Welcome Lawrence!
What is the premise for your book
Sierra Court Blues?
It’s the story of two best friends who’ve grown up together striving to create the nucleus of a hard rock band. A couple of years after high school their band starts to take on a life of its own.
The
main characters, Bo and Jon, are grateful for their success and growing
popularity. Then, as they prepare to take the band to the next level,
everything around them starts to spin out of control and the limits of their
friendship are tested.
From the backcover…
- Sierra Court Blues transports the reader on a mind-bending adventure with the main character Bo Kineally, a young father and husband with dreams of becoming a nationally known star from the backwoods of Bethel, Ohio. Can Bo strike a balance between his responsibilities and desires as both sides vie for his attention? Sierra Court Blues leaves nothing to the imagination with gripping characters, dysfunctional band members, roller-coaster drama, heart wrenching relationships, betrayal, and intricate family dynamics. The novel is sure to be a page turner for metal music enthusiasts everywhere.
Is it fiction or non-fiction; based upon your own personal experience?
It’s fiction but very informed by my own relationships and experiences in bands over the years.
Who is your
target audience?
Specifically, all of my Generation-X peers out there feeling their 40’s. The story is set in 1991 just before glam metal gave way to grunge. The trends and music from the late 80’s/early 90’s work their way through the story. But, really, I think it appeals to a larger audience. It is a coming of age story set in one of the wildest times in recent history. In its excesses, I think it has lessons to teach.
Specifically, all of my Generation-X peers out there feeling their 40’s. The story is set in 1991 just before glam metal gave way to grunge. The trends and music from the late 80’s/early 90’s work their way through the story. But, really, I think it appeals to a larger audience. It is a coming of age story set in one of the wildest times in recent history. In its excesses, I think it has lessons to teach.
Where do you
like to write?
I don’t have an office so I write in my dining room. At first it was by necessity, but now it’s my favorite spot. Plus, the dining room table makes for a really spacious desk. The downside is trying to keep all of my stuff in order when I have to vacate for family meals.
I don’t have an office so I write in my dining room. At first it was by necessity, but now it’s my favorite spot. Plus, the dining room table makes for a really spacious desk. The downside is trying to keep all of my stuff in order when I have to vacate for family meals.
How do you
maintain thoughts and ideas?
I have 2 or 3 notebooks going at any given time. I try to keep them organized by subject, but, it rarely works out. If I don’t have a notebook close, it’s the usual, napkins, credit card receipts...anywhere I can.
I have 2 or 3 notebooks going at any given time. I try to keep them organized by subject, but, it rarely works out. If I don’t have a notebook close, it’s the usual, napkins, credit card receipts...anywhere I can.
What are you
currently writing?
I’m working on my second novel right now, and, at odd times, revising poetry for a new poetry book. The poetry book should be out sometime next year.
I’m working on my second novel right now, and, at odd times, revising poetry for a new poetry book. The poetry book should be out sometime next year.
Describe your
poetry…
My poetry draws inspiration from all over the place. It runs the gambit from Imagist to Narrative, hitting points in between. It’s free verse and I work hard to instill a sense of rhythm, drawing from both slam poetry and rap. Most of it is meant to be performed. It’s not exactly up to Academy standards, but, I have fun with it and it’s starting to catch on.
My poetry draws inspiration from all over the place. It runs the gambit from Imagist to Narrative, hitting points in between. It’s free verse and I work hard to instill a sense of rhythm, drawing from both slam poetry and rap. Most of it is meant to be performed. It’s not exactly up to Academy standards, but, I have fun with it and it’s starting to catch on.
Here’s
a short piece that will be in the new book;
Solstice Moon
6/21/13
A quiet bliss falls long
along the northern beyond.
Laughter rising,
arms linked against solitude.
The radio sprays magnetic pulses
of soft electric jazz
as the gap between lonely hearts
fade....
Incandescent, hopes rise
under moonlit skies.
Mysteries revealed
under blankets of night
That’s a tough one. It’s like trying to pick your favorite child. I guess if I have to pick one, it’d be Mark Twain/Samuel Clemmons. That has as much to do with his character and his speaking engagements as his body of work.
I
was fortunate to see Hal Holbrook portray him on stage once. I became
fascinated by the man. It caused me to delve more deeply into his life and his
work. I think we share the same grouchy sense of humor.
As a musician,
what has been/is your favorite venue?
There’s a club in Cincinnati called Bogart’s that features both local and national acts. It’s not a huge venue, but, it’s the place to play. The first time I took the stage there I was 20 years old. It was, by far, the biggest crowd I’d ever played in front of and the crazy mix of sheer terror and pride was overwhelming. I’ll never forget it. That was a great night.
There’s a club in Cincinnati called Bogart’s that features both local and national acts. It’s not a huge venue, but, it’s the place to play. The first time I took the stage there I was 20 years old. It was, by far, the biggest crowd I’d ever played in front of and the crazy mix of sheer terror and pride was overwhelming. I’ll never forget it. That was a great night.
What was it
like being in the heavy metal band The Malevolent?
Complete chaos. It was an intense experience that ended way too soon. We were so focused on our ambitions that we failed to take the time to enjoy what was in front of us. We allowed our drive and egos to get the best of us. Back then, when the band broke up, I was completely burned out and really, really, bitter. I didn’t play with another band for a few years after that. Of course, now, it seems much more romantic given the distance in time. I do have some really fond memories from then. I miss the camaraderie we had in the beginning.
Complete chaos. It was an intense experience that ended way too soon. We were so focused on our ambitions that we failed to take the time to enjoy what was in front of us. We allowed our drive and egos to get the best of us. Back then, when the band broke up, I was completely burned out and really, really, bitter. I didn’t play with another band for a few years after that. Of course, now, it seems much more romantic given the distance in time. I do have some really fond memories from then. I miss the camaraderie we had in the beginning.
List 10 things
that your fans may not know about you...
1) When I was younger I thought of pursuing acting. I was active in our school’s Drama Club and had the lead in a couple of plays. My favorite role was playing The Invisible Man. I had a lot of fun portraying his madness.
1) When I was younger I thought of pursuing acting. I was active in our school’s Drama Club and had the lead in a couple of plays. My favorite role was playing The Invisible Man. I had a lot of fun portraying his madness.
2)
I play guitar, bass, keyboards and sing. I write both music and lyrics and I’m
a pretty good recording engineer.
3)
I have 5 children and, so far, 4 grandchildren.
4)
My first job was working at a horse farm as a stable boy. They raised and
trained Arabians for dressage. I developed a lifelong love of horses there.
5)
I am a connoisseur of Kentucky bourbon as well as having an affinity for
Tennessee whiskey. I try very hard to enjoy both in moderation.
6)
I’ve worked as a metal fabricator/welder for the past twenty years. I’ve also
worked as a machinist and as a researcher for a credit company.
7)
I am a film fanatic and love old movies, especially film noir. I’m a huge fan
of Hitchcock and Billy Wilder.
8)
My personal library contains well over 500 books as well as several hundred
CD’s, DVD’s and cassettes....Most are in storage as I don’t have shelf space to
display them all.
9)
I am fascinated by astronomy and astrophysics. I don’t pretend to know a lot
about either, but I have read several works by Stephen Hawking and Neil
DeGrasse Tyson to gain a working understanding.
10)
The biggest influence in my life has been my father, Leo. He taught me that you
must be willing to work extremely hard to achieve your goals because nothing
worthwhile ever comes easy. He set a wonderful example in this. He was one of
the hardest working men I’ve ever known.
Connect with Ace…
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/malevolentendeavors?ref=hlTwitter: https://twitter.com/LawrenceParlier
Profile page on the Hawkins Publishing Group website:
http://www.hawkinspublishinggroup.com/lawrence-parlier.html
http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Court-Blues--Lawrence-Parlier-ebook/dp/B00F98M1AK/ref=sr_1_1s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404948950&sr=1-1&keywords=Sierra+Court+Blues
https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=296985624&trk=spm_pic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wio_BIfMN80
http://lawrenceparlier.webs.com/
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