by Everett Robert
Blurb:
Four
classic stories told in a unique and exciting way forms the basis of this
collection featuring duets and monodramas. Join two women, reunited years after
their HS graduation, and examine the changes in their lives for the better and
the worst in "The Reunion" based on the classic poem "A Ruined
Maid" by Thomas Hardy. Meet Kid Blink, a union leader who led one of the
most successful and infamous strikes in history, all at the age of 13, in
"Blink" based on the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike. Based on
"Lot 249" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Mysterious Case of Lot
249" is the story of a detective, on the trail of a mysterious killer, who
doggedly interrogates a witness, who knows more then he's telling. Finally, a
young teenager tells the story of her unexpected pregnancy in "Miriam and
Isa" based on the Biblical story.
BLACK BOX THEATRE PUBLISHING RELEASES NEW WORK
Hays, KS, February 2014: Hailed as "one of our best new children's authors", Kansas playwright Everett Robert has had his collection of short plays, BASED ON THE..., published by Black Box Theatre Publishing.
The Black Box Theatre Publishing Company is an independent publisher of new plays founded in 1995 by a group of young Playwrights to promote their work and that of other Playwrights to Schools and Theatres worldwide. They are located at Black Box Theatre Publishing.
An Interview With Everett Robert
What inspired you to write (BASED ON THE...)?
I was sitting in an English Lit class listening to a lecture on Thomas Hardy's A Ruined Maid and contributing to the discussion when it struck me that this would make for a great, dramatic short play. That the messages contained within it were still relevant today and that one could write a modern interpretation of it. That started a challenge where I would write a 10-minute play a month. When I saw how many of them were adaptations, I decided to take 4 of them and "bundle" them together to form one book and collection of plays.
When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I'm not sure of the exact age but I would have to say it was around age 9 or 10. I was always an avid reader and my grandmother (who was a talented poet) really encouraged me to write and express my creativity.
What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?
I would say around 5. However, my mother says that I loved her and my dad reading to me so much that I would end up memorizing the book, sit in my room and "read" what was in the book (culled from my memory) at a younger age.
What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
Honestly, I'll read anything but I lean toward mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, and westerns. I know a diverse mixture but honestly, I'll read anything I can get my hands on.
What is your favorite book?
Tough question. There are so many books that I've read and reread over and over again, so it's hard to pin down a "favorite", however I'll say that the book that has had the biggest impact on me is Stephen King's ON WRITING. The stories of his own rejections and how that fueled him and the advice he gives to writers is invaluable.
You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
Elmore Leonard is probably my favorite writer. As a playwright, language and dialog are my lifeblood and I don't think anyone captures that better then the late Leonard.
If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?
I would love to see one or all of the great Shakespearean plays performed in their time period in The Globe Theater with the original audiences. A) to find out if ole Will actually did write all those plays ;) and B) because they have impacted me so much as a writer of plays myself, and as an actor and director.
When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?
It depends. I've been working on a commissioned piece of theater that has proven to be quite challenging and I've spent many an hour pouring over the pages. However, I also just finished a full length adaptation of A Christmas Carol (that hopefully will be performed in December of '15) that came quite easily to me. Each script is a little different and comes with its own set of challenges.
Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?
I have one cat named Puck after the Shakespearean fairy troublemaker and he lives up to his name.
What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?
This is going to sound weird to people that know me, because they know I love to eat and love to cook and I'm not really afraid to try new and exciting things but my "to die for" food? Chili cheese hot dog with chili cheese fries on the side washed down with a cool root beer.
Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?
Don't do it if you think "well writing is easy" even when the words come naturally to me, it is difficult. Writing takes time away from TV shows you could be watching, movies you want to see, time away from your friends and family. It's lonely work and at times you feel like you are talking to yourself and entertaining yourself. It isn't a glamorous, carefree world as media sometimes makes it out to be BUT if you are willing to make the sacrafices it is very rewarding.
About The Author:
Everett
Robert is a Hays, KS resident and Colby, KS native who graduated from Colby
High School in 1995 and from Colby Community College in 1999 where he studied
Radio and Television Communications in addition to English and Drama. He is
currently a student at Fort Hays University. Everett is a member of the
Dramatists Guild of America, the Playwright's Center, the Kansas Writer's
Association, and the Oklahoma Writer's Federation, Fringe Theater Company of
Fort Hays State, and Hays Community Theater.
Everett has
written and performed in Colby, KS; Hoxie, KS; Hill City, KS; Meade, KS;
Cincinnati, OH; Davao City, Philippines and as part of the radio drama series,
SHERRI'S PLAYHOUSE heard on the blogtalkradio show CHATTING WITH SHERRI. His
works have also been performed by Mind The Gap Theatre in New York City, NY;
Stage Left Theatre in Spokane, WA; at the Cambria-Friesland school district in
Cambria, WI. BASED ON THE... is his
third published play. His previous plays, ALLIE IN WONDERLAND and THE
ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY OF TOM SAWYER AS TOLD BY BECKY THATCHER, were published
by Heartland Play Publishers in 2012 and 2013. In addition, Everett was
published in April 2013 by High Hill Press in their CACTUS COUNTRY III
anthology and has won numerous awards from the Kansas Writers Association (KWA)
and the Oklahoma Writer's Federation, Inc (OWFI).
Giveaway:
2 signed copies of Based On The…
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