Before We Ever Spoke looks like a great sports romance novel. What can you tell us about it?
I think that the best compliment I’ve been given about the
book is that it truly has something for everyone. Yes, it’s a sports romance,
but it also has a crime/suspense subplot that enters about halfway through the
book. I really wanted to write a book that was multi-genre and would appeal to
a wide audience.
How did you come up
with the story in Before We Ever Spoke
When I first started writing the book, it was a very
different story, but then I saw firsthand the devastation that Hurricane
Katrina caused on the Gulf Coast and knew that I wanted to shift gears. While
the book takes place mostly in Cleveland, where I am from, a big part of the
story takes place in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where Cooper Madison was
born.
Can you tell us a
little about Cooper Madison?
Cooper Madison is the best pitcher in baseball in 2006, when
the story takes place, but he walks away from the game after a tragedy. While
‘Coop’ is who I think a lot of men would love to be like, he’s also vulnerable
and relatable to those of us mere mortals. He’s a guy who seemingly has
everything, yet he finds himself alone and empty inside. That is, until he
meets Cara.
What inspired you
when writing Before We Ever Spoke
I had always wanted to write a book. I decided that as I approached
the age of 40 that I would finally make it happen. I wanted to show my three
children that it is never too late to follow your dreams.
When writing Before We Ever Spoke did anything stand
out as particularly challenging?
My biggest fear was that it would be predictable and cliche,
so I really tried to create a story that was anything but those things.
According to all of the book clubs and groups that I have spoken with, it seems
that I accomplished that goal.
What do you like to
do when not writing?
I’m a 7th grade teacher and I used to coach high school
baseball and football. Nowadays, I really enjoy spending as much time as
possible with my family.
Where can readers
find out more about your work?
They can go to my website www.danlargent.com and also follow me on
Twitter @ofbaseball - all of my television and radio interviews are on my
website, as well as links to purchase my books, including my follow-up After
Edgewater.