Today we're talking with Danny D. Langone, author of Flybait's Lament.

FQ: Humor plays a big role in Flybait’s Lament. What do you find funny?

Let me begin by saying that humor, in my estimation, is the only emotion that will bring people together regardless of their faith or geographic origin. I find the frailty of the human ego to be the basis for humor and people from all walks of life can relate to it. Humor more than any other emotion has the ability to tell the truth. Although there are numerous scatological references in Flybait I find the bathroom to be the great equalizer in mankind. Regardless of societal status no one is more exposed and at their most vulnerable than when comfronted with nature's call.

FQ: Who are your favorite humorous writers and comedians?

I love the humor of Jeff Foxworthy and Jonathen Winters, the subtleness of Charles Dickens, and from my childhood the homespun humor of Charley Weaver from whom some of my characters were created.

FQ: You paint your character portraits with great descriptive flair. Where do these characters come from? Are they based on people you have met or strictly a product of your imagination?

My characters are a combination of the essences from people I knew or met ( greatly amplified) and mental impressions.

FQ: What inspired you to write this story?

The inspiration for writing Flybait's Lament stemmed from a desire to tell a story that uncovers the purely ego driven values of people. I have developed a deep interest in looking at people and what motivates them and how they justify things they do and say.

FQ: The town of Flybait is as much a character in this story as any of the people. Tell us about the process of creating this town.

Flybait offers the reader the opportunity view the balance between success and failure. It is an example of the yin/yang of the Tao. A gorgeous flower with root rot. The tragedies that befall the characters may have happened regardless but they are amplified by the starkness of the bones of the town, crushed hopes flagged by the headstones of rotting forgotten buildings. Just as Heaven needs Hell, humor requires tragedy and Flybait is there to provide it.

FQ: What’s next for you? Will we read about any other adventures of the inhabitants of Flybait?

The future holds a new novella entitled Wilt's Hollow, and then a return to Flybait with Flybait's Reclamation,and a second book of poetry entitled The Idle Hours that follows my first book Keys to the Condo, A View of Life by an Almost Old Man.

To learn more about Flybait’s Lament please visit our website and read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.