Interview with novelist Dhesan Neil Pillay

Today’s special guest is novelist Dhesan Neil Pillay to chat with us about his debut fantasy novel The Anmorian Legends: Wrath of the Exiled

  

Welcome Dhesan. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Dhesan Neil Pillay and I was born 3^rd September 1989 in Durban, South Africa. The son of two teachers, I was introduced to the magic of words and stories at a young age. Initially my writing found its way onto walls around the house. To curb the defacement of our home, my parents (who had started a small printing company at the time) began giving me small booklets made from offcut paper. These books became my personal treasures and would contain lengthy stories accompanied by sketches of adventures of insects in the garden, the shenanigans of favorite action figurines and sometimes my own takes on favorite movies.

However, my real interest in writing whispered to life in grade 7 when we were offered the opportunity to enter a writing competition by my teacher at the time. I reveled in being able to create an entire world to populate with crazy aliens and bizarre happenings. The bug had found me. Over the next few years I began to toy with different ways to introduce magical beings into the world I had created, and in Grade 10 I conceptualized the story that would become The Anmorian Legends: Wrath of the Exiled.

Over the next few years I continued to grow my world and the characters, slotting writing between homework, exams and sporting activities.

In 2008, I left home to study medicine at the University of Cape Town. Here I continued to develop on the adventures of Rezaaran Valhara as he traversed the realms of Anmor in his quest. During the journey of studying medicine, there were several life experiences that shaped thoughts and characters throughout the story.

My passion lies predominantly in medicine, and I have viewed my writing as a creative outlet to help keep me balanced as I journey through this richly rewarding but oft demanding path. Over the years I have enjoyed the fantastic escapes offered by the likes of J. K. Rowling, Douglas Adams, J. R. R. Tolkien and Terry Goodkind, cringed at the suspense of Stephen King and enjoyed the rich story telling of the intriguing Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. I wrote the Anmorian Legends initially as a means to create a fantasy world of my own to explore and serve as a personal holiday destination from the reality in the wards and hope that it offers my readers the same mystic intrigue.

Please tell us about your current release.

The Anmorian Legends: Wrath of the Exiled, is the debut in a planned series. It follows the adventures of a young Zenorian boy who’s spurned by fate to the manacles of despair in an ongoing civil war. However, he soon learns that his destiny lies beyond slavery, for he is the last great War Mage of the Vokarii Order. His journey is one of a boy trying to find his role in the scheme of greater events unfolding around him, learning to shoulder the burden of great power and the attached responsibility, to let go of the past and embrace love in the present. With his command over the mystical power of the Vaux he is the only being able to contest the might of the Archlords, magical creatures who serve as war machines for the Obsidian Dominion, and ultimately the leader of the Dominion, Lord Silvermire. The trials he faces ultimately takes a toll on him that he could not prepare for and his greatest battle will lie within.  

What inspired you to write this book?

I think part of this lay in my fascination with the elemental pantheon of Greek and Roman gods during my high school years. In time experiences with different patients and moments at work inspired some events in the story and shaping of the characters.

Excerpt from The Anmorian Legends: Wrath of the Exiled:

The shuttle landed within the palace grounds, settling near the dried out basin of a great lake. Once it had brimmed with sparkling waters. Now it was desolate, like the fallen great kingdoms of Zenor. Torn banners and skewered skeletons lined the floor of this dusty chasm, a reminder of the war that was lost here a century ago. Yet one Zenorian had returned with the hopes to reclaim his home.

Rezaaran looked into the horizon, surveying the distant landscape he had left almost a century ago. An angry sun glowered upon the land, serving Zenor with a wave of heat from its throne in the bloodstained sky. Smoke and ash billowed from the crest of the distant mountains, choking the once pure air.

The mage stilled his mind, hoping to feel the echoes of any who still inhabited this scorched world. He had expected only the large beacon of the Archlord’s presence, which lay deep within the planet’s heart. Yet, to his surprise, there were numerous smaller echoes resounding from within the palace. All he had for company was Harkenathor with Kashari’s spirit and the hordes of enemies between him and the Archlord. Folklore spoke of a day when Zenor would awaken to bloodshed so great that it would wash the skies and force the planet to mourn the loss of her children. It was a day that had lasted a century too long.

What exciting story are you working on next?

The Anmorian Legends: Legacy of the Sentinels, a sequel to Wrath of the Exiled. Rezaaran will return to battle the Exiled and protect Anmor from the encroaching shadow of the Obsidious. But this time he will be fighting alongside Lord Salvidawn’s secret and most powerful band of champions.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I considered myself a writer after I sold the first copy of Wrath of the Exiled.

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 work full time as a medical doctor, currently serving my internship time. I either write in the early hours of the morning before work or a few hours in the evening when I’m free and not recovering from a night on call.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like listening to instrumental music while gazing at the lava lamp my girlfriend Melisha gave me as a gift. I usually visualize a scene in these moments and mull over the details while drinking coffee or snacking on chocolate. I have also recently developed a liking for Oolong tea during these brainstorming sessions.

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

I always wanted to be involved in a science discipline. I sometimes considered being an astronaut (but which kid doesn’t?) but marine biology was a strong favorite for a long time.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Thanks for taking the time to read my interview with Lisa. Feel free to check out the social media sites and I hope we get to stay in touch friends.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Thank you, Dhesan!

New interview with romance author Becky Wicks

Return visitor Becky Wicks is here today. She’s on tour with her newest novel, The Day of the Wave.

You can find her first interview here, where she talks about Before He Was Famous.

During this tour, Becky will be awarding a lucky randomly drawn person with a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card. 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:

Becky Wicks is mostly powered by coffee. She had three travel memoirs published by HarperCollins before going the indie route. Her first book in the Starstruck Series, Before He Was Famous recently reached #1 in Amazon's Coming of Age and New Adult & College categories. The second in the series, Before He Was Gone, and the third, Before He Was a Secret are both bestsellers and The Day of the Wave, is now out.

Becky blogs most days at beckywicks.com and always welcomes distractions on Twitter (especially if you have cat photos)

Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Becky! Please tell us about your newest release.

The Day of the Wave is based around the catastrophic tsunami that crashed through 14 countries and affected 5 million people on Boxing Day 2004. It's a love story at heart, but it's more than boy meets girl, loses girl and wins her back - it's about healing and opening your heart again after you've lost what feels like everything.

What inspired you to write this book?

The idea actually came about last November when I was on vacation in Sri Lanka. It felt like everyone we met who worked and lived there had a story about that day, and what happened afterwards. It really got to me.

I was in Sri Lanka for a month and in some places you can still see the effects of it, ten years later. It was heartbreaking.

I had so many dreams while I was there, about tsunamis crashing into me and the house I was in, and I started to feel a bit haunted by this story, which was growing in my imagination, about a guy and a girl who’d known each other before the event, who were torn apart and then reunited.

I started to wonder how I might incorporate the tragedies and the stories of hope and reconstruction I was hearing, into a work of fiction. I knew it would have to be quite raw and emotional but not all dark. A lot was born from the wreckage, too.

Excerpt from The Day of the Wave:

'Don't I have to get a boat, if I go over to Phi Phi?' I say.

'Well, yeah, it's an island.'

I bite my lip, watch the water drip from Ben's hair onto his shoulder blades. Coming here was one thing; going to Phi Phi too, that was never part of the plan. 'I'm not sure I can go on a boat,' I say and he shakes his head at me.

'You've already been on the beach, Izzy. You stepped in the water. You rode a scooter! Come on, you can ride a speedboat. It's not even that far. It's less than an hour from Phuket.'

'All valid points, but...'

'Focus on the prize. You'll feel great for riding the boat, like I know you do about the bike. And you need to catch this asshole, Alan,' he says, 'get your passport back. And your notebook! You need the notebook to finish your book.'

'I need it to start my book,' I admit as Justin lets out a Tarzan cry and crashes into the waterfall pool again. 'Ben, what if it's not even him who took my stuff? Or what if he leaves the island and we can't find him?'

'What if, what if, what if,' he teases. 'What if the cops on Phi Phi keep an eye on him? They will, Izzy, trust me, they love this stuff. Catching dumb tourists out, it's their favorite thing.'

I laugh. I can't help it now. I can see that sixteen-year-old-Ben again; the way he was when we met. There was always another adventure ahead. Something else exciting. In just eight days Ben managed to turn my holiday into a trip through some kind of magical wonderland. I can feel my resolve weakening already. My life is so boring now. Boring and safe and gray. I think of Colin again. One shade of gray. It's all been very far from fifty, actually.

'What about Kalaya? Will she come?' I say, feigning indifference. My stomach knots as I say it but I already know she wouldn't exactly be thrilled about us going off to an island together on some mission.

'I'll ask her,' Ben says. I can't read his voice.

'What are you guys plotting over here?' Justin says, walking back over to us from the water. He drops himself down on his haunches, pulls the bottle of water back out of his backpack and swigs it back. It drips down his chin.

'The police found a guy on Phi Phi who might have Izzy's stuff,' Ben tells him.

'Really? I'm heading there next, are you heading over there?'

'I think so.'

'Is your girlfriend going with you?' he asks Ben. 'Or did you forget you had one?'

We both snap our heads to him at the exact same time. Justin laughs, screws the bottle top back on and shoves it with his shirt back into his backpack. 'Come on mate, I can see two people falling when they're right in front of me.'

I make a choking sound. 'Falling... what...'

'In luuuurve. Any more sparks between you and you'd be starting a bloody forest fire. I hope it rains if you do... it's too fuggin' hot as it is. Right, I'm going now.'

'You're going?'

'I'm heading back, I need a nanny nap,' he says, getting up. 'I'll see you lovebirds later. Thanks for the tour.'

We both watch him leave. My cheeks are blazing hotter than ever. I stare at the waterfall and so does Ben and neither of us says anything for ages. Awkward, awkward, awkward.

'You know what?' I say eventually, getting to my feet. 'I do want to jump off those rocks.'

'Really?' Ben springs up after me.

'Yes, I'm going to do it.'

'Well, wait, I'll come with you!'

'Come on then.'

He follows me back up to the wet, grassy ledge, clambering up rock after rock after rock till we're as high as we can get. I look out at the croaking, chirruping landscape and down at the water. He takes my fingers as I walk to the edge and take a deep breath. 'OK, Izzy, are you sure about this?'

'Yes.'

'Then on the count of three,' he says. 'One... Two...'

'Three!' I yell. And with Ben's hand holding mine, I'm falling.

What’s the next writing project?

I'm working on a bit of a secret non-fiction project right now, about my travels in Nashville and Vancouver on a certain kind of mission, can't say much more than that. I'm also writing a couple of romance novels - I can never decide which one I like best so I just write a bit of both, depending on how I feel!

What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)

The biggest challenge with writing The Day of the Wave was actually doing all the research because it was a big responsibility, getting all the facts together about the tsunami and making sure my story made sense and flowed properly. I wanted to do the locals justice, as well as Isla and Ben, so I spent a lot of time reading and watching everything I could on the Boxing Day tsunami.

Nice segue. If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?

I do the research first, because often more ideas stem from what I find. This usually involves reading articles online and watching YouTube clips and documentaries. I actually enjoy this process as much as writing usually!

What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.

I can pretty much write anywhere because I stick my headphones on and zone out to the sound of white noise or jungle sounds. The frogs and cicadas are a throwback to when I did most of my writing in Bali, in a little town called Ubud. I was able to churn out four books there, it was just so inspiring and peaceful.

What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?

Too many to list! Diane Chamberlain, Clare Mackintosh, Lucy Robinson, Sarah Alderson... all amazing, all different genres. I love to dip into different genres but I'd say a good romance is probably my usual sidekick.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?

Thank you so much for your support! The journey from traditionally published to self-published author is a continuous adventure but readers, reviewers and bloggers make it so much more rewarding! Read on, and read what you love, and don't let anyone stop you.

Links:

Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook | Blog | Twitter | Buy link | YouTube - Book Video

Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eric Trant talks about Overconsumption: How Much Time Should You ~Really~ Spend Writing

Today is a special treat. Eric Trant is here with a special blog post on how much time you should spend writing to be a writer. He's currently doing a virtual book tour for his science fiction novel Steps.

He's also going to be giving away a copy of Steps to one lucky commenter! Leave a comment below for a chance to win! Feel free to leave a question for Eric, too, he'll be visiting during the day to reply to any comments.

About the author: Eric W. Trant is a published author of several short stories and the novels Wink and Steps from WiDo Publishing, out now! See more of Eric's work at Website | Goodreads | Amazon.

And now for the feature:

Overconsumption: How Much Time Should You ~Really~ Spend Writing

Did you know you can die from drinking too much water? Seriously, it's called water poisoning, and is caused by diluting your body chemistry to such a point that the pH tips the wrong direction.

Did you know you can exercise too much? Compulsive exercising can cause long-term damage to your joints and ligaments, and is often linked to such secondary disorders as anorexia and bulimia.

Did you know you can write too much? We don't discuss this disorder, because most writing advice reads like this: Write 1,750 words per day, or go home.

That's the word count for NaNoWriMo, or thereabouts and it's the word count you hear chunked out by professional writers, coaches, your writer-mates and critique partners. We encourage a spate of twenty-six odd-shaped characters, that somehow if we gorge ourselves on fictional characters we might become better writers.

But how much is too much? How many words per day? Perhaps that is the question most often asked by anyone new to anything. You hear it in the gym, on the track, from the new kid at work -- how many hours a week should I spend working?

The answer is always the same: The right amount.

I heard that advice in the gym. I was talking to a guy about lifting, and we were discussing pride. Check your pride at the door, bro. That's what one of us said. Amen, said the other. Pride can hurt you.

In the gym, dangerous pride is a literal truth. Pride can cause tears, rips, sprains strains and snapped ligaments. Check your pride at the door, and hold this true for your writing, work, and any other prideful activity you undertake. Pride hurts.

The ~right amount~ depends on your level of preparation, and the needs of the moment. From a writing standpoint, the right amount may be four hours per day during draft, two hours during revision, and an hour or two during plotting or brainstorming.

Use time as a gauge, ~not~ word count.

You do not walk into the gym and demand to your muscles they lift a particular weight that day. Sure, you have goals, but some days your body is simply not prepared. Maybe you are injured, underfed, tired, or have not healed from the last workout. The same is true for writing. Sit at the computer with a goal in mind, but meter that goal based on hours, not word-count.

Your goal is to write the right amount.

Personally, I set a 1,250 word-count daily goal, but limit the time to no more than three hours, no less than one hour. If I do not bleed out in three hours, or if I cannot start within one hour, then I move on to other chores.

Clear your head.

If you spend ~all~ your time writing, you never reset your mind. Let it rest. Spin the wheels on a backroad or open highway. Let the wind blow and imagine animals in the clouds. Then, when you come back to writing, you'll be refreshed and ready to create something meaningful, rather than simply pounding out another random word-count.

Do not slack.

With all that said, I do not mean you should slack. I mean you should ~write the right amount~. That's the whole point. Set goals. Challenge yourself. Work hard.

But do not forget to rest.

The first guy to run a marathon died at the finish line, and there's a whole list of artists who did not survive the pressures of their craft. Find your balance with work, life, and the joys of creative explosion that comes with writing.

Then, in the end, you will be a better writer.

Readers, don't forget to leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of the novel Steps.

Interview with mystery author R. Scott Mackey

Today I have an interview with mystery author R. Scott Mackey. We’re talking about his new novel, Courage Resurrected: A Ray Courage Mystery.

During his virtual book tour, Scott will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn person. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Scott Mackey lives in Northern California, where he writes both fiction and non-fiction. His first book, Barbary Baseball, achieved critical acclaim from baseball historians for its quality research and writing. He followed that with two young adult novels. His popular Ray Courage Mystery Series includes Courage Begins, Courage Matters, and Courage Resurrected. The fourth book in the series, Courage Lies Beneath, is scheduled for release later in 2015. 

Scott's career arc has included stints as a corporate communications manager, college professor, copywriter, bartender, and youth sports coach.

Welcome, Scott. Please tell us about your current release.

Courage Resurrected takes place a few months after the events in Courage Matters, the first book in the series. In Courage Resurrected, Ray Courage’s wife Pam died thirteen years before in a car accident. Or did she? Ray’s world is turned upside down when he receives a series of e-mails from someone claiming to be his dead wife, accusing him of attempting to kill her and vowing revenge. Ray sets out to find the identity of the e-mailer only to discover the circumstances of his wife’s apparent death appear to be all but accidental. Soon Police Detective Carla Thurber comes to suspect Ray of killing his wife, and of a subsequent murder of Pam’s confidant. Meanwhile, a murderous predator who does not want the facts of Pam’s death to surface aims to stop Ray. In the greatest challenge of his life, Ray must outrun the police and elude those who are out to kill him as he seeks the truth about his wife’s death.

What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to continue the Ray Courage series in a way that would do justice to highly acclaimed first book. To do that I wanted to develop with plot elements and twists even more engaging and surprising than in Courage Matters. Though the first book moves briskly, Courage Resurrected races at a breakneck pace.

Excerpt from Courage Resurrected:

A much-needed rain began to fall, the heavy drops plinking the top of my car as I approached it from the IML office. It hadn’t rained this hard in a couple of years. Many of us in California wondered if the three-year drought had become the new normal, one of the consequences of global warming. Watching it through the window of my car made me feel good, as if the drought might be one less thing I’d have to worry about. My mind had already shifted from the e-mail to what to have for dinner when my cell phone vibrated again.

The muscles in my test tightened when I saw the message came from Pam1111. I opened it.

The body of the e-mail was blank, the message contained only an attachment. I debated the wisdom of opening the PDF labeled only “article,” but my curiosity overcame my fear of infecting my phone with a virus. The Sacramento Bee article from thirteen years before recounted the fiery car accident that had killed my wife Pam. At the bottom of the article someone had scrawled in ink:

Nice try, Ray.

Pam

My giddiness about the rain suddenly evaporated.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Well, along with Courage Resurrected, I also released Courage Begins: A Ray Courage Mystery Novella in April. If it isn’t already Courage Begins will be Permafree on Amazon and other online retailers. So if your readers want to see if my books are for them, that’s an easy and inexpensive way to go. Book four in the Ray Courage series is due out this fall. And I’m at work on the fifth book this summer. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that the Ray Courage No-Nonsense Cookbook, featuring recipes from meals featured in my books is also available.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I first started getting paid for my writing back when I was a sportswriter for the college newspaper and then the college town newspaper. After that I became a corporate communications writer and wrote my books on the side. Now, my books are the sole focus of my writing.

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 write about four hours a day. I do have a day gig in higher education. I write for two hours in the morning before work and two hours afterwards.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Maybe that I write standing up. I used to sit on an exercise ball. But a few months ago I bought a desk desk whose height can be adjusted by an electric motor. So now I stand while I write. It’s easier on my back.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Center fielder for the San Francisco Giants. That didn’t work out so well. I couldn’t hit the curveball and my baseball career petered out in college.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Thank you for all your great feedback on my work. I really do like engaging with my readers or potential readers and respond to every e-mail I receive. If anyone wants to contact me, please do so at scott@rscottmackey.com.

Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook 

Thanks, Scott!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with writer and debut thriller novelist Jeffrey Hunter McQuain

I’m wrapping up the week with an interview with nonfiction writer and now thriller novelist Jeffrey Hunter McQuain, with a focus on his debut novel in the Christopher Klewe series,The Shakespeare Conspiracy.

Bio:

Jeffrey Hunter McQuain, who holds a Doctorate in Literary Studies from American University, is co-author of several popular books, including Coined by Shakespeare and The Bard on the Brain. For more than a dozen years, he served as the researcher for William Safire’s “On Language” column in The New York Times. A poet and dramatist, he has also taught college courses in Shakespeare and occasionally performed in the Bard’s plays. His first novel, The Shakespeare Conspiracy, is based on his nonfiction book Ebony Swan: The Case for Shakespeare’s Race.

Dr. McQuain lives in Maryland and is currently adapting Ebony Swan as a stage play.

Welcome, Jeffrey. Please tell us about your current release.

I'm very excited about The Shakespeare Conspiracy. It's my first novel, a thriller based on the Bard's racial background. The main character is Professor Christopher Klewe. He is a Virginia expert on Shakespeare, whose best friend has been murdered in D.C. by a secret society. Joined by a female reporter, Chris, Klewe has only three days to outrun killers on two continents and reveal the biggest conspiracy in literary history. Much in the style of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, my novel uses the fast pacing of short chapters and cliffhangers to move the plot along and to allow readers a whole new way to see Shakespeare.

What inspired you to write this book?

As strange as it sounds, this novel was inspired by a dream. I was researching my latest nonfiction book, Ebony Swan: The Case for Shakespeare's Race, when I had a nightmare about being chased through a library. I had recently read Da Vinci Code and thoroughly enjoyed Brown's work. As a result, I decided to try my own hand at a thriller.

Excerpt from The Shakespeare Conspiracy:

Chapter One

Washington, D.C., late October

“WE ALL MAKE his praise …”

Mason Everly, coughing up blood, could not hear the words spoken behind him. With a long blade still firmly embedded in his back, the retired scholar stumbled down the Opera House steps into the main hallway of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He stopped there in the Grand Foyer, one of the world’s largest rooms, and felt the killer’s hand brace against him to extract the deep-thrust dagger.

Staggering forward, Everly released his grip on a briefcase, which dropped noiselessly onto the plush red carpet suffusing Kennedy Center. He lurched across the enormous hallway, awkwardly embracing the stone pedestal beneath a giant bronze bust of John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s face.

The gray-haired professor of Renaissance history glanced wildly about, but there was no one near him in the 600-foot corridor of marble walls and crystal chandeliers. It was Halloween, and a drizzly October afternoon in the District of Columbia meant fewer tourists in the Center than normal. Minutes earlier, Everly deliberately lagged behind a walking tour of the memorial. He had made his way unobserved inside the

empty Opera House. When he emerged from the theater a moment later, the dagger entered his back, tearing through the flesh, and he slumped forward, dizzied with pain.

Desperate to regain his balance, Everly clung to the base of the assassinated President’s sculpture. He pinched the gold stud in his left earlobe to concentrate on what needed to be done. Then he shoved himself away from the pedestal, lunging toward a set of tall glass doors leading out to a marble terrace and the Potomac River beyond.

Mere steps behind him, the hooded killer taunted him, repeating a mantra obscured by a mask. “We all … make his praise.”

Anguished by the effort, Everly inched open the nearest exit to find himself outside Kennedy Center in a steady afternoon rain. He pressed his face against the cool glass of the door as pellets of water cascaded into a shallow puddle at his feet. Realizing his left hand still clutched the London Fog coat he’d worn into Washington that morning, he knew what he had to do.

Everly carefully unfolded the coat onto the walkway. With his head spinning, he pushed wet strands of gray hair out of his eyes and knelt achingly down. His hand refused to work at first, but he reached slowly back to his wound and then outstretched his trembling fingers to mark the glass door in front of him. Then he

waited.

From close by him came the gentle whisk of another door being opened, and all too soon he heard the words one last time.

“We all make his praise.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

For the next novel in the Christopher Klewe series, I'm working on a prequel to The Shakespeare Conspiracy. It will tell how Klewe was originally caught up in solving 9 Shakespeare mysteries as he tracks a serial killer who leaves behind clues from the Bard's plays. This second novel takes place in and around Williamsburg, Virginia, where Klewe teaches at William and Mary College. The next book will be titled The Shakespeare Trap and should be ready later this year. (Also, I'm completing a stage version of Ebony Swan, the nonfiction book behind The Shakespeare Conspiracy, to be staged next year.)

When did you first consider yourself a writer?I always wanted to be a writer, but I suppose I became serious about it as a journalism student in high school.My very first interview was with the Broadway actress Julie Harris, a delightful person who made the whole experience less intimidating than I'd expected. Then I started college as a journalism major but switched to an English major after I discovered the plays of Shakespeare

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 do write full-time, but I have no typical writing day. I'm on the road most of the time, so I've learned to write at any time of day and in any environment. At first it can be daunting, but you teach yourself to concentrate and avoid the distractions. Also, I doubt that I'd ever 'find' the time to write, I force myself to 'make' the time to write.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I mentioned the dream behind The Shakespeare Conspiracy. My writing quirk, probably from my journalism training, is never to be without pen and paper. At night I keep supplies near my bed in case inspiration strikes and I'll jot down an idea in the dark. Of course, I can't tell you how long I've sometimes spent in deciphering those midnight hieroglyphics.

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

Even as a child, I loved words, especially long ones. I probably startled some adults when I announced at age four that I planned to be 'a mathematician,' I'm no longer as fond of numbers, but still love words.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

When I'm asked about my years as a New York Times language researcher, I tell people about my job interview with William Safire. (I may be the only person in history who was ever hired for knowing the difference between 'who' and 'whom.') I put those years of experience as a researcher to work in The Shakespeare Conspiracy. As a lifelong fan of mystery writers, from Agatha Christie to Martha Grimes, I hope readers will get as much pleasure from reading my novel as I enjoyed writing it.

Thanks, Jeffrey!

Interview with sci-fi author Tegon Maus

Today’s special interviewee is Tegon Maus. He’s here to chat about his new soft sci-fi novel, Bob.

During his virtual book tour, Tegon will be awarding a $25 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 his other tour stops and enter there, too!

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

I was raised pretty much the same as everyone else... devoted mother, strict father and all the imaginary friends I could conjure. Not that I wasn't friendly, I just wasn't "people orientated". Maybe I lived in my head way more than I should have, maybe not. I liked machines more than people, at least I did until I met my wife.

The first thing I can remember writing was for her. For the life of me I can't remember what it was about... something about dust bunnies under the bed and monsters in my closet. It must have been pretty good because she married me shortly after that. I spent a good number of years after inventing games and prototypes for a variety of ideas before I got back to writing.

It wasn't a deliberate conscious thought it was more of a stepping stone. My wife and I had joined a dream interpret group and we were encouraged to write down our dreams as they occurred. "Be as detailed as you can," we were told.

I was thrilled. If there is one thing I enjoy it's making people believe me and I like to exaggerate. Not a big exaggeration or an outright lie mine you, just a little step out of sync, just enough so you couldn't be sure if it were true or not. When I write, I always write with the effort of "it could happen" very much in mind and nothing, I guarantee you, nothing, makes me happier.

Please tell us about your current release, Bob.

Veteran newspaper man, Peter Anderson’s career is slipping away. When he's sent to do a fluff piece about lights in the Arizona night sky, he discovers far more than he ever expected. His investigation leaves him with more questions than answers. The only thing he knows for certain, the only thing he can count on are the two words offered repeatedly by Bob, his friend and guide . . . “IS BELT.”

What inspired you to write this book?

The lights in the night sky over Arizona. When the governor came out at the news conference with the guy in a costume it pissed me off.

Excerpt from Bob:

I blinked in disbelief, too stunned to speak.

Standing in front of me, dressed in black jeans, a dark blue tee shirt with a picture of Bob Marley and a backward baseball cap was a small, no more than 5' 2", twenty something, black man.

"Hi. I'm Pete," I said, offering my hand.

"Ahh, is sad story. Bob's cousin not speak English," Bob said pushing my hand away.

"Awhhh," the little man breathed hoarsely, turning away, his arms swung loosely in response.

"Bob, he just said dude to me when he came in," I said, pointing an insistent finger at the little man.

"He tries, broken English not so good. Is Fred," he answered, spinning his hand playfully in the air, pointing, draping a large, affectionate arm over the man's shoulder.

"Fred... your Russian cousin?"

"Da," he answered simply without blinking.

"Bob... he just spoke to me and it wasn't Russian," I protested.

"Ahh, Bob's friend generous, not make Bob's cousin self-conscious. You good man, but Fred speaks no English," he argued, folding his arms.

"Ahhh, damn it, Bob. You promised me... you said I could talk this time. Shit man," Fred cursed in a raspy whisper, stomping his foot, turning away.

"Nyet, nyet," Bob scolded, grabbing Fred. He began to speak Russian, shaking his finger in the other man's face.

Fred's shoulders slumped. His head swung loosely from side to side, avoiding Bob's gaze.

"Da," he said dully, turning in my direction once more.

"His English not so good," Bob added, wiggling his hands dismissively.

"Sounded damn good to me," I said honestly.

"Bob understands. Bob's friend speak Spanish?" he asked with a little annoyance in his voice, threading his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Nope. Can't say as I do," I answered, folding my arms.

"How you say... no speak Spanish?" he asked, folding his arms as well.

"No habla Hispano."

"AAAHHH, to Bob, Bob's friend sound like native. Bob thought he smelled burritos, heard waves on beach. Very impressed. Bob's friend has gift for language. Sure not speak Spanish?"

"Fred," I said flatly, stepping directly in front of the little man. "Do you speak English?"

"Da. Fred speak no English," he responded dully, tilting his head from side to side, his arms hung slack, swinging loosely as he spoke.

"Very sad, like Bob say. Fred's parents live too close to nuclear plant. Sure, sure, rent very cheap but Fred... no brain for English," Bob said, closing his eyes, shaking his head in a pretentious, melancholy way.

"Bob," I started.

"Very late. No time for Fred's story. Bob's friend want to see house tonight or no?" he asked, pushing himself to stand between me and Fred.

"Alright, have it your way. Let's go," I demanded now irritated, angrily grabbing my coat off the back of the chair.

"Nyet, nyet. Bob's friend almost forget," he said, turning his back quickly, wriggling his fingers.

"Dear God. Money? Now?" I said, throwing my coat across the back of the chair again.

"Business before pleasure... makes good fences."

"The saying is, 'good fences make good neighbors' not..."

"Bob's friend knows what Bob say. Not want money to be sticky bug between us."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. How much this time?" I asked aggravated, removing my wallet.

"Bob not know about such things. Must speak with cousin," he said, wrapping a huge arm around the tiny man, pulling him to the other side of the room.

"Bob, you gave me your word," Fred whispered forcefully, sending a pointed finger into Bob's chest.

"Fred say, must think about it. Fred likes Bob's friend Peter, wants give good price," he said, smiling in my direction and then began to speak rapidly in Russian.

"Damn it, Bob. You promised me," Fred whispered disappointedly.

"Fred say, four hundred dollars," Bob said, holding up four fingers of his right hand, all the while maintaining his grip on Fred's shoulder.

"Three hundred," I countered, folding my arms, returning my wallet to my hip pocket.

"Oooh, Bob's friend breaks Bob's feelings. Bob's friend would steal bread from Fred very mouth?"

"It's not in Fred's mouth just yet... three hundred," I insisted.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Service before Self.

Toby Grant has landed his dream job as a service tech for Handy Dandy Services. Things don’t go well from day one, when he's teamed up with Ryan Burnell, a twenty year veteran of the company. Toby quickly learns the hardships of being Ryan’s partner, and finds himself in one uncomfortable situation after another. Toby learns the true meaning of the company’s motto—“Service Before Self.”

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

After my first book The Littlefield Chronicles was published. I panicked because I didn’t have another to follow it up.

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’m an REO contractor… I write nights and weekends. Actually I write in my head during the day and then put it down on paper at night.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Writing quirk?? I can’t imagine such a thing… I do like to have a box of Fig Newtons on hand for inspiration… does that count ??

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

I’ve always wanted to build robots, androids… as time went by I switched to building parts for amputees.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Please feel free to send me a note about any of my books! You can reach me at Tegon.maus@Verizon.net.

Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Tirgearr Publishing

Thanks, Tegon! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway