Do you have plans to write a sequel to this book? Or are you working on a different book?
I’m currently working on a sequel, which I hope to release in late December or January. The ending of Tribes of Time will segue into my next novel titled Before the Henrietta Marie. That’s why the ending was left open, well, partially left open.
Do you plan out the entire book before writing? Or do you just sit down and write?
By the time I sit down to write I already have a mental outline working, but yes, I do sit down and write to hash out dialogue. Sometimes I need to see it on paper helps to get the mental flow of words and verbiage to fit into context.
Do you have a set time to write each day? Or do you wait to be inspired?
When I’m in the process of writing I usually like to wait until the house is quiet and everyone is asleep. Writing this novel I had my headphones on listening to old Mississippi Delta Blue. Nothing gets my cognitive juices flowing like good old blues, the music of struggle and triumph.
How much research, if any did you have to do for this book?
I did some extensive research on Tennessee Criminal Law to be as accurate as possible when writing the criminal case portion of the book. Additionally, I also reviewed the Tennessee State Supreme Court’s ruling on similar cases and their outcomes. Most of the other aspects I gleaned from personal history or memory.
How did you come up with the names for your characters?
All of the names is the book are partial names of people I actually know, either a first name or last name of that individual. I used my best friend’s name for the villainous Sheriff Hutchison, which is ironic since he is the antithesis of him. Vernon is my friend’s middle name and Hutchison is his true surname. I did get permission by the way. When I gave him the draft I was hesitant because the character is a polar opposite of him, the nicest and most honest person you’ll ever meet.
How completely did you develop your characters before beginning to write? Where the characters based on people you know, or were they purely figments of your imagination?
As I’ve said earlier I usually do most of my development mentally before writing. I’ve embarrassed myself numerous times while sitting at a traffic light or waiting in a cashier line or wherever. I find myself having a dialogue while working out the scene between the characters in my head. I’m surprised no one has called and had me committed. However, it has worked to my advantage once and the person in front of me left the line to get away from me.
What are your thoughts on self-publishing?
I can’t speak for everyone, but it worked out for me. Different people have diverse aspirations on what they want to accomplish in their endeavor. The publishing market right now has so many loopholes and snags that it can be discouraging to an unknown writer. Many publishing houses will not even look at your manuscript without an agent or you being a household name already. Before you even set pen to paper, do an assessment as to what you want to accomplish, then take the route which is best for you. There have been many success stories spurred by authors being rejected by mainstream houses only to have made it through the self-publishing route. Amanda Hocking as just one example.
When did you first have the desire to write?
I’ve had the desire to write for as long as I can remember, but being an athlete throughout high school, it wasn’t the cool thing to do. Once I left for college I began writing poetry and short stories or being a story-teller for my friends to pass time. At one point I wanted to try my hand as a script writer for television, but didn’t want to change my major.
