Max Travers, an American teaching English in Japan, unearths some disturbing secrets about WWII in Goodfellow’s first novel, Collector of Secrets.
In what way did your work as an English teacher in Japan affect the way you approached writing Collector of Secrets?
My goal was always to write a fun, twisty story that just happened to be set in another country, into which the reader may gain a few insights along the way. I loved my time in Japan, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, and teaching gave me exposure to many amazing people, places, and experiences that I never would have had as a short-term tourist.
How did your experience in Japan compare to that of your protagonist, Max?
I actually lived in the rundown Tokyo Poor House described in the book, with many cockroaches and fascinatingly unique roommates. As well, I made friends with Roppongi musicians, and they would get me entry to Yakuza-run bars, which allowed a much closer look at that world than I would have received from viewing Yakuza on the street—at the time I had little sense of the potential danger in which I was placing myself.
How much fun was it constructing such an intricately plotted story line?
It was fun and mind-numbing all at the same time. My agent, Jennifer Weltz, laughed when she saw the intricate 50-plus-columned spreadsheet that I built to keep track of every character’s location in all 83 chapters— she said she had never seen anything like it.
You begin the novel with Katoh Shuuson’s powerful “I kill an ant” haiku. How does this haiku relate thematically to the novel?
While researching imperialism and all the accompanying horror, this simple, yet powerful, haiku kept ringing in my head as it so clearly explains that our children learn from our actions. So, whether it’s an ant being killed or another individual, if they see us taking an action, they will learn and feel that the action is justified and reasonable. Thematically, it connects with many characters and scenes throughout the book. Do we choose to take the better path? The world won’t change for the better unless we take action to change ourselves and teach our children the same.
Is Collector of Secrets a standalone or will readers be seeing more of Max?
Max’s story isn’t wrapped up yet. There are definitely more secrets to be revealed!
