Author Interview: Pseudonymous Bosch

The other day, I was thinking to myself, "Wouldn't it be cool if you could interview some of your favorite authors?" So on the off chance some of my favorite authors might actually be around to interview, I emailed some!


To my surprise and delight, Pseudonymous Bosch, the author of The Secret Series responded! He is one of my favorite authors (I have to include my mom Eisley Jacobs in my favorite list, Sorry Bosch) of all times! I really appreciate the time he took to answer my questions! Enjoy the interview.


Book Diva: I know inspiration can come in many forms; a person, a place, a smell, a time or an era in life, what was your inspiration for writing, The Secret Series?
Pseudonymous Bosch: Hm, if I tell you the secret story behind THE SECRET SERIES can we keep it between us and the thousands of readers of this blog...? Good. The secret story is that I wrote the first book in the series when I was in grade school--well, when I was a volunteer in a grade school. I was part of a program called Writing Partners wherein fourth- and fifth-grade students became pen-pals with adults outside their school for the purpose of exchanging creative writing through the mail. My writing partner, May, sent me poems, stories, and a cartoon strip she’d drawn about a chocolate bar that was afraid of being eaten. I didn't have anything to send so I decided I would write her a novel-- but I couldn't think of a title I liked, no matter how hard I tried. Well, maybe that's because the name of this book is secret, I thought. Then I asked myself what the book should be about. The answer was obvious...a secret!


B.Diva: My favorite book of yours so far is This Book Is Not Good For You. Have you had a love for chocolate all your life?
P. Bosch: Yes, although when I was little I preferred my chocolate hot and milky, now I like it cold and dark.


B.Diva:I think your use of code names was fabulous! When you name your characters, do you pick names from the people around you or do they just pop into your head as you write?
P. Bosch:Usually, they just pop into my head--and if the reason they pop into my head is that they're also the names of people around me, well, I'm not telling! Of course, some like Pseudonymous Bosch and Max-Ernest (or in the new book Paul-Clay) might possibly be puns on the names of certain well-known artists. Others, like Cassandra, refer to mythology.


B.Diva: I've always loved reading and that won’t stop now. What are your favorite books?
P. Bosch:If you know how much I like chocolate, you won't be surprised to hear that CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY has always been a big favorite, as have all of Roald Dahl's books. HUCKLEBERRY FINN is another favorite of mine although I confess when I was younger I liked TOM SAWYER much better. Between the ages of eight and fourteen I read almost a book a day--and my favorite book changed almost daily as well. One day it was HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, the next day it was A WRINKLE IN TIME...


B.Diva: Each of the books in your series are about the senses: smell, hear, taste, sight, and touch. What made you want to make this series about senses?
P. Bosch:It evolved in part from my interest in synesthesia--the confusion of the senses--a theme which enters into the first book by way of a mysterious box of scented vials, The Symphony of Smells.


B.Diva: Out of The Secret Series books, which was the most fun to write?
P. Bosch:The first. (See above.) Writing a book through the mail is something I recommend every writer try once.


B.Diva: Do you have another project in mind after the final book in The Secret Series comes out?
P. Bosch:Yes... Cough cough...Silence....


B. Diva: Maybe you can't share where the heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest grew up; but where did you grow up?
P. Bosch:Well, I will tell you this much: the nuclear test site I grew up next to had no effect whatsoever on my brain development and is not the reason I write the way I do. Although, come to think of it, that would explain a lot...


B. Diva:Your characters obviously have code-names but why do you go by an assumed name?
P. Bosch:I'm deathly afraid of the villains in my books, the Midnight Sun, tracking me down. Also--again this is just between you and me and the thousands of readers of this blog--the Writing Partners program in which the series originated was supposed to beanonymous--i.e. my writing partner wasn't supposed to know my real name. Hence, I became Pseudonymous...


B. Diva:What made you decide to become a writer? And at what age did you realize this is what you wanted?
P. Bosch:I wouldn't call it a decision. More like a congenital illness. Actually, when I was younger I wanted to be a magician. Unfortunately, I can't hold a coin in my hand without dropping it...


Since it's obvious he wants to keep his cover. Please DON'T check out his books on these websites.

http://www.indiebound.org/hybrid?filter0=pseudonymous+bosch&x=0&y=0

http://www.amazon.com/Pseudonymous-Bosch/e/B001IGNIS6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=pseudonymous+bosch&box=pseudon&pos=0

Thank you Pseudonymous for taking the time to answer these questions.


Coming Soon...
Interview with Author: Wendy Mass


Book Reviews on: A Mango Shaped Space,  This Book Is Not Good For You and Every Soul A Star


If you have any questions, want to send me a book, want me to host a giveaway, want to be interviewed or have suggestions for books I should read, email me at: idevourbooks@gmail.com