Peter Leonard is a stellar writer. I know, I’ve read five of his books and have
never been disappointed. His work is
taut and tense and humorous, sometimes all at once. He takes you on a ride and you don’t really
care where it’s going as long as he’s at the helm. It’s the main reason I contacted him for a
quick interview. His latest thriller is
titled, “Raylan Goes to Detroit,” where he breathes new life into U.S. Marshall,
Raylan Givens, a character who his father Elmore Leonard created back in the
early ‘90’s. It’s the same Raylan Givens
who was the main character of the FX hit series, “Justified.”
I mention his famous father with apprehension, because Peter’s
writing acumen is phenomenal all by itself and he deserves more recognition for
his body of work. If you like gritty
thrillers with realistic characters who speak like real people, then you need
to get one of his books. Start anywhere,
they all stand alone by themselves. Now
here’s Peter:
1-Raylan Goes to Detroit was so satisfying because Raylan reacts
exactly how you would imagine. Did you
feel any pressure to keep his voice and actions within the framework of his
past experiences?
I felt very comfortable stepping into Raylan’s boots. He was
like an old friend. And yes, I thought it was important to keep Raylan's sound
and attitude from Elmore's previous novels: Pronto and Riding the Rap and his
short story: Fire in the Hole.
2- Forgive me if this is too personal, but your novels are so
proficient, your father must’ve been very proud of your accomplishments. Was there ever a time that you wished your
last name was Shlotsky?
Being Elmore’s son was a blessing and a curse. Probably more
of a curse. Every review I received
early on compared my first couple books to his forty-five. It was frustrating
and unfair but that’s the way it is. However, that kind of negativism motivated
me to get better. And now I’m often favorably compared to my father.
3-No matter what the plotline, your readers are led through your
stories by interesting characters doing interesting things. These are true page-turners. Do you have to know where you’re going? Or is it all by feel?
I start with a character in a situation and build from
there. I know how the book begins and often where it’s going to end. But I
don’t know how I’m going to get from point A to point B. I try to keep the
reader off balance. I try to create a plot/story that isn’t obvious. If I’m not
surprised the reader won’t be.
4-I suspect that you would write thrillers
even if you never were paid a dime for them.
Is that a helpful criteria for an effective novelist?
I might have written a couple books without being paid. But
I’ve always worked for money.
And writing a book, although satisfying and entertaining,
takes a lot of time and effort.
5- What future projects do you have lined up?
I’ve just finished a novel called Sweet Dreams. The main
character, Kate McGraw is a US marshal and the lone female on the alpha male
fugitive task force in Detroit. The character
is based on a female marshal I rode with for a few days. I think it’s my best work
to date.
