Interview with urban fantasy writer Hugh Fritz

Today’s special author guest is Hugh Fritz and we’re chatting about his new urban fantasy, Made to Be Broken, the first book in the Mystic Rampage series.

Welcome, Hugh. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Chicago, Illinois which is why I used it for the setting. The idea for this story first came to me when I was in high school but writing has not been a consistent hobby of mine so partially completed versions of it sat in my computer for years without being opened. It was only five years ago that I decided to take this project seriously and finish Mystic Rampage, and as I did, additional ideas came to me and it grew from a single novel into a series. Expanding the cast of characters has made working on the second installment more fun, but the real joy has come from joining a group of other writers to serve as beta readers and critics. They’ve been helpful in improving the quality of my writing and providing advice related to the plot and characters to make the story more interesting. I’m proud of what I accomplished in the first book, but thanks to their help the second one is going to be an improvement and I’m excited for it to be released.

Please tell us about your current release.

The book follows three characters that have the same powers but different motivations for using them. One focuses on protecting his loved ones, one believes in destiny and waits for people in need come to him, and one runs about looking for trouble which he is ready to meet with violence. These differences lead to arguments, and gradually their squabbles turn into a battle that puts their city and everyone in it at risk.

What inspired you to write this book?

Most of my efforts have gone into short stories. I enjoy flash fiction as a writing exercise and was working on a collection of them for a while. I became tired of reaching the conclusion after one or two pages so I decided to focus on completing a full-length novel. I’m not saying the flash fictions were a waste of time. Some of them provided fuel for the Mystic Rampage storyline and allowed me to expand it into a trilogy. Inspector R.E.D. and the Old Ticker originally existed in their own universes and had completely different adventures, but I decided to put them in the epilogue of Made to Be Broken and make them main characters in the second book.

Excerpt from Made to Be Broken:

Here is a portion of Inspector R.E.D.’s introduction:

He couldn’t remember who he was, which didn’t scare him as much as not knowing what he was. He remembered feeling numb, and then seeing light, but filtered light, as if he was looking through a fog. He then smelled wet grass and felt damp dirt on his hands. The last thing he became aware of was the man standing before him with a gun. His first instinct was to run but he couldn’t control his legs. He tried to scream but his voice was dry and hoarse, as if he hadn’t used it in a while. He started recognizing shapes of objects around him, and noticed he was surrounded by tombstones. He panicked. He thrashed and pounded his fists into the dirt as he tried to swear at whatever was making this happen to him. Suddenly, whatever was controlling his body released its hold and he was free.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Other than the other two installments in this series, I have a more traditional fantasy story that takes place in an imaginary kingdom. It’s about a knight, a farmer, a scribe, and a dragon who work together to overcome curses that were put on them by a sorcerer.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I don’t consider myself a writer because I’ve never had to rely on my work to get by. Real writers are people who need their books to sell in order to pay rent, eat, or even put gas in their car. The first time I felt proud of my creativity was when I was able to use my imaginary world as an escape from the real one. There was a time when video games and TV were my means of passing the time on slow, boring days and if they weren’t available I’d still think about games or scenes from a show. Since I started writing, my primary way of passing the time has been daydreaming about my characters and coming up with new scenarios for chapters.

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 have never been a full-time writer and have always balanced it between a job, school, or both. However, even when I’m not adding to the story I’m always looking for new material. I try to incorporate information from classes into the plot and some of the places I’ve been employed have become settings in a few chapters. The only days I have time to write are Saturdays and Sundays, but it usually goes smoothly because I always dive in with new ideas to experiment with.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I take the potential for cosplay into account when coming up with my character’s attire. I’ve even tried making costumes which I sometimes wear during promotional events. The most recent was Albuquerque Comic Con when I made my own version of Flarence’s wrist cannon by knitting an armband and stitching an old brass doorknob to it. Someday I’m going to replicate Soleil’s toxic poncho.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Like a lot of kids, I had my heart set on being a musician and spent most of my free time playing guitar. That dream didn’t last because no band I was a part of stayed together for very long.

Links:

Website | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook

Thanks for joining me today.

To learn more about Hugh, feel free to visit his other tour stops:

November  4^th  @ The Muffin

What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us as we celebrate the launch of the blog tour for author Hugh Fritz’s book Made to be Broken. Read an interview with the author and win a copy of the book. 

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 5^th  @ Book Santa Fe with Crystal Otto

Crystal Otto shares her thoughts about the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series -  Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz. 

http://www.booksantafe.info/booksantafeblog

November 6^th @ World of My Imagination 

Learn more about Hugh Fritz and his new book Made to be Broken as he shares a few thoughts in an interesting interview with Nicole Pyles at World of My Imagination.

https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

November 7th @ Bring on Lemons with Carmen Otto

Middle Schooler Carmen Otto raves about the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – she encourages everyone to read Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz! Find out more today at Bring on Lemons.

http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

November 8th  @ World of My Imagination 

Nicole Pyles reviews Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz – find out what you’re missing and learn about the first book in the Mystic Rampage series – if you love sci-fi you’ll love this book!

https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

November 9^th @ World of My Imagination

Learn more about Hugh Fritz and his new book Made to be Broken as he shares a few thoughts in an interesting interview with Nicole Pyles at World of My Imagination.

https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

November 14^th  @ Look to the Western Sky

Visit Margo's blog today where you can catch today's author spotlight and learn more about Hugh Fritz and his fabulous book Born to be Broken. 

https://margoldill.com/

November 15th @ Anjanette Speaks

Anjanette Potter interviews Hugh Fritz as well as reviewing his book Made to be Broken – find out more about the first book of the Mystic Rampage series – now available!

https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/

November 18^th  @ Breakeven Books

Today’s Book Spotlight at Breakeven Books is Made to be Broken (first book in the Mystic Rampage Series) by Hugh Fritz – don’t miss this great opportunity to add this exciting new novel to your collection!

https://breakevenbooks.com/

November 19^th  @ To Write or Not To Write

Sreevarsha reviews Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz and delights readers at To Write or Not To Write with her thoughts about this fast-paced novel – it’s the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – don’t miss this!

 http://sreevarshasreejith.blogspot.co.at/

November 20^th  @ A StoryBook World

Don’t miss today’s publicity post at A Storybook World as readers at Dierdra’s blog are introduced to the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – you’ll want to run out and get your own copy of Hugh Fritz’s Made to be Broken! 

http://www.astorybookworld.com/

November 21^st  @ Lisa Haselton Reviews and Interviews

Lisa Haselton interviews Hugh Fritz about the first novel in the Mystic Rampage series, Made to be Broken. Readers will delight in learning more about this science fiction story with intriguing plot and multiple plot twists!

http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

November 22nd  @ Look to the Western Sky

Visit Margo's blog today where you can catch today's author spotlight and learn more about Hugh Fritz and his fabulous book Born to be Broken.

https://margoldill.com/

November 26^th @ Selling Books

Don’t miss today’s author interview with Hugh Fritz as Cathy Stucker finds out more about his latest release Made to be Broken – the first book in the Mystic Rampage series.

https://www.sellingbooks.com/

November 27^th @ Author Anthony Avina

Author Anthony Avina shares his thoughts after reading Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz – don’t miss this review!

https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

December 2^nd @ Bring on Lemons with Tara Forst

Wisconsinite Tara Forst shares her thoughts after reading the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – find out more in her book review of Born to be Broken by Hugh Fritz.

http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

December 4^th @ Author Anthony Avina

Author Anthony Avina interviews Hugh Fritz about Made to be Broken  - the first book of the Mystic Rampage series.

https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

Interview with humorous women's fiction author Carrie Jo Howe

Author Carrie Jo Howe joins me today to chat about her new humorous women’s fiction, Island Life Sentence.

During her virtual book tour, Carrie Jo will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky, randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

After raising three boys in the suburbs of Chicago, Carrie Jo Howe now lives in Key West, Florida with her husband and her dog. Her latest novel, Island Life Sentence, is a fictional account of an American Midwestern woman who feels like an alien in the “one human family” of Key West. Carrie Jo’s first book, Motherhood is NOT for Babies, received a rave review (thanks Mom), and works wonderfully as a form of contraception. Her blog Florida Keys Crime Report, tells of all the goings on in the Keys, where bank robbers get away on bicycles, and perps caught with undersized, pinched, out-of-season lobsters get more jail time than drug runners. She is currently working on the sequels to Island Life Sentence.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

Island Life Sentence is a product of the culture shock I experienced when we moved from Chicago to Key West. Three and a half hours south of mainland Florida creates it's own form of evolution...kind of like the Galapagos.

What inspired you to write this book?

Every day something out of (my) ordinary happens and I just have to write about it. Yes--my dog did almost die from a poisonous frog, yes-- my house is haunted, and no--I didn't "molest" a manatee (legal terminology for touching/riding one), but my friend did.

Yes, I did survive a hurricane (Irma 2017).

Excerpt from Island Life Sentence:

Trudy visits Peg in Key West...

“Let’s start at Captain Tony’s. It used to be Sloppy Joe’s but now Sloppy Joe’s is there.” Peg pointed across the street to the open windows filled to overflow with tourists screaming along with the band, “Why don’t we get drunk and screw?”

“Jimmy Buffett is a god here,” Peg whispered.

“Right. Some god. Get drunk and get screwed buying all of his crap,” Trudy said too loud.

“Shhh. You’ll start a riot.”

“I mean, look at those people. All dressed the same with their hands in the air. Probably how Hitler got started.”

Peg laughed. “Let’s go before you start another world war. I didn’t know you were so anti-Margaritaville.” She hugged Trudy to distract her. “On a history note, there’s a story about Hemingway taking the urinal from Captain Tony’s when they moved the bar. He said that he pissed away so much money into the urinal that he owned it.”

“I just hope he didn’t take the toilet in the ladies’ room, ’cause I gotta go.” Trudy quickened her step and crossed against the light on Duval Street. A scooter honked. She about-faced with both middle fingers flying. “Suck on these birds you parrot-headed mother fu–”

“Let’s go.” Peg grabbed one of Trudy’s obscene gestures, leaving the other one firmly in position. Trudy sidestepped in front of the scooter and stared down the double-chinned, large-bellied driver.

“Looks like he’s had too many cheeseburgers in paradise,” Trudy added.

“Okay, okay… I get it.” Peg dragged her friend toward the bar entrance.

“I’m just sayin’ – definitely not wasting away.”

Peg shoved her friend in the door of Captain Tony’s. “And… we’re here. You go pee and I’ll get us some drinks.”

Trudy jogged in the direction of the restroom sign. Peg found a couple of spots at the bar. The densely tattooed bartender slapped his hands down on the bar in front of her, “What’ll it be, miss? Margaritas are our specialty.”

“No. I mean… no thank you. Two rum and Cokes, please.”

He looked surprised. “Don’t like tequila?”

“Tequila’s fine, but don’t mention the word margarita to my best friend, Trudy. Take my word for it.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

Island Life Sentence is going to be a trilogy. I'm working on the sequel story for Peg and Trudy in Key West.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I know I should consider myself a writer, but I'd rather think of myself as an accidental story teller. A writer seems so formal and scary.

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 like to tell stories about what I'm doing...especially if I'm terrible at it. That being said, I come up with a decent amount of material!

A significant amount of my time is spent on airplanes since I have family in Chicago, LA, and San Diego.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My (50 pound) Vizsla insists on squishing into my chair with me while I write. He's a hot tamale, but I love having him next to me. And, I use too many exclamation points!!!!!!!!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a jockey. I'm six feet tall. That didn't work out.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Links:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Blog | Amazon

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

Thanks for hosting me Lisa!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with thriller/suspense author Terry Goodkind

Suspense author Terry Goodkind joins me today to talk about his latest thriller novel, Nest.

Welcome, Terry. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, where I went to commercial art school. Besides a career in wildlife art, I’ve been a cabinet maker, violin maker, and I’ve done restorations of rare artifacts from around the world. I’ve always been interested in a variety of things revolving around art and creativity.

Please tell us about your current release.

Nest is the story of Kate Bishop, who very mistakenly thinks of herself as an ordinary woman until the day she arrives back in Chicago from a business trip and suddenly finds herself in urgent need of answers to a lot of very out of the ordinary questions, such as why her brother had a man chained in his basement and why the police think she would know. Why are people she knows being murdered? Could she be the target of some of the most dangerous killers ever born? Who is the mysterious Jack Raines, and is he trying to find her to help her stay alive, or to slaughter her?

Our world, a place where murder and violence come closer to home every day and terrorists now stalk all of us, is the backdrop for Nest. All of these seemingly unrelated events are linked to the answers Kate must find if she is to stay alive. Her search for those connections takes her down into the hidden world of the darknet and into the basement kill rooms of predators. Nest is a thriller unlike anything you’ve ever read. You will hope that it's just fiction, but much of it is all too real.

I’m eager for you to have as much fun reading it as I had writing it. I think that you will find it not only exciting and terrifying, but touching and very human in unexpected ways.

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always loved novels in the suspense and thriller realm, but I wanted to write something that was different, a thriller with my own slant. I wanted the book to have a broader sense of evil and to tell that story through the eyes of one woman who comes to discover that she can see evil, and that evil is looking back at her. I love writing the kind of stories that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Excerpt from Nest:

            “For the past three weeks, John Allen Bishop had been keeping the devil chained in the basement. What, exactly, the devil had been doing in Chicago John didn’t know and the devil wasn’t saying. What John did know was that over the past several days the situation had been getting increasingly worrisome.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m writing the next book in the series that begins with Nest. It’s even darker and grittier. I’m having lots of fun writing it.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I was born an author. I was an author before I even knew what an author was. My earliest memories are of making up stories in my mind as I went to sleep, imagining characters in danger and trying to figure out how they might be able to survive. Writing them down wasn’t important to me. They were very personal and I carried them around in my head, sometimes for months, as I built them ever bigger and more complex. I daydreamed all the time, worrying about my characters and the danger they were in. They existed in my head, so writing them down was irrelevant to me. I’ve always felt a profound sense of connection to my characters. From the beginning, I’ve been entirely self-motivated, self-inspired, without any exterior inspiration or influence. To this day I rarely read books because I don’t have time and I don’t want anyone else’s work to influence mine. Stories are sacred to me. I love making characters live and breathe.

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 basically spend seven days a week, including most holidays, writing. But that doesn’t necessarily mean sitting at a keyboard. Writing is mostly a mental process and requires a lot of thinking and planning. I do that all the time I’m awake. Dialog and different scenes are almost always running through my mind. It’s something I’ve been doing my whole life. The only time I’m not writing is when I’m racing cars. That’s my fun. It gives my brain a break and I come back refreshed and ready to write.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I believe that we get the greatest reward by challenging ourselves. When you accomplish something that is tremendously difficult it gives you a sense of personal satisfaction. The part I love about writing is the writing is creating characters and putting them in impossible situations. I sometimes can’t help smiling to myself, thinking “Wait until people read this. It’s really going to blow their minds.” As far as quirks, no quirks, really, just a lot of long hours and hard work. Although I do have a black cat and I’ve had to learn to write with her curled up sleeping on my lap. She lays her head over my wrist and is perfectly content going to sleep as I type away with her head bobbing up and down. I guess that’s kind of quirky!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was always interested art and creating things. I loved painting a wide variety of subjects. The world seemed to hold an endless variety of things that interested me. It was a bit of a default desire to be an artist when I grew up because I was good at it and it seemed like the natural thing I would do. But it wasn’t my bliss. My secret dream was to write novels, to tell the stories I lived with all the time. Because I have dyslexia, I feared I wouldn’t be good enough at all the technical aspects of writing, so I didn’t test that secret dream until I was 45. I still remember writing that first sentence of my first novel. I was a moving experience. In that instant, I knew what I was born to do. Bringing characters to life was magical. This was what I was meant to do. At that moment, my dream became reality and I’ve been writing ever since. Writing is my bliss.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I’ve been keeping the story of Kate Bishop in my head for years until I finally had the time to write it. It was an exciting, scary, emotional book to write. My sincere hope is that readers will have a great time reading Nest. That really gives me a great thrill.

Thanks for joining me today, Terry!