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Today we
are talking with author Behcet Kaya. Thank you for spending time with us.
Thanks for the opportunity.
First, your
book, “Voice of Conscience,” left a vivid impact upon me, as many others have
said the same thing as well. It is obviously written from you past
experiences. So tell us, please, how are your parents and family?
This never happened, did it?
No. My mother is still alive and well. She is
ninety years old, writes poetry and reads without glasses. My father passed
away in 1999 from lung cancer. I used the places I have been and many of my own
experiences for the background of my novel and understand how readers so easily
make the connection between my bio and the story.
In my
review I comment on the cover art of your book. In your words, how does
the cover photo represent other aspects of your book besides the torment in the
man’s body language?
In Chapter 10, where the Imam gives the uology at
the funeral service for the family, he mentions the curse placed on the family
by an old lady due to land disputes. The continuation of the board walk is
broken. Ramzi's destiny is broken.
Growing up
as a young boy in Turkey back in the 60’s must have been quite a different time
and place to your life here in California. Your own bio follows the
character quite closely – what specific differences have you with your character
Ramzi? Perhaps as a follow up, what identical events have you had?
The experiences of Ramzi in the village are those
that I had growing up; all except the murders. I, too, attended school in
London and worked at the Texas Pancake House. However, I did not meet my wife
there. Ramzi married a rich man’s daughter and had a vast company. I am married
to Bostonian, all-American girl, but from a typical middle-class family. (I did
base Megan's character on my wife.) Ramzi’s success in California was my
American dream, but it did not happen for me.
When
writing “Voice of Conscience,” why did you bring it to the tragic end that you
did, instead of some course of events allowing Ramzi to “live happily ever
after?”
I wanted to be different. I wanted to explore
subjects others will not touch. If you look at the great novels, the best ones
seemed to be the way real life is; for example Madam Bovary, Anna Karenina,
Rebecca, and My Cousin Rachel.
You mention
the “next world” as being a part of Ramzi’s thoughts – what are your personal
views of this topic?
I am still searching.
Again my
compliments on such a fine novel. What are you going to be working on
next?
The working title of my next novel is -Murder on
the Naval Base. It is the story of a young naval officer and is not from any of
my life experiences, but rather from over two years of reading and research.
Thank you,
Behcet, and we wish you the most success with “Voice of Conscience.”
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