I was
honored to join a book club for brunch and discuss The Recipient’s Son. After, I began a correspondence with one of
the club’s members, continuing our Q&A via email. Jim has agreed to allow
me to share this discussion with others who are interested in the book and the
writing process.
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Jim:
I love chapter 8 (Running), and how the scenes went back and forth, it
was like reading a screen play to a movie...brilliantly done! In fact, your book should be made into a
movie! I love your writing style and
your descriptive way of writing. I remember
you saying that you like the person reading your book to get a sense of what is
happening in the scene.
Steve: Thanks for your kind words. You
are not the first person who suggested that The
Recipient’s Son should be a movie or that my writing style implies a
screenplay. I like to start a chapter or a new scene with a rich physical
description. In The Recipient's Son,
I hoped to enable alumni and Annapolitans to reminisce while simultaneously
putting those who have never been on the Severn's shores, Naval Academy
candidates primarily, into this unique environment so that they enjoy
recognition upon arrival. I think this creates that sense that you describe.
Jim: In your book on page 83, you
mentioned “Goat Court?” I have never
seen this and/or know where this is? Is it tucked away from the public? I love how his classmates came out to support
Durago here.
Steve: Goat Court is a real place.
There are in fact two of them and neither are visible to the public. If you
look at a map of Bancroft Hall you will notice that 3rd and 4th wings are
shaped like a square. The interior is a court, though it is not intended for
normal traffic. There are no doors, only windows that face the court. In the
90's these rooms were normally occupied by plebes and youngsters since second
and first class mids would covet rooms that looked outward. It was a common
punishment for plebes that committed serious offenses to be sent by an
upperclass to march around the court as Simpson did...with the intended
response that is described in the book. This is important to note...this event
actually happened on more than one occasion to include classmates joining in to
draw fire in support their brethren.
Jim:
On page 93, I felt bad for Durago wetting himself but, I love the scene
when Washington was twelve years old and thought the Marine was a state
trooper. It was very touching, for I can see a young person saying this. Again,
I can see this seen on the bus as a flash back in a movie. When your book does become a movie, make sure
you have full control over the screen play or write it and the scenes!
Steve: Jim, I am glad that you picked
up on the perspective I sought to create. While there is only one main
character- Donald Durago - and perhaps a lead supporting role in Jan…there are
other characters in The Recipient’s Son
in important roles. Clearly, this includes Master Chief Strong. Midshipmen
Second Class Simpson and Washington are two others. To give them depth, I
needed to make them a little sympathetic. To do so, I shared some details of
their backgrounds. I even contrasted the two. Simpson comes from a military
family...yet wants to break from his father's reputation and establish himself.
Washington is the opposite...someone with no military background. So, I thought,
“How would this guy become interested in the military?” From there I started to
build the whole picture...a watershed moment on a bus, nurtured by great books
written by former Marines. It actually is not an uncommon story and was fun for
me to construct.
