How did you come up with the idea of Steve Vail? How did you pick his name?
I suppose my main characters have always been recalcitrant. I thought someone who had been fired by the FBI and had such a great disdain for bosses that he worked at a labor's job so he didn't have to answer to anyone would make a character who was true to his core values.
I chose his profession because my father was a bricklayer. His name came to me when, sitting in a doctor's office, I saw on a diploma that his middle name was Vaill. I thought it was a great name but the double L was a little too European, so I settled on "Vail." I've always like the name Steve; it's sounds strong to me.
Are you working on another Steve Vail book?
if (preg_match('/Thank you, Mr. Boyd. I look forward to Steve Vail's next adventure!
Article Author: Nancy Fontaine
Nancy Fontaine is a librarian and freelance writer living in New Hampshire with her husband, two cats, and every four years during presidential primary season, the national press.
Article comments
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'The Bricklayer' first N. Boyd book I have read. Good read till reaching p.364 - Steve Vail had just waded across a river after walking down train lines - then - "On the other side he waited for the water to drain from his clothes". Par 3, page 347 then states ...."Vail drove across the sidewalk & parked directly underneath the steel lattice of..." Where did his car come from???? Haven't finished the book yet but that error has somewhat spoiled the book for me.