Interview with Erik Hare, author of "down conductor"

Erik has made a living as a chemical engineer, furniture designer, internet entrepreneur, and writer; This vast experience and his constant interest in dabbling in 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 gifted teacher of life lessons.

Tyler: Welcome Erik and thanks for joining me today. “Downriver” is the story of Popey, a Hopneg, whose home is destroyed by a human, and who then 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 about it, I realized that George was dealing with being the smallest member of the family. It didn’t take me long to understand that everyone feels small and scared at some point in their lives, especially as children. Overcoming that, instead of accepting it, is very important not only to realize your dreams but to become 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 doesn’t really like talking about imaginary friends.

Tyler:: What kind of response to “Downriver” have you gotten from other kids?

Erik: They’ve liked it, but it’s a bit challenging for them. They always ask me questions! Those here in Saint Paul recognized that all the places it takes place are real, so you have to at least ask me about them.

Tyler: Would you share with us one of Popey’s insights into 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 taking a step 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 history, everything in the world is available to all of us. That makes us feel small and helpless much more than it invigorates us. In reality, no one 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 go goth, which I don’t have a problem with. I offer you “Downriver” as a brighter and more hopeful alternative; don’t worry about “the machine” because no one knows what is really going on. Find a way to do something decent and let others wallow in their own delusion if you have to.

Tyler: That’s a wonderful point, Erik. We all need to 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 by reading and other traditional educational methods. Are you suggesting that there are many paths to knowledge that we are largely ignorant of?

Eric: Definitely. If you keep your eyes open, you can learn almost anything. It can also take a lot of stupid questions if you’re 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 have been lost many times in my life. I grew up in Miami and saw more violence committed than I should have seen as a child. I’ve been looking for better ways ever since. Through these experiences, I have had the feeling that I see the world differently from many people. Maybe it’s a defense mechanism, but it’s 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 forms?

Erik: In reading to my children, I began to realize that many works of this spell are about good triumphing over evil through the sword, magic, guns, or some other violent means. That is nonsense to me. Violence does not solve anything, although sometimes it is necessary to clarify a point. It’s 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 a situation like this. 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 to be decent people, I had to answer some of that myself.

Tyler: I know you’ve written other stories. Could you tell us a bit about your previous writings?

Erik: My writing has been mostly technical and political, designed to win people over. So many stories in the newspaper leave another more interesting story for the oldies, 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 that “Downriver” marks a change or a transition in your writing?

Erik: It’s my first full-length job, so that’s important. I wasn’t sure I could keep something this long and full of thoughts about the world in motion. I also taught myself how to keep a consistent theme; 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 into more Popey and the Hopnegs stories, or what other kinds of projects are you currently working on?

Erik: I’m working on more profitable writing these days, but I’d like to write a sequel. It may take its shape later this summer, and my first blush has it more radical and edgy. Popey is a leader, but on his terms and for his own reasons.

Tyler: We’re looking forward to meeting Popey again. Erik, thanks again for talking to me today. Finally, could you tell our readers where they can find more information about your book and where to buy it?

Erik: It’s available on amazon.com and other online bookstores. I maintain a page at http://www.authorsden.com/erikhare with more reviews and other work of mine.