Thursday, March 27, 2014

Interview with Mystery Author Jon Foyt

Jon Foyt is 81 years old, an octogenarian prostate cancer survivor, a marathon runner (60 completed), hiker, and political columnist. He lives in a large active adult retirement community near San Francisco. Jon is the successful author of 11 fiction books.

Hello Jon. Wow! You have accomplished quite a bit in your life. To run 60 marathons is fantastic. Nothing holds you down. Now you're writing mysteries and entertaining those around you at your retirement community. That's awesome.

Time to Retire is filled with mystery, romance, and adventure, as Willy and Sally explore the lifestyles of aging retirees. Things are not quite what they seem at Sunset Gardens, an active adult retirement community in California. The directors of the Homeowner's Association has been handling money in questionable ways, there's secret meetings occurring at The Silent Front, a former speakeasy, and an influential resident recently committed suicide. Reporter Willy Herbst, approaching retirement, is curious about what’s going on in the neighboring community “over the hill.” He and his eager intern, Sally Saginaw, team up to investigate. Their discoveries are surprising.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

The inspiration for writing Time to Retire comes with living in an active adult retirement community with so many people with amazing backgrounds and interests.

Now that really is “inspiration.” What kind of research did you have to do for this novel?

I’ve lived in three active adult retirement communities, and am quite active in the present one in Northern California. So, I’ve met hundreds of retirees and learned their stories and felt their concerns. All of which is inspiring to write about.

I can see how you can create some good stories with this atmosphere. Who is one of your favorite characters in this story and what do you love about him or her?

Willy Herbst is the local investigative journalist who, himself, is nearing retirement. So, he wants to investigate a mysterious death and learn about life in a retirement community because that’s the sort of place he may live one day soon. Having once been a reporter, I think I can empathize with Willy and his intern Sally. Willy is very human, believable and vulnerable.

Okay, Jon, now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I grew up in Indianapolis and dreamed of racing cars at Inde, but, of course, I never did. It was a fantasy. Maybe most novels are a fantasy of sorts, one’s imagination venturing off on a lark.

That is a great dream. My brother used to race cars at a figure eight track and he also entered several Demolition Derbies. Haha. But that’s nothing compared to the Inde. Thanks, Jon, for this awesome interview. I hope my readers will check out your mysteries.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow Jon you have a very interesting life. I am so glad that writing plays a big part. Mystery and romance are two of my favorite genre and this book sounds like it has both! Thanks for the great giveaway and please continue to share your talent with us all. jtagee@bham.rr.com

Unknown said...

I have always heard, "Write what you know." Obviously, it is sound advice as this author clearly indicates. I look forward to reading his work. I love mysteries and it's always great to find another talented mystery author. michelle_willms at yahoo dot com

LAWonder said...

This sounds wonderful! I recently reviwed a book Mags and the AARP Gang that was super neat and very humorous! This sounds like one similar. I would love to read it.

Sonja said...

Nice to hear from an experienced person and an interesting life. Thanks for this give-away. Sonja dot Nishimoto at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

You have had and are still having an amazing life Jon! You are a great role model for all seniors.
Iwould like so much to read your book..sounds like fun!

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

My husband (who is younger than I am) kids me about seeing if I can get 'senior discounts' at restaurants. Glad to see a book with older characters. I plan to keep getting better as I go!

LuAnn Braley
AJ's Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
luann (dot) braley (at) gmail (dot) com

Shirley said...

What an interesting interview! More power to you Jon!

Karin said...

Sounds like my kind of mystery.

karin56381 (at) gmail.com

Sharon Braswell said...

Willie and Sally sound like a great team as far as characters go and I absolutely love that author Jon Foyt is writing from his own experience!Jon Foyt at 81 is an inspiration to us all! He has accomplished so much in his life and is still achieving daily! I'm SO glad he is still writing.

oh_bother88@hotmail.com

Mutti said...

My kind of book! I love Cozy Mysteries. Also, my mother has been in a couple Active Retirement communities and I found it quite fun to get to know the people who lived around her. One New Year's Eve we spent the evening hearing about what life had been like from a lady who had been Navy Nurse during WWII. Thanks for the chance to read of of Jon's books. I will have to look for others.

Debbie Curto said...

This sounds like a great book! I would love to read! Thanks for the chance!

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a wonderful story. I would love to read your book. I'm not quite ready to move into a retirement community. One day, maybe.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

mnleona said...

Jon, Good for you. So many sit back and do not do much. Someone recently remarked to Rick Perry (Texas) about his glasses and he said enjoy your youth with a laugh because as he aged, he had to wear glasses. We also do not move as fast. Should be a good read. Thanks.

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, Sharon Braswell! You are the winner of this cozy mystery. I know you'll enjoy it. My husband read it and loved it.