Interview with Dr. Paul D. Parsons,
Author of Baden-Powell’s Beads
Dr. Paul Parsons is an orthopedic surgeon living and working just south of Nashville, TN. Raised in a military family he’s traveled extensively and lived all over the world. An avid reader and book collector, he began writing fiction in 2003. Baden-Powell’s Beads is his second novel.
MJT: Paul, when did you begin to write a fictional account of Scoutmaster Baden-Powell’s beads and how long did it take to write the story?
PDP: The protagonists, Homeland Security agents Patrick Dartson and Adnan Fazeph, were offshoots from my first novel, a medical thriller I may publish later. The characters were too rich to let go undeveloped, but I needed a vehicle for them. After reading the biography of Baden-Powell, I felt I’d found the story with the Zulu beads. The writing of B-P’s Beads began in 2005 and took me about four months to finish the first draft.
MJT: Adnan is a very interesting character with several unique attributes, one of which is a fake Middle Eastern accent. Where did that idea come from and what is the motivation for using it?
PDP: I wanted a dual protagonist and I wanted them very distinguishable. It’s okay to have one as the stereotypical male, but the second has to stand apart. As the four book series developed, I knew terrorism would rear its ugly head, but I didn’t want this to be an “us vs. them” thing. Using an Arab-American as a good guy accomplishes this, I think. His practiced accent lends some levity, but also affords him gravity when he drops it to make a point.
MJT: In the back of your book you do something very nice. In an Author’s Note you provide a detailed accounting of what is fact and what is fiction in your story. While the novel’s genre is a Thriller, it could just as easily be classified as Historical Fiction. How did you research your story?
PDP: This started with Baden-Powell’s life story, but I used a lot of material gathered in reading James Michener and Wilbur Smith, two of my favorites. My wife, her daughter Shanda, and I traveled to England, where I visited Gilwell Park, the site of the beads being passed on to the first Scoutmasters, and Brownsea Island, the site of the first Scout camp.
MJT: One of your scenes includes weapons training and an in depth explanation of different guns and ammunition for your protagonist and his girlfriend. Are guns one of your personal hobbies? How do you know so much about them?
PDP: I am a gun collector and shooter. I don’t consider myself an expert, but it does annoy me when authors make glaring errors in their reference to firearms. If you’re going to write contemporary thrillers, you’d better know your weapons.
MJT: I cannot imagine how you do it, but you are an active practicing physician and you have completed at least three novels, counting the sequel tentatively titled, London Beads, due for release in March 2013. You must be one of the world’s best time managers. What does your typical day look like when you are writing?
PDP: I’m a morning person. I read and write from 4:30 to 6:00 am every day of the year and love every minute of it. I wish I had more of this time. My medical day then begins. Fortunately, I’m old enough to not be taking night call anymore, otherwise I couldn’t do this. Evenings, I spend with my wife and we retire early. Sometimes, to meet deadlines, she’ll give me some space after work. We tie-up loose ends on weekends. I lean on her heavily to make the rest of our lives doable.
MJT: What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced as a published author?
PDP: Marketing, no contest. Breaking into the book world as a published author is work. Developing the platform with social media, making appearances at events, and even most recently, producing a trailer that is being shown at theaters here in Franklin and Memphis is demanding. Fun, but challenging.
MJT: It has been a pleasure to read Baden-Powell’s Beads, and interview its author, Paul D. Parsons. If you would like to know more about Dr. Parsons and obtain additional information regarding the Baden-Powell’s Beads sequels visit his website at:
http://www.pauldparsons.com/index.htm
