#Interview with @MichaelJBowler, #Author of I Know When You're Going to Die

About the Book:

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Leonardo Cantrell is a painfully shy sixteen-year-old who cannot look people in the eye. One night while he’s volunteering at a homeless shelter, an old man forces eye contact and gives Leo the power to see Death.

His best, and only, friend—J.C. Rivera—thinks this new power is cool until Leo accidentally looks into J.C.’s eyes and “sees” his murder, a murder that will occur in less than two weeks. Stunned and shaken, the two boys sift through clues in Leo’s “vision” in a desperate effort to find the killer and stop him before he can strike.

Aided by feisty new-girl-at-school, Laura, the boys uncover evidence suggesting the identity of the murderer. However, their plan to trap the would-be killer goes horribly awry and reveals a truth that could kill them all.

Interview with Michael J. Bowler

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

I always loved reading and telling stories to others. For years, as I lay awake at night, I played out in my mind new chapters of an ongoing serialized supernatural story that I wish I’d written down at the time, because I no longer recall any specifics. But I did write short stories in elementary school and continued through high school and beyond, so I guess writing was always in my blood.

What inspires you to write?

I love telling stories and I think I have written some good ones. I do know I’m much better at writing than I am at self-promoting, and wish I was better at the latter so more people might read my books. I love the craft of writing and I pen screenplays in addition to books. As ideas strike me, I feel compelled to write them down and shape them into interesting stories.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

Lying awake at night, I kept returning to this idea of a character who somehow knew when others would die. In some of my iterations, the character used the power for evil, but ultimately I decided that readers, especially teens, should see a character who doesn’t want this ability, but who will never abuse it. That old line from Spiderman infused my thinking while crafting the story: “With great power comes great responsibility.” I think my main character learns this truth during the course of the story.

Are there stories tucked away in some drawer that were written before and never saw the light of the day?

I do have some books that I wrote or partially wrote that won’t likely see the light of day, though just recently I’ve been thinking of a way to resurrect a science fiction story I never finished set in the future after aliens have subjugated earth and turned human society into a freedom-less utopia.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

I think my favorite scene is when the narrator finally has a real conversation with the neglectful mother whom he barely knows. That’s a moment Leo has waited for his entire life. I find the scene touching and also sad because of what he learns about her.

Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?

Growing up, I was innately shy, which I passed on to my narrator. I’ve also never been good in social situations or at receiving compliments, and those traits found their way into Leo.

Do you read? Who are your favorite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?

I’ve always been an avid reader. One of my favorite books is The Other, by Thomas Tryon. I consider it one of the books that inspired me to be a writer. I love Mark Twain and Alexandre Dumas. I’ve also read most of Stephen King’s books, which I find hit and miss. When he’s on, like in Salem’s Lot, The Shining, and Under The Dome, he’s great. But when he’s off, I often struggle to finish his novels.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

I used to say “write what makes you happy,” but based on the nature of publishing today, I’d suggest writing a book that’s in a similar vein to titles that have proven themselves to be popular in the marketplace because you’re going to have to produce “comp” titles anyway when you apply to an agent or one of the larger publishers.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

It’s always been my intention to adopt a child and that dream has just come true in January of this year. My son has been with me for almost three years, but the courts and the child welfare system are slower than slow. We are both ecstatic that the long wait is finally over.

What do you have in store next for your readers?

I have two finished and edited books for the teen/young adult market (one is action adventure and the other mystery/sci-fi), as well as an adventure tale aimed at middle grade readers. I’m not certain what will happen with them, but they will hopefully be released one day.


About the Author:

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Michael J. Bowler is a former teacher, adoptive parent, lifelong child advocate, author of The Lance Chronicles series—books with multi-racial and LGBT characters that deal with significant issues facing American youth today, and Spinner, a horror thriller featuring teens with disabilities as the heroes.

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