Originally from California, Chris Young is now based in New Zealand, and The Debt is his debut novel – something he’s been working on for many years. The book tells the story of Michael Kramer, a young martial artist who ends up in prison for the accidental death of his best friend. There he meets Ijal, who is more of a hardened criminal, but the pair strike up an unlikely friendship and have new challenges to face, which you’ll learn about as you get deeper into the story.
Chris Young himself is an avid student of the martial arts, but he’s also interested in philosophy and loves a good narrative. So he decided to create his own story and The Debt is the result – from his imagination, onto the page, with a lot of hard work on the way. Indie writers like Chris are the lifeblood of the crime genre in many ways, because they tend to bring something fresh and honest, which is exactly what we discovered when we invited him for a chat about The Debt.
What are crime fiction lovers going to love about The Debt?
I believe The Debt most closely fits a thriller genre, but there is crime involved. The story explores what drives a person to act in good or darker ways. Michael’s struggles demonstrates a pull between human frailty and willpower. Tragic events put him to the test in extreme yet plausible ways that I feel people can relate to.
Who is Michael Kramer and what inspired the character?
Michael is the protagonist and a somewhat complex character. As an 18-year-old, he has good intentions and plans on how to carry them out based on his limited world views. However, the unexpected throws him wildly off course into a life he never would have predicted. External and internal conflicts pull him apart and put him back together with twists and turns along the way.
Equally, who is Ijal, and what does he represent in the novel?
Ijal becomes close friends with Michael in an unexpected yet organic way, starting with their time spent in prison. He is symbolic of what happens when an otherwise well-meaning man loses his innocence and resorts to drug dealing to survive. Despite his criminal background, he brings out conviction and loyalty in Michael through his own expressions of humanity.
What are they up against in The Debt?
Michael serves five years in prison, an environment entirely incompatible with who he is and where he wants to go. When he is released, rebuilding a life he can call his own becomes much more challenging than he had foreseen. Not only from flow-on effects of his sentence, but in his own sense of himself. A rival gang and a former associate of theirs have other plans though…
Tell us more about the setting, Michael and Ijal’s world, and the kind of atmosphere or feeling you wanted to evoke?
Fresburg is a large city, loosely resembling Fresno, California, where I grew up. Despite its dangers, it’s still the only city Michael has called home. There’s an array of feelings the story invokes including suspense, excitement (mainly from fight scenes), moments of comedy, self-reflection and wonderment. Every reader is different and can take away something meaningful to themself.
What are some of the important themes you wanted to explore with the book?
Great question. There are various themes that interrelate. Karma is a central theme around how events shape Michael’s disposition. There’s also themes that explore what changes a person’s heart and what guides it back to its most natural, authentic state.
What are the main things you’ve learned as a debut author, creating and publishing The Debt?
I have a new appreciation for how much dedication it takes to see a novel through. It took roughly 23 years from concept to published book. Feedback has been minimal but positive considering it has only recently been released.
Which other crime novels and/or authors have inspired you?
My favourite writers are David Morrell and Blake Crouch. Their writing styles showed me a novel can be well written in a clear and concise way, yet still at a deep level that movies can’t convey. They showed me what is possible in the realm of storytelling and set an example of what writing a book I want to read would look like.
What’s next for Michael Kramer and for Chris Young?
For Michael, the book answers that so I shouldn’t give spoilers. For myself, I will continue Ninjutsu training and continue searching for more clarity and virtue in my life. It’s unlikely I will write a second novel due to the incredible workload they require, though I do have fragments of a science fiction story in my head.
Is there anything important that I’ve missed that it’s important to mention?
Like any other story, a reader’s takeaway can be subjective. It’s my hope that underneath the entertainment, it speaks to their spirit on what it means discover their potential. Everyone’s journey is different, but there are means of inspiration and wisdom that help the journey along.
The Debt launched earlier this year and you can grab a copy using the buttons below. The Kindle version is currently just 99p/99c.
