I almost departed my usual title and changed the name of this post to Meet Haris Orkin – An Author and so much more. I could have, maybe should have, but didn’t. But Orkin is truly much more than an author.
Haris Orkin and grew up in Chicago and lived in Los Angeles for forty years, but is now a resident of Ashland, Oregon. Along the way, he earned a MFA in creative writing from the University of Southern California and wrote screenplays, two of which were bought by Hollywood. But that is just the tip of who Orkin is, as you will see when you read this fascinating interview with this fascinating author. Here is my interview with Haris Orkin- so much more than an author!
What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?
I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember, throughout elementary school and high school. I wrote plays in college and majored in English Composition and Economics. (I thought I was going to be a lawyer), and I have an MFA from USC in creative writing. I love telling stories and I seem to have stories to tell.
As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?
Possibly the fact that I’ve written professionally in so many different genres and mediums. I’ve written stage plays, radio plays, TV and radio commercials, movies, video games, VR games, and novels. So I have a wide breadth of experience in many different mediums. Much of my work has an element of comedy and/or satire. My novels are comedy thrillers.
How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?
I spend time brainstorming ideas, though sometimes I’ll see something on the news or read something in a magazine that will inspire me. I usually start with character, and from character I create the plot. For me, everything flows from character.
What genre do you write, and why?
I’ve been writing a series of comedy thriller novels for the last six years. The first book was based on a screenplay I optioned to a Hollywood studio. The script was never made, but I loved the characters and the story, so I turned it into a novel. I wanted to write a modern-day version of Don Quixote.
The main character, James Flynn, lives in a psychiatric hospital in Pasadena, California. He believes his hospital is the headquarters of His Majesty’s Secret Service and that he’s a Double O agent with a license to kill. In each book, he ventures out into the world, but instead of tilting at windmills, he finds super criminals who are just as delusional as he is.
Humor comes naturally to me, so my books usually end up funny. Though I am writing a stand-alone straight thriller right now, even then, some characters are smartasses. In my video game work, I’ve written everything from sci-fi to fantasy to westerns to horror. Even within all those genres, I try to sprinkle a little comedy throughout.
Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?
The reason I got into writing video games is because at one time I was one of the best Soldier of Fortune 2 players in the world. I was recruited to compete online in tournaments and I ended up meeting the creator of the game. I’d play video games with my son all the time and he always kicked my butt. So I stayed up late and practiced and got really good at that one particular game. Of course, I’ve lost those skills now. I don’t have the fast twitch hand-eye coordination I used to and I don’t have the inclination to practice all that much. But I’m still a gamer. You have to be if you work in the industry.
I also make a mean pot of chili.
If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?
It’s hard to narrow it down to two … but I’ll tell you the two that probably inspired the James Flynn Escapades. From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming, and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. I read them both at a formative age and somehow they both invaded by tender virgin psyche. I love gritty thrillers and mysteries, and I love books that are full of satire and comedy. I love James Bond movies. I love Westerns. And I love Mel Brooks and Monty Python comedies.
What authors do you read regularly? Why?
I have a very eclectic taste. I love gritty thrillers with flawed and memorable characters and a touch of humor. I love Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, and I’m a big Stephen Hunter fan. Donald Westlake wrote great comedy thrillers. I’ve been reading the Charlie Parker thrillers by John Connolly. I love the mix of mystery, dark humor and supernatural creepiness. James Lee Burke writes beautiful prose. So does Amor Towles. (A Gentleman in Moscow was genius.) Don Winslowe writes fantastic thrillers. Recently, I discovered S.A. Cosby. He writes great Southern Noir. I love the comic novels of Christopher Moore and Caimh McDonnell. Of course, I already mentioned Kurt Vonnegut. I also read a lot of nonfiction. Especially if I’m deep into researching a particular subject for a book I’m working on. I’m currently reading a biography of Thomas Edison and a book about far-right militia groups called Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America.
If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?
This is tough … just five? Can we bring dates? Kurt Vonnegut because he’d be both funny and interesting as hell. Mel Brooks because he’s Mel Brooks and would be hilarious. I was actually on a panel with his son, Max, at Comic-Con, on the science of zombies. Mark Twain because he’s a huge inspiration and a great wit.
Albert Einstein because he’s brilliant, had a great sense of humor, and I imagine he’d like Mel Brooks. My late father because he was also hilarious as hell and would love having dinner with Mel Brooks, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Kurt Vonnegut … and me.
What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?
I write most every day, often seven days a week, and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on most days. Then I go to the gym or go for a walk or a hike or go do something with my wife. I always have something I’m working on. I’ll occasionally take breaks, like vacations or staycations. Since I started as a screenwriter, I learned to build stories by creating outlines. I don’t always stick with the outline, but it gives me a starting point.
When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?
I read all the time. Even when I’m writing. I’ll read books in and out of my genre.
Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)
I originally wanted to be a screenwriter, and I had some success with that. But not as much success as I wanted. I sold several scripts, but only had two made. That was important to me at the time and crushing when I didn’t succeed the way I wanted to. But I love writing novels even more. I optioned my James Flynn Escapade series to a Hollywood production company and I’m not sure I want to write the scripts. When I write novels, I don’t have to compromise anything. It’s totally my vision. And that’s not how film and TV works.
What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?
Persistence is the key. That ten-thousand-hour rule Malcolm Gladwell talked about. It takes time to learn how to write and find your groove. And even then, I still get nervous every time I start a new book. The important thing to remember is to just keep writing. Even if you think what you’re writing sucks. You can always go back and fix it later.
How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?
Part of what I do comes naturally, but most of it doesn’t. I’ll refer back to that 10,000-hour rule. Do I think an MFA in creative writing is necessary? No.
How do you handle a negative critique?
Much better now than when I was younger. It was crushing to me when I was younger. But working in Hollywood and getting notes from Hollywood executives helped me to build up emotional callouses. You can’t take it personally. Everybody has an opinion. But the important thing to realize is … it’s just one person’s opinion. However, if enough people have that same opinion, then that’s a good indication that you might need to fix something.
Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?
I’ve had to learn to write in all kinds of genres and I love the variety.
How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?
That’s a big question. All the elements are important, but to me the most important element of all is character. For me, the characters always drive the plot. Sometimes the setting can almost be another character.
Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?
I see myself in all of them: The men, women, heroes, villains. Every single character has a little bit of me in them.
Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?
The first character that came to mind is Don Quixote. There is something so heart-breaking and human and heroic about that character. I wanted Flynn to embody those same emotions and characteristics.
Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept?
My most recent book is the fourth novel in the Flynn Escapade series. License to Die. I already talked about how Don Quixote was an inspiration for the Flynn character. It’s been challenging writing a series. I want the character to grow, but I don’t want to lose the spark I had creating him. I have to figure out how much to explain from the earlier novels without spoiling them, for those who haven’t read them yet. I want each book in the series to work on its own.
For License to Die, I wanted to put Flynn in more danger and raise the stakes. And I wanted Flynn to fall in love. He ends up in a state psychiatric hospital based on Napa State Hospital in Northern California. It’s full of serial killers, spree killers, and every other type of violent criminal imaginable. All found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Most of my titles make fun of the Bond titles of the books and movies. In this case, I was making fun of License to Kill. There’s a quote in my new book that explains it. “Very few people have a license to kill. Everyone has a license to die.”
From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?
I don’t want to give away spoilers and I would need to in order to describe my favorite characters in License to Die. But as far as the continuing characters go, I love all my characters. They’re my children. Can you have a least favorite child? I guess so. But even my villains aren’t all bad. Each of them believe they are the hero of their own story. None of them are pure evil. They all believe they are making the world a better place.
Some day, I’d like a taste of that chili Haris makes. Until then, I will sit down with Orkin’s latest and enjoy his book. I hope you check it out, too.
Author/Media Contact Information:
Link to Amazon and B & N:
License to Die by Haris Orkin, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
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