Q&A With PLAYBOOK Author Gary E. Parker
1. What inspired you to write "The Playbook"? · I was inspired by my experiences as an athlete and the profound impact that my coaches had on my life, as well as the desire to explore themes of resilience and mentorship in sports.
2. Can you tell us more about the main character, Chelsea Deal, and what makes her unique? · Chelsea Deal is a pioneering female football coach in a male-dominated sport. Her strength and determination to break barriers while nurturing her team make her a compelling and unique character.
3. "The Playbook" tackles themes of gender equality and racial dynamics. Why were these themes important for you to include? · These themes reflect ongoing societal issues. Incorporating them into the story highlights the challenges and progress in sports and society, making the narrative relevant and thought-provoking without being political.
4. What challenges did you face while writing this book, and how did you overcome them? · Balancing the technical aspects of football with the human stories was challenging. I focused on authentic depictions of sports scenes while ensuring the characters' emotional journeys were front and center.
5. Which character in "The Playbook" do you most identify with, and why? · Though I’m obviously not female, I identify with Chelsea because, like her, I've often been in roles where leading with integrity and nurturing others was essential.
6. What message do you hope readers take away from "The Playbook"? · I hope readers are inspired by the resilience and courage of the characters and see the power of believing in yourself and others, regardless of the challenges you face.
7. Can you share a bit about your writing process for this book? · My process involved research into high school football, crafting detailed character backstories, and integrating my own experiences to enhance the authenticity of the story.
8. Were there any real-life figures who inspired the character of Chelsea Deal? · While Chelsea is a fictional character, her determination and pioneering spirit are inspired by various historical figures in sports who have broken similar barriers.
9. What do you believe is the most impactful scene in the book, and why? · The scene where Chelsea finally reveals what led her to leave her law practice to become a football coach is a touching episode where her backstory steps to the front and we truly see what makes her tick. It’s a moving event and she and her team are never the same as a result.
10. How does "The Playbook" compare to your previous works? · This book resembles some of my previous works as a strong female character takes center stage in the story. It’s different however, in using a sports backdrop as the setting for the characters to overcome their struggles and find ultimate triumph. All of my writings carry the underlying theme of hope in the midst of adversity.
11. What kind of research did you do to ensure the football scenes were accurately depicted? · I used my own experience as a starting point then added to it by studying playbooks and reading articles that focused on football schemes and strategies.
12. How do you handle the dynamics of team sports in your narrative? · Team dynamics are central to the story. I explored how individual personalities and relationships within the team shape their journey through the season.
13. What is next for you after "The Playbook"? Are there more sports-themed novels in the future? · I definitely plan to write at least one sequel to The Playbook (perhaps more) since these characters are young and their journey isn’t over. And, I have the idea of writing a narrative non-fiction story for a prominent athlete who’s overcome a lot of adversity to find eventual success in sports and life.
14. Any advice for aspiring writers who want to tackle sports in their fiction? My advice would be to focus on the human elements that drive the sport. It’s not just about the game but about the people who play it and their journeys on and off the field.