Interview with Erik Hare, author of "Down river"
Erik has made a living as a chemical engineer, furniture designer, Internet entrepreneur, and writer; this vast experience and his constant interest in venturing into more things make him believe that he is the best fit to be a writer. His new novel “Downriver,” the story of a transformational journey that follows a major life-changing event, also proves that he is a talented teacher of life lessons.
Tyler: Welcome Erik and thanks for joining me today. “Downriver” is the story of Popey, a Hopneg, whose house is destroyed by a human, and who later sets out to learn more about humans. How did you first come up with the concept of the Hopnegs?
Erik: Actually, my son George had a very young imaginary friend named Popey when he was 3 years old. When I talked to him, I realized that George was dealing with being the smallest member of the family. It didn’t take long for me to understand that everyone feels small and scared at some point in their lives, especially as a child. Overcoming that, instead of accepting it, is very important not only to realize your dreams, but also to turn them into them.
Tyler: How old is George now and what does he think about Popey and the fact that he provided you with the inspiration for the character and his world?
Erik: George just turned 7, and frankly, he doesn’t really like talking about imaginary friends.
Tyler: What kind of response to “Downriver” have you gotten from other kids?
Erik: They liked it, but it’s a bit challenging for them. They always ask me questions! Those who are here in Saint Paul recognized that all the places in which it is set are real, so at the very least they have to ask me about them.
Tyler: Could you share with us one of the thoughts on Popey’s gains in human character?
Erik: That life is rarely an epic battle between “good” and “evil.” It’s mostly a daily struggle between the mundane and the obvious – the daily grind of moving through the motions versus stepping back where you can see how obviously beautiful life really is.
Tyler: What were you trying to say about human society by viewing humans as giants from the perspective of a small creature?
Erik: At this point in the story, everything in the world is available to everyone. That makes us feel small and helpless much more than it invigorates us. No one really has control over the whirlwind of forces that make our lives what they are. We all have to accept this and somehow find a space for ourselves. Some of the brightest and most creative kids turn into Goths, which I have no problem with. I offer you “Downriver” as a brighter and more hopeful alternative; don’t worry about “the machine” because nobody knows what is really going on. Find a way to do something decent and let others indulge in their own illusion if necessary.
Tyler: That’s a wonderful point, Erik. We must all take responsibility for our lives instead of blaming society or “the machine.” In “Downriver,” the main character, Popey, learns more about the magic of the world through experience and observation than simply through reading and other traditional educational methods. Are you suggesting that there are many paths to knowledge that we largely ignore?
Erik: Definitely. If you keep your eyes open, you can learn just about anything. A lot of stupid questions may also be necessary if you are brave enough not to care what people think of them.
Tyler: Your work seems to reflect a need for individualism and to follow our own paths and dreams. How have your own personal experiences led you to these beliefs?
Erik: I’ve gotten lost many times in my life. I grew up in Miami and saw more acts of violence being committed than I should have as a child. I’ve been looking for better ways ever since. Through these experiences, I had the feeling that I see the world differently from many people. It may be a defense mechanism, but it is who I am and I have to make it work somehow.
Tyler: When did you realize that writing could be a means of finding and teaching those better ways?
Erik: As I read to my children, I began to realize that many works of this type are about good triumphing over evil through swordplay, magic, guns, or some other violent means. That is silly to me. Violence does not solve anything, even if sometimes something needs to be done. It is always, “The King is dead, long live the King” and then everything goes on as before. I realized that my children and everyone else will probably never see such a situation. What will they see? How can they make it work? What kind of people will they really be? If I was going to be a good father and teach them how to be decent people, I had to answer some of those things myself.
Tyler: I know you’ve written other stories. Could you tell us a bit about your past writing?
Erik: My writing has been mainly technical and political, designed to convince people. So many stories in the newspaper leave another, more interesting story untold, and I love taking these stories to the next level. At some point, I realized that this complicated world is better understood through the heart than the brain. I developed a desire to help people follow a path where they can “get it” and act with more determination. When I write fiction, I tend to write about misfits and people on the fringes of the world. I have used people with serious social problems and the homeless as a way to make the world open their eyes a little and really see what is around them.
Tyler: Do you feel like “Downriver” marks a change or transition in your writing?
Erik: It’s my first long job, so that’s important. He wasn’t sure he could keep something so long and full of ideas about the world in motion. I also taught myself how to keep a theme running constantly; in this case, I tried to write like water, always moving, shining and changing. I was happy with the effect, even if it meant my writing style got a bit unusual, so I’ll do more of that.
Tyler: Should we look for more Popey and the Hopnegs stories, or what other kinds of projects are you currently working on?
Erik: I am working on a more profitable script these days, but I would like to write a sequel. It may take its shape later this summer, and my first blush is more radical and edgy. Popey is a leader, but on his terms and for his own reasons.
Tyler: We hope to meet Popey again. Erik, thanks again for talking to me today. In closing, could you tell our readers where they can find more information about your book and where to buy it?
Erik: It’s available at amazon.com and other online bookstores. I maintain a page at http://www.authorsden.com/erikhare with more reviews and other work of mine.