Interview Daniel Rasic

by

Michael Embry

1) Tell us something about your book. Is this your first novel?

The Pirates of Aden is my first novel. It's about a physician working for a humanitarian organization in Somalia. When he is accused of aiding pirates hijack a ship with dangerous cargo aboard, his entire world is turned upside down and the skeletons in his closet are let loose. He has to decide whether he'll continue running away or face these demons head-on.

2) What inspired you to write this novel? Is there a message or moral to the story?

I had read about pirates off the coast of Indonesia many years ago in National Geographic and thought that it was fascinating that piracy was still going on. A bit of research revealed that a major area for piracy was off of the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden and I got to thinking: How are these pirates managing to do this? I let my imagination take it from there. The moral of the story is that we can't avoid our past, we can only face it and come to terms with it.

3) How long did it take you, from start to finish, to complete your novel? What is your daily regimen when writing?

About two years. Initially, I did a lot of research to get the technical and setting details as close as possible. I write in spurts but I'm always thinking about the novel, the characters.

4) Who are your influences as a writer? Your favorite writers?

I love thrillers. Dennis Lehane, Stieg Larsson, Tom Robb Smith are authors of books that I've recently read and love.

5) Tell us about yourself -- job, hobbies, family, interests?

I'm married with two kids and I live on Canada's east coast. I work as a physician and I'm in the midst of specializing in psychiatry. I'm also heavily involved in psychiatric research focused on how the social environment influences mental health. I think my interest in emotions and relationships has led me to both psychiatry and writing. Outside of work and writing, I love going to the beach and I am a massive soccer fan.

6) What advice would you give other writers?

Stop thinking about it and start writing. I initially started writing the Pirates of Aden to prove to myself that I can finish something I start (I'm a massive procrastinator). About two chapters in, I discovered something interesting about myself: I am passionate about writing.

7) What is the most difficult part of the writing process?

Getting over the idea that it had to be perfect. I think that has been a major hurdle for me, not only in writing but other parts of my life too.

8) What misconceptions do you believe the public has about writers and the writing process?

That writing a book is easy. It's not. I think that great writers must have the most amazing self-discipline.

9) Are you working on another book? Can you give us a hint about what it's about?

I've started my next novel and I'm really excited about it! It's a thriller that takes place in a psychiatric hospital in the very near future.