In his first fictional novel, IU journalism professor Michael Robert Evans finds the spirit of youth and the sea. “68 Knots” is the story of eight teenagers who find themselves in command of a sailboat after their captain commits suicide. Over the 68 remaining days of their summer, the teens find out more about life, each other and most importantly, themselves. \nEvans’ whimsical tale has all the lure of a pirate adventure with the sarcasm of today’s younger generation. Written to be an improvement on many contemporary reading choices for high school English classes nationwide, “68 Knots” is no less of a page-turner for those who have moved past their ninth-grade book reports.\nThe diverse group of characters, ranging from privileged east coast overachievers to inner-city orphans, is one in which everyone will be sure to find their teenage parallel. The complications of inexperience are hilarious as the crew of the Dreadnought become lobster thieves, infamous harbor pirates, lovers, friends and true sailors. \nWho couldn’t love a book that takes them back to the summer when they were 16 years old? Only this time, instead of that horrible job at the pizzeria down the street, readers will relive it sailing the Atlantic Ocean.
Q&A with Michael Robert Evans, author of “68 Knots.”\nIDS: What was the inspiration for this story?\nMRE: The main core behind the idea was the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. You sail around in a big boat and they teach you to sail and survive. They really test you. I did that when I was 16.
IDS: Did any of your experiences influence what happened in the book?\nMRE: Some of them, yes, like cooking on the beach. I remember one time we did this drill where we pulled up to this giant rock with nothing and then we were told to jump out and then the boat sailed away without us. It was awful.
IDS: Do you identify with any of the characters in the novel?\nMRE: I’d say I identify the most with Arthur, but actually the most challenging part was writing the female characters. It was such an act of faith to write the thoughts of the opposite sex, but I really didn’t want to make it a guys’ book.
IDS: This book is for young adults, probably high school-aged, so how did you make it appropriate for their age level, but still exciting enough to be appealing? \nMRE: There were a few things I thought a lot about. I didn’t want to dumb it down at all. My feeling is that readers will rise to the level of the book. It is my leap of faith that if they like the book they will come up to its level, so there were some mature themes. There was drinking and cursing and even some implied sexual content. I wanted to make it realistic in that way. But I did draw the line at drugs. In reality, they probably would try to score some pot at one of the ports, but personally, as a parent and a writer, I couldn’t do that and feel good about it.
IDS: Are you planning on a sequel for the kids on the Dreadnought?\nMRE: If the book really does well then there would be a sequel, but probably not with the same characters. I would probably continue the story of the ship.
