Franklin resident, Robert Inman, playwright, novelist, and songwriter, opens up about his latest book, Villages, and the real-life stories that shaped its powerful portrait of healing.
Tell us about Villages.
Well, I'm a veteran myself of the army. I was never in combat, but I've always been particularly interested in the lives of veterans after they come back from duty overseas, especially those who encountered combat. I started reading everything I could find and interviewing veterans. Jonas Boulware, the central character, he's not based on any particular veteran, he’s a composite. Although, you know, with any writer, there's a lot of me in there.
How did you approach writing about trauma with authenticity and care?
I interviewed veterans who had been medics in Iraq and Afghanistan and they were so honest and forthcoming. They really sort of bared their souls to me. My nephew is a combat veteran, and the best reaction I got was from him when he said ‘the more I read it, the more it seemed like a snapshot of my life.’
What brought you to Franklin, and how does it influence your writing?
“What brought us to Franklin is family. We live five blocks from our younger daughter and her husband and our 11-year-old grandson. We love Franklin. We love the historic nature of the community.”
Robert-Inman.com
Villages can be purchased online and at bookstores.
Barnesandnoble.com/w/villages-robert-inman/1147101843
Inman’s play Liberty Mountain is in rehearsals now.
LibertyMountainDrama.com