First of all I want to thank you for doing this, it's always rather
cool to me that I can talk with a writer of something that I have had the
pleasure of reading.
The pleasure is mine....
Ah, well I thank you for that. So I suppose I will jump right on in.
Ok.
I love that you choose the 1960's time frame, while not a child of that
time, I grew up hearing about it from my parents perspective, and I couldn't
help but smile when you mentioned the 52'Mercury, as my mother drove a 60's
model Parklane in her youth. And I loved the star studded cameos; you couldn't
have picked better looking men then Kristofferson and Williams. That said...
Q: What was it about that era that made you choose it as opposed to say
a 21st century timeline?
A: Because I was born in Tucson and lived,
there in the late sixties...it seemed the perfect place and time frame.
You seem to have a strong hold on the "mind set" of the time,
as far as the opinion of the War and the culture shock that the hippie
lifestyle caused in people. Your characters all in all seemed not so into the
Flower power. LOL
Q: Which side did you fall on, hippie lover or other?
A: I was a construction worker during the
week and a hippy on weekends. My conservative background did not allow me to
drop out and tune in. I walked a thin line....
That seems like it would have been an interesting lifestyle
Q: Your main character Jon was very colorful, and I wonder what made
you decide to write him so flawed.
A: I knew a cop in Tucson who fit the bill
perfectly. His name was similar and his style was exactly like I depicted. He
was the kind of hero who fit in with the times...flawed, but honest about it.
Q: He seemed to be right on target, and I liked how his partner seemed
to be his counter weight. The bond that they had was really tight, so why did
you decide he had to go?
Might I add, I knew it was gonna happen, because your premise tells us
so, but I was a wee bit teary eyed just the same.
A: Shock and awe...shock and awe - without it
the book would be flat and like most murder mysteries. My first book needed to
be different, exciting, and shocking!
You certainly got the shocking right from the get, the cactus was a
great touch.
Q: I tend to be a bit of a research hound, and appreciate realism,
could you tell us what if any research you did as to the crime scenes, and how
you executed their setups and descriptions?
A: I Googled all my research for both books
and continue to do so for the third. As for the crime scenes... I put myself
into the scene and experienced what they should look like. I also depended on
my real life identical twin for help in keeping the twinship connection real.
My brother and I became the twins in the book--it was a horrific experience,
but necessary for realism.
Q: I wondered about that, having perused your blog, and such, while you
say it was horrific, I wonder...Wasn't it on some level also rather fun?
A: I would have to think on the fun part. It
was exciting in some ways, but each death scene took a toll from my heart. No,
I wouldn't categorize it as fun.
Q: That's surprising, to me, I wonder then what made you choose to
write Murder/Mystery? Did you find other work of the type lacking in some way?
A: Good question...I really picked murder
mysteries because after researching what books sold the best, it looked like
the best genre to use. Sometimes the simple answers are the best ones. I wish I
had spell check!
Don't worry about the spell check; I'll be sure to fix anything that
comes up.
I feel like an idiot....
Don't. The only reason I spell everything correctly is because my
computer highlights it if it's wrong... LOL
So your choice was purely from a marketing perspective, as opposed to a
love of the genera. That is really rather cool to hear... and honest.
A: I was in construction for 50 years, the
crash of 2008 enabled me to fulfill a dream, and that dream was to be able to
write a novel. Now that part is fun...when I write, I feel alive like at no other
time in my life!
Q: I know exactly how you feel. I get a rush when I see those blank
pages fill up.
Were you particularly familiar with Murder/mystery before you started
down it's slippery slope? Or did you have to get a few under your belt first?
If so, who? Not that I would know them, but my readers might! Personally,
until now all of my Murder/Mystery came from film. I always liked the Agatha
Christy adaptations. “Like Murder on the Nile.”
A: I can't wait to finish the trilogy so I
can write something different. Yes, I did read Joseph Wambaugh and others, but
Anne Rice was the real reason I took up pen and paper. The only problem was
everyone and their mother was and still are writing vampire, ghost and fairy
books....
My book are not Ms. Marple...LOL
*Raises hand with head down* I am guilty of that; Anne Rice has been my
model since I was a tween.*
She is my all time favorite author...I
learned how to put you in the scene from her. It is more like writing screen
plays than novels.
But of course...but I crave original work.
It does explain where you gained your flourishes of description from,
she and you paint glorious pictures, even if yours are a little more blood soaked.
True, but it's her fault!
I tell my Co-Author that all the time when he catches me channeling her.
Q: Do you find you can describe a flower in over 130 words?
A: I can't, but that is because my work is
more like staccato in music. I like to pound and pound until you beg for mercy.
Not begging for mercy over here, but certainly begging for more!
Madame Rice is quirky like that. What would you say is your most
interesting writing quirk?
A: Quirk? Hummmm, I don't consider my work
quirky. I would say that I have a tendency to know when I have grabbed a reader
and the last thing I want to do is let loose with an ending to the story.
Q: Growing up with a twin, what made you decide that the Twins should
be your villains rather than the heroes, many authors tend to write themselves
in as the main long run character, you went the other way completely.
A: I
believe most identical twins hover close to the dark side. We had rather dark
simultaneous dreams and would discuss them in the morning when we were young.
Strange? Perhaps, but research says otherwise.
That it does, and the connections of your characters is apparent, they
posses a darkness and realism that was very creepy.
What would you say was the hardest scene to write?
A: I would say the murder scenes were the
toughest, but the sex scenes were hard in their own right - especially the rape
scenes.
You did exceptionally well with the gore, and yet stayed very tasteful
in connection to the rape.
But as you said, shock and awe!
A: Some would beg to differ... I have been likened
to a very sick puppy. I take such comments as a compliment because they could
not put the book down until it was completed!
Q: I'm sure you've gotten soo sick of hearing that! LOL It must be a
thrill to know that your work is being well received.
A: Indeed, but until the economy improves
sales will continue to be dismal.
Fortunately, people in any economy who want intelligent reads will
never truly be lacking. But I'm sure writing has given you the freedom to spend
more time with your Harley.
Q: Did you own the Harley-Davidson FLH touring bike, so loved by Angie and Jon?
A: Oh, yes...and I made that ride with a
beautiful lady - this was not fiction!
Haha, I was gonna ask if you did the research for that one!
I'll assume that is a YES!
A: Yes.... LOL
Having spent time on the back of a Harley or two in my time, I have to
say that it was fun to read, and a great break from the rampaging of the twins.
You have a way of breaking up the gore that is truly refreshing.
So I've been to your website, because I'm thorough like that, and I saw
that you have a Skype Class, tell me a little about how you got into that?
A: Just an idea, but no one has taken
advantage.... :(
Q: Well I am going to be sure to post the links to it, so what do you
want to do with it?
A: I think helping newbie’s write their first
book would be exciting and fun. Lord knows I made all the mistakes...why should
they? I know from experience that the Internet is a minefield. I would like to
see people not make the same mistakes as me...besides - teaching is the best
way to learn!
I couldn't agree with you more.
Q: What in your opinion was/is the biggest mistake new authors make
when trying to get their work out en mass?
A: I think the biggest mistake newbie’s make
is thinking that someone else is going to promote their work and that it won't
be long before they are famous.
Hahaha…
Exactly!
It is a hard lesson to learn, and as an Independent Author harder
still.
But I wouldn't trade my independence for a contract that would slice
and dice my work, what made you decide to go the Indy Route?
A: I researched all the possibilities and
knew that I wanted to be my own man and that success is not always measured by
fame and fortune. I lost my twin brother December 10 and I promised him I would
finish the trilogy. After that? Who knows--I now know I can write anything and
be successful....
(I was aware of your loss, and didn't wish to press it out of respect.)
I think that the sale of a single book is an awesome thing, the sale of and
completion of an entire Trilogy in such a short time is more awesome still.
Evil In the Mirror and Day Stalker out now, how long until we see the next
installment of the Trilogy?
A: I will finish it in early summer... I
haven't felt like writing, but the urge is returning and I have much of it
already finished. Of course, proofing and editing will take more time--yuck!
I can certainly relate to that! As I'm sure all writer’s can.
You seem to be very passionate when it comes to your stance on writing,
opinionated in the ways that this world has changed,(not for the better)and
more than willing to share your advices on all of these things. From War to
texting, it seems all of it is up for grabs on your blogs.
Q: Generation gaps can be disenchanting, how are you trying to bridge
the gap to expand your audience? Are you even trying?
A: I am not trying to bridge the gap...my
books are what they are and my blogs are what they are. My opinion is that no
one has to read any of my writings. This point of view is not from arrogance or
some kind of attitude - it is from spending too many years kissing ass and not
caring to do that any more. LOL Good night dear lady...and thank you again.
Thank you so much for taking the time and going on this little
adventure with me and my readers of the wee hours!
You are most welcome!
Below you will find links to Mitt and his other work, and keep your eyes open for more this Summer!
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