Interview with Jon Foyt

Published 2013-10-04.
How might a Novel start?
A Sense of Place

By Jon Foyt
Just as in any movie or play, the stage needs to be set in order for the story to begin. Writing a novel is no different. The reader needs to see in words the sense of the place where the story is to start. That way, when the characters enter, the reader has a feeling for what they are seeing and experiencing as they react and bring the reader along with them.
Almost every location has a history, short or long, surface or depth. The characters will be aware of such background, even if the place information appears as brief as when a car or train passes by—for something is there and it is being passed by. Here is where the story line (and nascent plot) get underway, as the characters, existing in their environment, unfold.
For history references in America, local—that is specific to the stage setting—is best, but often the writer needs to paint a more historical picture, perhaps back to the Civil War, or even American independence. But only through the eyes and the mind of the main character in the process of setting the tone for his or her mood or mind set. How the character thinks of this bit of history—favorable or critical—becomes a trait of that character as he or she approaches the story line.
For examples, I cite the openings of two of my novels, The Landscape of Time and Marcel Proust in Taos. But you may differ and want to argue with me, your opinions I would welcome. jonfoyt@mac.com
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Latest books by This Author

The Mind of an American Revolutionary
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 82,040. Language: English. Published: February 22, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » Colonial America
Jon Foyt’s 12th novel—heavily researched—uncovers the inner motivations of this illegitimate and uneducated immigrant boy who became one of our most unusual Founding Fathers. Relive his affairs, his marriage, and his fortitude, he being only one of three men to sign all vital Revolutionary documents: the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution.
Time to Retire
Price: $3.95 USD. Words: 51,840. Language: English. Published: October 14, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
Mystery and Romance abound in this novel set in an active adult retirement community. Follow local reporters, Willy (himself nearing retirement) and Sally, as they investigate the suicide of a prominent resident and the lifestyles of aging retirees.
Marcel Proust in Taos
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 43,960. Language: English. Published: June 25, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
A Los Alamos physicist, Christopher, retires to Taos, New Mexico to write a novel about nuclear terrorism. There he meets aspiring artist Marlene, and the two fall in love. Together they open a microbrewery and find themselves confronting terrorism of a new sort—in unmapped emotional territory
The Sculpture of Time
Price: $3.95 USD. Words: 49,680. Language: English. Published: July 22, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary
Our ninth novel is a 21st century adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Winters Tale set in present-day Northern California, specifically in the exclusive Bohemian Club in San Francisco and in the equally exclusive Bohemian Grove in Monte Rio 70 miles to the north on the banks of the Russian River.
The Times of Your Life
Price: Free! Words: 14,400. Language: English. Published: July 3, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
Short stories from a married couple who are veteran published novelists, some fiction, some non-fiction, some...well, you decide.
The Portrait of Time
Price: $2.49 USD. Words: 52,360. Language: English. Published: September 17, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
Come to Trinidad, Colorado to witness the triptych of Natural Law, Religion and Eternal Love as a Zuni Pueblo artist vies with a cyberspace evangelist for one woman’s womb. Whose 2018 manifesto decreed the Indian War of Words? Who masterminded the Indian Casino Massacre of 2048? Who will take command in 2084?
Painted Waters—an Original Screenplay
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In the year 2084, Native American artist Joseph Rhodes portrays a man with vision, drive and humility. Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Reilly likes what she sees. Cyberspace evangelist Reverend Reginald Reichard offers an unsettling apparition. Bring on the popcorn!
A Nuclear Tide—The Screenplay
Price: Free! Words: 17,880. Language: English. Published: July 25, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
Lead character Lawrence Masterson, his career path aborted in an IBM downsizing, bounces back from despair with a grand plan to solve society's much-debated dilemma as to where to put the country’s nuclear waste. He’ll create an autonomous city-state out of the ghost town of Marathon, Texas to store the radioactive stuff. Out of site, out of mind ’til the mushroom cloud appears.
Romancing the Ruins, a Film Treatment
Price: Free! Words: 9,620. Language: English. Published: July 18, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
Get Ready for a dramatic visual. Get Set for the authors’ film treatment based on their novel, The Architecture of Time. Go for this rollercoaster read.
Ocotillo Omen
Price: Free! Words: 3,140. Language: English. Published: July 17, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Plays & Screenplays » American
This short story will give you the talking points, so that on your next museum visit you can pose perceptive questions to the Curator about provenance and authenticity of the artworks. Lee Roberts will also instruct how to deal with the FBI.
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