5 Questions With Richard Doster
Posted September 23, 2008, 3:09 pm in BooksRichard Doster has always had a passion for writing, and a love for sports. Now, he's living a new dream, by combining the two, and he's found a new career as an author.
Having spent 25+ years in the advertising business, Doster knows how to market products; now he's marketing himself. With his novel "Safe at Home" in hand, and his wife by his side, Doster hit the road on a tour of baseball parks, to share his story of baseball in the 1950s, and what it meant to be a black player during a time of racism and discrimination.
Recently, Doster talked with Growing Bolder about what drove him to write this book, and shared the challenges and joys of the business.
1. What drives you to write? Is it something you always wanted to do, or is it a passion that you discovered later in life? What is it about baseball that inspired you to write Safe at Home?
I came across a quote once that said, “Writers are readers, moved to emulation.” I know exactly what that means. I’ve always loved to read, I’m jealous of what great writers do with the language—with rhythm and cadence, with the way they dangle these beautiful sentences forcing me to re-read them—two and three times—and thinking: I wish I could to that.
I suppose I always wanted to try, but it wasn’t until recently that my skin was thick enough. The initial rejection letters might’ve destroyed me when I was 30, but now—it’s hardly life-and-death.
Baseball diamonds were the first place where white men and black men worked and played together in plain view, where people watched integration from a distance and saw that the world wouldn’t end.
In the case of minor league baseball, I especially love the fact the players were anonymous. We’ll never know their names and yet, through their perseverance they helped transform the communities where they lived and played. When you think it through, you’ve got be inspired—and grateful.
2. Describe your background in advertising, and how it has helped (or not!) the process of promoting your own work? You say yourself, the New York Times Book Review isn't knocking the door down!
I spent about 27 years in the advertising business, primarily as a strategist developing plans to build and communicate brand identity. The most helpful thing I brought forward was the idea that marketing is the art of the possible.
For example, my book takes place in a small Southern town against the backdrop of minor league baseball. That’s a bit unusual. So this summer my wife Sally and I traveled to—I don’t know—maybe 15 small Southern towns where 27 minor league play-by-play announcers interviewed me. As a novelist, this was a venue I had all to myself, it gave me access to natural audience, and produced some pretty decent sales.
This interview’s an example. I’m 55 years old and this is my first book. I shared my story with you, and now we’re letting others of our generation know—hopefully entertaining and encouraging them, but still providing a forum to talk about the book.
A third example: The book gives some insight into black history that’s not widely known; it shows the important role that ordinary and anonymous people played in changing attitudes about race. That’s distinctive, and so Sally and I are now contacting English teachers across the country, encouraging them to use Safe at Home during Black History Month, letting them know that the book might encourage young adults (and especially boys) to read and to gain some insight they haven’t had before.
As a function of my professional background we considered the product and asked ourselves: Whose life will be better, richer, and more enjoyable for reading this book. We looked at the resources available, and determined what’s possible.
3. You and your wife decided to visit every minor league ballpark that you could drive to, to try and promote the book. What was the experience like? What were the most challenging parts of your trip? And the most enjoyable?
This has been one of the highlights of our life together, and a memory we’ll savor. We love minor baseball, and usually we take in three or four games a year. This year we got a quadruple dose of one of our favorite things.
Logistically, Sally did her best to schedule trips so we could talk with both the home team and the visiting team. Which meant she was juggling our schedule with all the team schedules, trying to find the best ways and places for us to maximize the time.
And you know, not being as young as I once was, there was a time or two when I’d be in the middle of an interview and have this little flash of panic, wondering: Did I already say this? Or was that with the last guy?
Part of the fun of being 55.
[As for the most enjoyable,] That list could go on for a long time, but here are my top five:
In Kinston, N.C., I chatted with Carl Long, the first African-American to play in the Carolina League and an inductee into the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame. Long essentially lived the life of Percy Jackson, the character I created for Safe at Home.
In Savannah, Mike Passanisi, the broadcaster, was dressed in his bathing suit and flip-flops. When you work for a single-A team you help with everything, including the tarp after a rain delay.
I was on the TV broadcast of the Durham Bulls, and the next day Sally and visited the old ballpark, where the Kevin Costner/Susan Sarandon movie was filmed.
In Chattanooga, I was interviewed by Larry Ward and Ron Potesta, the play-by-play guys for both teams at the same time. The interview was simulcast into both markets which, I thought, was pretty cool.
In Nashville I talked with the Nashville Sounds broadcaster, Chuck Valenchez, and then visited with Mike Capps, of the visiting Round Rock (Austin, TX) Express. Mike was a CNN war correspondent. He was the lead reporter at the Branch Davidian siege in Waco, Texas and wrote a great baseball book called Scout. After the game Sally and I enjoyed a beer with Mike and Chuck, talking baseball, announcers, and the state of the game.
But the one impression that overshadows all the others is the kindness of the people we met. With very few exceptions the announcers were courteous. They were generous with their time. Those who had read the book were effusive in their praise. So many of them went out of their way to help; I can’t tell you how encouraging that is.
4. What would you tell other struggling writers? Is there advice you got that made a difference, or maybe didn't get that would have helped you?
- Understand the process and stick to the rules.
- Get an agent.
- Write a good proposal
- Persevere
5. What are your top five books written by other authors?
This is the hardest question of all. If you ask me next week, the list would probably be different, but today, I’ll say these five:
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
I’ve listed this first because I’m rereading it now. I recently read a biography of Harper Lee, which made me appreciate her book even more.
"You Can’t Go Home Again" by Thomas Wolfe
This is one of those books that makes you want to be a writer.
"Cross Creek" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Every sentence is delightful. Every story is engaging. I love the state of Florida and Rawlings did too. She describes it so wonderfully…I think the book has to touch everybody who calls Florida home.
"All Over but the Shouting" by Rick Bragg
This is kind of a wild card. Bragg’s written three books, they’re all about his wildly dysfunctional family and growing up poor in the rural South. The guy’s as skilled a storyteller as I’ve read.
"Old Dogs and Children" by Robert Inman
I don’t suppose this is on anybody’s list of great books, but I thought it was delightful. Bright Birdsong is one of my favorite fictional characters.
Editor's note: The conversation went so well, we asked Doster for some bonus material!
What's next in your writing journey?
I’m working with the editor now on the sequel to Safe at Home. It’s called Crossing Lines, and is scheduled to be released in May 2009.
What five people (dead, alive, historical, fictional -- it's all open!) would you like to meet?
George Washington
Richard Nixon
William Shakespeare
The original 12 disciples (I know that’s cheating, but wouldn’t a group discussion be fascinating)
William Wilberforce
What are your goals for the next 10 years?
To write a novel that’s reviewed in the New York Times.
To do something, and I’m not sure what, that inspires kids to love books. I’m disturbed by the decline in reading in our culture.
To enjoy 10 new experiences with Sally.
For more information about Doster, and to read an excerpt from "Safe at Home," visit his Web site here. To see his Growing Bolder profile, click here.
© 2007-2008. Growing Bolder Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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