1. You mentioned in a previous post that you like the idea of Justin Timberlake as Barry O’Shea. What might he bring to the role?
I picked him because his likeness is somewhat similar to Barry's description. I didn't picked his singing ability, but now that he is acting successfully, I thought he might like this role.
2. Which character in your book would you least like to have as a friend?
I have four books published, and I never thought of this. Characters like Schman, Shabdrung and Yarbrough, would not make good friends with me.
3. What is something in your life that currently brings you joy and excitement?
The reviews that I've gotten recently.
4. Do you have any fears or phobias? Can you explain?
I don't think I have any fears that amount to phobias. I'm afraid of heights, and I don't like snakes, but I don't consider them phobias.
5. How would you describe your life story? Have you ever considered writing a memoir or autobiography?
I consider my life as successful. I've already written a partial autobiography, Seven Decades in Court.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday Q&A
1.Have you given any more thought as to which actor you’d like to see play Barry O’Shea?
I'm still not committed.
2. You’ve mentioned that you don’t go to the theater but what was the last movie you watched at home? What did you think of it?
We really don't watch movies at home. We use the video recorder to record the shows we want to see that come on at 9 or 10 (we don't stay up that late, but get up early in the morning.) and watch them at cocktail time in the evening. That way we get to watch only what we want to see.
3. What inspires you to write?
Just to love to relive the experience I lived when I practiced law. Some of them I couldn't completely enjoy for one reason or another, but this way I have fun with them.
4. Do you have any favorite quotes or words of wisdom to share?
I don't have any quotes, but try your hardest to be honest. It's not easy to do. Everyone has to admit to not always telling the truth, but do your very best.
5. In your years of experience, what do you think is the meaning of life?
That's a hard one. I think we were put here to accomplish something. Some of us, hopefully not many, accomplish more bad than good, but everyone accomplishes some things that satisfy themselves.
I'm still not committed.
2. You’ve mentioned that you don’t go to the theater but what was the last movie you watched at home? What did you think of it?
We really don't watch movies at home. We use the video recorder to record the shows we want to see that come on at 9 or 10 (we don't stay up that late, but get up early in the morning.) and watch them at cocktail time in the evening. That way we get to watch only what we want to see.
3. What inspires you to write?
Just to love to relive the experience I lived when I practiced law. Some of them I couldn't completely enjoy for one reason or another, but this way I have fun with them.
4. Do you have any favorite quotes or words of wisdom to share?
I don't have any quotes, but try your hardest to be honest. It's not easy to do. Everyone has to admit to not always telling the truth, but do your very best.
5. In your years of experience, what do you think is the meaning of life?
That's a hard one. I think we were put here to accomplish something. Some of us, hopefully not many, accomplish more bad than good, but everyone accomplishes some things that satisfy themselves.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday Q&A
1. If you could hire any actor in the world to play your character, Barry O’Shea, who might you choose and why?
I'd like to think about this one for some time.
2. What is the most fun thing you have ever done in your life?
There isn't any one thing. I testified before a US Senate Committee, as a youngster I played the President of the Oregon Senate for a day, I used to love rafting down fast moving rivers and I have some great memories of some of them, many of my trials were unforgettable experiences. I've served as a judge for a number of moot court trial by law students in interesting places, such as San Diego and Houston, I have arbitrated some very interesting disputes: These among the fun things that come to mind.
3. Are you more likely to spend your time thinking about the past, present or future?
I don't know the answer to this one. Dwelling on the past is often unproductive as you can't change it, but you can learn things. The present isn't something that interests me at my age, and the future is somewhat limited.
4. Do you have siblings? Are you the youngest, oldest, middle, only child, etc.? How did this affect your upbringing?
Yes, I have a son and two daughters. I'm an only child, which was not that unusual during the depression years. It certainly affected my upbringing, but it was offset by three of my cousins because my mother''s sister lived on the same street where we lived, and I sort of grew up as much at her house as mine. We all took summer vacations together at a beach house owned by my uncle, so I spent a lot of time with their children - two boys about my age and a younger girl.
5. Other than writing or law, what is something that you think you’re good at?
I was good at leading civic organizations. I was President of a number of them. I was good at golf, having a single digit handicap for most of my golfing life.
I'd like to think about this one for some time.
2. What is the most fun thing you have ever done in your life?
There isn't any one thing. I testified before a US Senate Committee, as a youngster I played the President of the Oregon Senate for a day, I used to love rafting down fast moving rivers and I have some great memories of some of them, many of my trials were unforgettable experiences. I've served as a judge for a number of moot court trial by law students in interesting places, such as San Diego and Houston, I have arbitrated some very interesting disputes: These among the fun things that come to mind.
3. Are you more likely to spend your time thinking about the past, present or future?
I don't know the answer to this one. Dwelling on the past is often unproductive as you can't change it, but you can learn things. The present isn't something that interests me at my age, and the future is somewhat limited.
4. Do you have siblings? Are you the youngest, oldest, middle, only child, etc.? How did this affect your upbringing?
Yes, I have a son and two daughters. I'm an only child, which was not that unusual during the depression years. It certainly affected my upbringing, but it was offset by three of my cousins because my mother''s sister lived on the same street where we lived, and I sort of grew up as much at her house as mine. We all took summer vacations together at a beach house owned by my uncle, so I spent a lot of time with their children - two boys about my age and a younger girl.
5. Other than writing or law, what is something that you think you’re good at?
I was good at leading civic organizations. I was President of a number of them. I was good at golf, having a single digit handicap for most of my golfing life.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday Q&A! HAPPY 4th of JULY!
1. Do you have any specific Fourth of July memories that you’d like to share?
Not really. I've never really got excited about fireworks, except for one I saw a few years ago in conjunction with the Boston Pops concert in the esplanade at Boston harbor. It was truly exceptional.
2. What do you appreciate the most about being an American?
The freedom to do what you want within limits and to accomplish your will.
3. If you were ever President of the United States, what is the first thing you’d do in office?
Make a legitimate effort to get rid of the defect. I really mean effort, no politics, no concern about polls.
4. In the history of America, what is something that interests you the most?
I cannot answer this question. There are so many important thing that have happened in the history of America, it is impossible for me to narrow down one most important thing.
5. What does the term patriotism mean to you?
A love of country that surpasses personal priorities.
Not really. I've never really got excited about fireworks, except for one I saw a few years ago in conjunction with the Boston Pops concert in the esplanade at Boston harbor. It was truly exceptional.
2. What do you appreciate the most about being an American?
The freedom to do what you want within limits and to accomplish your will.
3. If you were ever President of the United States, what is the first thing you’d do in office?
Make a legitimate effort to get rid of the defect. I really mean effort, no politics, no concern about polls.
4. In the history of America, what is something that interests you the most?
I cannot answer this question. There are so many important thing that have happened in the history of America, it is impossible for me to narrow down one most important thing.
5. What does the term patriotism mean to you?
A love of country that surpasses personal priorities.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday Q&A!
1. Your newest book is Vital to the Defense. How would you describe it?
It's about a tremendous fire of a plywood mill, a lawsuit against a forklift manufacturer alledging that a forklift which it made caused the fire, and a tough defense by Barry O'Shea. Without getting into details, the back of the book tells it well.
2. Are there any new characters in Vital to the Defense who you particularly enjoyed creating? Why or why not?
I liked writing about Larry Schuman and Sylvia Norton. They're devious, clever and greedy characters that's fun to describe.
3.How long did it take to write Vital to the Defense? How often did you sit down to write? Did you do it a little at a time or did you finish multiple chapters in one sitting?
I took probably 5 or 6 months. I wrote off and on during that time. I wrote it a little at a time.
4. Many people dream of writing a book but never do it. You’ve published numerous books. How did it feel to complete another?
I don't know how to answer this question, except to say that I had a feeling of accomplishment.
5. What type of person do you imagine your readers to be? Is there a specific audience you aim for or is it a more personal journey?
Probably someone with a lot of imagination who likes mysteries. That's the audience that I aim for.
It's about a tremendous fire of a plywood mill, a lawsuit against a forklift manufacturer alledging that a forklift which it made caused the fire, and a tough defense by Barry O'Shea. Without getting into details, the back of the book tells it well.
2. Are there any new characters in Vital to the Defense who you particularly enjoyed creating? Why or why not?
I liked writing about Larry Schuman and Sylvia Norton. They're devious, clever and greedy characters that's fun to describe.
3.How long did it take to write Vital to the Defense? How often did you sit down to write? Did you do it a little at a time or did you finish multiple chapters in one sitting?
I took probably 5 or 6 months. I wrote off and on during that time. I wrote it a little at a time.
4. Many people dream of writing a book but never do it. You’ve published numerous books. How did it feel to complete another?
I don't know how to answer this question, except to say that I had a feeling of accomplishment.
5. What type of person do you imagine your readers to be? Is there a specific audience you aim for or is it a more personal journey?
Probably someone with a lot of imagination who likes mysteries. That's the audience that I aim for.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Monday Q&A
1. Father’s Day was yesterday. Can you share a bit about your experience as a father? How many children do you have? Were you a strict parent or more lenient? Did you enjoy parenting, etc.?
I enjoyed being a father. I have two daughters, ages 55 and 49, and one son, age 53. I think I was a fairly strict father, although I'm sure my children have lots of stories abougt how they got away with things. All and all I think my children grew up well with a few bumps and scrapes and are successful and fine parents today to their children. At least their children have proved to make them and me proud.
2. You mentioned that it’s very warm where you live. Do you like to be outdoors or do you prefer to stay inside to stay cool?
It is very warm here in the summer. I like to be outdoors in the mornings when it is relatively cool. I walk at least 2 miles a day. But you have to stay inside, where it's air conditioned, in the afternoons and evenings because of the heat.
3. In your recent radio interview with Fran Lewis, she briefly mentioned that she really like your character, Pam. Can you expand on Pam’s personality and role in your book?
Pam is a middle aged investigator, but little is known about her except that she gets results. Pam Hall is her pseudonym. Her contact is Barry's secretary and wife Sarah. She tells the people who she interviews that she will not appear as a witness and gets lots of interviews and information because of that tact. In fact she will not testify, but usually figures out another way to get the facts if we need it. Barry, nor any of the attorneys who use her, has never met her and doesn't know her real name. Her character is an actual person I used as an investigator who had the same MO.
4. When you don’t have obligations and can do as you please, are you an early bird or a night owl?
Pretty much. I'm an early bird, usually by 5:30, and not a night owl (in bed most nights by 9:00). It doesn't detract from watching night time TV shows that we like as we tape them and watch them over cocktails the following nights.
5. If you were able to start all over again, would you still choose to be a lawyer? What profession (other than writing/being an author) interests you?
I really don't know. I always said that I would be always be a lawyer, but as the profession became a non-profession in the 80s and 90s I really had trouble with it. I loved the law when I started in 1958. It was a true profession then and lawyers and judges treated each other with respect. In those days it was an honor to be picked for the judiciary. Judges were admired and respected for the most part although some were downright ownry. You could live with that because even the ownry judges were professionals. When the Supreme Court allowed lawyers to advertise in the 70s, this all changed. Lawyers began treating each other with disdain and hard-ball. Before we were always adversaries, but polite and shared information whenever it did not affect adversely on our client. At the same time the judiciary also took a dive. Respected lawyers would no longer take appointments, and the quality of the judges declined rapidly. I think this caused the public to look at lawyers and judges in a different light. Instead of as respected professionals, they began to consider them on a par with salesmen, which is really what many of them became. I retired at 67 because of my growing distaste for the "profession" and the judiciary. I would say that I would have trouble starting out as a lawyer today unless something changed drastically. I really don't know what else interests me at this time.
If you have a question for Jerry, please comment below or send an email to Krista: kroman@internationalbookmanagement.com
I enjoyed being a father. I have two daughters, ages 55 and 49, and one son, age 53. I think I was a fairly strict father, although I'm sure my children have lots of stories abougt how they got away with things. All and all I think my children grew up well with a few bumps and scrapes and are successful and fine parents today to their children. At least their children have proved to make them and me proud.
2. You mentioned that it’s very warm where you live. Do you like to be outdoors or do you prefer to stay inside to stay cool?
It is very warm here in the summer. I like to be outdoors in the mornings when it is relatively cool. I walk at least 2 miles a day. But you have to stay inside, where it's air conditioned, in the afternoons and evenings because of the heat.
3. In your recent radio interview with Fran Lewis, she briefly mentioned that she really like your character, Pam. Can you expand on Pam’s personality and role in your book?
Pam is a middle aged investigator, but little is known about her except that she gets results. Pam Hall is her pseudonym. Her contact is Barry's secretary and wife Sarah. She tells the people who she interviews that she will not appear as a witness and gets lots of interviews and information because of that tact. In fact she will not testify, but usually figures out another way to get the facts if we need it. Barry, nor any of the attorneys who use her, has never met her and doesn't know her real name. Her character is an actual person I used as an investigator who had the same MO.
4. When you don’t have obligations and can do as you please, are you an early bird or a night owl?
Pretty much. I'm an early bird, usually by 5:30, and not a night owl (in bed most nights by 9:00). It doesn't detract from watching night time TV shows that we like as we tape them and watch them over cocktails the following nights.
5. If you were able to start all over again, would you still choose to be a lawyer? What profession (other than writing/being an author) interests you?
I really don't know. I always said that I would be always be a lawyer, but as the profession became a non-profession in the 80s and 90s I really had trouble with it. I loved the law when I started in 1958. It was a true profession then and lawyers and judges treated each other with respect. In those days it was an honor to be picked for the judiciary. Judges were admired and respected for the most part although some were downright ownry. You could live with that because even the ownry judges were professionals. When the Supreme Court allowed lawyers to advertise in the 70s, this all changed. Lawyers began treating each other with disdain and hard-ball. Before we were always adversaries, but polite and shared information whenever it did not affect adversely on our client. At the same time the judiciary also took a dive. Respected lawyers would no longer take appointments, and the quality of the judges declined rapidly. I think this caused the public to look at lawyers and judges in a different light. Instead of as respected professionals, they began to consider them on a par with salesmen, which is really what many of them became. I retired at 67 because of my growing distaste for the "profession" and the judiciary. I would say that I would have trouble starting out as a lawyer today unless something changed drastically. I really don't know what else interests me at this time.
If you have a question for Jerry, please comment below or send an email to Krista: kroman@internationalbookmanagement.com
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Radio Interview TODAY!
I will be doing a radio interview from 12-2 pm (3-5 pm EST). You can listen live by clicking this link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2011/06/15/book-discussion-with-your-host-fran-lewis. Thank you for your continued support!
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