Alexes Razevich Interview

We’ve talked to Alexes Razevich about her latest book Shadowline Drift as well as her upcoming projects.

Can you tell us a bit about your latest book Shadowline Drift?

The plot centers on Jake Kendrick, a well-respected negotiator who is sent to the Amazon to secure a newly discovered substance that holds the promise to end world hunger. He’s sent not only because he’s good at his job, but because he and the chief of a small tribe who claims to have the only supply are both three-and-a-half feet tall. Things quickly go sideways, and Jake finds himself in a situation where from moment to moment things may or may not make sense, or be real.

It’s a story about a man dropped into a situation where reality and illusion have blended so completely, it’s hard to impossible for him, or the reader, to tell which is which. I call it a metaphysical thriller. Others have labeled it magic realism. It’s been likened to an acid trip. I wanted to bring the reader along on Jake’s journey, for the reader to feel what he feels, and to discover what he discovers right along with him.

Again I must say this has been quite a unique reading experience. How did you get the idea for the story?

Like my first book, Khe, Jake showed up in my imagination one day, child-sized, already sent on his mission to secure the substance. His nemesis, Mawgis, arrived at the same time. It was clear that these two men were in conflict over the substance, but it took many, many drafts and one near total rewrite to realize, finally, that this was the right story.

Can you give us some insight into your main character, Jake?

When Jake was five, he, by an accidental act of will, stopped himself from growing taller. As an adult, he’s built a good career as a negotiator. He’s both proud of the life he’s made, but bewildered by what he did as a child. He’s caught between vanity and regret. He sees himself as a sophisticated man of the world, and he is, but he also has a naiveté that matches his child-like size.

Can you tell a bit about why you decided to do something completely different from Khe?

In my mind, Khe was always a stand-alone story. Once it came out, people immediately started asking if there was more. I kept saying no. I was, honestly, a little burned out. I suppose that’s a terrible thing to say, but I’d lived with her for a long time. I needed to do something completely different; to refresh myself before tackling the question of what happened next to Khe and her world.

How do you feel you have evolved as a writer from your first book?

I’m better at the craft of writing now, I think. I hope. I trust myself more.

Both Shadowline Drift and Khe has at least to me come across as quite unique concepts. Where do you draw your inspiration from to come up with such unique ideas?

Writers are often told to “write what you know.” I prefer to write what I want to read. I’ve always liked books that were off kilter and took me somewhere different and unexpected. Maybe that’s why these slightly askew characters show up in my head. Once they’re there, it’s a matter of letting them tell their story. Sometimes they have to shout quite loudly until I hear them properly.

How do you publish your books and what have you learnt in the process?

I self-publish and love it. I work with a terrific editor, Christina Frey, and a great cover designer, Tony Honkawa. Everything else I do myself. When you do it all, you become picky. I hear Christina’s voice as I’m writing, and I think it’s made me a better storyteller. I’ve learned more than I ever wanted to know about how to prep a manuscript for publication. I’m shy by nature, but when you have a book out, you have to bold—willing to put yourself and your work out in front of people, come what may.

How do you define success as an author?

Books, I think, take two people to make them whole—the writer and the reader. And I think there are two parts to success—writing the best book you can, and having people read and enjoy it. There’s nothing better than getting an email or a note on my author page from someone who liked, or was moved, or was amazed by a book so much they took the time to tell me about it.

You earlier mentioned you might go back to the universe of Khe. Is that the next thing we will see from you or do you have something entirely different in mind?

I’m working on another Khe book, “Ashes and Rain,” that will be out in early 2015. It explores the unintended consequences of her actions in the first book. What happens to her society once the Powers are gone? What happens to her, now that she’s been changed? I’m very happy being back with Khe. I missed her.

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