May 19, 2008

Douglas Carlton Abrams w/Paul Renslow
Best Selling Author, Editor

www.lostdiaryofdonjuan.com
http://www.pauloguitar.com

While searching for the answers to how to stay happily, passionately married to the same woman for the rest of his life, Douglas Carlton Abrams said he “discovered the person Kierkegaard called the greatest work of art ever created, Don Juan.”  The riveted audience at the May 19 Pizza and Prose, Art and Literature series was treated to this critically acclaimed, local author and gifted story teller. The night was made even more special by the wonderful performance of flamenco and classical guitarist Paul Renslow. 

 Abrams explained how he asked his question one night and the next morning heard the voice of the world’s most famous lover, seducer, or libertine, depending on how one views him. “ I left the warm sleeping body of my wife,” explained the father of three, “as if a voice whispered in my ear, “From rumors and lies I write in the pages of this diary…” “What if he existed?” Abrams wondered as the voice continued to speak to him while he sat at his kitchen table. “What if he kept a diary?”  And so began a four year odyssey that would include living in a Spanish convent, learning Spanish dance and the art of sword fighting.

 For one entire month, he told the audience, he stayed on the couch and feverishly wrote the entire first draft. “But,” he said, “the honeymoon ends eventually, even with the muse,” From that point on he researched everything he could about the “golden age of Spain .” As he told it, “I felt like a literary detective, exhuming him (Don Juan) bone by bone.”

 Abrams inhabited 16th century Spain , with its art and alley ways, the inquisition, and King Phillip II.  He sought out experts on Spanish history to help him weave a tale worthy of his renowned subject who lived “on the fault line of western civilization. A time of wealth and decadence…” It was also a time of immense agony and despair. Abrams sees Don Juan as “the first modern man.” So “Why,” he wondered, “was he considered a heretic?”  

Abrams concluded that he was a threat because during this time of horrific suppression, “Don Juan discovered that pleasure was as holy as pain. This was a threat to the culture.”

 “No one is born to be the world’s greatest lover. They need teachers.” And, as one of the main female characters in the book says, “Without love, there is only lust; forever fleeting and empty.” Abrams did not want to write of a superhero who conquered women in bed, then battled their men. He wanted to write about how Juan Tenorio, born and secretly abandoned in a convent, became Don Juan. How did he learn to love and satisfy a woman completely?

 “To seduce a woman…you must show her the consideration she deserves. Speak to her with gentle words. Look for signs of interest. Does she play with her jewelry… take a second glance?”

 In addition to learning about love and passion, Abrams also learned the importance of the villain. “A character is only as strong as the opposition he or she faces…to be alive is to be in conflict,” he said as he explained that in this book there are three villains.  “No one is who they seem.” 

 After thirty drafts, a world tour, and a soon-to-be published paperback printing of his book, this critically acclaimed author who has learned the art of flamenco, love, and battle, is learning the dance of negotiation with producers in Hollywood who would like to introduce his Don Juan to movie audiences.

 And so begins his next odyssey, from the golden age of Spain into the 21st century’s city of angels.

 Visit Abrams’ wonderful website, www.lostdiaryofdonjuan.com.

 Paul Renslow performs at Cava Wine bar in Capitola Village Friday evenings.

Visit his website at http://www.pauloguitar.com for other events.