Title: Marvin’s Garden
Author: Joseph Brisben
Publisher: Toplink Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1949804690
Pages: 120
Genre: Fiction/Drama/Paranormal
Interviewed by: Anthony Avina

Author Interview with Joseph Brisben

HBR: What was the inspiration behind your book, “Marvin’s Garden”?
First, I have a fried who owns a round barn built during the 19th century near Downey, IA. Second, a farmer north of Pond Creek, OK, built a round barn. Third, a distant cousin told me her life’s story. Then I spoke with some other relatives and abused women and some people who have experienced “out of body” experiences.

HBR: What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your novel?
One would be “So ye sew shall ye also reap.” Another would be, if you life is like inertia and you want to get out of it, do something about it. A third would be to be open to inspiration. Perhaps God (or the force) is speaking to you.

HBR: What author or authors were a source of inspiration for you on your own writing of this book?
Stephen King, William Faulkner, Alice Munro, and Michael Ondaatje.

HBR: If you could sit down and talk to any of the characters in your novel, who would you talk with and what would you want to ask them?
After the protagonist, Marge Duckworth, I would like to talk to Marge Brauniger because she is so caring and adventuresome and full of good advice. I guess I would like to ask Marvin Duckworth about his motivation, but I have a feeling he wouldn’t have a clue.

HBR: Now moving on to one of the biggest plot points in your story. One thing that you clearly explore in this novel is toxic relationships, most specifically abusive marriages and the affect it as on both the abused spouse and the family overall. What do you think is one of the biggest contributing factors to this continuing problem in our society?
I don’t think many men have the ability to observe their speech and actions and how people close to them see them. One thing about Marvin is that he is so lonely, but the only thing that makes him happy is making money and receiving attention. Also, he gets so much pleasure out of hurting people and animals that it would be difficult to break him of that habit.

HBR: What steps do you think could be taken to prevent this kind of abuse from continuing?
Madge could have turned him in to the authorities. She could have consulted with a minister. But she could not have convinced Marvin to go along. Perhaps she didn’t have the courage, or she didn’t love Marvin enough to save the marriage. Also, she lived in a society that largely didn’t approve of such actions.

HBR: What would be your biggest piece of advice for anyone suffering from this kind of relationship?
Resolve the problem. If that can’t be done, get out of the relationship. I feel as though I am channeling Ask Abby.

HBR: Social media is a huge part of an author’s work in this modern age. Do you use social media to promote your work and if so, what has been the one social media site that has allowed you to connect with readers the most?
Facebook. However, I must confess that I am a 19th century guy who has been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. As Blanche Dubois was fond of saying, “I rely on the kindness of strangers.

HBR: Now that you have published your book, what are your future plans? Any other novels or research papers in the works?.
I have another novel, Sweet Lorraine, that is being published this month. I have another, Lost in the Shoe, that I am rewriting, and I am working on a fifth. In the meantime, I play a lot of guitar.