Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Ian Primmer. I am an Pacific Northwest author. I reside in Washington State and have lived there for most of my life. I have a wife and five children.
Describe the plot of your new book, “Hometown: The Puget Sound Kids of the 1990s,” in a few sentences.
The story is about a boy named Cody Muller growing up in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s. A young misfit who experiences quite an array of wild adventures and crazy encounters. Cody struggles his entire life to find himself, making one mistake after another. He suffers loss and small victories like no other. In essence, Cody is the poster child of what not to do, and how not to act in this 90s circa theme.
Tell us about the troubled young man who is the story’s protagonist.
Cody Muller struggles his entire life to find himself, making one mistake after another. He suffers loss and small victories like no other. In essence, Cody is the poster child of what not to do, and how not to act.
The main character struggles as a result of poor decision-making. What kind of poor decisions does he make? How does he cope with his situation?
Suicide attempts, smoking oregano in the band room, shooting Darrius Rucker in the rear with a pellet gun on the golf course, popping all the number pads off of the lockers so other kids cannot retrieve there items between classes, assaulting a political figure with a paintball gun, Cody almost can’t help himself. He wants to make good choices and is by no means morally bankrupt. He just can’t quite get a grip on psyche and behavior.
Can you tell us about us about the main character’s relationship with his friends?
Making friends is not a challenge for Cody. However, choosing his friends is. This is Cody’s downfall. With the exception of his childhood best friend Wesley, Cody struggles to find a friend as worthy after Wesley moves to Seattle.
Tell us about the setting, 1990s Pacific Northwest.
The Pacific Northwest in the 1990s was a prosperous times for all ages. The economy was pretty good, and the Seattle music scene was considered revolutionary to most living in the area.
Was it difficult to capture the 1990s with your writing? Did you have to do much research?
As the author, I had a significant advantage as I was raised in the Pacific Northwest during the 90s and didn’t need to do much research to capture the circa. However, I did have to double check some of the dates given movies and music to match the age of the protagonist at times.
What draws you to the coming-of-age genre?
Childhood youth is universal and relatable.
Grunge music was a big part of the 1990s Pacific Northwest. Did you draw any inspiration from this culture?
Absolutely! Before the explosion of Seattle’s grunge scene. Music was kicked off by an up-and-coming band called “Mother Love Bone.” In my opinion, this eventually led to Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Kurt Cobain and Nirvana were a given. A freight train couldn’t stop that movement from happening and Jerry Cantrell along with Alice in Chains simply couldn’t be passed over. For many of us, we felt a sense of great pride growing up in an area that was so recognized musically. Many of us were devastated by the loss of Kurt Cobain.
Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
Hemingway…
How long have you been writing? How has your writing changed since when you first started?
I started writing after a long and exhausting family court battle in my early twenties. I couldn’t understand how a lawyer could charge so much money for writing in such an argumentative form. After awhile, I attempted to mimic the style and began to like writing. I later ventured in to technical and political writing and eventually wanted to write my own stories.
Who was your favorite character to write?
Cody’s mother Doris Muller. I have an emotional attachment to the character similar to my own mother. A sweet innocent victim of a toxic teenage wasteland.
How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
Honestly, I believe I’ve got a long way to go. We never stop learning and I really wished I would have furthered my academic career before diving head-first in to my writing ambitions.
Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
Yes! I am proud to say that I have been using the Novelist app on my google chrome laptop. The app allows you to build and mold each character before writing the story.
What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I’d like to finish my next book entitled “Hang em’ high”- The modern punishment for an active shooter. I would also like to complete a box set series of small town stories throughout several cities in my home state.
How have your readers responded to the book so far?
I think “Hometown” is still a little new to the market. I have not received any reviews yet.
Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
No. I love all aspects of writing.
 |
| Author Ian Primmer. |
Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I have had writer’s block. Fortunately, it never lasts very long. I always have several book ideas floating on the Novelist app at all times. I have also found that in times of writers block. This is the best time to work on the book cover. Working on the cover snaps me out of any anger or frustration from the block, and motivates me back into my work and generally creates a new perspective or idea that snaps me right out of writer’s block.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next project is entitled “Hang em’ High” – The modern punishment for an active shooter. I am deeply saddened and concerned about our current social situation. I am dedicated to writing ideas to assist in preventing active shooter situations. Nobody should have to suffer the wrath of an unstable human being firing high powered weapons at will in any situation or scenario. My next project is solely dedicated to the victims and families who have suffered due to these unspeakable acts of domestic terrorism.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Despite the trials and tribulations contained in this novella. It is honestly an interesting short read. It can be done in a few hours. Follow along as Cody, family, and friends make there way through life in this coming of age story.
An Excerpt from “Hometown: The Puget Sound Kids of the 1990s,” Chapter 4: Officer Glenn:
The following morning was Memorial Day, and Cody's parents did not have to work, and Cody did not have to attend the school that day either. However, Cody was rudely awakened by the sound of pounding at the front door. Cody found it strange that his parents had not responded to the banging at the door. He quickly threw on some basketball shorts and a T-shirt and ran to the front door to see who was at the door. Before answering the door, he peered through the living room window to see who it was. All he could see was his stepfathers' brown 1980 Chevy Silverado parked along the street in front of the house in the early morning fog. Had he lost his keys? Cody wondered while he rubbed his eyes trying to quickly shake off the cobwebs from being awoken from a dead sleep. That can't be right Cody thought as he tried to reexamine the situation, he wouldn't have been able to drive home as the house key is on the key ring to his truck. Cody opened the door anticipating an angry stepfather to instead an angry police officer with a black eye. Cody immediately slammed the door in the cop's face yelling "just a minute officer." Cody rushed to the stairs and met his mother halfway down.
"Who is it?" Doris asked Cody.
"It's the police" Cody responded back.
"What in the hell do they want at this hour?" She asked.
"I don't know, is dad home?" Cody asked.
"Yes, he's upstairs, and nobody better wake him, you know how he gets, he got in late last night," Doris said.
Doris walked towards the front door to speak with the police officer.
"Go back to bed," she shouted at Cody. Yeah right, this ought to be good Cody thought to himself. Doris stepped outside and shut the front door behind her. Cody tried to listen in from the living room but had a hard time trying to make out what was being said between his mother and the officer. Finally, Cody heard shouting "he took my god damn car" coming from who assumed to be the police officer.
His mother then opened the front door and walked out to the garage.
"Get your ass back to bed Cody, I'm not kidding young man," she ordered. She then opened and closed the door to the garage from the house behind her. Cody could hear the garage door open. He then ran to the living room to see if he could get a view of anything happening in the driveway from the living room window, but the outside of the garage blocked his view. Moments later, Cody saw the police officer leave in his patrol car, and his mother moved the truck and parked it back in the driveway.
"I thought I told you to go back to bed," she screamed at Cody.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Apparently Ben and officer Glenn had an incident last night after your father left a bar in town and the two of them got their cars mixed up somehow, now get back to bed and don't wake your father" she replied.More Information
Buy the book on Amazon.
Visit the author’s website.
Like the author on Facebook.
No comments:
Post a Comment