Book Two: On Becoming Laurie Roberts (Larry Martin Novel Series)
Literary Fiction
Date Published: MARCH 17th 2023
Publisher: Pavane Revel Press
Readers will highly enjoy Book Two of The Other Shoes of Larry Martin, a novel series with more political intrigue, family drama, and suspense. Another Best-Seller by Author Pavane Ravel!
Larry Martin, in his quiet, kind, and mystical way, continues his journey to a new life, a new vision, and a new understanding. Larry has become a rising star in the world of progressive journalism. While only a few short months after being homeless, jobless, and friendless, Larry has acquired a family and friends. He’s fallen in love with a brilliant and beautiful woman who loves him in return.
Even though Larry is now the most important journalist for a major liberal website in New York City, he has taken on a second full-time position at a prestigious architectural firm in Atlanta. Yet, in spite of all his good fortune, this kind, talented, and generous young man is soon to face insidious lies, outrageous betrayal, and horrific danger, and that is only the tip of the dramatic iceberg!
Now Awarded A 5-Star Reader’s Favorite 2023 Editorial Book Review!
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
So far, I have written seven complete novels.
This includes my first book which I wrote as a teenager just for me. I have always wanted to be a fiction novelist. At a young age, the only way I could discover if my dream was feasible was to actively write a novel. I wrote at night when I was supposed to be in bed and rested for high school in the morning. My first book was 300 hand written pages and took me 5 years to write. When it was finished, I put it in a drawer and never looked back. But I had my answer.
I love all my books; they are my creation and like my children.
When I began the first book (Revelation of Lies) of my Larry Martin Novel Series — The Other Shoes of Larry Martin” — I had no clue the work would turn into a series. Prior to writing this book, I had just finished my second novel, “Hepplewhite.” I had planned to publish Hepplewhite, but then, Larry Martin got in the way.
Much to my family’s alarm, I was obsessed with “Revelation of Lies.” I could not stop writing, not even when we were on vacation at the beach. I hardly ate or slept. I came close to ruining our vacation. But still, I could not stop. I did not want to stop.
If I had to choose my favorite books of what I have written, they would be Book One, Revelation of Lies, and Book Five, Revenge Served Cold, of the Larry Martin series.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
The Other Shoes of Larry Martin will be a seven-book series. Currently, I am writing Book Six. I do have an idea for the title of this novel, but as I am not settled on it yet, I won’t mention it.
I am happy to say that the first two books of the series are now published. I plan for Book Three, The Board Extraction, to come out at the end of this year.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Yes, I want each book to stand on its own. For readers who have not read the previous books in the series, I try to provide some background of what’s happening in the opening of each book.
All the books are connected though. They are one long story of Larry Martin’s life. His outlook. Why he does what he does. His metaphysical approach to life. Larry is a uniquely progressive character.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
In Book One, Revelation of Lies, Larry starts off as an awful person. He is part of the Incel community and a misogynist. I never saw him as evil, just misguided.
He was raised by an abusive father who hated everyone … women, gays and minorities. This was all Larry knew. Before graduating college, he got a job as a journalist with a cruel alt-right website. Larry’s job was to mock the poor and homeless. And after he got fired and became homeless himself — everything he despised — he had a revelation of all the lies that had brought him down this sad path. Hence, the title.
In Book Two, On Becoming Laurie Roberts, Larry has changed his life so radically by embracing kindness, he’s managed to become an entirely different person. And this is where his life alters in the best of ways. After beings adopted by a wealthy architect, his transformation becomes complete. Larry Martin becomes Laurie Roberts. The book is about this transformation. Hence, the title. But it is not an easy ride. Laurie does the best he can and he is brilliant. But the betrayal of the men he loves the most nearly destroys him.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Ah. Well. Right now, we are talking about two different books. Revelation of Lies took me three months in a concerted effort to write. On Becoming Laurie Roberts took me five months to accomplish.
Like anyone else, in all this, I still have other responsibilities. I am often distracted to please my family and clean house. My family is settled with me writing now. That’s a good thing. They help me in every way. But I still must break from my writing to get other things done. I find myself slowing down now. Book Three, Four and Five are written, so I can rest a bit too.
What does the title mean?
I create my titles in direct correlation to something happening in my book. I often finish a book before I select a title.
For example, as I mentioned, I am writing Book Six of the series now. While I do have an idea, I would rather wait and see if there is something specific I can select for an even tighter title. I like specifics.
‘Revelation of Lies’ and ‘Becoming Laurie Roberts’ were specific to what occurred in those books.
What did you learn when writing the book?
Ha! This question is like asking a brain surgeon, “What did you learn in medical school?”
Okay. Here’s how I feel. Or perhaps, the best way to say so is from a 5-star review from Kevin Terres M. on Barnes and Noble:
“Larry is some kind of odd study between cruelty v. kindness, laziness v. self-discipline and internal strength v. fragility. There is something profound going on here.”
Or from Armando Rodriquez on Amazon, another 5-star review:
“Although fictitious, Pavane develops a character that symbolizes hope for humanity.”
Hope for humanity? Did you ever? Yes, I did mean that, but to accomplish it in a reader’s eyes is a truly wonderful thing.
I believe that people are starved for kindness. I believe people can forget how powerful kindness can be.
Most of us in America live in a world of cruelty. Our rights are being stripped from voters, women, gay and trans communities as well as minorities. The costs of living are escalating out of control. Homelessness is growing. The billionaires are reaping it all while too many are hungry. The costs of healthcare remain frightening. Medical bankruptcy is on the rise and the expense of senior living has become astronomical.
How do we live? How do we survive? How do we teach people what is happening in a simple way that can be understood?
Through a story. And that’s what Larry Martin is … just a story, not a dissertation or a lecture. I wanted to cover these societal issues in a way that’s easy to understand.
What surprised you the most?
While I don’t plot my books from start to finish, I do make internal notes of details and direction to keep my story straight. So, most of the time, I think I know what’s going to happen. It always surprises me when I don’t see something coming, yet it’s far better than what I originally intended.
Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
Yes. This is a good example of a surprise. There is a character I love. I had plotted future scenes involving this character deeper into the series. I thought I knew where the story was headed, but none of it happened. Yes, my character died, even as I understood why. Book 5 emerged from that why. I have not offered this novel to readers yet, but the death caused my editor to cry. He was surprised and shocked. Since the loss was not predictable, he was truly saddened. If he had such a reaction, I know it will be the same for my readers.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
When I am writing, I am watching a movie in my mind. That’s the best way I can describe it. I am transcribing a mental movie. I see things through Larry Martin’s eyes. I know what he thinks and what he feels. I understand how he sees the world around him and his approach to that world in response.
It’s interesting to me that Larry is far more intelligent that I am. I don’t try to control him; he shows me what he wants. And he is very direct about it.
Thank you very much for this interview. I sincerely appreciate it. My best to everyone.
You are very welcome. I am glad you could be here today! Thank you!
About the Author
Pavane Ravel is an acclaimed influential writer of political literary fiction and is the author of her introductory novel series, "The Other Shoes of Larry Martin" with book one released in Oct. 2021 titled "Revelation of Lies" and book two titled "On becoming Laurie Roberts" in Feb. 2023. Ravel's books are available for purchase on her official website (pavaneravel.com), Amazon Books, and Amazon Kindle while being featured in many fine online books and reader sites.
Ravel has always wanted to be a full-time writer and finally has reached the point in life where that dream is a reality. She traveled extensively over the years and has seen nearly the entire United States, much of Canada, Europe, and some of South and Central America. Pavane also studied political science and journalism at universities in the United States and Europe.
Pavane is happily married and has raised successful grown children. She enjoys discussing economics after working as a commodities broker. She and her family reside in New York, and she shares her time concentrating on family, close friends and writing. She also continues to enjoy international traveling.
For Pavane, who is passionate about politics and societal issues, these books and series are an important story to tell. Larry Martin is also a truly complex and fascinating character as a unique progressive hero.
Pavane enjoys humor and loves to engage and connect with readers. She welcomes readers’ thoughts and comments through her website.
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