Interview with Richard R. Becker, Author of Born on Monday

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Born on Monday?

“Born on Monday” originated as a short story titled “Time Capsule,” which was first published in my collection of short stories, “50 States.” The original tale explored how people who leave a town after high school have experiences that seem to make time stand still for the town and the people they leave behind. The past punctuates this, a painful high school breakup between tragic protagonists, Billy Stevens and Jessica Michaud. I was simultaneously exploring Jessica’s return to Augusta to care for her ailing mother and her chance meeting with not only Billy but also Billy’s former best friend and chief rival, when I mentioned that there might be a third party — an abusive ex-boyfriend from New York City — in the picture. This prompted my friend to open up about her real-life stalking experience.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Born on Monday, what would they be?

I don’t necessarily have theme songs for all the main characters as much as one for the book, tied to Billy Stevens specifically. Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails touches on themes of regret, self-destruction, moral reckoning, and fragile resilience, mirroring the small-town sins. There is an emotional grit at the heart of the book, and Cash’s weathered delivery evokes a sense of isolated reflection in a troubled small town on the verge of being hit by a relentless storm. If not that, then “Black” by Pearl Jam for soaring guitar riffs and Eddie Vedder’s anguished howl to amplify the book’s plotted revelations and a credit roll for any film adaptation.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My reading is as eclectic as my writing. However, when I write, I lean toward literary thrillers, which is the easiest way to describe a thriller with emotional depth. Reviewers have consistently called out my characters for having real scars, not storybook wounds.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR list recently surpassed 400 titles, so it might be easier to share what I’m reading. Right now, I’m reading “Burn” by Peter Heller, “The Guns of August” by Barbara W. Tuchman, and “Discipline” by Marc Avery. “The Stolen Heir” by Holly Black is also on the list, but I’m reading it with my daughter, and she is currently studying at college.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Although “Born on Monday” is a thriller, my favorite scene to write takes a breath from the tension. Billy Stevens meets up with his girlfriend, Autumn Larkstrom, to reconcile their relationship. It’s a tender moment filled with hope for a guilt-ridden, impulsive protagonist. Their casual dinner becomes a bookmark for his past, finally making room for the man he wants to be.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Until recently, I was very much an early riser who liked to work out, have a cup of coffee, and sink into my office chair to write. I’m especially fond of dedicating my Mondays to writing the bulk of any chapter or short story I’m working on and then finishing by the end of the week. However, a recent injury forced me to be more adaptable, allowing me to write whenever and wherever I can. I have several setups now because I’m temporarily not able to sit in chairs for extended periods of time.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I’ve always had a passion for improving our world, and tend to do this by working with those who serve people, aspire to make the world a better place, and/or seek to advance humankind. In literature, I focus on the human condition and identity, exploring various themes such as the cycle of abuse, the cost of secrets, and redemption through action, among others.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Although “Born on Monday” is an entertaining thriller, I hope readers are left to make their own decisions on whether they feel heartbroken or hopeful or both. Or maybe, they will parse out how they feel about where each character lands by the end of it. Life is like that sometimes. It doesn’t necessarily end with a tidy resolution. Sometimes it’s enough that we survive, for those of us who do.