The Revenge Paradox received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Regina Buttner.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Revenge Paradox, coming October 24
What’s the book’s first line?
“The judge is smug and chinless in his shiny polyester robe, his comb-over plastered to his liver-spotted head.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Revenge has a way of backfiring sometimes. When Rudy, a twenty-something slacker, is evicted from his stepparents’ suburban home, he vows to get revenge on them. But his relationship with a devious new girlfriend and a series of amazingly bad decisions threaten to blow up on him in ways he never could have imagined.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Several years ago, I saw a national news story about a married couple who were so frustrated by their adult son’s lack of ambition that they resorted to having him legally evicted from their home. This incident got me wondering—what might happen if a young man in similar circumstances became so angry that he vowed to get revenge? I used the real-life event as a jumping-off point for a deeper fictional story. I wanted to delve into the theme of how a person’s upbringing can have a profound impact––both positive and negative––on their decision-making and personal relationships as an adult.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Every one of us has a unique backstory filled with challenges and heartaches, so you never know where another person might be coming from on any given day. My hope is that Rudy’s personal struggles will inspire readers to have compassion and patience when dealing with the various people we encounter in our daily lives. It’s not all gloom and angst in the book, though! The Revenge Paradox is a fast-paced, entertaining story with moments of wry humor sprinkled in to lighten the darker mood.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Rudy has a giant chip on his shoulder because he lost his mother at a young age, never had much of a relationship with his father, and ended up being raised by stepparents. He reminds me of the young meth cooker/dealer Jesse Pinkman in the TV series Breaking Bad: despite being raised in stable middle-class homes, both characters choose to follow risky and potentially destructive paths in life. They’re both sociopathic to some degree, but they each also experience redeeming moments of humanity as their stories unfold.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I’ve been a registered nurse for 30 years, but I’m no longer actively practicing. Therefore, I’m able to treat my writing as a full-time job. After my early morning run each day, I sit down at my desk, turn on some music, and dive right into whatever scene I’m currently creating. I usually put in 6–8 hours of writing a day, depending on my momentum and my self-imposed deadlines, which are often quite strict. I also practice yoga regularly, which has been invaluable in helping me to cultivate focus and discipline within my writing life.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I absolutely love Daphne DuMaurier, who wrote two of my all-time favorite gothic novels, Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel. Her haunting stories, most of which are set in 18th and 19th century England, are full of sinister characters and intricate plots, and even the good guys rarely experience a happy ending. DuMaurier has a deft touch with historical details and moody, paranormal undertones. I love how her novels and short stories leave me wondering about the characters’ true desires, and their hidden motivations.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Some people might say I’m crazy, but my response would be a hard “no.” I’m a huge fan of indie publishing because those are the presses that aren’t afraid to take a chance on new writers, and go against current industry trends. My publisher, Black Rose Writing, has a tagline that sums up this independent mindset: “We publish only one genre—our genre.” I’ve found a diverse and supportive home at BRW, and wouldn’t trade it for anything!