Hal Fleming interview

This interview with Hal Fleming, author of The Brides' Fair, was first published in May 2009.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in New Haven, Connecticut and went to elementary school in the New Haven suburbs, and then on to schools and universities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York City. So, you can say I'm a product of America's east.

What was it that first got you into writing and when did you start writing?

My English teachers at Brown encouraged my writings as did a literary agent when I first started working in New York for a business magazine, while teaching at City University in the evening sessions. I career change to high pressure jobs in Washington and overseas put a damper on these efforts although, I always took a little time to jot down in notebooks character and plot sketches and an occasional poem. Some of these I have recently turned in to full-blown products some of which have been published.

Which writers have influenced you the most?

Early on William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, and F. Scott Fitzgerald were much admired, and later John Updike. The British writers, Graham Greene, Aldous Huxley, GB Shaw and others also were well read.

What kind of things do you write?

My first novel, The Brides' Fair, was published last year. It is a tale of international intrigue and terrorism, set in Morocco where I lived and worked for five years. I've also published several short stories and poems mostly based on my time in West Africa.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on several short stories, and am in the process of marketing my second novel about the volatile late 60s when the Civil Rights movement raised racial tensions throughout America. This tale takes place mostly in so-called liberal New England.

What is your writing day like?

I try to write something every day, and when an idea begins to take root I devote 3 to 4 hours a day to it mostly in the late afternoon, usually with a glass of wine on my desk and my dog, Bogie, at my feet.

What is the most exciting thing about writing for you?

I take great joy in seeing my characters come to life on the page, evolving into believable and entertaining beings.

What is the most frustrating thing about writing for you?

Like many writers, dealing with rejection letters can knock me down a bit, especially when I believe that my work is as good or better than much of what I read. I can say this, having taught creative writing at the university level.

What’s the best piece of feedback that you’ve had from your audience?

My first novel has garnered some positive criticism, much of which can be seen on my web site. Some of this has pointed to my deep knowledge of the subject matter and ability to weave tight complex plots. Several of my poems have won awards in various contests, and for that I am grateful.

Do write for a particular audience, or is your first priority to satisfy you own creativity?

I believe as a writer, one's first obligation is to entertain and enthral as wide an audience as possible. I do not write for therapeutic reasons, although most write to satisfy the urges and vanities of creativity.

Do you have a homepage? Do you have any short stories or poems published online? (If so, please provide the URLs):

More about my first novel, The Brides' Fair, can be found on my web site: www.halflem.com. Also, several short stories, interviews, reviews, etc can be found there as well. By going to "Hal Fleming" on Google, you'll find other writings.

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