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Interview: Barry Richman Says Great Writing Compels You to Return to It Time and Again
- Christina Boyd
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
CHRISTINA:
Last May, I offered a “Copy Edit” to support the #BooksforBrazil auction to aid more than 80,000 people who were displaced after floods swept across Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Storms led to landslides, destroyed roads and houses, collapsed bridges, as well as power outages. More than a million people did not have access to drinking water. Austenesque author Barry Richman bid and won the edit. It was a pleasure to work with him on his latest project, Follow the Drum.
When did you first think you had a book to write and how did you start?
BARRY: My reading history is eclectic. High school was Dungeon & Dragons–fantasy and science fiction. Then, I went from horror to thrillers. Suspense to police procedurals. When I first enlisted in the Army, I spent the first three years devouring Westerns. I have always enjoyed reading across genres. Several stories had characters that remained fixed in my mind, which compelled me to write long after I read the last page: Colonel Fitzwilliam and his condition of Congenital Analgesia was inspired by Ronald Niedermann from The Millennium Trilogy. The same character’s childhood martial training mirrors Ender Wiggin from Orson Scott Card’s “The Hegemon Series.” John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport was my model for the Fitzwilliam twins’ commonality when they display lethality in their mannerisms.
CHRISTINA: What comes first: plot or characters?
BARRY: I confess I am a “pantser.” Rather than outlining a rigid plot, I write scenes—movie scenes– as they come to me, each like a mosaic stone, barely related at first. Once I have a collection pile, I piece them together, the threads between them weave a larger picture. Sometimes I have to rework the chronology, which is mildly frustrating–it makes free-form writing into a plodding exercise. Thus far, I have been fortunate. The layers have come naturally—sometimes with ease, most times with unexpected revelations. At times, a single line of dialogue or a glance between two figures sparks an entire scene, and from there, the story unfolds as if it had always been waiting to be written.
CHRISTINA: What is your current project?
BARRY: I have completed a rough draft of Colour My World, an Elizabeth Bennet-centric retelling. It stands at 70,000 words prior to the first refinement pass. The prologue hints at ODC’s destined love match. What sets this story apart is that, for Elizabeth, everything unfolds within Meryton. My ALPHA readers have responded with overwhelming support. In addition, I have started the sequel to Doubt Not, Cousin.
CHRISTINA: Busy, busy. That’s awesome.
What do you think makes a good story?
BARRY: To me, great writing—especially in a story—compels you to return to it time and again. I admire what I think of as a "plot onion"—a narrative with layers that reveal something new with each reading, allowing fresh nuances to emerge that were missed before. That is what I strive to create in my own work.
CHRISTINA: I love that: plot onion.
What’s more difficult to write? A love scene or a love letter or something else?
BARRY: Perhaps I am a bit old-fashioned, but I have no desire to write explicit scenes. What I do enjoy is capturing the quiet, physical nuances that speak volumes—a kiss lingering a second longer than expected, a woman tracing the back of a man’s hand with her fingernail, the subtle moistening of lips while gazing at the object of her interest. To me, the tension in what is left unsaid is far more powerful than anything stated outright.
CHRISTINA: Do you hide any secrets in your novels that only a select few might know?
BARRY: Absolutely. My novels begin with a prologue that foretells a future event, setting the stage for what is to come. I write extensive backstory, especially for new characters, and then scatter small hints throughout the main narrative. My hope is that readers will pause and think, "Wait—wasn’t there a mention of this earlier?" Those moments of recognition make a story truly satisfying. There are several in Follow the Drum, my favorite being a subtle clue woven into a scene set in Derbyshire.
CHRISTINA: I think that’s fun!
I love imagining books being adapting to film and often “dreamcast” the characters while reading a novel. If you had your druthers, who would you cast in Follow the Drum?
BARRY: Here are my casting ideas. None are set in stone, but each offers a possibly unique take on our beloved P&P characters.
Thomas Bennet: Damian Lewis. Darken his hair and cut him loose as the directors did for his two seasons in “Life.”
Elizabeth Bennet: Emma Mackey. Sharp wit. Striking presence. Fiery intelligence. Independent spirit. See her in “Emily.”
Mary Bennet: Anya Taylor-Joy. Mary’s introspective nature and otherworldly presence requires an actress with depth and quiet intensity. Who else but the star of “The Queen’s Gambit” can make you ache for her vulnerability? None but ATJ.
Fitzwilliam Darcy: Theo James. Darcy demands a strong yet reserved performance. A brooding intensity and dark wavy hair. He is quite the gentleman as the new duke in “The Gentlemen.”
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam: Tom Sturridge. A military man whose presence is defined more by gestures than words. Black eyes, lean build, and ability to exude lethality in a scarlet military uniform. “The Sandman” is much like my version of Colonel Fitzwilliam.
With these choices, the adaptation would not only honor the essence of Pride & Prejudice but bring fresh nuance to these beloved characters.
CHRISTINA: Yes, please. Theo James is my go-to as Mr. Darcy. Great dreamcasting—always a delight. Wouldn’t all of that be a dream come true?!
And thank you again for your generous bid on the #BooksforBrazil auction. Thanks for taking time to answer all these nosey questions. I appreciated seeing your writing process and learning more about how you came to write Austenesque novels. Best wishes on the new release Follow the Drum and, of course, on your next project.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barry S Richman has crafted an alternate universe with known and new characters within the Pride & Prejudice variations he pens. His first, Doubt Not, Cousin, released to acclaim in 2023. He followed up with The Scarred Duchess in 2024, and March 2025, he released Follow the Drum. He will publish Colour My World, an ODC-centric variation in October 2025. You can connect with Barry via his social media.
Thank YOU! I loved to hear about your writing process. Always fascinating to learn how writers think about craft.
A very insightful conversation into your process Mr. Richman. I thoroughly enjoy how you 'deep dive' into the characters and use your own original characters in each of your novels. Love the dreamcast!
I am so glad your wife urged you to write your own stories!
Thank you, Christina. It was a pleasure speaking with you—and an honour to see Follow The Drum featured with such care. I’m grateful for the chance to reflect on the journey. I look forward to sharing Colour My World with readers later this year.