Scott D. Fenner and his new novel, “Dreux Club Blues”

iU author Scott D. Fenner talks about his novel, Dreux Club Blues, which takes place in the exciting world of New Orleans.

Please briefly describe your book . . . 

Dreux Club Blues is about a police officer experiencing the 1980s with the eclectic group of friends and neighbors who populate a local club in New Orleans. Seen through his point of view, it follows the narrator into his life as a cop and the relationships and experiences with his best friends.

And can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am fifty-nine years old.  I was born and raised in New Orleans Louisiana. I am retired after serving thirty-four years in municipal and federal law enforcement. This is my first book.

Do you have any particular literary influences?  What inspired you to write your book?

Don’t know if I have any particular literary influences. No one can accuse me of being well read. I really enjoyed the works of Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut and Stephen King. I guess my all-time favorite books are Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. As you can see all these works are different and the author’s styles are different. I cannot see my style being influenced by any of them. But who am I to know? Maybe someone more knowledgeable could point out comparisons. But I can only be so lucky.

What inspired me to write the book? I had been retired for several years. I was really enjoying the no stress life of retirement. I guess I was driving my wife crazy being around all the time. I had talked about writing a book for many years I just never took the first steps. It’s like the American-made Fender Stratocaster guitar I have hanging on my wall. I always meant to learn to play it but to this day I never have. I did not want my writing the book to go the same way. So, I bought a new computer and got seriously started on writing. Much to my surprise it became fun.

What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?

Just enjoy it. When you close the back cover for the final time I hope you say to yourself “that was a good read.”

Are you working on a sequel to your book?

No. If you survive getting hit by a bus, when you’re released from the hospital you don’t go running back into the street. It was painfully slow. I would sometimes hit blocks and I would sit at the computer for hours and barely come up with half a page.  I had no experience at writing a book. I had nothing to compare my experience to. I started to second-guess myself. What if after all this, no one liked or appreciated the work? I expressed these feelings to my wife. She said, “for your entire adult life you never cared what anyone thought about you, now in retirement you are getting soft. You’ve been off the job too long.”

She was right. I was writing for me. If others enjoyed it; that would be a great extra.

Are there any events, marketing ideas or promotions planned for your book?

It’s too soon right now. The book hasn’t been available for very long. I have no events or promotions planned as of right now.

What was your favorite part of your publishing experience, overall and with iUniverse?

I would say the people. I was fortunate enough to work with several folks who were very supportive. They seemed to be excited as I was about the project. They were always there to help me and explain the details so a novice like myself could understand.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Who am I to be giving anyone any advice? All I can say is what worked for me. Find a quiet place to do your writing.

I wrote a crude outline as to where I wanted the book to go. Basic at first. But that at least gave me an idea of direction. I got my characters together and would flesh them out with more detail later. You could always add or remove details you don’t like, so nothing is a must.

I read somewhere that writing is rewriting. So, nothing that you write is in its final draft the first time you write it.

Professional authors may disagree with how I wrote my book. They have the experience and past successes under their belts. I would certainly give their advice more weight than mine. I’m only saying what worked for me. And finally, write for yourself. Don’t give into doubt. You won’t believe how good it feels when you’re done.

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