Questions for Bruce Machart?

[Rachel-K]

Hi everyone,

Bruce will officially join us on September 13th. Please welcome him to First Look and post your questions for him by replying to this thread!

[annemd]

Bruce, the descriptions in your book are vivid, detailed, and for me evoke the period and locale wonderfully well.  What was the process of writing in such descriptive detail like for you? I am really enjoying the book. 

[thewanderingjew]

Hi,

I feel exactly the same way as annemd. 

I wondered where did you get your education and writing skills?

You have such a wonderful way with words! Although the story has a heavy theme, the descriptions are not heavy handed. They are so full of images and voices that the tale lifts off the page; yet, the overall effect is not overbearing. You seem to have achieved just the right measure of expression to capture and hold your audience.

twj

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annemd wrote:

Bruce, the descriptions in your book are vivid, detailed, and for me evoke the period and locale wonderfully well.  What was the process of writing in such descriptive detail like for you? I am really enjoying the book. 

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[DSaff]

Welcome to FL, Bruce, and thank you for your time! I have a question for you about emotions. I am feeling very strong emotions as I read this book (only through first section for first week). Did you have a hard time writing about your characters or situations? If so, how did you get through it? Thank you 

[Clevegal42]

Hello,

I was wondering why you decided to make the story jump to different points in time throughout the book.  I'll admit that it made it hard for me to read at times because I would have to put it down and then pick it back up and I would forget what "time" I was currently reading.  It isn't like some of the other books I've read that has flashbacks, but it did make it very interesting.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and discuss your novel - it was an interesting story that I'll be reading again throughout the discussions.

[katiegirl]

How much research did you do on how the English language was spoken at that time? Why wasn't there more info about Sophie in the book?

[Vermontcozy]

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DSaff wrote:

Welcome to FL, Bruce, and thank you for your time! I have a question for you about emotions. I am feeling very strong emotions as I read this book (only through first section for first week). Did you have a hard time writing about your characters or situations? If so, how did you get through it? Thank you 

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I agree Donna...All sorts of emotions arise...Great question's.as well...I think besides not wanting the story to end,I have also only read through the first section,The Trailer.was Better than an Actual "Movie" trailer..It was so beautifully done.,..I wonder what other feedback Bruce has received concerning the trailer. ...Bruce,What a wonderful review in the WSJ..How fortunate we are to read and discuss your Book.!!.  Looking forward to meeting you on Sept 13th... Susan

[dhaupt]

Hi Bruce, I am really enjoying your novel. What I'm really impressed with is the accuracy of the language from the time period you're writing about, it makes the reading although a little harder to grasp at first, once you get used to it, it adds depth to the understanding of these people, their history and the era it's about.

My question is - was it more time consuming trying to be period accurate in your writing, why did you decide to do it.

Thank you

[Kittysmom]

I have the same question Bruce, this book must have been very emotional for for you to write as I am getting very emotional and having a hard time with some of the situations, making this a hard read for me!

[coffee_luvr]

Bruce-

What an amazing story this is so far. I was wondering if you pulled from any of your own experiences as it pertains to working with horses or livestock?

Thank-you in advance for engaging with us regarding your book.

[DarcyPDX]

Bruce, thank you for sharing this remarkable novel with the First Look Book Club.  I have several questions:

How were the time shifts in the book designed to enhance the storytelling?

Of the four brothers, we know the most about Karel as the protagonist.  Thomas is the hotheaded middle brother who gets the woman Karel loves.  Stan is the helpless peacemaker.  Eduard is more shadowy.  When you created these siblings, how did you envision their characters?  In what ways are they similar and in what ways do they differ?  Was there a reason to use four instead of three brothers (since Eduard didn't seem to have much of a role in the story)?

Where did the title of your book come from?  The word "Wake" has several meanings: 1. to rouse from sleep; 2. the track left by a moving body in a fluid; 3. to travel close behind and in the same path of travel (as in the wake of); or 4. to stand watch over a dead body.  Did the title of your book have intentional double-meanings?

Thanks!

--Darcy

[nfam]

I enjoy the descriptions in your book. They evoke the period and the area of the country. However, I wonder about why you chose to tell the story as a series of flashbacks. As with most flashbacks, they move the reader away from the action of the story. I also found that using flashbacks lost a great deal of the tension, particularly in the horse race. 

I'm sure you had a good reason for telling the story this way. I'd like to know why.

[AshDar]

I have read about 100 pages of your book so far, Bruce, and I have an odd question. How do you, as a writer, decide how to develop your plot? As an aspiring writer, I have many ideas in my head, but I don't know how to create a plot around those ideas. I'd love any insight you could give me about this.

Thank you,

Ashley

[wendyr67]

Bruce, do you anticipate a sequal? It would be interesting to explore further the future relationship of the brothers, and also get to know Karel's son as he grows up.

[mommybooknerd]

Do you have any brothers?  Is that where some of the inspiration came from?

[CAG]

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dhaupt wrote:

Hi Bruce, I am really enjoying your novel. What I'm really impressed with is the accuracy of the language from the time period you're writing about, it makes the reading although a little harder to grasp at first, once you get used to it, it adds depth to the understanding of these people, their history and the era it's about.

My question is - was it more time consuming trying to be period accurate in your writing, why did you decide to do it.

Thank you

My question is the same-was it difficult to wrtie in the time period and what made you decide to do that? I must say I love your book. I have been so impressed from page one and on. I would also like to know why you decided on setting the story in Texas. Thank you.

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[JaneM]

Hi Bruce,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful book with us.  My question has to do with writing with the staggered timeline.  Do you write it past to future, and then pull out full sections and mix them up to create the sense of unfolding of information?  Or do you write one section and then let your mind jump ahead or back in time to see what happens next, or to experience the causation of the present?

[Vermontcozy]

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wendyr67 wrote:

Bruce, do you anticipate a sequal? It would be interesting to explore further the future relationship of the brothers, and also get to know Karel's son as he grows up.

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I was thinking about how great a sequel would be,as well..I'm sure Bruce has so much material to draw from,considering his research and talent..We are a captive Audience Bruce...Susan,,,

[RIRN56]

Great book, Bruce! Not usually the type of story line I would have purchased, but this book has definitely kept me wanting to read more! My question is, did you write this book with intentions of capturing female readers, male readers, or both? The descriptions you use, and the infidelities, are definitely an attraction towards a lot of a female audience. The races, hardened personalities, and fights must entice the male audience. I see this book as being interesting to both, but was wondering which gender you had in mind?

[RIRN56]

What state did you live in, when you resided in New England?

(I'm a curious Rhode Islander)

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