An Interview with Dennis N. Griffin
To start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is
about?
Answer: One-Armed Bandit follows the investigation by Las Vegas
Homicide detectives into the murders of four people during the apparent robbery of a convenience store. The trail takes them
from the seedy side of Sin City to rural upstate New York, and on to the Halls of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a
part of your life?
Answer: I was born and raised in upstate New York. I have enjoyed
reading since my elementary school days. I didn't become interested in writing until I started my first manuscript in 1996.
Who were your earliest influences and why?
Answer: I always liked detective stories. Mickey Spillane and his
PI Mike Hammer. His books couldn't come out fast enough to suit me.
What would a typical day be like for a writer?
Answer: Review and edit previous days work. Do research if necessary, particularly for non-fiction.
Work on promotion and marketing. Write.
How long have you been writing and in what capacities?
Answer: Since 1996. My first five books were fiction mystery/thrillers. Since then I have completed
my first non-fiction followed by another fiction. Am currently working on my second non-fiction.
Which is more difficult to write - Fiction or nonfiction
and why?
Answer: For me, non-fiction. I am a fanatic when it comes to accuracy,
so I have to spend a lot more time on research and detail.
Has there ever been a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and
give up? And if so, how did you defeat those instincts?
Answer: Yes. After spending nearly two years on my first manuscript and never being able to get
it quite right, I threw the whole thing in the trash. Unknown to me my wife rescued it. A couple of days later she handed
it back to me and convinced me to give it another try.
What is the hardest part about being a writer?
Answer: Discipline.
Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they
enhance your writing?
Answer: In addition to reading, I live in Las Vegas and enjoy playing
video poker and craps. A few hours of gambling refreshes my mind to get back to writing. Also, you can meet and see a lot
of interesting people in a casino. I sometimes develop characters for my books based on these individuals.
Articles and media alike make it sound as though the only way to rise
to the top is to sacrifice. What do you find to be good sacrifices?
Answer: For me, doing research and marketing my books and myself is very time consuming. I sometimes
have to say no to social engagements in order to complete what needs to be done. However, I enjoy interviewing people and
digging through records and newspaper morgues. Talking with bookstore owners or managers and librarians to get them to carry
my books or schedule an event is also fun, at least for the most part.
What question do you get asked more than any other?
Answer: Do you think I should write a book?
Whats the coolest thing a reader has said to you?
Answer: "I love Clancy and Cussler. You're going to be in their league
pretty soon."
What has been your feedback from readers? What do they
say to you about their interpretations of your book?
Answer: My fictions have received good reviews by readers. They seem
to like my style and characters. I won't know about my non-fiction until it is released later this year.
Do you think that as a writer you are more prone to
watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people are?
Answer: Yes. As I said earlier, I watch people and sometimes use their
characteristics in my books.
If one were looking to start his/her own career as a writer, what
would you suggest his/her first step to be?
Answer: Make a commitment to devote the necessary time, effort and resources to produce a quality
product and get it noticed.
What kind of movies do you enjoy?
Answer: Mystery/thriller and action/adventure.
What is your favorite city to visit, but one that you
wouldnt want to live in?
Answer: New York City.
Whats the best part of being a writer?
Answer: Meeting a lot of nice people; and hopefully providing a product
that entertains the reader.
What's next?
Answer: Huntington Press will release my first non-fiction, Policing Las Vegas The History
of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, later this year. My latest fiction, Pension, will be published by
Publish America within the next few months. I am currently working on my second non-fiction, The Battle for Las Vegas The
Law versus the Mob. It will focus on the years of 1971 through 1986 when Chicago mobsters Tony Spilotro and Lefty Rosenthal
(characters based on them were played by Joe Pesci and Robert Di Nero in the movie Casino) ruled Vegas. I hope to have
the manuscript completed by early next year.
