Ask The Author: Eric Shonkwiler
[admin / October 4th, 2011 / Interviews ]Eric Shonkwiler’s “For The Man After Me” is an addition to the PANK Special Crime Issue.
1. What would you do that would be worth being hunted over?
Run away with a senator’s wife. Kill a man. That sort of thing. I’d do bad things to someone who hurt a friend or family. I’ve been not too far from such a crime before.
2. What fake name would you give to the police if you were caught for something?
A fake name wouldn’t work. I’ve got identifying marks and fingerprints on file. If I were able to pass a cop by I’d say I was Michael Shiler. That was gonna be my pen name but it lost its usefulness a couple years back.
3. What is your preferred getaway vehicle?
I have a ’98 Cavalier that’s gotten me across the country and back half a dozen times. 170,000 miles, still gets 36mpg. Old enough and true enough to get me where I need to go.
4. Why did you write “For The Man After Me”?
Probably the same reason I write anything. Got the idea in my head, wanted to get it out. The particulars became what they are as something of a dedication to my hometown, to kids who grow up too fast and people who catch a glimpse past that veil, that membrane separating daily life from what the protagonist deals with in the story–a little bit of hell. I’m fascinated by that idea and by people who walk around haunted from seeing it.
5. How do you feel about TapOut apparel?
As a guy who wears a cowboy hat every day without a hint of irony, I cannot rightly make any negative comments about other people’s attire.
6. Who would you run away from?
If the scenario in question one were to come to pass, I’d run from the cops. I also wouldn’t be opposed to doing my time, but hell, why not? Be a story.
This story was very, very well written. From start to finish I was invested, not wanting to even answer my phone calls while consumed within its words. As I am sure most people do, I instinctively began attempting to guess what was going to happen- how the story would end etc. Nothing about this story was predictable. It felt so natural as well, the style of the work flowed wonderfully.
Though I enjoyed the entire piece, I especially loved the simplicity of it all- nothing was over done. For example, the damaged eye, though minimally described, was seen perfectly within my mind. I’m quite sure I’m rambling now for I can’t quite find the way to express my feelings on this piece. A job well done! It’s been quite some time that a story of this genre was able to captivate me; So much in fact, that I even took the time out of my day to leave a comment about it. The ending, again in that great non-exaggerated style, was superb. Again, a job very well done.
I’m flattered. Thank you.