Today’s
guest is Steve Shrott. He’s talking about his humorous mystery, Audition for Death, and entertaining us
in other ways.
Bio:
Steve Shrott's mystery short stories
have been published in numerous print magazines and e-zines. His work has
appeared in ten anthologies––two from Sisters-in-Crime (The Whole She-Bang, and Fishnets). He was also a
winner in The Joe Konrath Short Story Contest. His comedy material has been
used by well-known performers of stage and screen (including Joan Rivers and
Phyllis Diller) and he has written a book on how to create humor.
As well, he teaches, “how to add
humor to novels and short stories,” at various real world and cyber schools
(such as Savvy Authors and The Romance Writers of America.) Some of his jokes are
in the Smithsonian Institute. His current novel is a humorous mystery entitled,
Audition for Death.
Welcome, Steve. Please tell us about
your current release.
Audition for Death is a humorous mystery about Joshua
Mclintock, an actor who’s obsessed with his career, even though most of the
roles he’s played have been dead bodies. But Joshua’s attitude is unfailing
positive and he’s sure his big break is just around the corner. That is, until
one day, while working his part-time job as a telemarketer, he overhears a
murder take place, and suddenly finds himself the prime suspect. Of course, any
normal person accused of a crime he didn’t commit, would rush to the police and
clear his name—which is just what everyone urges Joshua to do (including his
ex-wife Randy who doesn’t appreciate him hiding out in her apartment) And
Joshua would do just that—if it weren’t for the fact that an audition for a
great new role beckons. He believes he can clear up the entire misunderstanding
by tracking down the real killer—and not miss any auditions in the process. He
soon discovers that this is not just about murder, and sinister forces are
threatening to destroy Hollywood.
What inspired you to write this book?
Over the
years, I’ve performed in various productions, and had contact with lots of
actors. I’ve found them to be a wonderful and interesting group of people. A
lot of real characters! I always thought a mystery involving the acting
profession would be fun, so I wrote a short story about it for a magazine. When
I decided to write a novel, I thought I’d just base it on this story, figuring
it would be easy. Hey, it was all there on paper. That’s when I found out
there’s a huge difference between an 8 page story and a 300 page book! Yikes!
What exciting story are you working on
next?
I have
another humorous novel I’m currently finishing up. It’s about a dentist with
wacky patients, who is a part-time detective. I’m also working on a thriller,
some short stories, and a screenplay. I like a lot of variety. It makes things
more interesting.
When did you first consider yourself a
writer?
I always
considered myself a writer—even before I was one. I remember when I was a kid,
there was this girl in my class who loved poetry. I liked her, so I said I
write, even though the only things I’d written, were grocery lists for my mom.
(Personally, I think they could have been turned in movies.) The girl asked to
see some of my work so I ran home and wrote possibly the worst poem ever. I
think I rhymed, ‘shoe’ with ‘moo.’ How
footwear, and a cow got into a poem about love, I don’t know. Luckily the girl
thought it was sweet. I’d like to say that we eventually got married and had
four kids, but she left me for little Bobby Dixon who was really good with cut
and paste.
That started
my interest in writing things other than grocery lists.
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?
Yes, I
write full time. Generally, my butler wakes me in the a.m. and then my maid
helps me on with my robe…sorry that’s someone else’s life. Mine is quite
different, I usually wake up groggy, have twenty cups of coffee, wolf down some
breakfast, then go to work. I write a lot of different things so when I get
bored on one project I move to another, then, perhaps, onto a third. Later, I
might come back to the first one again. I believe Isaac Asimov, the great
sci-fi writer, did the same kind of thing. He said it was why he never had
writer’s block. I think this system is good for that, as it helps your mind stay
fresh. I usually work until about three or so. Sometimes longer, if things are
really flowing.
What would you say is your interesting
writing quirk?
I have many
writing quirks but one of them is that when I write mystery, I often will put
on a Fedora.That’s the hat worn by the old-time detectives (I guess that means
when I write sci-fi, I should wear tentacles.) The Fedora seems to get me into
the mystery mood. And I honestly think that it makes me more creative.
As a child, what did you want to be
when you grew up?
As a kid I wanted
to be lots of things, a magician, ventriloquist, cartoonist, King. I never made
it to King. (I do have a scepter and crown just in case.) But I have ended up
doing most of the above careers and still work in some of those areas. I’m
often asked if I wanted to be a dentist when I was a kid, since I’ve written
several stories about the dental profession. Definitely not!!
Anything additional you want to share
with the readers?
Of course number
one, is to make sure you buy my book. I’m telling you, as a friend, that your
life will not be complete without it. Other than that, for any writers out
there, I’d like to say that you should never give up. In a lot of cases, the
rewards come only after you’ve been at this a while. Good luck!!
To find out
even more about me feel free to check out my website or visit me on Facebook.
