Book BlurbSan Diego Detective Frank Dugan has just become a victim of ruthless criminals who have passed in and out of prison, and continue to perform their grisly acts in free society. Dugan wants them put someplace where they can never return and never harm innocents again, and presents an innovative solution to this revolving door crime dilemma to the government. The result is Resort Isle, a lonely tropical dot in the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by the most vicious sharks known to man, a place from which there is no escape and virtually no supervision. This resort is the last vacation the baddest of the bad will ever get. But Detective Dugan never figured that one day he'd be the guest of his own invention, a permanent resident at this island, where many that he sent there can't wait to kill him.
Author Interview
What inspired you to write the book?
The alarming rate of criminal recidivism in the U.S. I wanted to begin my detective series with Resort Isle and I work in a innovative prison system angle aimed at cutting recidivist crime in America.
When did you realize that you want to write a book?
I was a screenwriter in Hollywood, but I always wanted to write novels, especially those dealing in suspense, mystery, crime, and action-adventure. I’ve been a storyteller most of my life. Finally, in 2012, I began my first novel. I currently have three thriller novels finished and a fourth in progress.
Who helped you in writing the book and please say about their contributions?
Jessica Page Morrell, by her outstanding editing and the teaching I discovered in her books on fiction writing. Stephen King’s terrific book On Writing. Elmore Leonard, for his engaging stories and spot-on dialogue, James Patterson, Dan Brown, Vince Flynn, for their great thrillers; John Steinbeck, Garrison Keillor, and Harper Lee for their incredible characterizations and sense of story; Philip Wylie, for his imaginative scenarios; Erma Bombeck, Susan Isaacs, for their storytelling ability and phenomenal sense of humor; J. K. Rowling for perhaps being the most imaginative writer of the century who got youth back to reading books. She's a wizard herself. Not a definitive list; just to name a few.
How is your book going to inspire the readers?
I don’t know about its inspiration, but I hope all my books entertain readers from line one to the end, take them to other worlds, and introduce them to captivating characters.
If you are given the chance to change one thing in your book what would it be?
I have already changed everything I deemed necessary to improve the novel. Right now I’m pleased with the book, but that doesn’t mean I might find something later that I’ll want to edit. Rewriting never fully ends, but we writers need to stop editing when we get in a quandary over using “and” for “but.”
How do you find time to write and which part of the day is best for writing for you?
I set aside two to three days a week for writing, rewriting, and editing my work. Mornings with coffee are usually very productive hours, but don’t forget, we writers are working when we’re staring out a plane window or listening to a conversation in a restaurant. The creative mind never dismisses anything it may later find useful.
Which books have inspired you the most, in the journey of writing this book?
So many. See the short list below:Fiction: To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee The Iliadby Homer Moby Dickby Herman Melville Catch-22 by Joseph Heller The Catcher in the Ryeby J. D. Salinger Of Mice and Menby John Steinbeck The Old Man and the Seaby Ernest HemingwayNon-fiction -The Shadow Diversby Robert Kurson Unbrokenby Laura Hillenbrand In Cold Bloodby Truman Capote Helter Skelterby Vincent Bugliosi Papillonby Henri Cherriére In Search of Excellenceby Tom Peters
What is the best advice, you would give for writers who are trying to write a book?
Read lots of books in the genre they aspire to. Read numerous books on their type of writing. Review and select a great editor for your first drafts. Set realistic goals for writing, such as three to five pages per day. Join a writers group with constructive critics for the work in progress. Never quit, never give up.
What are your hobbies?
I make custom furniture in my wood shop. I find it therapeutic, and also profitable. I fly model airplanes. I produce video movies and act in them as well. I am professional actor with a degree in Theatre, which has helped me immensely to write characters for my books. I also teach screenwriting and self-publishing at several colleges.
What can we expect from you in the future?
More thriller novels. Then novels of mine made into motion pictures. My books will always read like a movie. Resort Isle would be a good one for movie producers to think about.
About the AuthorPaul Sekulich is a thoroughly traveled writer who has lived in New York, Detroit, Chicago; Stuart and Palm Beach, Florida; Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles and Hollywood, California. He holds a B.A. degree in Theatre from the University of Maryland and Masters of Fine Arts credits from Towson University and the University of Southern California.He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, The American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (now SAG-AFTRA) and the Actors Equity Association. As a former adjunct professor of theater he has directed numerous college productions and has taught acting, directing, and screenwriting.In Hollywood, he worked as a script doctor and contributor for two, prime time television sitcoms.He has completed his first three thriller novels,The Omega Formula, A Killer Season and his third book, a Detective Frank Dugan thriller,Last Resort, is complete and available now. In the summer of 2016, he plans to debutDeep Death, another in the Frank Dugan detective series.He has written, acted in, produced and directed films, commercials and stage productions since he was eighteen and has won awards for his work. He owned and operated The Limestone Dinner Theatre for several years and now teaches college seminars on novel writing, self-publishing, and scriptwriting for television and the movies.Author Website: Paul Sekulich
