When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed follows an up-and-coming actor who takes a job in a low-budget film where the lines between performance and real violence blur, and it’s a battle for survival. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Years ago, I shared a draft of my thriller manuscript with George Powers Cockcroft, also known as Luke Rhinehart, the author of the cult novel The Dice Man. While he graciously agreed to read it, he candidly expressed that the story was not to his taste and lacked engaging characters. His critical feedback, although disappointing, proved invaluable, prompting me to rethink my approach to character development. I subsequently embarked on a new novel, reimagining those core characters, their identities, and their surroundings. By the summer of 2014, I completed a manuscript titled A Bullet for Silver Face, which eventually evolved into When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed. I had read numerous articles and memoir extracts about the volatile relationship between Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog and wanted to recreate that kind of sizzling tension between actor and director. For instance, Herzog once intended to set fire to Kinski’s house, but the actor’s dog thwarted his plan. Herzog also famously pulled a gun on Kinski during the filming of Aguirre, Wrath of God, threatening to shoot him when Kinski tried to quit the project. I drew inspiration from the chaos and fury underlying their working relationship, particularly during the making of that film.

I dedicated over a decade to refining my story, making changes based on feedback from multiple literary agents. While the core action and characters remained intact, I aimed to shape the narrative into a more conventional thriller. It proved to be much more challenging than I expected. I often wonder if George would have had positive feedback on the final version, especially considering he mentioned that most novels fail to hold his attention. Regardless, his early critique was instrumental in shaping a more compelling narrative, making me believe that the book is better for it.

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

Several elements stand out to me, particularly the complexities of obsession, power dynamics, and the interplay between fear and ambition. In When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed, the relationship between Uruguayan director Ignacio Martinez and his lead actor, Dominic Graves, exemplifies the theme of obsession. Ignacio’s deep passion for his art drives him to creative heights but also risks leading him toward personal turmoil, and this delicate balance between artistic fervor and potential self-destruction captures the nuanced duality often present in human endeavors. Additionally, the dynamics of power and vulnerability within their collaboration reveal essential truths about human interaction. The way individuals navigate dominance and submission in creative partnerships reflects broader societal conflicts, and these intricate exchanges underscore the complexities inherent in human connections.

With this book, I tried to maintain an ever-present atmosphere of danger and tension on the set, spotlighting how fear can propel people toward extraordinary achievements or, conversely, contribute to their downfalls. Ignacio’s devotion to his artistic vision serves as a warning regarding the lengths to which directors will go in pursuit of their dreams, often at a substantial cost to their well-being or those around them. While the novel engages with these themes, it is the universal appeal of these aspects of the human condition that invites deeper reflection. Obsession, chaos, power, and fear are not just narrative devices; they resonate profoundly with our experiences, making them timeless subjects worth exploring in fiction.

I found this novel to be a cutting piece of satire. What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your novel?

Thank you for your kind words. The intense relationship between Ignacio and Dominic serves as a potent metaphor for the creative process, showing how passion can both spark brilliance and create chaos. My intention was to highlight the darker aspects of ambition and the sacrifices involved in the pursuit of artistic truth. I hope that through this narrative, readers reflect on the lengths they are willing to go for their craft.

What next book are you working on, and when will it be available?

I’m currently working on a crime novel set in the 1970s, as well as a thrilling office-based drama, although both projects may not be completed until 2027. In the meantime, I have a noir titled Hessman’s Necklace set to be released in late June. This story takes place in the 1950s and follows a skilled cat burglar named Ray Stokes, who a Chicago mob boss has assigned to retrieve an infamous piece of jewelry. Award-winning short story writer Robert Garner McBrearty described Ray as follows: “I pictured the anti-hero Ray as what a young Philip Marlowe might have been like, if Marlowe was hungover, had fewer moral scruples, and had turned his skills to crime instead of detective work.”

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