How a Love for the Old West and Paranormal Fascination Shapes His Writing
Brent A. Bohn discusses his transition from Federal service to writing, his inspirations, and how his diverse interests shape his westerns, paranormal, and mystery novels.
Brent A. Bohn’s journey from a childhood steeped in the golden age of television westerns to a prolific author of diverse genres is nothing short of fascinating. Raised in northern Virginia and a graduate of George Mason University, Bohn dedicated thirty-six years to Federal government service before retiring to Warren County, Virginia. His love for storytelling, particularly tales of the Old West, was kindled during his youth, a time when lawmen were the superheroes of the day. This passion eventually led to the creation of his western series, “Hands Faster Than Lightning.”
Bohn’s literary repertoire extends beyond westerns, delving into the realms of paranormal, mystery, and romantic suspense. His latest novel, “House for Sale – Occupied,” showcases his ability to blend the eerie with the romantic, drawing from his own experiences with the paranormal. His writing process, influenced by a lifetime of reading and a rich collection of 50s and 60s sci-fi, horror, and ghost movies, is as eclectic as his interests.
In this interview, Bohn shares insights into his inspirations, the impact of his government career on his writing, and the challenges and rewards of transitioning to a full-time author. His stories, whether set in the rugged landscapes of the Old West or the haunted corridors of a mysterious house, are a testament to his versatility and enduring love for storytelling. Join us as we explore the mind of Brent A. Bohn, a writer whose diverse experiences and vivid imagination continue to captivate readers across genres.
What inspired you to write your western series Hands Faster Than Lightning and how does your childhood fascination with Old West television programs influence your writing?
I remember well sitting down with my whole family watching westerns during the 1950’s and 60’s. This was the golden era for westerns on television. I even had all the accessories (western hat, double holstered gun belt with cap pistols, vest, and chaps that go around your legs.) I’d go around shooting at everything and everyone within eyesight believing I was the sheriff. Reading from an early age, I really enjoyed book series and I wanted to do a young adult western series so that other youngsters would begin and enjoy reading. My stepfather, Raphael Hayes, was a Hollywood Screenwriter as well as a writer. He wrote westerns and he made me want to try my hand at writing.
How did your extensive career in Federal government service shape or inform the characters and plots in your detective and mystery novels?
A small part of my duties in the Federal government was security assessments of our space, health & wellness, and Continuity of Operations (COOP) in event of any natural or man-made disaster. This helped prepare me for creating villain’s as well as potential plots for my stories.
Can you share some insights into your writing process, particularly how you balance the elements of paranormal and romantic suspense in House for Sale – Occupied?
An early indoctrination into the world of the paranormal was by my older sister making me and my older brother sit down to watch spooky supernatural, monster, and sci-fi movies. It has left me with a life-long fascination with the paranormal even though it scared the crap out of me as a very young kid. I have also lived in four houses that were haunted so I have some experience in the genre. Not wanting to write a steamy supernatural romance, I decided to make it a new romance for the characters just getting to know each other. The main character, Richard, needed to have a live female partner and not just some sort of relationship with a woman ghost (though that might have been interesting, something along the lines of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir). This new couple would share researching what happened in the old house he just purchased instead of him doing it alone.
How do you develop the witty banter and dynamic relationship between the characters in your Ghost Partner series, especially between Doug Martin and his ghostly partner?
I wanted to have an adversarial in a fun way relationship between my main characters. The same relationships that happen between siblings in the same family. These two characters were partners every day for a long time through stressful situations and gruesome events that make for a close-nit unit. Amy would also have to be included in this scenario even though she is the new partner. She can certainly take care of herself and makes sure Doug knows it.
As an avid reader of various genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, how do you incorporate these influences into your own writing, and can you provide examples from your books?
I’ve read numerous books in each genre which gives me a good background of how other writers have incorporated topics, situations, and action. An extensive collection (400 or so) of 50’s and 60’s sci-fi, horror, and ghost movies have also influenced my working within these genres.
House for Sale: Occupied: While taking a shower in his bathroom, Richard’s faucet turns from hot water to cold startling him. Another shower shows Richard stepping out of a steamy hot shower to read, “Get out while you can” on the bathroom mirror.
Ghost Partner: Doug walking up to his front walkway was shoved hard from behind by his invisible dead partner to prevent him from being killed by the same drug dealers that killed his partner and shot him in the head.
What challenges and rewards have you encountered in transitioning from a career in government service to becoming a full-time author, and what advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to make a similar transition?
It was three years after retirement from Federal government service before I began to write seriously. The challenge now is that I don’t write every day. Between the fourth Hands Faster Than Lightning book and House for Sale: Occupied, I actually took off about six months from writing. Mainly because a close friend of my mother died and I had to deal with her estate.
Before I retired, I wrote mainly at night between ten o’clock and midnight a few times a month or when the mood struck. I still don’t make planned time to write, but do it when the thoughts come or time allows. The only advice I would give new writers would be to schedule a period of time every day, if possible, where you can write without life getting in the way, because it will.
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EDITOR’S CHOICE
Ghost Partner is a masterful blend of humour, suspense, and supernatural intrigue, making it an unputdownable and thrilling read.
Ghost Partner by Brent Bohn is a thrilling and refreshingly unique addition to the paranormal detective genre. From the very first page, Bohn hooks readers with a blend of suspense, humour, and supernatural intrigue that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down.
The story follows Doug Martin, a seasoned detective whose life takes a dramatic turn after a deadly encounter with drug dealers leaves him with a bullet in his brain and his partner dead. But the real twist comes when Doug starts seeing his deceased partner’s ghost, who insists on continuing their detective work from beyond the grave. This premise alone sets the stage for a novel that is both gripping and delightfully unconventional.
