Interviews
Book Talks with Author Lewis Crow | New Book Release The Lone Captain
Studio Carry On Harry [ Interviews with Authors ] Book Talks with Author Lewis Crow. Occasion being his New Book Release “The Lone Captain‘” . Today in this interview session he is about to introduce his book to us and shares his experience as an author. He is also going to share his writing process and will share some tips for new authors .
About You and Your background ?
I grew up as an only child who was blessed with a vivid imagination. Television was a large influence on me, and I used to make up stories for my stuffed animals and action figures. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with ships. I built scores of ship models and insatiably researched the histories of famous and not-so-famous vessels as well as the wars in which they fought. As the son of a World War II veteran, that conflict held special interest for me.
How much does your life influences your story telling and the characters that you bring to life ?
My life has been fairly ordinary, so it doesn’t offer me much to draw from. It’s the movies, TV shows, and books which have fired my imagination that influence my storytelling far more than the events of life: the pure adventure of Star Wars and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea; the ensemble characters of the Star Trek franchise; the intricate plots of the Mission: Impossible TV series; the striking visuals and not-so-happy endings of Miami Vice; the compelling plotting and wild stories of Clive Cussler. All these have shaped my plots and characters.
Title Of Your New Release
The Lone Captain
What is the central theme of book ?
Probably something like, living your destiny can come with great rewards—and great costs.
Where did the idea came from ? How much did you tweak it ? Your Initial planning and analysis of final stuff ?
The Lone Captain, the sequel to The Nautilus Legacy, is Book 2 of The Nemo Chronicles Trilogy. The idea came from my desire to see the story of Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo and his wonderful submarine Nautilus continue. After plotting out a timeline that harmonized with the one in Verne’s two Nemo novels (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Mysterious Island) and was true to the world he made, I created a way for the submarine to be resurrected by Nemo’s son. New voyage and adventure ideas followed as I researched the history of that era and the topography of the oceans. Looking back now, nearly 30 years after writing the first draft, I see that I only had to make minor revisions to the story. The final version turned out to be a stronger version of what I began with, but the basic story remained unchanged.
How much are you playing in the book as one of your characters ? Do you ever hide behind shades of your characters ?
Certainly there are some aspects of my Nemo that are reflective of my own personality—intelligence, imagination, sense of family, and strong belief in his principles. Just as a child contains elements of both parents, this character is a fusion of his parents—Verne’s Nemo and me. I don’t normally hide myself in what I write. I prefer to let characters just naturally take on aspects of my makeup when needed.
what is difficult to write Goodness Of Character / Evil Intentions. What do you enjoy most out of developing them ?
Since most people are a mixture of good and bad, I think evil intentions are the most challenging to write. The reasons they are evil must be believable, and that’s hard to do convincingly. Otherwise, you end up with one-dimensional caricatures. Many actors have stated that it’s more fun to play evil characters, and I do get a certain kick out of putting a real “bad guy” into the story now and then. Perhaps most challenging is when the evil is something inside the “good” protagonist himself. That’s a notion I’m working on in another story I’m in the process of revising.
Do you structure the flow of story in beginning itself or you improvise ? In your idea what is good to have before you hit a road block ?
I definitely try to structure the story in advance while still allowing some room for spur-of-the-moment ideas to come up as I’m writing. A written outline is wonderful to have for reference. The best thing to have before hitting a roadblock? From experience I would say a bank of extra plot ideas or story arcs. It’s always better to write more than you need, as opposed to scrambling to come up with enough ideas to fill the book.
How many books have you written and how different is new book ? Difference is in which specific area ?
The Lone Captain is my second published book. It is a continuation of the first, but whereas the first was largely an “origin story” if you will, this one is a full slate of adventures with the core characters already introduced and fleshed out. It’s where things really hit their stride. I initially toyed with the idea of making them one long book, but as I wrote there seemed to be a natural stopping point between the two.
Which Character do you like most and why . Any real life inspiration ? Do you ever wish to meet this character in real life ?
My favorite character in The Lone Captain is Eileen Meagher. She is alluring and mysterious, and I think I fell in love with her when I wrote the story. I based her appearance on British singer Kate Bush—her mane of dark hair, her big eyes and milky complexion. I would love to have met her at some point in my life, but nowadays my wife would doubtless take a dim view of such an idea!
Why will you recommend this book to readers ?
It has several points of appeal—part adventure, part history lesson, part undersea travelogue, part science education, part Victorian love story. I’d like to think fans of Jules Verne-style stories would welcome it.
How do you deal with Negative Feedbacks ? How do you stay balanced with Positive Feed back ?
Negative feedback always stings. I’ve never handled criticism well, and I tend to take it personally. I’m trying to remind myself that not every story is for every reader, just as not every type of music is for every music fan. Each thing (hopefully) finds its audience. Someone once said if you don’t believe the bad reviews, you shouldn’t believe the good ones, either. Mainly I just try to be true to my vision for the story and please myself.
Have you already started working on next book ? What is on your mind for it ?
I’m currently working on two things: a light science fiction novella about a writer in an emotional crisis and the third/final volume of The Nemo Chronicles.
Any good tips you would like to share for new aspiring authors apart from saying just start the book ?
Learn how to mercilessly edit your own stuff. The more surgery you can do by yourself, the less it will hurt when someone else does it.
How did you hear about CarryOnHarry ? Any message for Studio ? Any Suggestion that we can make it better ?
I saw a posting in a book promotion Facebook group. I hope this interview meets your requirements. Thank you for the opportunity to participate.
Amazon / Book Purchase Link
Your Official Website
https://lrcrow.wixsite.com/nemo
Facebook Handle
https://www.facebook.com/lewis.crow.792
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Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are the most popular choice for podcasting. They convert sound into electrical signals using a diaphragm, coil, and magnet. These microphones are robust, can handle high sound pressure levels, and require less gain than other types. This makes them excellent for capturing voices in less-than-ideal acoustic environments. The Shure SM7B and the Electro-Voice RE20 are industry standards among podcasters.
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Lavalier microphones, or lapel mics, are small, clip-on devices ideal for interviews and on-the-go recording. They ensure hands-free operations and are particularly useful for video podcasts. Wireless options add flexibility, allowing hosts to move freely during recordings. Popular choices include the Rode SmartLav+ and the Sennheiser ME 2-II.
USB Microphones
For those looking for simplicity and convenience, USB microphones are perfect. They connect directly to a computer without the need for additional equipment. While they may not deliver the same quality as XLR microphones, models like the Blue Yeti and the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB are excellent for beginners and home podcasters.
Important Features of Podcast Microphones
Frequency Response
Frequency response defines how a microphone reacts to different sound frequencies. Most voices fall within the 80Hz to 15kHz range, so a good podcasting microphone should adequately capture this spectrum. A flat frequency response is usually preferable, allowing for a more natural sound.
Polar Patterns
The polar pattern of a microphone determines its sensitivity in various directions. The most commonly used patterns are:
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Sensitivity and Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
Sensitivity measures how effectively a microphone converts sound into an electrical signal. A higher sensitivity microphone captures softer sounds without requiring additional gain. Sound pressure level (SPL) measures how loud of a sound the microphone can handle without distortion. Choosing a mic with appropriate SPL ratings is crucial, especially in louder environments.
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Shock Mounts
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Audio Interfaces
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Tips for Choosing the Right Microphone
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Budget Considerations
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Test Before You Buy
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Read Reviews and Watch Tutorials
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Maintenance and Care for Podcasting Microphones
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