Bio:
Tom Blubaugh was raised in a small town in southeast KS. He began writing poetry at age fourteen. Tom has written nonfiction writer most of his adult life. He self-published his first book Behind the Scenes of the Bus Ministry in 1974. Tom wrote articles for denominational and business magazines from 1975 through 1995. He co-wrote The Great Adventure for Barbour Publishing Co. in 2009.
Bound by Faith Publishers published his first fiction Night of the Cossack in April, 2011.
Tom is married to Barbara. They have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Both are retired. Tom has been a public speaker for 40 years. He was a self-employed entrepreneur from 1973 to 1995. Tom retired in 2004 and has devoted most of his time to writing and volunteer work.
Please tell us about your
current release.
My current release is a historical fiction titled Night
of the Cossack. The beginning takes place is Russia in the early 1900s.
What inspired you to write
this book?
Both of my grandfathers died before I was born. I
knew very little about either of them. One fact I did have about my maternal
grandfather—he was a Cossack soldier in Russia. This captured my mind and I
went on a quest of researching Russian history. I found it to be fascinating.
Excerpt:
“I must go to Aza, Momma. I
heard him scream. He’s panicked, he could hurt himself.”
“What can you do for him,
Nathan?”
“I can calm him down and turn
him loose into the woods. If they set the barn on fire, he’ll die. He’ll be
safe in the woods. I must go!”
“You’re more important than your
horse. I, we need you here with us. Stay, Nathan. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”
Nathan was torn. Breathing a
heavy sigh in resignation as he pulled the cellar door shut, he let his eyes
adjust to the dark. He leaned his rifle against the wall.
Momma wrapped her arms around
her older son. Nathan felt her shiver. He knew she was more afraid than cold. Had
she heard the scream?
She sank to her knees, pulling
Nathan down. “I know you’re afraid,” she whispered.
Nathan tensed. “I’m not afraid.
I’m a man—the man of the house. You’ve said this yourself.” He pulled away from
her. “You say I’m brave and strong. You tell me I’m like Papa, but you treat me
like a little boy.”
“Nathan, you’re both. You’re my
little boy, but at the same time you’re a man. Can you understand?”
Ignoring her question he said,
“Papa should be here to protect us. I didn’t even get to tell him good-bye.”
“Don’t be angry, Nathan. He
loved you very much. He loved all of us.” She slipped her arms around him again
saying, “It was an accident. There was no chance for anyone to say good-bye.
Dying wasn’t his choice. You’re a man, Nathan. You look just like him—tall and
strong, yet gentle. You have his black, wavy hair, hazel eyes, even his strong
chin. What would I do without you?”
Nathan didn’t say anything. He
couldn’t stay mad at her. Her soft voice melted his heart.
Even when she’s afraid, she comforts me. Momma’s right. About all of it. It isn’t her fault Papa died.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m writing a sequel
to Night of the Cossack and a nonfiction about four books that changed my
life.
When did you first
consider yourself a writer?
I started writing
when I was fourteen. I started being published in some magazines in the 1970s
and self-published a book in 1974. I don’t think I really considered myself as a
writer until Barbour Publishing contracted me to co-write a book with fourteen
other writers in 2009.
Do you write
full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than
write and how do you find time to write?
I consider myself a
full-time writer. I try to reserve the morning for private time, doing chores
with my wife and reading. After lunch I hit the computer until Supper. I am a
night owl, although I’m trying to change this, and I do a lot of social
networking late night. It sounds like I don’t have a life, but I do—with my
Barbara, my lovely wife, three sons and three daughters and fourteen
grandkids.
What would you say is
your interesting writing quirk?
I’m a
seat-of-my-pants writer. I can only write if I have a head full of ideas. If I
feel like I should be writing and don’t have an idea, I close my eyes and start
typing—random at first, but then something comes up and I’m off to the
races.
As a child, what did
you want to be when you grew up?
I was a day dreamer.
I loved westerns and war movies. You know, I don’t really
remember.
Anything additional
you want to share with the readers?
Sure. If you have a
desire to write—write. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You’re unique and
what you write is unique to you. I think we were all scared when we started
letting someone else read our writing, but we got over it and went on. If you
don’t write, you may write something that has never been said
before.
Thanks for the
interview, Lisa.
You're welcome, Thomas.
Folks, here are different ways to connect with Thomas and learn more about his writing:
Night of the Cossack historical fiction ebooks available at
Amazon.com
and Barnes
& Noble
Night of the Cossack historical fiction signed paperback at Night of
the Cossack FREE shipping to address in
USA.
Night of the Cossack historical fiction pdf file will be available soon.
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page
The Write Trail Scribbling from the sometimes
creative/sometimes scattered mind of Tom Blubaugh
Twitter @tomblubaugh
Info-line
for writers promotion
Linkedin to join his network
Genesis Project is his ministry
site
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