The morning after John Chaplick retired from his consulting business, he knew after he’d finished his first cup of coffee that he wasn’t a man who could live without plans.
As he was drinking that cup of coffee, he quickly realized that no one was seeking his advice, he had no meetings to attend and no one was waiting for his reports.
(Courtesy of John Chaplick)
So, he decided to do something he’d promised himself years before that he would do. He decided to write a book.
Of course, he soon learned that it sounded much easier than it was.
It didn’t take long either to discover he had a great deal to learn.
But he was up for the challenges.
And now, the retired certified public accountant has published three novels and is working on his fourth.
His publishers are Cricket Cottage Publishing and Southern Yellow Pines Publishing.
The titles of his novels are “The Rivergrass Legacy,” “Bridge of the Paper Tiger” and “Forbidden Chronicles of a Roman Centurion.”
He’s already about 80 pages into his next novel, “Wolves of Antikythera,” which he expects to be 300-plus pages, because of the research involved.
Chaplick said he does his writing on the computer in his den at home, surrounded by his materials.
He believes that readers want more than an engaging story.
His novels always include a broad underlying premise, such as money laundering in “The Rivergrass Legacy.”
When he writes, he keeps in mind that there’s no such thing as a perfectly righteous hero or completely evil villain.
Obstacles change his characters, as the novel progresses.
His novels always have a twist at the end, too.
He believes that authors must capture the reader’s interest at the outset and use concise writing to keep them reading.
He seeks to do more than merely tell a story.
He uses “atmospherics” — which is a descriptive kind of writing that give readers a sense that they’ve been transported to the place where the story is unfolding and brings the characters in the novel to life.
When it comes to the actual writing, Chaplick has no particular routine.
“I probably write a little bit every day. Sometimes I’ll sit there for four hours. Sometimes I’ll sit there for 10 minutes,” he said.
Essentially, he doesn’t write unless he feels like he has something to say.
“I just don’t write unless I feel like it. If you try to write when you really don’t feel like it, it comes out kind of forced, and I’m not sure what kind of quality you get.”
If he hits a wall, he takes a break for a few days to mull things over.
“I usually find my way around it,” he said. “When I get stuck, it’s usually because the novel says, ‘Hey, I want to go in a different direction.’ ”
Sometimes, he’ll wake up at 2 a.m., with an idea, so he heads to the den and gets to work.
“I get on the computer and punch away.”
Chaplick said he’s always on the lookout for ways to enhance his material.
Occasionally, he’ll see something while he’s driving that will make him think of a scene or an image, and he’ll pull over to jot down some notes.
“Sometimes, a billboard believe it or not, will trigger a thought,” the author said.
He begins every novel with an outline, but doesn’t always stick to it.
“I find, as I go along — as the characters develop and the plot thickens — sometimes the book drives me,” Chaplick said.
His novels tend to run between 275 and 325 pages.
He despises the use of fill material.
And, he’s not impressed by sequels.
“I think sequels are weaker than the first one. And, they’re playing on their readers’ desire to see a repeat of the first, and it’s usually a disappointment,” he said.
None of his books have been sequels.
Chaplick said he would encourage anyone who is serious about writing a book, to pursue that desire.
But he advised: “Don’t do it unless you’re committed to it long term. It’s a long, long journey.”
He also warned would-be authors about the dangers of being exploited by publishers.
“Every new writer who enters the field is suddenly set adrift on a sea of protocol without a compass, and the navigation is difficult because there are literary sharks waiting at every turn to take advantage of a new writer. There are a lot of predators out there,” he said.
Effective writing requires solid research, which adds depth and dimension to the storytelling, he said.
It’s a good idea to join writing groups to help authors develop and refine their writing skills, Chaplick said. It’s also a good idea to read a lot, to learn techniques from other writers.
Chaplick’s wife, Avis, edits his drafts, his writer groups critique his work, he has several readers who offer advice, and he has an editor, Paula Stahel, too.
It’s important to develop a thick skin, Chaplick said.
Once one of his writing groups was critiquing his work, while there was a visitor from Scotland there, thinking about joining the group.
“Well, he was sitting next to me. As they were taking mine (Chaplick’s writing) apart, with their red ink and criticizing, he kept looking at me. He looked over to see my reaction.
“I sat there because I was used to it.
“They got all through, and the director turned around and said, ‘Well Angus, what do you think? Would you like to join our group?’
“And, in a thick Scottish brogue, (Angus replied)‘No, I wanted to join, but after I seen what ya done to this lad, I don’t think I will.’
“He walked out, and we never saw him again.”
Critiques can be deflating, Chaplick said.
But they’re instructive and can help writers grow, Chaplick said.
“You have to get better and better each time, and the red marks get fewer and fewer,” Chaplick said.
John Chaplick appearances
Lutz author John Chaplick will be taking part in the Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading on Oct. 24 in St. Petersburg. He also will be giving a book talk at 5:30 p.m., on Oct. 26, at the Lutz Branch Library. He is the author of three books, “The Rivergrass Legacy,” “Bridge of the Paper Tiger” and “Forbidden Chronicles of a Roman Centurion.”
The author is available to give talks to schools, libraries, service clubs and other groups. For more information, email him at , or visit his website at EngagingBooksBlog.com.
Published August 26, 2015
