Meet Cody Fowler Davis

One of the joys of writing this column is getting feedback from my readers. Nine times out of ten, you agree with my author selections and applaud my choice in books. (Thank you!) However, the one complaint I hear quite frequently is: why don't I select any male authors? That's an excellent question and I hate to disappoint you, but there really isn't any reason. The authors selected come from the pool of books that are sent for my review. Obviously, I hardly ever get any written by men! I do have some good news, though. For all of my readers looking for a male author, guess what? September is your lucky month! Unfortunately, he is not single! A happily married man with four daughters, Cody Fowler Davis is a rising star who I predict will one day find his name on the top of New York Times Best Seller's List. Mark my words!

The majority of my Jen's Jewels' authors I never actually meet due to conflicting schedules and deadlines; however, this month's column is quite unique because I have had the pleasure of meeting not only Cody, but also his charming wife, Beth, at The Book Expo last May. Our meeting was the perfect example of being at the right place at the right time. After spending the entire morning meandering down the aisles of vendors, my husband and five year old son had decided that it was time for all three of us to call it a day and go grab lunch. As I reluctantly headed towards the parking garage, I pleaded with the jury for one last tour of the floor. So many books, so little time! They hesitantly agreed and off I went in search of a book I just couldn't leave behind, Green 61. I met Cody and Beth standing beside a stack of books and we've been friends ever since.

Go grab a cup of coffee and get to know my friend, Cody Fowler Davis.

JEN: Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your educational and professional background?

CODY: I am a Florida boy through and through. I was born in Tampa and can't imagine ever leaving the sun and salt water. I attended Jesuit High School where I concentrated on studying and my number one passion, playing tennis. As I approached my senior year of high school, I was entertaining numerous college scholarship offers but then, one of those events we don't expect in life occurred -- I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I went to Houston for surgery, and although I obviously lived, I had to have the lymph nodes under my right arm removed. My hopes of college tennis were up in the air since I had no idea if I'd ever be able to play tennis again.

My freshman year, I joined my brother at Washington and Lee University. I transferred to Vanderbilt my sophomore year where I was able to improve my tennis game and even played number one on the varsity team as a senior. However, any dreams of a professional tennis career had been lost to cancer. I focused on my studies so I could become a lawyer following the tradition of my family. Despite my tennis achievements and my academic success, my greatest accomplishment at Vanderbilt was talking my best friend, Beth, into marrying me.

Upon graduation from law school, I joined a large, prestigious firm. After three and half years of busting my ass and working absurd hours, I became the youngest partner in the history of the firm. Ten years later, I was named head of the trial department.

When my mid-life crisis struck at age 40, I started my own law firm, as it seemed more practical than buying a red Corvette or having an affair. I am president of Davis and Harmon law firm and one of the very few lawyers in Florida who holds three board certifications.

Beth and I have four daughters of whom I could not be more proud. Elizabeth also graduated from Vanderbilt last year and works for a non-profit in Rwanda, Africa. Mary Patton is a freshman at Georgetown University and Caroline and little Cody are still at home with us and continue to be my fishing buddies.

JEN: Have you always dreamed of becoming an author or did the opportunity just arise?

CODY: In college, I always dreamed of writing but graduate school, four children, and working around the clock somehow seemed to interfere. About two years ago, I figured out I could write two hours a night and Sunday afternoons instead of watching TV. Beth became my greatest critic and encourager through out the process. Now we enjoy writing as a team effort.

JEN: Are you still a practicing attorney? If so, how do you juggle both careers?

CODY: I work full time as a trial attorney, night and weekend hours are still a common occurrence. I guess I just sleep less now.

JEN: How did you come up with the premise?

CODY: Unfortunately, as a result of twenty-two years of handling cases and trials involving loss of life and severe personal injuries, I see accidents and lawsuits everywhere. While sitting on the porch of our Useppa Island home, I looked out to the intercoastal waterway and visualized a boating accident in my mind. Then I created two trial lawyers, one who was idealistic about the law and another who represented everything that is wrong with the civil trial system.

JEN: How did you arrive at the title?

CODY: Just across the waterway from our Useppa home is green marker 61, which designates the channel entering Cabbage Key. This is where I pictured the boating accident taking place, hence the name of the book

JEN: Were you concerned that your readers might have a difficult time making the connection with the title and the Floridian waterways?

CODY: It might seem a little odd until you see the picture on the front of the book, which by the way, my daughter, Elizabeth, took for me. You can even see our home in the background if you look closely. I also explain in the book how the intercoastal waterway was set up and that Green 61 was the marker for the channel where the accident occurs.

JEN: From conception to completion, how long did it take for you to write the book?

CODY: Green 61 was hand written on legal pads - predominantly at night, on weekends and on flights around the country. I finished the first draft in about 8 months. Then came the editing and rewriting process which was much more difficult. That's where Beth's help was essential. I also had a wonderful editor who gave me the constructive criticism that I needed to hear even though I often didn't like it. I'd estimate that the entire process took approximately one year.

JEN: Take us through your writing process. Plot first? Characters? Outline?

CODY: First, I created the accident - in conjunction with finishing a bottle of chardonnay. I scratched out an outline of the entire book and then it was on to creating Anderson and Justin which was easy, since I interact with trial lawyers daily.

JEN: Who is your target audience and why?

CODY: Originally, I wrote the book because I had a story to tell and I wanted to write it. From the various emails I've received, it appears that readers enjoy learning about the civil trial system. They also love to admire Anderson and hate Justin. I write for anyone who enjoys a good story. Just wait until the second book. In the next battle between Justin and Anderson, Justin takes dishonesty and his win-at-all-costs philosophy to a new low.

JEN: How did you find a publisher and do you have an agent?

CODY: I met an editor from California who was kind enough to read my writing and then crazy enough to think I might have some potential. After working together to complete the book, he recommended Little Moose Press who published Green 61.

JEN: The most obvious question....is Anderson Parker modeled after you? And if so, was it difficult to separate yourself from the character and make him his own entity?

CODY: Anderson is definitely nicer and more idealistic than I am. I wish I were like Anderson but after twenty-two years in the legal system, I have picked up a few Justin-like characteristics. Although Anderson is not based on anyone in particular, he has traits of two family members for whom I have great respect -- my grandfather who was both president of the American Bar Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers and my brother Jim, the ultimate ethical guy, who serves in the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently running for Governor of the state of Florida.

JEN: I can only assume that Justin Cartwright is a compilation of all of the crooked lawyers you must have met in the courtroom throughout your career. Were you fearful of emulating a certain someone and risk offending a colleague? Has anyone ever asked you if you were describing him or her?

CODY: I have never met a lawyer as disgusting as Justin. I made a list of bad things a defense lawyer could do and then I created Justin. Of course, I have seen many dirty tricks throughout my career and those experiences helped me give birth to Justin.

Numerous lawyers have asked me if Justin is a based on a particular person and I always respond, "Yes, he's based on you!"

JEN: Who in your immediate circle was the most surprised that you wrote a book and why?

CODY: At first, I think Beth was surprised that I actually completed writing the book, but now she is my co-writer. We are working together on the second book. I credit her ideas and writing style as the force which will take our next book to a new level.

JEN: Are you treated differently by your peers now that you have become an author? If so, how?

CODY: My friends and family love to talk to me about the book. I do find that people are amazed that I actually completed the project.

JEN: In the novel, Anderson's wife was extremely supportive of his decision to leave the law firm and go out on his own. What role does your wife play in your career?

CODY: Beth is my best friend and my team mate. We decided together that I would leave the comfort and economic security of the large firm. It has proven to be one of our best decisions.

JEN: What was the most difficult part to write and why?

CODY: The boat collision was the most challenging writing of the book. I had to make sure the readers could visualize the waterway and feel the impact and injuries. No one wants to write about children dying but it was imperative that I convey the tragedy and emotion. Two separate readers who have young children told me they had to stop reading for a while after that chapter. These comments suggested to me that I was successful in conveying the heartache of death. For me, it is a constant theme in my law practice.

JEN: Why only 216 pages? Truly, it's more difficult to be brief and concise, but did you feel as if you left anything out?

CODY: I didn't want the story to go off on unnecessary tangents. A few people have told me they wished I'd written more but most readers said they loved the fast pace of the story. I didn't want the flow of the story hindered by too much superfluous description or diatribes.

JEN: What has surprised you the most about the publishing business?

CODY: How competitive it is. Beth and I went to the Book Expo in DC and we couldn't believe how many books were competing for a limited audience. There are millions of books out there just waiting to be read. And there are millions more writers hoping that their books will soon be out there as well. I would never suggest writing as a quick or easy way to make money. Write only because you love it.

JEN: Who are your favorite authors and have you met any of them?

CODY: My particular favorite topics involve legal matters and boating. Randy Wayne White's books are always fun. He comes to Useppa often since he lives nearby. Obviously I enjoy John Grisham's legal thrillers. Unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to read as much as I'd like b/c I read all the time at work and my eyes are too tired at the end of the day. But Beth reads constantly - that must be why she enjoys helping me with my writing.

JEN: What three adjectives best describe your writing style?

CODY: I'm not sure I can give you three adjectives but I can describe what I hope I do when I write. I like to keep the story moving and I particularly enjoy explaining legal issues people don't understand. My goal is to write books a reader just can't put down.

JEN: Do you have a web site? Mailing list? Blog?

CODY: I do have a website and I hope you'll check it out. It's Green61.com. You can find any new updates there. But you can also email me. I love to hear from my readers and any comments or suggestions are always appreciated.

JEN: Will there be a sequel? If so, what can you tell us about it? When will it be published?

CODY: Absolutely. Beth and I are working on it now. I don't know when it will be published but we are in the editing process now so we're hopeful it will be published in the next year.

JEN: Do you have any scheduled book signings?

CODY: I try to keep all my book signings up-to-date on my website. That's the best place to find out what's going on.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Cody. Don't forget! The first five readers to enter the contest with the correct answer to the following question will win a copy of Green 61. Good Luck!

What is the name of the publisher of Green 61?

Look for my upcoming interview with Tina Leonard in early October! You won't want to miss it!

Until next month...Jen