with David Putnam
We are delighted to welcome back author David Putnam to Omnimystery News.
Last week we featured an excerpt from David's new crime novel, The Disposables (Oceanview Publishing; May 2014 hardcover and ebook formats), and we recently had the opportunity to catch up with him to talk about it.
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Omnimystery News: You've established a strong lead character with Bruno Johnson in The Disposables; might we see him again in the future?
Photo provided courtesy of
David Putnam
David Putnam: I didn't start out writing a series but when I finished The Disposables there were still some questions unanswered. And I feel comfortable in Bruno's point of view, more so than in other characters/novels I've written. I do want Bruno and the other recurring characters to evolve as the novels progress.
I have written stand-alones, and might have taken them on to a series, but what usually happens is that another idea for a different character and story bubbles up and I follow that path instead.
Until the Bruno Johnson series, I have not thought ahead to future novels. I am working on the third novel in this series and for the first time I am planning the fourth by foreshadowing future events in the third book.
OMN: Into what genre do you place The Disposables?
DP: As a retired cop, most of my novels are police procedurals, though my publisher has called The Disposables a thriller, and several reviewers have mentioned its fast pace.
I think there is a definite benefit to labeling. It's important to know your audience when crafting a story, and help readers find books they'll like.
OMN: Tell us something about the book that isn't mentioned in the publisher's synopsis.
DP: There are five incidents in this book directly based on real events from my law enforcement career. The main character is named after my best friends ex-girlfriend's scruffy little dog, Bruno. My best friend, Bill, always called him: "The Great Bruno Johnson."
OMN: In addition to the five incidents you mention, have you included any of your previous professional experience in the book?
DP: All my novels are peppered with little micro-scenes drawn from my memory. As far as characters, I do draw directly from the crooks and cops I have come into contact with but they are not exact, usually an amalgamation of several.
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
DP: What gets my writing engine started is an inciting event that I convert into a scene. I write that first event and put in every possible conflict without overburdening the prose and forward motion of the story. I have to know the ending before I start. Then I let the story take me where it will. I never know what's going to happen in the belly of the novel and that's what makes writing so much fun.
I usually write at three o'clock in the morning. I reread the last twenty pages before I start the daily thousand words, just to regain the voice and timing of the story. I usually write one to two thousand words a day.
OMN: How do you go about researching the plot points of your stories? Have you come across any particularly challenging topics?
DP: If I need something verified I slip over to Google or Wikipedia. For the most part I stick to what I know so I really haven't had too challenging of a topic to research. Though, I do receive many questions from other writers on tactics, guns, police procedure, that sort of thing. I enjoy helping other writers get these parts right.
The most challenging research on a book was for a time travel novel (not yet published, working title: Dark Lady Laughed). This story is about a female SWAT officer who goes back to the battle at the Alamo and how her tactics and special weapons would impact that battle. Of course there is a romantic aspect to the story as well. This was the first novel that I researched extensively before starting.
OMN: How important is setting to your story?
DP: I set my stories in real places. It helps me to visualize the places in my novels, places I have been, places I have worked, places where I've had violent confrontations. In my memory they hold a certain essence I try to capture.
OMN: If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, to research a setting for a book, where would it be?
DP: I would go to Costa Rica, because that's where Bruno plans to take his kids during The Disposables. Part of book two is set in Costa Rica as will some of the others. And I have always wanted to go to Central America.
OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you say to aspiring writers?
DP: Twenty years ago I took a class on writing taught by a great writer and instructor named Mark Clements. The first night of class he wrote a single word on the whiteboard: "Perseverance." He said you have to have perseverance to succeed in writing. Having finally come through the other end (with the first book published after 20 years, 39 manuscripts, and four literary agents) I find that advice valid.
The harshest criticism was from an agent who wrote on a rejection that I should learn how to write before submitting again. Looking back, my craft at the time was nowhere close to a publishable quality.
What I learned is to find someone who has been successful and ask them to review your work. And also find a quality read and critique group, one that is dedicated to the craft and will give the hard critiques. But also remember that you are the god of your book. You'll get many, sometimes conflicting, suggestions for improvement. Only take the ones that ring true to you, after you've given your baby (manuscript) enough time and distance to be honest with yourself.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a crime novelist and thus I am also …".
DP: I am a crime novelist and thus live in an alternate world where violence and painful emotions generate the conflict for my stories. My wife once read a particularly violent and gruesome scene of mine that dropped her jaw. She said, "I don't know what's worse, if you made this up, or if this really happened to someone. I'm not sure I want to know."
OMN: Tell us a little more about the title? And how involved were you with the cover design?
DP: The book title was originally called The Other Side of Forever. The publisher thought the title might mislead some consumers and infer more of a romance than a gritty street crime novel. They had a good point, and I'm very grateful to be working with an amazing publisher. They asked for other choices, I gave them five, and they chose The Disposables.
As far as the cover: During a conference call with the publisher, they asked me for some ideas for cover images. I described a few I thought would make a great cover. The book deals with a clique of cops who act and work like a street gang. They even have tattoos.
The suggestion they liked best: an image of the side of a house with graffiti that directly relates to that clique of cops, with some kids' toys to hint at the children in danger. They asked us to send them some photos. I drew up the design and my wife, who is very artistic, spray-painted graffiti on the side of our house. We sent the photos to the publisher. They loved it and now the front cover of the book is the side of our house. She's available for hire if anyone else would like her to graffiti their house.
OMN: What kind of feedback have you received from readers?
DP: Of course, like anyone, I enjoy positive feedback. I also like questions where I know the story caused the reader to think about a situation or social inequity and they ask if I made it up or if it was real. Then the answer opens an exchange of ideas. Throughout my career, I've always been haunted by the shortcomings in the systems our society has in place to protect children. I'm not sure how to fix these issues, and I don't generally support vigilantism, but I hope Bruno's quest will get others, those much smarter than me, thinking about this huge problem.
OMN: If The Disposables were to be adapted for television or film, who do you see playing the key roles?
DP: The Disposables has been converted to a script by a very talented writer, Mike Farris, and I love what he did. I don't know how he did it, no way could I have done it.
As to who I'd cast … Bruno Johnson would be Idris Elba; Bruno's father would be Morgan Freeman; and Marie would be Jennifer Lopez.
OMN: What are some of your outside interests?
DP: I love to read and write. I'm reading and writing a great deal of the time. I haven't had a television hooked up in twenty years. I do watch DVDs and now Netflix. I am retired and have two organic avocado groves to work, 1150 trees, that keep me pretty busy. And marriage by its very nature is a full-time job. When I treat it like a hobby I tend to get slapped up side the head.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?
DP: I have always read. I think my love for books started in the elementary school where a teacher read to the class everyday after lunch. She read books like: The Bronze Bow, The Hobbit, James and The Giant Peach, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. My mom raised six kids as a single mom for much of our childhood, and I remember once when she gave me a choice between a hot fudge sundae (an all-time favorite of mine) and a book I wanted. I chose the book.
OMN: What do you read now for pleasure?
DP: I read anything well-written, no matter the genre. Historical, Sci-Fi, Crime especially. Lately I've enjoyed some of the better YA books like The Hunger Games, Drowned Cities, Ship Breaker and Starters.
OMN: Do you have any favorite series characters?
DP: Travis McGee, Lucas Davenport, Hoke Moseley.
OMN: Have any specific authors influenced how and what you write today?
DP: John D. MacDonald, John Sanford, Michael Connelly, Joseph Wambaugh, Charles Willeford, and Elmore Leonard just to name a few. Oh, and especially Daniel Woodrell.
OMN: You mentioned watching DVDs and Netflix; what types of films do you most enjoy watching?
DP: I like anything well written with great dialogue. I liked Ice Harvest, No Country For Old Men, Blood Simple, Millers Crossing, most anything Scorsese.
OMN: Create a Top 5 list on any topic.
DP: I have two lists for you.
Top 5 worst ways to die (which have appeared in my novels):
• Doused with gasoline and set on fire;
• Thrown from airplane by angry women;
• Eaten by dogs;
• Hazardous waste spill; and
• Duct taped and thrown into a rattlesnake pit.
Top five authors you might have overlooked:
• Daniel Woodrell;
• Paola Bicigalupi;
• John Sanford;
• Wallace Stroby; and
• Cormac McCarthy.
OMN: What's next for you?
DP: I have written a crime/fantasy novel called Dark Lady Laughed. It's a time travel story where a female SWAT officer goes back to the Alamo and how her modern-day tactics and weapons would impact that battle. It also has a romance aspect. I'd like to see this book find a home.
I also have a book called Three Days of June, a young adult novel. Both books are making the rounds with publishers right now.
I am continuing to write the Bruno Johnson series.
I have several other mystery novels finished waiting in the wings, my favorites have working titles: Who's Afraid of Virginia Villalobos; Snicker, Snicker Bang; No Ill Will; and Dirty Side Down.
I am also working on a memoir. My cousin and aunt hired a hit man named Cornelius and murdered my favorite uncle. My cousin is in prison doing life without the possibility of parole. The Mexican Mafia was involved, tar heroin, that kind of thing. I thought it might make a good story. Right now it's called: Killing Uncle Don.
OMN: Any final thoughts?
DP: When the reviews and blurbs for The Disposables started coming in (from outside my circle of family and friends), I was stunned and honored to read some kind and thoughtful words from my writing heroes. The morning I received an amazing blurb and personal email from Michael Connelly, my word choices changed. I'd been telling my wife (who I met in a novel writing workshop in 1994): "I might be a writer." But that Michael Morning I finally started to believe: "I'm a writer!"
I can't wait to see how this new chapter will turn out.
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David Putnam comes from a family of law enforcement and his career has spanned several roles and several states. He worked in narcotics, violent crime as part of an FBI-sponsored team, robbery, criminal intelligence, and Internal Affairs. He served three tours as a county sheriff, a stint as a SWAT team sniper, was a special agent for the Attorney General of Hawaii, has investigated white-collar crime, has rescued hostages, and has been a supervisor of corrections, patrol, and a detective bureau. While in these roles, he has received numerous awards and commendations. In short, David has done it all. He lives in southern California with his wife and fellow writer, Mary.
For more information about the author, please visit his website or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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The Disposables
David Putnam
A Crime Novel
Bruno Johnson, a tough street cop, member of the elite violent crime task force, feared by the bad guys, admired by the good, finds his life derailed when a personal tragedy forces him to break the law.
Now he's an ex-con and his life on parole is not going well. He is hassled by the police at every opportunity, and, to make matters even more difficult, his former partner, Robby Wicks, now a high-ranking detective, bullies him into helping solve a high profile crime — unofficially, of course.
Meanwhile, Bruno's girlfriend, Marie, brings out the good, the real Bruno, and even though they veer totally outside the law, he and Marie dedicate themselves to saving abused children, creating a type of underground railroad for neglected kids at risk: disposable kids. What they must do is perilous as they take matters into their own hands, battling a warped justice system and Bruno's former partner, who has his own evil agenda.
