An Interview with Stephen A. Marvin
I was a member of the Tafelmusik Orchestra, Toronto, for over thirty-five years. At first, I was the principle second violin, then a section player and occasionally a violist. Tafelmusik and the Lumieres Quartet were the core of my performance career in music.
As a bowmaker, I have made over five hundred historical bows for string instruments over the years, mostly copies of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century surviving examples. My bowmaker website is www.historicalbows.com.
I married Elena in 2005. We have two grown children. These three are my beloved inspiration.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I’ve always admired great novels…and even sometimes just playful ones. Like most writers, I have been influenced by all that I have read and by a wide range of artistic forms, especially music. My father was a writer and professor and my mother, a librarian, so I always imagined I would produce novels one day.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
My career was primarily as a classical musician. I played with the Tafelmusik Orchestra in Toronto for more than thirty years and also crafted bows for string instruments after seventeenth- and eighteenth-century original models. I wrote poetry, a screenplay, The Final End. My shorter fiction was published by The Monadnock Review. My shorter novel, Francis, takes place in Kenya, where I made extended visits over the years. I will present it for publication sometime in the future.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Because of His Heart was not the original title. For most of the time of its preparation, I called it Erica’s Song after the main character, Erica Seames. It held that title for several years. However, during my many hours of final editing, I came across the line, ‘because of his heart,’ which I used three times in the novel. It seemed to have a more direct, emotional appeal in context, though this would not be immediately apparent to the reader. When I considered this, I decided that it would be effective when discovered in the text. Also, the expression, ‘because of his heart,’ is neither a worn phrase or a cliché, though pleasantly ambiguous. I discovered only after going to print that the title was used by two other authors in past years, in what appear to be romance novels. Because my novel is more literary, hopefully appealing to thriller fans, I remain happy with the title.
What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?
Seeing the approved cover design and finally receiving copies in a large box were exciting moments. I also enjoyed setting up the website for the novel, www.stephenamarvin.com.
It was fascinating hearing the comments of the young, but very fine editor. His advice was quite helpful.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
I would choose Baroque and classical music, most likely, as major themes, with subdued pop music filling out the score.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
While Because of His Heart is a challenging novel, with many sad and stressful moments, I hope readers will come away with a positive view. The language is intentionally poetic, and the final scenes show a world resolving for the better. Despite the conflicts and hardships of the main characters, I consider the whole more of a comedy than a tragedy.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Of course, I want my work to be read and appreciated. These days, an unknown author has a difficult journey finding readers. I am grateful for the good professional reviews and high placement in literary awards I am receiving, though I’m still waiting for more readers. It will take time.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I am still making bows for violin, viola, cello, bass/violone and viol family instruments. I hope to be able to publish my shorter novel, Francis, in coming years.
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