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| Curt at home with a photo of Hiram Robinett |
An Interview with Author Curt Robinette
Originally from Nelsonville, Ohio, now residing in Louisiana, Curt Robinette stays active spending
time with his family, writing, and other fun things that motivates his creativity.
He is the author of Chauncey’s
Blood, a historical novel based on true life. Curt is also behind The New Nelsonville Tribune, a
historical memoir and current update of Nelsonville, Ohio, a gem in the
foothills of Appalachia.
The Elks Lodge, Nelsonville,
will host a book signing event on Nelsonville Final
Fridays, June 29, 2018, 6 PM. Curt will be signing copies of Chancery’s Blood as well as premiering
the first publication of The New Nelsonville
Tribune, Volume I. Monday Creek
Publishing is the publisher of the 2nd Edition of Chauncey’s Blood, as well as The New Nelsonville Tribune, Volume I.
Both books are currently available online in paperback and eBook.
Welcome Curt!
GM: What is the
premise for Chauncey's Blood?
CR: Five school
friends of mine were killed in Viet Nam, several others, including my cousin,
were wounded and/or maimed for life. Others came home with PTSD and other
serious issues. It seemed that my small hometown paid a high price to defend
our country and do what was “right”. As I researched for telling Hiram’s story,
I discovered that the impact was very high in support of the Union in the Civil
War as well. Five Robinett young men from Chauncey, Ohio died and several never
returned to a fully functional life after the fighting had ended. The impact to
the communities, the families left behind, was obvious. The price was blood.
GM: What prompted
you to combine fiction with historical facts to create a novel of your family
and the Civil War?
CR: My research was
originally for our family history. When I found Hiram and discovered how
closely related we are (my grandfather’s half-brother), I wanted to find as
much about him as was available. From the historical documents at the National
Archives, his story became more remarkable with each new discovery. When a West
Virginian Historian and Author shared a picture of Hiram and it matched a
picture that my Aunt and Uncle possessed, I was hooked. To discover that Hiram
served three separate times demonstrated to me that he was not just doing his
duty, he was following his calling to serve his country.
The documents discovered contained enough information to develop
an accurate time table of Hiram’s life from 1861 through his death in March
1868. Likewise, his lifetime friend and compatriot Robert H. Edwards, was
easily detailed almost from start to finish.
The challenge was to utilize the
historical documents and determine where the gaps existed and what logically or
historically was going on at that time. If I could find historical evidence
that seemed to indicate where the boys were, such as a campaign or battle, it
was easy. If not, then I had to use my imagination to create a plausible
connection from fact A to fact B, etc.
GM: Describe your
writing style; how do you maintain thoughts, ideas, and creative endeavors?
CR: Not being an
experienced author, I will call my approach “conversational”. I attempt to give
the reader a feeling that I am talking to them, telling them the story. I hope
for them to feel that they are right there, standing, in the story,
experiencing things as they occur.
GM: In Chauncey's Blood who is your favorite
character besides Hiram?
CR: First, I would
say that Robert H. Edwards likely had a personality like my own. He had goals,
was not a total flake, but didn’t take day-to-day issues as seriously as
others, especially Hiram. He admired Hiram, looked up to him, and would only
fleetingly wish that he could be that way, because he was satisfied with who he
was. I think that he knew that you were responsible for yourself and that no
one could be expected to take care of you, although he did appreciate it when
Hiram was there to help him out. Facts that I found out about Robert that I
didn’t know while writing the story enhanced my respect for him greatly. Robert
graduated in June 1868 from Georgetown University School of Medicine. Being discharged
in January 1865, he enrolled in school, married, and spent three intense years
as a medical student, preparing for his career, which he never had.
Melinda Booth was equally a favorite,
the only difference is that she is a figment of my imagination, brought to the
story as the strong, stable and ultimately wonderful figure that Robert needed
in his life. In the story, Hiram was not into hugging and Robert needed someone
to help him get through the tumultuous times and events occurring around him. As
Melinda’s character developed in the story, and I have no idea how that
happened, it became obvious to me that Robert would not have accomplished all
that he did if she had not been in his life. She was his salvation and his
reason for living.
GM: What do you
suppose Hiram would have to say about your book and memorializing his name?
CR: I think that he
would be impressed that I knew so many facts about his career, like the address
where he lived in Washington town in 1867. I’m not at all certain that he would
feel that I portrayed him accurately, but I believe I have. Hiram would have
been impressed and happy that his friends and co-workers in Washington cared
enough to purchase his tombstone and eulogize him in the way they did.
GM: It seems most
writers have a teacher or mentor who inspired their writing career. What/who is
your inspiration? What motivates you to put pen to paper (or hands to
keyboard)?
CR: Telling Hiram’s
story was quite easy because of my enthusiasm to get him out to the world. If
and when people read about his life, they will be impressed both with his
maturity, and his plan for his career. I would suppose that Zane Grey has
always been my favorite author and I admired the manner in which he delivered
his characters to the story. Lewis Wetzel, one of Zane’s main characters and a
real person, was made larger than life and that is how I came to feel about
Hiram. While Wetzel was in actuality a cold-blooded Indian killer, Zane Grey
turned him into a frontier hero. I didn’t face those same challenges with
Hiram, as he was a good guy in reality.
GM: What are you
currently writing?
CR: Ezekiel, where the hell are you?
GM: What are you
currently reading?
CR: Anything and
everything concerning 9-11 Conspiracy. I just finished thoroughly examining the
events surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy.
GM: Who is your
favorite author?
CR: Greg Isles. I
have read a half dozen of his novels and continue to be amazed with his
creativity and incredible imagination. How he is able to create the situations
and the characters he comes up with is simply mind-blowing for someone like
myself with a very limited imagination.
GM: Do you have
advice for novice writers?
CR: Take up golf instead.
At a minimum, have fun. Try different approaches to telling your story
and don’t settle on one until you “feel” this is your story.
GM: In Chauncey's Blood who is your favorite
character besides Hiram? 
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