stores don't carry self published works. I feel that the critical eye of an experienced agent, coupled with the editorial
oversight of a publisher are the best ways to make your book the best it can be -- and put it into the hands of the most readers.
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What are you working on now?
I've written a screenplay adaptation
of FAST TRACK and am currently revising its sequel (working title: BLUFF).
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Are you related
to that guy who ran for president?
No. He misspells his name Dukakis.
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What else do you like to do?
I play the drums, tennis, hike, bike, read, and I LOVE stimulating
conversations with friends -- but the next day I rest.
BLOG:
I've begun experimenting with doing a blog on authorsden.com
Here's the link:
Feedback Appreciated
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BOOK CLUBS:
FAST TRACK is an
excellent choice for your book club. If you're not in a discussion group, I encourage you to form one, or check with
your library or a bookstore to find groups already meeting in your area.
You get 55% off the retail price if you order the paperback
in increments of 5 from the publisher's web site: http://archebooks.com/PDP.htm. The hardcover is 42% off. In addition, if you contact me directly at john@johndedakis.com, we can make arrangements for me to speak to your group via speaker phone or in person. Here are a few
standard pump-priming questions to get your group talking:
* How did
you like the book?
* Who was your favorite/least favorite
character? Why?
Questions for more in-depth
conversations:
* Two tragedies in the
author's life were the genesis of "Fast Track": a fatal car-train collision he witnessed as a youngster, and the
suicide of his sister. When in your life did something positive emerge from something negative?
* In "Fast Track," what did you learn about journalism that you
didn't know before?
* Near the end of the book, one
of the characters reveals an extremely personal secret. Assess Lark's response and compare it to how you
might have reacted.
