Interview with Charles Massie
Author of Passionate Oversights
Charles Massie, the oldest of four children, grew up in Syracuse,
New York. After finishing high school, he enlisted in the United
States Navy and served a total of six years at various ports around
the world. Returning to civilian life, he continued his education at
Syracuse University. Upon graduation, he worked for a number of
engineering firms before finding his calling in the sales field.
Being an entrepreneur, he has been instrumental in overseeing such
companies as Massie Engineering Associates, InfoTech Consulting,
LLC, and CaterCats Catering. Creative expression has always been in
the background of his life and over the years, he has submitted
articles and stories to Twilight Zone Magazine, Readers Digest,
Analog Publications and others.
His hobbies include progressive rock music, computers and other
toys, traveling and enjoying the gifts that he has been blessed with.
He loves animals, humor, exotic cars and practicing random acts of
kindness.
He lives in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and New York State and
maintains his website at: www.charlesWmassie.com
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How would you describe 'Passionate Oversights' to a new reader?
- This is a true story of romance, seduction, abuse and finally redemption. The central characters encounter each other through Craigslist. After many phone and email conversations, they decide to meet face-to-face. It is only after the man moves in with his new lover that he discovers her deadly secret. She is a Black Widow woman in disguise.
What was the inspiration behind 'Passionate Oversights' ?
- It is a true story because I personally lived through all of the events in the book.
Which authors do you admire? How have they influenced your writing style?
- John Grisham, Patricia Cromwell, Robert R. McGammon, Emily King and David Grann. I read many different genre, from Sci-Fi to True Crime. Most books about domestic abuse are written from a female point of view. Passionate Oversights is written from a male point of view.
Can you tell us a little about the locations in your book?
- Syracuse, New York, Burkesville, Kentucky and a variety of small towns throught Kentucky.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors? How would you advise a new author about traditional publishing versus self publishing?
- Just put your hands on the keyboard and write. You need to start. Everything else can be edited, enhanced, defined and explained at a later date. But you must start writing. I like self publishing because it affords me the opportunity to write when I want and about what I want. I am not under any preordained schedule or genre'.
What's your writing process?
- Once I have an idea for a book, I put together a sort of rough roadmap of how I think it will develop. I do a lot of word-associations in order to hone the story to where I think it will go. I don't always write chapters in order, because some days I feel angry, some days I feel loving; etc. But I do try to write every day. Some days its 1/2 of a chapter and some days it is 3 or 4 chapters. Like I said previously, editing toward the final product comes later.
Which character in Passionate Oversights has had the greatest impact on readers?
- Most readers feel that Charlie is somewhat naive and too trusting and that Patriche is a natural evil person who has learned how to hide her motivations.
If Passionate Oversights were to be adapted for TV or film, who would you see in the lead role? Who did you have in your mind’s eye when you wrote him/her?
- Female Lead: Reba Mcentire
Male Lead: Eddie Redmayne
How have readers responded to Passionate Oversights?
- Overwhelming 4 and 5 star ratings
Where next? What are you working on now?
- I am currently working on the sequel to Passionate Oversights titled 'Pretty Little Patriche'. The story of how an innocent little girl became a deadly 'Black Widow'.
