iUniverse talks with Alton K Barton, author of Night Moves

Night Moves by Alton K Barton

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Q:Which do you consider more important in your writing, a sense of place, your experiences, or something else altogether? Why is this important to you?

All my books revolve around a sense of place. Because my father was in the Navy, most of my novels flow eventually to coastal towns--e.g. Bermuda in Camouflage, Cabo San Lucas in Symbiosis, La Paz, in Night Moves.

Q:What are your influences and inspirations? What makes you write?

My experiences as a clinical psychologist who has worked in medical settings gives me an eye for medical details and the psyche of my antagonists. In Night Moves, the bad guys are doctors who are corrupted by greed and self-importance.

Q:Is there a particular aspect of your book (or books) that you are most proud of?

The ability to take the reader visually to each place. My chapters are constructed around scenes. The characters are doctors, politicians, and detectives who each have a dark side that is exposed to the reader.

Q:What is unique about your book, what differentiates it from other books in the same category? What about it will reach out and grab the reader?

The ability to shift the reader between a main plot and two parallel subplots that run together. Each book is like a computer program that requires the reader to multi-task among plots. The endings typically allow for sequels.

Q:Are you working on something now? In what ways is it a departure from what you've done in the past?

I've just completed Low Country set against the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia. The plot involves a takeover of the Bureau of Prisons by a maniacal justice official who plans to disrupt the international balance of power between the U.S., European and Pacific Rim countries.

Q:iUniverse.com offers an Author Toolkit. Have you used any of the tips there? If so, tell us about some of your successes. If you haven't used it, would you share any tips or suggestions that other authors might find useful in promoting their books?

I found the flyers important for publicity along with the author event calendar. I order plenty of books for friends and critics and am not afraid to rewrite after a critique. The idea for my latest book, Low Country, orginated on a trip to Savannah, Georgia. Future books are planned around Salt Lake City,Utah and Princeville, Kauai.