ROBERT KROUCHICK Audibles:
Audibles makes great use of sports terminology. Why was the football expression of “audibling” so appealing to you as the basis for a novel?
Each of us has experienced numerous instances in our life where we look back and second guess the decisions we made, so I thought a football analogy whereby you were given the opportunity to call an audible and make different decisions at key moments in your life might lead to some interesting soul searching. I decided the names of the characters in the book would be real life friends or acquaintances of mine, and to include some actual experiences to make it real. This made me feel obligated to do justice to the people and places that shaped the foundation of my life. I wanted readers to feel an attachment to the characters, and put themselves in their shoes as the compounding effects of each changed decision builds to a climax.
The “what if” game is a two-edged sword. Did the philosophical questions lead you in surprising directions?
Yes. It was a scary thought when I realized the lead and supporting characters in the book could be identified as me and those close to me, but one I was cognizant of as the book took shape. Those investing time reading the book will find I didn’t cop out in addressing philosophical questions, but will also learn I didn’t let them dominate or overwhelm the entertaining concept on which the book was constructed.
Audibles reads like you had a great time writing the book. Was that your experience?
I have a long train commute to work each day. As the book’s theme came into focus, my reminiscing of times past provided me numerous memories to incorporate. Once I started writing, I found the commutes much too short for my liking. I would get so caught up in reliving specific memories that I found myself remembering more details than I ever thought I would. I was having so much fun writing that I would be disappointed when my stop in NYC Penn Station would come in the morning or I would arrive in Trenton during my evening commute.