Today I welcome Eva Blaskovic, the author of Beyond the Precipice to Shelf Full of Books. I'll be interviewing Eva in just a bit, but let's find out a bit about her book first.
A YOUNG MAN WITH A DARK SECRET MUST CHOOSE
BETWEEN HIS FAMILY AND THE GIRL HE LOVES.
For
six years Bret Killeen is trapped by the wishes of his dead father, blackmailed
by his brother, and rejected by his uncle. Meanwhile, he watches his mother
descend into the depths of poverty.
As
Bret wrestles with guilt over the death of his father, he is helped by Nicole,
a young cello player with big dreams. She stirs the embers of his longing both
for music and for her - and ignites a fire he can't extinguish.
But
can he brave his past in order to seize his future?
The award-worthy debut novel by Eva
A. Blaskovic is a riveting blend of suspense, dark
humor, and compelling
inter-personal drama. Once you engage this roller coaster read you won't be
able to stop.
PURCHASE THE BOOK:
INTERVIEW:
What
inspired you to write Beyond the
Precipice?
I wanted to make people think. I wanted
them to reflect on their lives and the lives of others, and to question the
world we live in. As time went on, I incorporated a number of messages about family
dynamics and societal attitudes, and how people can affect, for better or for
worse, someone else’s life. Beyond the
Precipice is a story about aspirations, human error, guilt, forgiveness,
and the unrivaled power of rare, unconditional love. The novel also unveils the
unfortunate reality of how money determines whether a young person disappears
into obscurity or goes on to live a full, successful life—and that sometimes we
simply can’t do it on our own; we need the help of others who believe in us. It
is a dark story, but not one without hope.
In addition, many people in the real world are
steered away from their true passions, only to expend a lifetime attempting to
recover from the mistake. The influence of parents, educators, and other
trusted people cannot be overemphasized, nor can their responsibility in this
matter be understated.
Do
you play a musical instrument yourself? If so, what do you play? If not, what
would you play if you had the opportunity?
I have played eight musical instruments in
my lifetime, spanning strings, winds, and keys. Among those are classical
guitar, clarinet, violin, and viola. I would still like to own a
piano—something I’ve wanted since grade three—and to learn to play electric
guitar.
Music
is an integral part of this book. Was there particular music that helped
inspire you in the writing of the book, or influenced you when you were writing
it?
Yes, there is a large musical component in
the book, giving it its own spirit. But insofar as the book’s message is
concerned, one can substitute any passion in place of music. Many readers have
already done so; this is how they identify personally with Bret’s story.
The music that inspired me to write the
various passages and scenes is too many titles to list here, but I’ve compiled
some of the titles in a Beyond the
Precipice Playlist.
Genres I use for scene creation span from classical to Celtic to rock to
symphonic metal, as well as pieces from violinists Vanessa Mae and particularly
Dr. Draw, whom I had the honor to see play in person in Edmonton, Alberta. The
type of music determines the kind of scene produced, and vice versa. Sometimes
I let the music inspire the scene. Other times, if there is a particular scene
I need to construct, I choose the music that will facilitate this process.
How
long did it take you to write this novel?
This novel—five and a half years, beginning
halfway through 2006. But given that, in that time, my marriage broke down, I
moved three times, raised four children, took courses, did Taekwondo, worked
multiple jobs, and owned a business—leaving writing time constrained to the wee
hours of the night or consuming holiday time—the fact that this novel was
written at all is a miracle. It was written because it had to be, and it is a
testament to the highest level of perseverance. Although the conditions under
which the book was written were grueling, the physical and emotional hardships
wrote a better novel. Note to self: be careful what you wish for.
In addition, although I’d been a writer all
my life, I actually had to learn to write, because at long last I had access to
writing courses and the industry, courtesy of the Internet—something that was
not available in my youth. The story also had to simmer and steep, building in plot
and meaning. Beyond the Precipice was
the book I cut my author teeth on—it was a journey of discovery. The writing of
the second book has come along much faster, but I do still struggle to get
adequate writing and research time around sustaining a living. Fiction writing
requires large blocks of unbroken time—something that I still battle to secure.
Which
character is your favorite? Why?
I guess Bret Killeen would have to be
because I’ve always wanted to be that gifted in music—which is probably why
music kept writing itself into the book. Antonio Salieri nailed it in one of
his lines in the 1984 Amadeus movie:
“… why implant the desire? And then deny me the talent!” (According to some
sources, Salieri was not actually out to kill Mozart, as was depicted in the
movie.)
I also like Bret’s devotion to people,
although the same could be said about some of the other characters.
If
your book were made into a movie, who would play the main characters?
Although a former editor for major US
magazines and publishing houses, who had also written screenplays for
Paramount, critiqued the novel and said that Beyond the Precipice “would make a hell of a movie,” I am out of my
scope in terms of being able to suggest who would play the main characters.
However, if the time for a movie did come around, I would like to have the opportunity
to consult with the directors about the right fit of each of the cast, just as
J.K. Rowling had done in the selection process for actors auditioning in the
first Harry Potter film. I have definite images of how the characters of Beyond the Precipice should look, act,
and present themselves, but it is difficult to describe. It’s something I would
recognize when I saw it.
Why
do you think your readers are going to enjoy your book?
All the readers I’ve heard back from to
date relate to the story, or see themselves in it. Youth like the realism and
relevance. Adults like the writing style, suspense, and depth. It’s a story
about people who could be real, with issues that resonate with many a reader
for that reason.
How did you come up with
the title?
Are
you considering a sequel to this book?
A sequel to Beyond the Precipice has been in the works since May 2012. We are
targeting release in late 2014, depending on production time. Following that,
the publisher, Ashby-BP Fair-Trade Publishing, has also requested a third book
to complete a trilogy.
Who
should read this book?
Beyond
the Precipice appeals to both youth and adults, but
on different levels.
Since the protagonist is eighteen, his lifestyle
and his internal and external conflicts hold insights for youth. However, eighteen
is also the age of majority in Alberta, Canada, so Bret has officially entered
adulthood with its new set of responsibilities. Due to the book’s complexity
and life lessons, along with the inclusion of older characters who bring an
additional layer of dynamic, the book has a great deal of meaning for adult
readers (male or female), many of whom find themselves relating to Bret on some
level or from some point in their own lives. The book is not a light read. The
story delves into the psychologies of grief and abuse, and deals with family
issues such as parental rejection and poverty. It is a psychological suspense novel
about character and relationships rather than high action. Although action
scenarios are dispersed within, their significance lies in the character clues
that the reader collects along the way.
It has overtones of Dead Poets Society, especially where Bret and his late father’s
relationship is concerned, and Lion King,
in terms of dealing with guilt and manipulation, facing the past, and owning up
to responsibility. Artists, writers, and even musicians have identified with
the sense of alienation and lack of acceptance Bret experiences with his unstoppable
passion for music, and musicians have enjoyed the numerous passages and descriptions.
Both the beauty and danger of Edmonton, Alberta’s winter climate, rivaling
Antarctica’s temperatures, are captured in the backdrop of the story, adding an
exotic element that few people have experienced.
Bret is gifted on many levels, but readers
find him sympathetic because he has significant character flaws. He is also
conflicted, and undervalues almost every aspect of himself. Giftedness for him
is a sentence, not an advantage. His transformation begins when he can confront
this view he has of himself and his gifts.
AUTHOR BIO:
Eva
Blaskovic was born in the Czech Republic, grew up in Ontario, Canada, and moved
to Alberta in 1988, where she raised four children. Eva has worked in science
labs and has taught literacy, writing, math, and science. She is both an
accomplished writer and editor of non-fiction articles on business, education,
how-to, parenting, and travel. She is also an author of short fiction. Beyond
the Precipice is Eva Blaskovic's first full length novel, but it has already
received rave reviews from literary professionals and aficionados the world
over. When Eva hasn't buried herself in writing or editing, she may be found
taking her teenagers to Taekwondo, exploring the Farmers' Market, listening to
Celtic music, or sipping a latte.
Visit
her:
Google+ Eva Blaskovic
**Tour
sponsored by Worldwind
Virtual Book Tours – Follow the rest of Eva’s tour
HERE**
Thank you for hosting my book and interview, Kathryn.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome Eva!
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