Author Spotlight~ Frank Borne

     Frank J. Borne, Jr., serves as Chief Deputy Clerk of Court with the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court's Office in Gretna, Louisiana, where he has been employed since 1994. He graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in government. Borne has authored numerous non-fiction books and short essays concerning Jefferson Parish history and politics, and served as editor of The West Bank Beacon, a good-news community newspaper, for three and a half years. In 2012, he self-published his first novel, But for the Grace of God. His novel Fame and Misfortune, a light romance, was published by Astraea Press in 2013 and is a finalist for a RONE Award. In 2014, Beau Coup Publishing released The Captain and the Queen, a sweet romance that takes place in New Orleans and revolves around the activities of a Mardi Gras organization. Borne lives in Harvey, Louisiana, with his wife Schlise.

 

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Baxter noticed she was having difficulty removing the crown, which had become snarled in her golden locks.

“Ouch. Something is caught.”

“Here. Let me help you.”

He stood at her side and assisted her in untangling her hair from the ornament. She pulled bobby pins holding the hairdo tight and compact except for some wisps of curls hanging at the back of her neck. The motion released the crown from her coiffure, which fell with grace to her shoulders.

“Well, there you go.” Baxter took the crown from her and held it while she ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head.

“That’s much better, but I need a brush.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t go to the play. I was selfish.”

“No, it’s okay, Bax. I see what Sancus means to you.”

“I’m bad about letting the club rule my life, though. It has gotten in the way in the past. I need to change. I have to remind myself of our theme, ‘All You Need is Love.’ That’s what’s important.”

“I think you just showed the whole room a lot of love.”

Baxter was captivated by Claire’s beauty and understanding, while she appreciated his sensitivity and admired his mature, yet boyish good looks. He put his hand on her hip, pulling her toward him as she placed her hand on his hard chest. Claire sighed and closed her eyes, preparing for what she hoped was a long and sensual kiss. However, they flinched when Kathy knocked on the door, summoning Claire so they could go home.

“Yoo hoo. Claire?” Her mother opened the door in time to observe the pair embracing and about to kiss, with the crown in Baxter’s hands preventing their bodies from becoming one.

“Yes, Mom?”

“Your father and I are ready to go. The crowd is pretty much gone.”

“Okay.” She took the crown from Baxter and headed for the door. “Thank you, Bax. It was a great day.”

“Thank you. They loved you.”

Claire slipped past her mother, who gave Baxter a judgmental glance before also leaving.

Author Interview:

1. Tell us about your book/books?

I have published three novels:  1)  But for the Grace of God, self-published 2012; 2) Fame and Misfortune, Astraea Press 2013; and 3) The Captain and the Queen, Beau Coup Publishing, 2014. 

But for the Grace of God is somewhat based on my relationship with my father.  A young man has little time to forgive his father for what he did to his family and a toddler. 

Fame and Misfortune is a finalist for an InD'Tale RONE award in the category of Cops, Jocks, and Cowboys.  The winner will be announced July 11 a the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.  It is somewhat based on success I had losing weight.  The main character becomes wealthy and famous because of his dramatic weight loss, and that causes him to become vain.  His marriage is shattered and he's lonely, despite his good fortune.  I'm particularly proud of the ending, which is a surprise to all who have read the book so far. 

The Captain and the Queen is a sweet romance wherein the leader of a Mardi Gras club falls in love with a girl half his age.  Disapproving family threatens to keep them apart.  I am working on a sequel to the third book, to be titled The Captain of Her Heart.

2. How did you get started as a writer?

I have always loved writing, and spent most of my time over the past decade writing non-fiction local history.  In 2012, I dusted off a manuscript of a novel I wrote in 1999, but still wasn't pleased with the outcome, so I wrote a new book based on some themes in the older work.

3. What’s a typical day like for you?

I work for local government; my day job is chief deputy of the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court's Office.  We are clerk of courts, recorder of mortgages and conveyances, elections official, and issue marriage licenses.  I spend a lot of time working with personnel matters and assisting constituents.  There is a lot of variety and I enjoy the work.  I've been with the clerk of court for 20 years.

4. Describe your workspace.

I have a nice desk with return and credenza in my home office positioned so that I can look out of one of the front windows of my home.  It's a perfect venue to spend time alone to write.

5. Favorite books?

I actually prefer biographies and non-fiction.

6. Tell us 3 interesting things about you.

I was overweight growing up; lost 140 pounds and work to keep that weight off.

I like to bake, and my co-workers really appreciate that!

I married my childhood sweetheart, who I've known since we were 6 years old.

7. Favorite quote:

“There is a destiny which makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.”   This quote, from "A Creed To Mr. David Lubin," a poem by Edwin Markham, was recited at the beginning of "The Guiding Light" (when it was on radio).

8. Best and worst part of being a writer?

Best part of being a writer is when a reader talks about the book.  It's when you realize that someone enjoyed your writing or at least thought it would be interesting enough to read it.  Worst part of being a writer is the downtime.  I don't write everyday; I have to be particularly inspired, and sometimes I go months without writing.  That is very frustrating, and I begin to doubt my abilities.

9. Advice to writers?

Do your best to write everyday, or at least often.  Less downtime, the better.  Don't get frustrated when you release a book and it doesn't skyrocket in sales like you imagined.  Spend time on promotion (I hate that)...just because your work is out there on Amazon doesn't mean that people will gravitate naturally to your book.