He is one
of the most humble, engaging, and inspiring writers of our time. He’s an adventurer,
having trucked the world’s longest ice road. He’s an artist. He has produced
artwork for many novel covers, not just his own, and has a large scrapbook of beautiful
photography. His writing doesn’t pull punches, he isn’t afraid to go for the throat,
but he delivers well thought out stories that bring terror, exhilaration,
happiness, and escape to his readership. He is also a veteran, a father, a
grandfather.
Q.1 Tell us a little about yourself not many
people know?
A. Two things. I don’t have an MFA or an academic
degree, but even more damning, I don’t know how to type. I am a high school
educated writer. Although I wanted to go to university and pursue a degree, I
could not afford it. My craft is self-taught, and I have always felt somewhat
insecure about that. At this point in my life, I think I’ve done okay.
Regarding the
typing, by the time I was old enough to attend a real typing class, the damage
was already irreversible. Another writer watching my fingers dance across the
keyboard with the grace of a cross-eyed swan might become nauseous and throw
up. It isn’t a pretty sight.
Q.2 When should we expect your next book? What
is it about?
A. I won’t commit to a deadline on the new book,
because I would feel as though I were putting myself on a deadline. I’ve done
that before, and it made writing somewhat stressful. Part of the act of
storytelling is being first on the scene, making the experience a pleasurable process.
That is until you attach a deadline.
I would expect as
the time draws near; I’ll loosen my gag. As to the subject, it will be a new Highwayman Book, the third in the series. The only difference is this one is a brand-new case for some of the characters from the first two Highwayman books.
Q.3 What made you write The Highwayman Series?
A. When I started, I didn’t know that Highwayman was
going to become a series. By the time I was halfway through FOUR, I had begun
to think, “I like these characters. Some of them are extremely interesting.”
The plan is to
attach a new story to recurring characters on the hunt for serial killers. I
don’t know how many books I will write, but at the moment, the subject is shiny
and new to me, so I’ll keep writing until I run out of interesting stories on
the subject.
Q.4 Were there any obstacles you faced while
writing FOUR?
A. Time restraint. When I published Highwayman in
July of last year, the publisher nudged me about FOUR when it would be ready to
go. I suddenly found myself on a
self-imposed deadline. I gave myself two months to finish writing a book that
was a little over a third written, with no clue how to end it. When I responded
to my publisher that I would work feverishly to have it finished, Steve Jackson,
a partner at WildBlue, emailed me and said something to the effect of, “Don’t work
feverishly, just write us another great book.”
Even with those
kind words, I still set out on the two-month deadline, which I didn’t make. It
took me three months to deliver it to the publisher’s inbox. I think FOUR
worked out great in the end, but it was a stressful experience even though the
deadline was mine.
Q.5 What’s the most challenging part about
writing a thriller as opposed to any other genre?
A. Well, I have written fiction in three genres,
Horror, Science Fiction, and now Crime Thriller. In the first two genres, you
have a lot of latitudes. You can mold the world’s in both these genres in almost
any way you like. The empty canvas in horror and Sci-Fi is wide open. You have so
much available to you. Vampires, Giant bone-eating aliens, World domination. The
possibilities are endless.
A crime thriller
is constrained by an intelligent audience that will take you to task for not
doing your homework. I spent years researching the subject of serial murder,
crime scene investigation, consulting with true-crime writers, and reading,
listening to and watching, everything on this dark, ugly topic.
The reality is
that no matter how much you think you have it covered, you are apt to miss
something, but I did my best with the resources I had to be true to my vision. I
wanted to tell a story that didn’t incorporate tropes from an 80’s serial
killer film. I mean, I loved those stories, Se7en, and Silence of the Lambs
were excellent. In the case of the Highwayman Series, I wanted these novels to
get into the psyche of a sociopathic monster. I also wanted them to reflect the
cases which inspired them in some way. I didn’t want the antagonist to be
sympathetic.
Q.6 Why should other writers want to write a
thriller?
A. I’m not one to
say whether a writer should take on a specific genre. I enjoy writing in this field,
but I like writing in the mud and the blood. If you like writing about this
stuff, then you should come on over. If not, stay where you are.
Q.7 What is the most difficult thing about
writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. Well, being male, writing about the opposite
sex can be challenging. I think writing about the things a male hasn’t a clue. Physical
issues, such as menstruation, sexuality, desire, or lack of, are an enigma to
many males. Never mind childbirth. Yes, men are still trying to figure all that
out, and likely won’t. All we got is
getting kicked in the seeds, an agony no woman can fathom. Other than that, I
don’t have a problem writing a character of the opposite sex or even
orientation. I try to bridge those differences, but if I’m stumped, I ask my
wife, Stormy.
Q.8 How do you develop your plots and
characters? Do you use any set formula?
A. I do not plot
in the conventional sense, nor do I outline. The only formula I have is chaos
and momentum. I follow the story in that first draft, which is a race to the
finish line. Once I get there, I go back over and over until it’s time to
submit. Having a fantastic research assistant doesn’t hurt either. Hey Patti!
Q.9 How do you select the name of your characters?
A. As I explained
above. Writing unfolds for me, characters' names come from a passing glance at
my bookshelf, an acquaintance, or friend, and even a family member could find
themself harvested and projected for the sake of this author's voyeurism.
Q.10 How many books have you written? Which
one is your favorite?
A. I’ve published
four novels, ranging in length from 400 to almost 800 pages. Writing novels is
that by the time the book goes to press, you’re already cheating on a new
project. In all honesty, when my books were published, I became like a
disengaged spouse.
It takes an awful lot of work to write a book. Draft after draft until you are satisfied it’s ready for the publisher. If it’s accepted, then there are three more stages of edits, with editors who fine-tune your stories in ways you can’t begin to believe. It’s a long process with a lot of hard work. If the readers dig it, you’ve done your job. Now on to the next job.
Q.11 Outside of your family members, name one
entity that supported your commitment to become a published author?
A. I have always been a writer. I know this in my
bones. When I left the military in 1998, I befriended a historical writer named
R. James Steel. He is probably one of the most knowledgeable writers out
there when it comes to the first world war. We became friends and as a result,
I ended up reading several of his books. Jim also was a regular reader of a
veteran advocacy blog I administered and wrote for on issues of PTSD and other
hardships endured by vets.
From that time to when he agreed to beta read my first and second books, he has been in my corner. Encouraging, advising, cheerleading. He is my mentor, my confidante, and a very dear friend.
Q.12 Do you believe in writer’s block? If yes,
how do you deal with it?
A. I believe that if you’re not in the right
mental state, writing can be challenging or even impossible. Writer's block for
me is more of a looming depression, one which I must put in perspective and
navigate.
Most writers I know openly acknowledge their insecurities. I have mine, but I try not to let those get in the way of the pleasure I derive from writing. Or when someone drops me a line and says, “He MJ, I really dug that.” How cool is that? That’s why I do this.
Q.13 What was the most surprising thing you
learned while writing your books?
A. I used to hate
editing. For me, there are two stages of
writing a book.
Stage one: The actual writing of the first draft is a beautiful and exciting exercise. In that
first draft, everything is shiny and new. For me, as a writer, the first draft
tells the story to the writer.
Stage two: The
editing begins. I used to hate editing, found it mentally exhausting, and,
after completing a large project, was glad to be shut of it.
I don’t feel that
way as much now. I thought I would always hate the mechanical part of writing,
but now that I’ve abandoned all hope, the process gets more comfortable.
Q.14 Do you have any unique and quirky writing
habits?
A. I like to start each novel with the nocturnal sacrifice of a virgin child. I am just kidding. I don’t have any weird or
quirky habits. I get in front of the keyboard and wait for the messages to come
from the other side.
Q.15 Imagine a future where you no longer
write. What would you do?
A.
I don’t know that I could imagine that, but in the unlikeliness, I would still
pursue art. I am an avid amateur photographer, and I’d probably take up
painting. And of course, I could always go fishing.
Q.16 What three things readers should expect
from your books?
A. They can expect a well-crafted tale with
characters you either love or hate. If
you stick your nose into one of my books, you are getting a piece of me, the person, not the writer. There is a little bit of me in every book
I write. It is my signature, the reader probably cares little about that, but
that is how I write.
Q.17 What advice do you have for aspiring
authors?
A. Here’s my best advice. Writing is a job that includes
hundreds of hours crafting and polishing work that may or may not make you a
couple of bucks. Get ready to put it out there, and don’t be surprised if your
heart gets heart ripped out and stomped on. But, if you have skin as thick as
pig leather, the intestinal fortitude of a Johnny Rambo, then you will fit
right in.
Writing is not only a tough gig, and it’s a long shot. There are plenty of talented writers out there. Every one of them
is fighting for the same piece of readership. Luck or being in the right place
at the right time is a percentage of all that talent and determination.
Suppose you’re in it to score. Walk away now.
If you think you’re going to clone Harry Potter, Twilight, or Fifty Shades of
Gray, don’t walk. Run. There are enough people out here fighting to get
original work published and read. Bring you’re A-Game, and be willing to pour
your heart and soul into it. If you can do that, pull up a chair and sign here,
in blood.
Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead,
would you like to meet and why?
A. I’d like to meet Jim Morrison, but fear that
he might be a dick. I’d have to say, Quentin Tarantino, just because his
enthusiasm for the arts would be intoxicating and fun.
Q.19 What is your favorite book and why?
A. Let me open by saying that this isn’t a fair
question. I have so many, but a random pick would probably Boys Life by
Robert R. McCammon. He weaves
the tale of a young boy and his imagination growing up in the south, where
anything is possible. He and his friends can fly like birds, he battles river
monsters and is subjected to the biggest monster of them all, racism in
America. I love everything about McCammon’s books, but Boy’s Life is a piece of
American literature that should be on every TBR pile for writers. It’s a
beautiful story that will inspire and teach. Readers will love it even more.
Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so
far?
A. My writer’s journey has been challenging,
inspiring, heartbreaking, breathtaking, and for some crazy reason, I keep going
forward. Seriously though, looking back, everything I’ve experienced plays into
that journey, and the product is storytelling. So far, so good.
A few words for your readers and Books
Charming -
I write books not
to gain fame and fortune, but because something in my genetic makeup says that this
is what I was put here to do. To the readers who have tagged along on some of
my adventures, thank you. You are the wheels under my carriage, along for the
ride, as I rocket toward the abyss.
To those readers pondering getting on board, I welcome you with open arms. All of you are the reason I get up at 4:00 am and write for a couple of hours before going to the day job that feeds my family. You are the reason why when I was a trucker, that instead of crawling into the bunk and falling asleep, my laptop ended up on the steering wheel, and I worked for 1000’s of hours to craft my tales.
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