Ask the Author: Richard Puz
Answered Questions (6)
Richard Puz
I do genealogy as a means of keeping track of some 10,000 individuals, many with the same names or repeated names with different spellings. My greatest interest has been collecting family stories, which I have done over a period of years. When I tried to bridge the Atlantic for my grandmother's roots, I hit nothing but brick walls. Then, I had a breakthrough via a chat site and ran across a graduate student who had completed his thesis on a very small fiefdom in Slovenia named Kostel. Through him and his work, I found I could take this wing of the family back more than 400 years using church records as well as transcribed and translated castle tax records. The man's work was invaluable to me in writing Blood Tax. It will continue to serve me with the next novel, White Gold.
Richard Puz
I plan in advance for a series of historical stories that become books. My first set of four are an anthology and my version of the western migration across America in the 19th century. Presently, I work on a series of three novels set on the Balkan Penninsula where serfs are slaves tied to the land and a feudalistic system.
My research is extensive and I strive for accuracy. Also, tales passed down in my family provide the initial impetus.
My research is extensive and I strive for accuracy. Also, tales passed down in my family provide the initial impetus.
Richard Puz
I have just published my fifth novel entitled Blood Tax (hard copy and ebook). The setting is the Balkan Penninsula in the 16th Century, in a fiefdom on the Kupa River that divides Muslim and Christian controlled lands. Turks raid a small farming hamlet, burning farms, abusing villagers and causing mayhem. Their primary mission is to kidnap young children and take them back to Istanbul for service to the Sultan. The leader, Azim, rapes Maria and becomes convinced that a son will result from the union. He threatens crucifixion to all if any harm befalls the child and vows to return in five years to collect his child. When Azim and his men later return from battles on the Caspian Sea, they find that matriarch Helena has organized the people and the serfs are ready for the Turkish raiders.
All my books are based on true events and historical accuracy.
All my books are based on true events and historical accuracy.
Richard Puz
The ability to be creative.
Richard Puz
Often it takes an effort to get past writer's block. My most useful technique is to pick a portion of my story, even a bit of minutia, and work and re-work it to a fine point. Many times, this gets my mind back into the routine of composing.
Richard Puz
Yes, by all means.
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