Author Interview Phil Scrima
From All Sides: The
Squeeze
Interviewed by Pacific Book Review
December 2011
Today we have the
pleasure of being with author Phil Scrima, discussing his book From All Sides: The Squeeze. Phil, thank you for joining us.
PS: The
pleasure is all mine. Thank you.
PBR:
Your book is quite a whirlwind of human nature.
Tell us how did you come up with the storyline and characters?
PS: Being in the vending machine business for
over thirty-eight years gave me an insight of the competition within the
industry, and even threats, over losing large accounts. Based on that, I developed the main
character, Harry; however, I needed to expand a love and hate relationship with
the other characters. I enjoy believable
science fiction, and incorporated that into the story, as well as mystery, romance,
and intrigue. As you mentioned in your
revue, it is only for mature audiences.
PBR: Your writing is griping with all of your elements flowing
throughout the book. What are the most
important things to convey to the reader when you are writing fiction?
PS: Have a good story. It should contain love, hatred, a hero,
and a villain. I wrote this novel more in script fashion, as
it is very descriptive, and has multiple
plots; that all come together at the conclusion
of the story. I write pictorially, similar to how the
creators communicate in the book. My
script writing is like a movie; I want my readers to visualize watching a film
when they read, I purposely wrote
it that way as I plan to convert the novel into a screen play.
PBR: There’s a bumper sticker I
recall which reads, “If you want a good laugh, tell God what your plans are for
tomorrow!” How do you feel about fate, personal
control and theological influence?
PS: People often say,
“That’s fate.” Sometimes that is
correct; however, you can prevent or accelerate fate, depending on your actions
and attitude.
Personal control, if
it’s related to my novel, you will observe how their lives changed because of lust
and circumstances; however, the energy beams that were always present
throughout the book, initiated events beyond their control! This adds to the mystery and intrigue which
will keep the readers captivated.
Theological
influence, if you’re referring to the religious content in the book, the first
chapter Nonno stated to the creators, that all religions, and governments, need
to strive for the common good for all human life, regardless of their beliefs. Hatred, greed, killing, starvation, and poverty,
can be eliminated. We have the means.
PBR: Who are some of your
favorite authors, or what are some of your favorite books?
PS: I have to break that up into three sections,
for science fiction authors, Jules Verne, “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” and Arthur
C Clarke, “2001: A Space
Odyssey.” Both were ahead of their times
before such thoughts, and inventions ever existed.
For stories about the poverty and tumultuous
times, my first choice is, John Steinbeck, who wrote about the hardships of
people living during the depression. For
current conditions, “From All Sides, The Squeeze,” my final chapters,
illustrate some of the issues of being homeless and down and out in today’s
society.
PBR: What are you currently
working on?
PS: The sequel, “The Return,” and the screenplay,
“From All Sides, The Squeeze.
PBR: Who would you describe would be the perfect audience for your book From All Sides?
PS: I think if people enjoyed the, “Godfather,” by
Mario Puzo, “The Grapes of Wrath“ and “Cannery Row,” by John Steinbeck, that
those readers would also like this novel.
For those that like modern
romance, there’s plenty of that in this book; however, without the chivalry of traditional
romance stories where there is an emotionally
satisfying and optimistic ending. I think the adulterous affair segments in my book,
has similarities with the emotional upheaval that the characters experienced in
their love relationship in the novel, Doctor Zhivago.
For science fiction fans, I have some advanced ideas
in this book that I’m going to expand on in the sequel, “The Return.”
PBR: We all know “Names are
changed to protect the innocent” in novels, but are “you” written into any of
the characters?
PS: I think every writer puts something of
themselves into a story. I have experienced
some of the pressures in business and threats that prevail throughout the
book. This gave me the idea for the main
plot; however, I am not Harry. The romance and affair portion, which happens
every day in our society, was added to emphasize how those actions can destroy
and change people.
Marine boot camp is an
individual recollection of the way I remembered Paris Island back in, 1957.
The science fiction portions
are my personal love, as I always wanted to write about aliens and space travel
in a believable format. Something that
is attainable for humans, in the far future.
Excluding the science
fiction segments, Nonno, one of the characters in the book is depicted after my real grandfather, who had some of
the personality qualities that flow throughout the novel.
PBR: We certainly wish you the best of success
with your book, and again, thank you for your time today.
PS: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this novel.
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