Exclusive Interview with
Randy Overbeck
When did you start writing?
I've been writing most of my adult life, in a professional vein for both college and administrative positions. I turned my writing skills to fictional pursuits about 15 years ago and have been fairly steady since.
What makes writing your passion?
I'm thrilled to have a chance to share a "truth" with my readers through my fiction. I'm excited to use the story structure of mysteries and thrillers to both entertain and inform my readers. I believe my words cn make a difference.
How long have you been writing?
If you referring to my published fiction, then the correct answer is since the mid-2000's. But this storytelling is simply an extension and a twist on the writing I did in my earlier profession. And where did you think I get the great story ideas?
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I had a sense of real accomplishment, like climbing a hill I never thought I'd conquer. Once I got to the top and looked around...whew, what a feeling!
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
All of my characters--or at least almost all--come from my years of experience in education. After more than 35 years working with teachers, students, parents, administrators, support staff, I have a wealth of actual persons I can draw on to craft my characters--though most are actually composite of people I knew. This also helps keep my characters credible.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
I guess what is most challenging is how incredibly hard it is to get readers to even be aware of your work. Regardless of how many awards the books earn--mine have 7 national awards--or how many 5 star reviews your writing garners, it is almost impossible to get readers to take note, largely because of the tsunami of titles they have to wade through to find yours.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
This has not yet been a problem for me. I always seem to have less time to write than I have ideas. And more ideas keep coming. It's a good problem to have.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Nothing great is ever achieved without struggle. It's true that writing, getting published and getting noticed is REALLY difficult. But if you really want to write, really have the itch--not just I want to finish a book so I can say I'm published--then it's worth the time and sweat and heartbreak.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Have more confidence and keep going, regardless of the naysayers and the rejections. Thomas Edison had more a thousand failures before he invented the lightbulb. John Grisham and J. K. Rowling both got a large number of "NO's" before they got one "YES." Stay focused and stay at it.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes, when I have time. I try to benefit from any review. If readers are positive, I like to learn what in particular they enjoyed. If they are critical, I try to read their comments to see if I can learn something to improve my next writing project.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Nothing fuels me more than when a reader writes that she stayed up all night to finish the book or when he writes he couldn't stop reading my novel or loves my characters.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Many of the details of my plots are twists on events I've witnessed or learned about in my 35+ experience in education. Most of my characters are composites of actual colleagues. I use these experiences to keep my fiction as real as possible.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
None of my character are based on me, though several have some of my quirks, skills and flaws.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Because it's so difficult to get eyeballs on your work in the first place, your cover may well be the only part of your work readers will see. If it doesn't click, readers might simply move on to the next title.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I'm happy to connect with readers in any way I can. Since I do a number of in-person events, I often talk with readers. But I also interact with them via email and SM everyday.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I feel humble and excited at the same time.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
The award-winning and best-selling author William Kent Krueger, without a doubt. His Cork O'Connor series (now at 18) are some the best mysteries I've ever read and their characters and setting are to die for. He is also very supportive of emerging writers like me.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Like every other writer, I pined for having a #1 NYT best seller and doing the interview circuit (Glad to meet you, Oprah). But right now, I'm happy being me--although I wouldn't mind more sales.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Since all of my novels have been published by small presses, that is not really a possibility. But to answer the question, I'm always learning new skills and when I read any of my published works, I always think of small changes I could make to strengthen the work. Mostly, though I'm happy with the novels as they are.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
There are many authors whose successes I admire and aspire to--though I realize they all had their own challenges and difficulties. Rather than switch places, I'd love to have their marketing machine to support my work.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I pretty much just ignore them. The overwhelming number of supportive readers keeps me buoyed.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for choosing my books and letting me know how much you enjoy my writing. If you can, please pass on your love of my novels to your friends and family. The only way a small writer like me ever gets noticed is word of mouth.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I'm a proud native of Ohio. I've been married to my high school sweetheart for more than 40 years. I have three children and seven wonderful grandchildren.
What is your day job if you have one?
I served children as an educator for more than 35 years, as a teacher, a college prof and a school leader.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I don't have much time for hobbies but I do play a little golf and manage to exercise 5 days a week.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, I am one of seven brothers and grew up in a house that was hectic, busy and often loud. After our parents divorced (I was in 8th grade), our mother kept us together and taught us the importance of becoming kind and thoughtful. It stuck. My brothers and I are all still close.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
It seemed like a natural extension of the writing I've been doing for more than 20 years, taking my writing to the next level.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have two manuscripts "in the drawer." Neither are good enough...yet, but I plan to revise and edit to see if I can get them up to standard. I still believe they will see the light of day.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
We need to help children learn better on their own...and learning to enjoy reading more will go a long way toward this. Our system would be much improved if educators were able to focus more on children and less on state tests.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1) People would be willing to really listen to each other and accept each other.
2) All children would receive the support, love and care they deserve.
3) How about world peace, while I'm at it.
What is your favorite music?
I have very eclectic tastes in music--as well as books. I enjoy rock, pop country, classical, smooth jazz, and even musicals.
Share a secret with us 🙂
A number of years ago, I was trained by a professional bellydancer to make a ship painted on my stomach wiggle for the musical, "South Pacific." It was a hoot!