Today we are pleased to have visit with us Kiki Howell, author of What are you afraid of?
Rhodes Review: What inspired you to write What are you afraid of?
Kiki Howell: Actually, it was a lot of little things that came together from the need to write a book dealing with kids fears (having been a fearful child myself), to research my husband was doing finding a link between creativity and compassion (knowing we often damage the creative mind when dealing with fears), to noticing my hundred pound dog was afraid of children in costumes…it just all came together finally to form my story.
Rhodes Review:When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Kiki Howell:Not sure really, but I was really young. I realized early on that when I didn’t like a story that I re-wrote it in my head the way I wanted it to go. LOL
Rhodes Review:How did you start writing?
Kiki Howell:I have written since I could put pen to paper really, but off and on as life allowed.
Rhodes Review:What would your ideal career be, if you couldn’t be a writer?
Kiki Howell:Hmmm, not sure really. I have often joked about not knowing what I want to be when I grow up. I have a degree to teach Secondary English Education, but can’t imagine going back into a classroom now. I am crafty and I love helping others, but not sure what career would let me do both!
Rhodes Review:How long does it take you to write a book?
Kiki Howell:A few months usually at novel length, but only because I become obsessed until it is done
Rhodes Review:What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Kiki Howell:I write from the time my kids get on the bus till the time they get off the bus, roughly seven to three each day. I always say I am going to take an hour to exercise, but often write right through it
Rhodes Review:What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Kiki Howell:I spend way too much time staring at a sentence sometimes just playing with the words until I think they fall together just right.
Rhodes Review:What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Kiki Howell:Spend time with my family, knitting, drawing, etc.
Rhodes Review:What are your favorite authors/books?
Kiki Howell:Wow, couldn’t possibly say. I read in as many, if not more genres than I write in *giggles*
Rhodes Review:If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Kiki Howell:Jane Austen. Preferably, I would like to go back in a time machine and have that meal in Regency England as well!
Rhodes Review:Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Kiki Howell:Only to stay true to your story. Don’t question it. Don’t write it wondering what others will think.
Today we’re pleased to have Natasha Deen appear on our pages. Ms. Deen is author of True Grime, a comedic fantasy mystery.
Rhodes Review: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Natasha Deen: In university, after trying to read a poli-sci article where the first sentence (I’m so not kidding you) was half-a-page. I realized as much fun as it was reading about animal experiments, Freudian theory, city bylaws, and the importance of the “sliding slope,” I really needed to do something else with my life…
Rhodes Review: How long does it take you to write a book?
Natasha Deen: I try to write a book in three months, but the editing takes another six—sometimes longer.
Rhodes Review: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Natasha Deen: I wake up anywhere from 5 or 6 in the morning, and stumble into the study, cup of tea in hand. Check emails, look at last night’s writing and wonder what made me think the pages were any good.
Keep writing.
Have breakfast. Try not to look at the pages I’ve just written.
Keep writing.
Have second breakfast—try to convince pets that they’ve already eaten and it’s not fair to come after my food.
Check emails. Give into urge to re-read pages. Weep at how horrendous it all is. Email writing friends. Ask them what made me think I could do this.
Have snack.
Get emails from writing friends threatening me with horrible fate if I stop working on my manuscript.
Keep writing.
Have lunch. Take a break.
Keep writing. Realize it’s not going well at all. Email writing friends. Resist urge to burn pages.
Have snack.
Feel despondent.
Have another snack.
Get emails back. They’re going to take my chocolate if I don’t reach my day’s goal.
Keep writing.
Wonder what made me think I could do this. Check job sites to see if MacDonald’s is hiring.
Get emails from friends. They’re on to the MacDonald’s plan and threaten to take away my Columbo DVDs if I stop writing.
Keep writing.
Eat enough chocolate to induce diabetic coma.
Wait for husband to come home and make dinner. Keep writing.
Husband comes home.
Shut down computer for the night. Tell husband about trials of the day. Let him convince me that tomorrow, the pages will be better, and I really can write this book…
(I’m exaggerating, of course. I never shut down my computer.).
Rhodes Review: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Natasha Deen: My inability to work unless there’s a cup of tea and mounds of chocolate/chips/popcorn surrounding me, and having to have at least one of my four pets (two dogs, two cats) in the study with me.
Rhodes Review: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Natasha Deen: I’ve gotten a lot of great advice, but during my numerous conversations with Agatha Christie and Calvin Coolidge, I got the most lasting advice. (Doesn’t matter that they’re dead. Here’s a piece of advice for you, the dead give the best advice. Honest). And of course, it’s always best to hear it from the advice givers, themselves, so Agatha, why don’t I hold your cup of tea and you go ahead and tell them what you told me.
Agatha: Oh, yes, thank you. I said that there was a moment when I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of a profession, which is to write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you’re writing, and aren’t writing particularly well.
Thank you. Here’s your tea. Calvin, dear heart, do you remember what you told me?
Calvin: Yes. Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Brilliant. With wisdom like that, is it any wonder that I talk to them all the time?
Rhodes Review: What inspired you to write True Grime?
Natasha Deen: The answer is simple but multi-faceted: I wrote the book because the BP Oil scandal made me wonder if we’d ever stop destroying the environment. I wrote it because I remembered the Exon Valdez oil spill and realized that we were getting better at dealing with global catastrophes. And I wrote it because I work in the schools and I had something to say about bullying, and I wanted to talk of the things we tell kids (and ourselves) about what it means to be a boy or a girl.
Rhodes Review: How did you start writing?
Natasha Deen: Honestly, I took a breath, opened a Word file and just started typing.
Rhodes Review: What are some of your favorite authors/books?
Natasha Deen: Ohh, too many to mention, but Dean Koontz always tops the list because 1) he can make me laugh at the same time he’s scaring the pants off me (2) I love his ability to describe.
Rhodes Review: What was the hardest part to write in True Grime?
Natasha Deen: Ha ha. No word of a lie: every part in between the covers. From the description to the plot to the characters, there were a lot of sleepless nights and very long days.
Rhodes Review: How did you come up with the decision to make Pepper an amputee?
Natasha Deen: Because I didn’t see a lot of stories featuring amputees…also, from a metaphorical point, I like the fact that she’s missing part of her…for most of us, we’ve had our psychic explosions that have robbed us of a piece of ourselves…I liked that Pepper continued on despite the injury because it gave me inspiration to continue on, too.
Rhodes Review: The book seems to look at some of the worst aspects of humanity. Did you draw this from your own life?
Natasha Deen: Yes—I was bullied in junior high and the incident with Aponi and Malcolm was a diluted version of what transpired between a girl and one of the bullies in my school…bullying is such a big topic right now, and I wanted to say to the kids who’re going through it, “Me too. I had the same experience, but there’s light on the other side of that very long, very dark tunnel.”
Even though the story deals with heavy topics, I really wanted a message of hope and joy—that yes, things are terrible, but every day, we have a chance to become the people we really want to be.
Once again we’d like to thank Ms. Deen for taking the time to talk with us.
Today we are pleased to have with us Alicia Arnold author of Creatively Ever After.
Rhodes Review: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Alicia: I’ve enjoyed writing since I was a teenager, however, I didn’t consider becoming a writer until decades later. In 2007, I took a writing course where I was able to hone my writing skills and find my voice as an author. This course launched the concept for Creatively Ever After.
Rhodes Review: How did you start writing?
Alicia: My writing process started with identifying the problem, then creating a how-to book to answer the needs of business leaders and providing a solution to the creativity crisis.
Rhodes Review: How long does it take you to write a book?
Alicia: Creatively Ever After took 4 years to write. I was working on a number of ideas simultaneously, but just couldn’t get the idea of writing a book on creative problem solving out of my head.
Rhodes Review: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Alicia: I work best in the morning and late at night. Writing the book consisted of waking up hours before my two boys stirred and getting a couple of pages done at a time. As ideas came to me, I kept notes on whatever scraps of paper I could find and would then spend weekends, early mornings, and nights synthesizing the ideas into the plot. My schedule became a bit frenetic with the demands of a full time job and kids on top of writing. I found it best not to add extra pressure by creating a strict writing schedule. Instead, I wrote when the mood struck me. When I hit a wall with writing, I put the manuscript aside for a little while. What I found was that I had to fall in love with writing the book over and over again. Reading and re-reading early chapters kept me going. And, soon I became curious about how the tale would end. Once I hit this point, everything fell into place.
Rhodes Review: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Alicia: When I hit particularly challenging points in writing the book, I would think about them just before going to bed and allow my subconscious to work out the details. This is how I wrote many of my best works while in college. Dreaming can be a wonderful tool.
Rhodes Review: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Alicia: It is important to find a topic you are passionate about. Writing can be a marathon rather than a sprint. By writing about a topic you love, you’ll improve your chances for following through. I feel the topic is more important than the mechanics of writing as there are lots and lots of great editors to help with mechanics.
Rhodes Review: What inspired you to write Creatively Ever After?
Alicia: There were two inspirations for writing Creatively Ever After. The first inspiration was all of the dialogue about the need for creativity and innovation in business. There were many research reports and studies, including work by IBM (http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/31670.wss), citing creativity as the number one leadership competency for the future. The second inspiration was research and reports citing the decline of creativity. Newsweek’s cover article on the “creativity crisis” (http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/07/10/the-creativity-crisis.html) helped shine a light on this issue. Knowing there was empirical evidence supporting creativity is learnable, I set out to help answer the call for creativity in business by writing a how-to book that would teach specific creativity skills, tools and techniques.
Over 50 years of research proved that creativity can be learned. When auditing all the reading materials around the topic of creativity, two things came to light. One, most of the material was academic in nature and challenging to read. The second was the material was not always well researched. Given these two dynamics, I decided to write an educational, yet entertaining book teaching based on the well documented and proven tools and techniques of creative problem solving.
Rhodes Review: Using Jack and Jill was a very interesting way to teach the process, how did you come up with this?
Alicia: Creatively Ever After is a business fable.In designing the fable format, I recalled vivid memories of Sesame Street and how I learned the alphabet through storytelling, song, and engaging techniques that seemed too fun to be called learning. When I teach creativity, I leverage these “edutainment” tools by teaching creativity through nursery rhymes. I’ve found even the toughest c-suite executives were able to let down their guard and open their minds to creativity when using this format. So, when thinking about how to combine the potential dryness of fact with the enjoyment of fiction, I landed on the business fable. Using the fictitious storyline of Jack and Jill to demonstrate the nonfiction creative problem solving process helped illustrate how the creative process can be used to solve challenges many think are not solvable. I chose Jack and Jill because it is a highly recognizable nursery rhyme and one that we’ve been trained to believe is unsolvable. Using the steps of the creative problem solving process I walk through how Jack and Jill – Define their Goal, Gather Data, Clarify the Problem, Generate Ideas, Develop Solutions and Plan for Action. As readers go through each of the chapters, Jack and Jill’s challenge with the hill becomes a metaphor for how readers can use creative problem solving to tackle their own challenges. Each chapter ends with content rich sidebars to recap learning and pose questions to help readers work through each of the steps of creative problem solving.
Rhodes Review: What are some of your favorite authors/books?
Alicia: My favorite books include A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Secret Garden, and Orbiting the Giant Hairball. I love the perspective of human nature of these three books provide.
Rhodes Review: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Alicia: I wish I could have dinner with Steve Jobs. There are lots and lots of people with great ideas. But, Steve Jobs was able to build a culture of creativity and innovation that broke through corporate culture and the barriers that stand in the way when introducing something new. Jobs’ vision and ability to execute were inspiring.
We’d like to thank Alicia once again for joining us here and taking time to answer our questions.
Today we are pleased to have with us Robert Louis Smith, author of the fantasy novel Antiquitas.
About the Author
Robert Louis Smith, author of Antiquitas Lost: The Last of the Shamalans, has numerous degrees, including psychology (B.A.), applied microbiology (B.S.), anaerobic microbiology (M.Sc.), and a Medical Doctorate (M.D.). He serves as an interventional cardiologist at the Oklahoma Heart Institute. He is married and the father of two young children. He began writing Antiquitas Lost in 2003 while studying at Tulane University in New Orleans.
Rhodes Review: How did you get interested in writing?
Robert Louis Smith: I have been interested in creative writing from a very young age. Unlike most physicians, I have always been somewhat of a “left brain” person, and my favorite courses in high school and college were English and the language arts rather than science. As long as I can remember, I have aspired to write a novel that could be appreciated by others. Aside from this, my decision to sit down and start writing was really motivated by two different circumstances. On the one hand, there are authors out there (Hemingway and Dickens come to mind) who write so beautifully that I can’t help but marvel at their skill for the craft. When reading these authors, I find myself wishing I could find it within me to write something as powerful, or beautiful as they have done – scenes that tells us something meaningful or thought-provoking about the human condition. This is akin to a painter looking at the works of Michelangelo or Da Vinci and wishing he could create something as wonderful. On the other hand, I have consumed countless books over the years, many of them bestsellers, where I have reached the end and thought: I could do better than that! In addition to these very different motivations, I also find writing to be a wonderful escape from the stresses of daily life.
Rhodes Review: What are some of your favorite books/authors.
Robert Louis Smith: I love many different books and many different authors. Most of my reading-for-fun involves popular authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice, Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, or JK Rowling (to name but a few). I suppose my favorite book is Stephen King’s The Stand, which I first read as a teenager. Other childhood favorites include the Tolkien books, the Narnia books, and as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter series. But I like to read just about any good story, and I can get caught up in anything. For example, in researching how horses behave for scenes in Antiquitas Lost, I read Lonesome Dove. I had never read a western in my life, and would have told you I had no interest in the genre, but I simply couldn’t put it down, and was sad when I reached the end.
Rhodes Review: Which of your characters is most/least like you, and in what way(s)?
Robert Louis Smith: It is inevitable that each of the characters have at least some things in common with their creator. After all, each of their voices in the end comes from the writer. Antiquitas Lost is an epic fantasy novel, and many of the characters fill roles that are ultimately related to the “Hero’s Journey” plot structure. I wrote the novel in a fashion meant to be somewhat consistent with this type of plot, so really none of the characters are autobiographical. That said, the protagonist, Elliott, has a mindset that is cynical in many ways, and this is something he inherited from me. Also, I really like the character Hooks, who is a big beastly creature that serves in the role of protector. He has a big heart, is childlike at times, and is also quite resourceful. I suppose I relate to him the most (despite the fact that he isn’t human!).
Rhodes Review: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?
Robert Louis Smith: There are several Antiquitas Lost characters I would like to have dinner with. For starters, I will pick Waldemariam. He is the chancellor of the politically powerful Grayfarer Council, and he is a mysterious character with a hidden past. In addition to being 8 feet tall, winged, and wolfish in countenance, he is also a complete badass. I would love to see what he looks like in person and hear some of the battle tales he has to tell. I would also like to hear more about his birthplace and upbringing on the far side of Pangrelor, as it is surely much different than anything introduced in Antiquitas Lost. I would also be interested in having a conversation with Slipher. This character intrigues me because he is a member of the remorselessly violent serpan culture, yet somehow he seems like not such a bad guy. Throughout the book, I kept thinking that there was a good soul in there somewhere, and that he was reformable, if only he would let down his guard and trust.
Rhodes Review: What would your ideal career be, if you couldn’t be an author?
Robert Louis Smith: This is an interesting question, as I have chosen a “day job” that is well suited to me, but quite different from writing. Most of my hours are spent as an interventional cardiologist performing medical procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab. For a variety of reasons, this is an extremely rewarding career, and one that required many years of study and preparation. But medicine can be quite stressful, and the hours are often long and hard. Over the years, I have frequently joked that my cardiology career is “plan B”, just in case I can’t make it as a writer. It seems to me that a full time writing career is something reserved for the few, as it is difficult for most to financially support a lifelong career in a rewarding fashion. For those who have found long term personal financial stability writing, in many ways, I would say they have the ideal career.
Rhodes Review: If you were to do your career as an author again, what would you do differently, and why?
Robert Louis Smith: Aside from the constant desire to become a better writer, I’m not sure I would have done many things differently. Anyone who sits down earnestly to put pen to paper hopes to write something great. But writing is something that takes practice, and it is only with repeated effort that we can learn how to take those wonderful visions in our minds eye and transcribe them in a way that will be meaningful to others. All the preparation in the world cannot supersede the importance and value of honing your technical skills by simply sitting down and writing.
Rhodes Review: How long does it take you to write a book?
Robert Louis Smith: If I had nothing to do but write, I suspect I could complete a novel in perhaps six or eight months. I am lucky in that I never seem to develop writer’s block (not yet, anyway). The thing that really holds me back is the fact that I have a busy, full-time career in medicine, so my writing time is limited. I do the majority of writing in the late-night hours, usually from 10pm to about midnight, and I am often quite tired this late in the day. Even so, if I have a long, uninterrupted stretch of nights, I can get quite a lot done. Antiquitas Lost was written in fits and starts over many years, and I often had to stop writing for months at a time in order to prepare for board exams, after the births of my children, or when preparing a project for work, etc. I have often wondered what I could accomplish if I had unlimited time to focus on writing, and could do it at times when I was more refreshed.
Rhodes Review: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Robert Louis Smith: I mention below that it is important to be disciplined about writing. This is a critical point. When I am working on a writing project, I plan a minimum of 2 hours daily (usually from 10pm to midnight) and I really make myself stick to this schedule. Often, I get going and work beyond the two hour limit, but writing is like studying. You have to sit down and make yourself do it if you want to achieve anything. Of course, if I didn’t have a “day job”, I would probably devote much more than two hours per day.
Rhodes Review: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Robert Louis Smith: In life, I talk too much. In writing, I write too much, which is to say I tend to include a lot of unnecessary verbage. In both settings, there is value in discovering the economy of language.
Rhodes Review: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
Robert Louis Smith: I absolutely read my reviews and pay attention to them. How could you not? It is true that we shouldn’t let negative reviews discourage us from doing what we love, and that some reviewers, for whatever reason, offer unfair assessments. But on the whole, I find that professional reviewers do a good job at picking apart the strengths and weaknesses of my work, and I’m sure this influences me on some level.
Rhodes Review: Do you have any suggestions to help my readers become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Robert Louis Smith: Write every day. Be disciplined about it, even if you think what you’re writing isn’t any good. It is only through experience that you learn what works and what doesn’t. Like any skill in life, practice makes perfect (and only God gets it right the first time).
Rhodes Review: Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Robert Louis Smith: Since my debut novel is not yet released, I don’t have many readers to hear from just yet. But something interesting has happened with Antiquitas Lost. In late July, 2011, we put up a facebook page, which now has about 14,000 followers. In mid August, we put up a website, which has already been visited by web-surfers from 50 different countries spanning every continent except Antarctica. I have no idea how all of this has come about, but I have great fun perusing the online profiles of the Antiquitas Lost followers, and reading the comments they post. Most say they are excited about the release, or wonder if the book is going to be any good (Kirkus says it will be, by the way). Others comment of the remarkable quality of Geof Isherwood’s illustrations (they are fantastic). But the main thing I think of when I see the wide variety of people who show interest in the book is that these people were my target audience – the ones who I wrote the book for – and I hope they enjoy the ride as much as I have.
Rhodes Review: Which question are you most sick of answering in interviews?
Robert Louis Smith: Well, I’m new enough that I’m not sick of answering anything just yet. In fact, I’m glad somebody cares enough to ask, so thanks for the opportunity!
We’d like to thank Mr. Smith for taking the time to talk to us here, and you can read our review of his novel at: here
Today we are pleased to post an Interview with Stuart Gustafson.
About the Author
Author and million-mile flier Stuart Gustafson is really enjoying life now that he’s retired from the corporate world. As America’s International Travel Expert®, he travels to exciting places around the world, and he’s begun writing fictional mystery novels set in some of those places. The crashing waves in the photo above are from one of his favorite spots — Los Cabos, Mexico — the primary setting for his debut mystery novel Missing in Mexico. His second novel is set completely in Sydney, Australia, and the book introduces a new character who becomes a fixture in future books.
Stuart and his wife Darlene have been married for thirty-seven years, they have one daughter and one son, and they live in Boise, Idaho. Stuart’s 94-year-old mother lives close by. Darlene likes to garden and grow vegetables, so they prefer to do most of their traveling in the winter months when the sprinklers are turned off, the lawn mower is covered, and all the garden implements are put away for the season.
1. Which mystery writers do you feel have inspired your work?
I had never really thought about that before, but now that you ask, I can think of two in particular: Tom Clancy and John Grisham. My brother was working at the Pentagon and one year for Christmas he sent me a book that was inscribed by the author, “To Stuart Gustafson with Best Wishes, Tom Clancy.” That book is Hunt for Red October. The book was fast-paced, and after reading it, I told my wife, “That would make a good movie.” (You think?) I would then buy his next novels the first day they were available and read them page after page. I liked the character progression and the way several sub-plots were kept moving at the same time. Yes, I still have that autographed copy in my collection.
What I liked about John Grisham’s novels was that he was able to write a story about “the little guy,” set it in a no-name location, and make it the most compelling story you could read. The setting wasn’t critical, although it played into the story, but it could have been set anywhere – small town, large town, any town USA, it didn’t matter. Even though his novels were about the legal system, each one was different, each one was gripping in its own way, and I enjoyed taking each one with me on the plane as I was always traveling from one place to another. But John Grisham was always traveling with me.
2. What part of the writing process do you struggle the most with?
Time – don’t we all wish we had more of it? I’m constantly working on multiple projects at any given time, and so the actual amount that I’m able to focus on mystery writing always seems to get diluted. Plus, mystery writing is not the same as other forms of literary and other activities where you can just pick up where you last left them. You just can’t say, “Oh, I have forty-five minutes that I can sit down at the computer and write.” No, or at least it doesn’t work that way for me. I need the time to read the synopses of all the chapters, then read everything I’ve written so far for the book, then read the synopsis of the next chapter, and finally I’m ready to start writing. So depending on where I am in the novel, that could take up to an hour just to get ready to start writing.
3. What is the highest honor you could receive for one of your books?
Wow, that’s something I don’t typically think about, getting an honor for my books. I write my books for the readers and for their enjoyment. But as I think about an “honor,” I do recall a non-fiction book I wrote that did strike a particular cord with one reader; he contacted me and asked me to personalize a full case of books for his family and friends and send that case to him so he could hand them out at a reunion. Now that’s an honor when someone finds a message in your book and wants to buy that book for dozens of his friends and family. That definitely touched me; that’s an honor.
4. If you could collaborate on a book with anyone, who would it be?
That silver quill of a question certainly has plenty of barbs that can please or sting, depending on which way they’re rubbed. If you asked my accountant, the answer might include someone who’s typically on the Top Ten Lists, someone who sells lots of books, makes money from video rights, someone who knows how to completely market whatever product or service he or she is currently promoting. I’m sure that my banker would also like that choice.
I mean no disrespect to that person, but I think the most fun collaboration would be with someone who would challenge me intellectually. William F. Buckley, Jr., comes to mind; of course, he’s no longer alive. Can you imagine what it would be like working on a manuscript with someone possessing a vocabulary like that? What a challenge that would be. Yes, but what fun it would also be.
Alas, and although Mr. Buckley’s not around, I’d still love to work with someone who’s willing to challenge me and take me to some new places in the literary world. I know that author is out there (or maybe it’s a group of authors who are out there). Go ahead, you’re out there – contact me at stuart@stuartgustafson.com.
5. What is the one thing you hope your readers take away from Missing in Mexico?
I’m going to beg for indulgence and sneak two in. The first is what every writer wants – that the readers truly think the story is an entertaining story. The second one is that the readers feel that San José del Cabo, Mexico, is a warm and enchanting place where they would feel welcome, and a place to put on their “Let’s go visit there in the next couple of years” list. We go there every year for several reasons: it’s convenient to get to from Boise, Idaho; the beaches are nice; the people are very nice; the food is great; the culture is charming; it is THE SAFEST PLACE to visit in Mexico. That’s not a plug from the Tourism Bureau – it is a fact that I can easily explain if people want to contact me privately. We love it there, which is one of the reasons I chose it as the primary setting for my debut mystery novel.
6. Do you believe that other genres come into play in your writing?
Of course. One of the complexities in Missing in Mexico that has come out in some of the reviews is the relationships that occur. I’m guessing that some people could probably come up with a half dozen different genres for the book, all perfectly justified in one place or another in the book. What is it? Is it Travel, Mystery, Intrigue, Foreign, Romance, Suspense, Fiction/Non-Fiction. See what I mean? Actually, all of these genres come into play into the book, which makes it really hard to classify it into one particular heading. Which one would you choose?
7. Have you ever second guessed yourself in the writing process? Please introduce me to the writer who’s never second guessed himself, and I’ll show you a writer who’s not been willing to show his work to others. Writing is all about taking chances, and if you’re always second guessing what you’re doing – nothing will ever make it from the keyboard to the page to the reader. Maybe it’s because I’m not taking on risky subjects that I don’t worry about second guessing myself, but I think most authors also realize the requirement to put yourself “out there” unless you want to be just like others who sit inside a lonely cocoon.
8. Imagine you are writing your obituary in the future. What would you hope it would contain?
Forget the long life stuff; everyone wants that. What’s the point of a long life if it’s not filled with meaning for others? I would want my obit to contain messages from friends who’ve said that my life has been meaningful to theirs. That’s all that matters to me.
9. Are you already at work on your next book?
Thank you for asking. The next mystery novel is underway, if you’ll pardon the pun. It’s set in Sydney, Australia, and I visited there 5 times last year conducting research on the general area as well as certain locations to ensure their descriptions are “spot on” as they say down there. The book introduces a new character that will be a featured character in future books as well, so it’s fun to bring him into the mix. I haven’t asked him where he wants to go next, but I think I know where it is, and it’s someplace that artists love. Hmmm, where could that be?
10. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Yes, my love of travel. I do love to travel, and I have the US Registered Trademarked of America’s International Travel Expert®. Give me a reason to jump on an airplane, and I’m on it. I love to fly, and I’ve flown over one million miles on a single airline. I believe in sharing information, and I send out a free e-newsletter about travel; signing up is quite easy on my website, and you even get a great travel bonus just for enrolling – www.stuartgustafson.com.
We’d like to thank Mr. Gustafson for his time, and you can read a review of his book Missing In Mexico by clicking here
I’ll be answering your proposed questions in the order you wrote them.
I see you’ve asked thirteen lucky questions:
Rhodes Review: How did you get interested in writing?
C. D. Shelton: We were caring for an invalid father in-law who lived in Palm Springs. We were traveling every weekend for our turn in caring for him. So we had plenty of time on the road. We discovered Earl Nightingales inspirational CD’s. While listening on the way to P. S., I can still remember his words regarding time and creation. Basically he said, “You can choose to do nothing and at the conclusion of doing nothing you still have nothing. Or you can choose to follow a more rewarding path and think of something you want to create. A creative person can by brain power alone, create something from nothing.” To me, that had a certain appeal, the concept of creating something from nothing, an idea translated into a novel. The year was 2008. I am currently working on my tenth book, five have been published. One of those was a nonfiction volume, called “A Kid’s Guide to being a Winner” which also includes an accompanying workbook.
Rhodes Review: What are some of your favorite books/authors.
C. D. Shelton: Years ago, I liked to read Science Fiction, Heimlein’s (Spelling?) “Stranger in a Strange Land” was his best. Later, I evolved into reading action/adventure novels by Louis L’Amour. I have read all of his work, which was prodigious. I discovered Lee Child at the beginning of his “Jack Reacher” series. He is the ultimate action/adventure novelist on the current scene, In my opinion. I liked some of the earlier Steve Martini books, they were great courtroom dramas. Herman Melville and his “Moby Dick” was bit too tedious for my taste. J. D. Salinger’s (Spelling?) “Catcher in the Rye” and all that teenage angst was never my genre of literature. There have been so many authors I have read and admired, it is difficult to remember them all. Mention one and we can talk.
Rhodes Review: Which of your characters is most/least like you, and in what way(s)?
C. D. Shelton: I drew heavily on my own belief system to create the character, Jon Anderson, in the novel “Raider of the Primal Forest.” He was a “Can do” kind of a guy. He had honor and integrity and was a “romantic at heart,” which I like to believe, is much like myself. The character I created in the novel, “I’ll take the Fat One”, at least in the beginning of the story, was a juxtaposition to my own values. Nori Fugita is his name and in at least the first part of the story, he is the complete “Jerk.” An opportunist, a manipulator, a user, all of the things I like to think I am not.Later in the story he goes through an evolution in his character.
Rhodes Review: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?
C. D. Shelton: Jon Anderson from “Raiders of the Primal Forest” would be my first choice as a dinner guest. I like his background and the way he thinks. Nori Fugita, from a yet to be published book, “I’ll take the Fat One”. He is a “user” one of my least favorite human characteristics.
Rhodes Review: What would your ideal career be, if you couldn’t be an author?
C. D. Shelton: A college professor, I love to talk about ideas that interest me.
Rhodes Review: If you were to do your career as an author again, what would you do differently, and why?
C. D. Shelton: From a strictly monetary point of view, I think I would have tried to get on board with some of the “Big” publishers, rather than go with a small publishing house. It all deals with exposure.
Rhodes Review: How long does it take you to write a book?
C. D. Shelton: My initial pace, in writing a book was torrid. I wrote three books the first year I started writing. My pace has slowed recently. I think this is because of the amount of research I do and the books are getting longer. My average length of time is about four to five months.
Rhodes Review: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
C. D. Shelton: When there are no other demands for my time, I like to work at writing in the morning hours. I feel more alert and get fresher ideas during the morning hours. However, if an inspiration strikes me any hour of the day will do, seven days a week.
Rhodes Review: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
C. D. Shelton: I like this question, because I do have quirks. First of all, lets identify a couple personality traits. I like “Happy Endings” and I Like “Winners not Losers”. Those two personality traits translates into characters that manifests those characteristics. The first, “Happy Endings”, all of the leading characters will ending up getting married at the end of the novel. The second, “Winners not Losers”, I strive to create a character that is able to cope with the curve balls life can throw at a person. In a yet to be published book, “Tenderfoot Rider”, I create a character that should not have been able to cope with the many alien conditions he faced as an easterner, forced by circumstance to live in a western world, but he is adaptable and grows to appreciate and love the western culture. In other words, a “Winner”.
Rhodes Review: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
C. D. Shelton: I do read the reviews with great interest. Most have been complimentary. Some, such as the review on “Raiders of the Primal Forest” have been questionable. I think the reviewer had an unhappy childhood and wanted more trauma and loss to occur.
Rhodes Review: Do you have any suggestions to help my readers become a better writer? If so, what are they?
C. D. Shelton: Ernest Hemmingway said, “Any topic is interesting, if the author delivers a true and accurate picture of that topic.” I like that quote and it should be every author’s mantra for whatever he’s creating. The other small piece of advice is to create time for you to be creative. For instance, pick a time and place you feel is best for you to work, and put yourself there, frequently. Eventually, the creative juices began to flow and a book is the results.
Rhodes Review: Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
C. D. Shelton: Reader of the trilogy, (Mostly college students) have been very complimentary. Saying things like, “Very innovative,” or “I didn’t know people lived like that,” All very positive to read.
Rhodes Review: Which question are you most sick of answering in interviews?
C. D. Shelton: Do you mean oral or written interviews? To be candid, I’m not “Sick” of any question an interviewer asks. I feel complimented by the interest of that person to ask a question.
About the Author:
Texan born, C.D. Shelton grew up in Los Angeles California. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He holds two Masters, one in Administration and the other in Biology.
He taught at Hollywood High School and was assistant Vice-Principal during his first ten years as an Educator.
He has taught Biology for the Los Angeles Community College District for over four decades. As a Biology Professor, he wrote and developed the Biology Curriculum for the Los Angeles Community Colleges for all the pre-med majors and non majors. He co-authored two laboratory manuals for the life science department on Physiology and for Anatomy.
C.D. Shelton’s interest have included aviation, tennis and golf to name just a few. He has a private pilots license, he was a certified tennis instructor for eight years. He is a father of three, grandfather of four, he lives in Orange County California with his wife and niece. He is currently writing his tenth novel.
We here at Rhodes Review would like to Welcome Ian Alexander here. Mr. Alexander is the author of an Epic Fantasy called Once We Were Kings. Welcome Ian.
Rhodes Review: Tell us a little about Ian and about Once We Were Kings.
Ian Alexander: Well, as many of your readers may know, Joshua Graham and I are twins. Not physically, nor person-wise, just literary twins. He likes to joke that I’m his evil twin, but really, I’m not evil. I’m the handsome twin, rather. (LOL.)
Seriously, though. Once We Were Kings is a work of epic fantasy that I might never have ventured to write, had it not been for my son (six years old at the time) who, while I read to him at bedtime The Chronicles of Narnia, stopped me and said, “Daddy, will you write me a book?” That is how the entire book series idea came about. And, I daresay, how I, as Ian Alexander came into existence as a result.
Rhodes Review: What was your inspiration for Once We Were Kings?
Ian Alexander: In addition to my son’s request, I would say that the two major influences have been those of C.S. Lewis (Narnia) and the Bible. This is not a religious book, but there are overtones and allegorical references of which I believe whether religious or not, readers will enjoy and find depth and meaning.
Rhodes Review: Where did you get the story idea?
Ian Alexander: Right, well you see, I have the little closet in the back of my house where I store many things such as old brooms, cleaning solutions, orphaned socks, and story ideas. Once I’ve dusted the cobwebs of any of those potentially useful items, I begin to employ them for any number of tasks that might arise. (Chuckling)
Seriously (if that were even possible for me), the story idea arose from my desire to wed the lore and mythos of both European history with that of Asian history and culture. I wanted to write a story that illustrates how one’s identity need not be tied to his/her outward circumstances; wealth, station, education, social status, etc., but rather, is defined by their innate nature, their calling and destiny. I believe that every human being (in the world of Once We Were Kings, and our own) has been designed and called to a specific purpose in life. And happy is the one who knows and flows in this. Likewise, miserable is the one who does not.
Here is a quote from the Good Book which exemplifies my view on destiny and calling:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Though there is no mention of God, or Jesus in Once We Were Kings, many of the universally held values of courage, integrity, faith, hope and good vs. evil can be found alive and well within the pages.
Rhodes Review: There were a lot of similarities with today’s socio-political climate. Was this accidental?
Ian Alexander: Well, I didn’t set out to write a socio-political treatise, if that’s what you mean. Though it wasn’t a conscious effort to address such topics, I didn’t shy away from them either. I believe people of all ages face prejudice, social inequity, moral dilemmas, and live in unstable political and societal climates. Sure, this is a book of fantasy, but I believe it must resonate with the lives of my readers in order for them to connect with the characters and the story.
Rhodes Review: Music seems to have a certain importance throughout the story, is this related to your own life?
Ian Alexander: Indeed, music plays a very important role in my own life, and therefore by mere association, it does so in my books too. I have three degrees in classical music (Bachelors and Masters from Juilliard, and a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.) I’ve performed as a cello soloist nationally and abroad, and have served as principal cellists in several professional orchestras. I simply adore chamber music! So you might say that I have music flowing through my blood. It inevitably finds its way into my writing.
Rhodes Review: Where do we see the story going in the next volume?
Ian Alexander: Ah, therein lies the rub, eh? I can’t commit to anything yet, but suffice it to say, I’ve got several possible ideas vying for my undivided attention in the Sojourner Series alone. And this is not even to mention, that pesky Joshua Graham who is always encroaching on my mental territory for some of his own Suspense/Thriller book ideas.
There are manifold possibilities. I have considered skipping a generation and bringing in the daughter of the newly established king and queen (from the ending of Once We Were Kings), but I have also in mind to write some prequels that fill in the gaps regarding some of the supporting characters. The wonderful thing about world building is that you get to create the history of the world which you’ve built. And as the story of the Sojourners spans several millennia, there is an endless amount of story to write. It could go on forever.
Rhodes Review: I’ve seen in your numerous writings, that you mention workshops. How did you get involved in these?
Ian Alexander: Beware. Not all workshops are created equal. Some are at best a big waste of time and money, and others will just pump you full of bad advice and information. But there are exceptional ones out there too.
I happened to get invited to attend professional writer’s workshop after my second short story sale. I was blessed to have gone to a wonderful, life-changing workshop and began to network with some fantastic professional (published) writers and editors. I am of course speaking of the workshops of Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch. It doesn’t always happen that you get invited to a workshop, my stories that I sold just happened to catch the eye of the editor, who believed in my future as a writer and informed me that it would be a good idea to fly up to Oregon and attend their workshops. It was the best investment I ever made! Writers of every level should visit the priceless resources on Dean and Kris’ blogs. If you’re serious about writing, you should invest in their workshops. I would not be a professional writer (nor would Joshua Graham) had it not been for their tutelage.
Rhodes Review: How would our readers go about joining similar workshops if they are interested in pursuing writing?
Ian Alexander: As my legal-thriller-writing-twin-brother would say, “Asked and answered.” see answer to the question immediately above this one.
Rhodes Review: When you aren’t writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Ian Alexander: Excellent question. I’m somewhat disturbed that I don’t quite know the answer to that. Hmmm…let’s see…Right, well, I enjoy reading (of course) the Bible and praying, spending time with my family (traveling), playing video games with my children, going to Barnes & Noble to drink coffee and read and write (oh bother! You said when I’m not writing!) playing Texas Holdem and dining with good friends.
Rhodes Review: What are some of your future writing projects?
Ian Alexander: More in the Sojourner Series, and some tie-in short fiction as well. Joshua Graham, on the other hand will be releasing a suspense/thriller called Darkroom (Howard Books/Simon & Schuster) in May 2012.
Rhodes Review: Do you have any appearances that you would like to promote?
Ian Alexander: Indeed, I am currently on a virtual book tour (of which this interview is one of the many stops) from now till the middle of June. I will do another virtual book tour in July as well. More information on the current tour can be found on facebook here: http://on.fb.me/owwktour
Drop me a note, send me a message, and if you love Once We Were Kings, please recommend it to everyone you know, that’s how you take part in creating a bestseller!
Today we are proud to welcome once again to our pages, R.J. Terrell. R.J. is here to tell us a little bit about his newest novel, Legends of a Shattered Age. Thank you R. J. for taking the time to talk to our readers.
Rhodes Review: So what Inspired the scenario played out in this novel This covered an area more like an epic story such as LOTR?
RJ Terrell: With this one, I had more experience with writing and was able to see more of what I liked from the first book and wanted to develop more with the second. The other thing was, Echoes of A Shattered Age was an introduction to the World of A Shattered Age, as I call it. Things had to be introduced (and still are) with the first book while still leaving the reader wondering. With Legends of A Shattered Age, the characters are dealing more with the affects of what is going on as a result of the Drek’s activities. This book also delves a bit deeper into some of the characters from the first book as well as the other Races that inhabit the world that humans don’t know about.
Rhodes Review: Some new characters were introduced in this novel. Will we see them again in the 3rd story?
RJ Terrell: Absolutely! There are several that I’m especially fond of and I believe readers will connect with as well. Many of them will definitely play a part in the next story.
Rhodes Review: How have you grown as a writer since the first story?
RJ Terrell: *chuckles* Its funny to answer that question. Since the completion of Echoes of A Shattered Age, I’ve had more than plenty of time to step back and assess what my strengths and weaknesses were in the telling of the story. I had to be critical about what I needed to work on, and if what I was doing well truly mattered in the telling of the story. I think I’ve walked away from that analysis knowing how much detail is too much or not enough, and that I also wanted to develop a stronger connection with the characters. I’ve gained a deeper understanding that the reader has to care and connect with the characters. All else is secondary.
Rhodes Review: How do you go about writing your books. I’ve taken some classes, and they cover step by step processes, ie. come up with a plot, theme, outline, etc.
RJ Terrell: For me, it is less an academic approach and more an organic one. Of course, there is some structure in the beginning. I create an outline. So far they have tended to be not a great deal detailed, but the more complex the story, the more detailed the outlines are getting. An example is the difference in the outline for Echoes of A Shattered Age, and Legends of A Shattered Age. The former was about a page, the latter over two. Once I have the outline, I use it mostly as a guide to know what is happening with whom or where. That’s usually as far as I follow it. The characters tell me everything I need to know. *grin*
As far as plot goes, I don’t cover much in the outline for that simply because I already have it in mind and only need a few remarks here or there as a reference point. Theme is something to be careful with. For instance, if a book has a “green theme” the writer will need to be careful to get the message across without coming across as “preachy”. No matter the theme, the writer (in my experience) must be sure to balance it so that there is enough reference to our world to give the reader something to grasp, while at the same time not becoming too rooted in our world and writing a work of journalism instead of a novel.
Rhodes Review: What are you currently working on?
RJ Terrell: I am currently about 30% into Heroes of A Broken Age, the final chapter in the series.
Rhodes Review: Any plans to write in other Genres, or do you plan on sticking with Fantasy?
RJ Terrell: For now, I haven’t set my sights on any other genre, but you never know what the future holds. I will say, however, that I’ve had a vampire story clawing to get out of my head for several years now. I’ve been hesitant, with the influx of vampires flooding entertainment media. Perhaps when I finish my current project I may take a step into that world and see what I see. One thing I can say for certain is that I will be creating things from the ground up while doing my best to stick with the traditional lore. It could be interesting.
Rhodes Review: Anything going on you’d like to announce to my readers?
RJ Terrell: While working on the final novel in this series, I am in the process of re-releasing Echoes of A Shattered Age with the new publisher with which my next two novels, Legends of A Shattered Age, and Heroes of A Broken Age will be released. I’m pushing to have the entire trilogy completed and available by summer this year, so that is an exciting thing for me. I think anyone who has enjoyed Echoes of A Shattered Age will be truly taken by the next entries, as things continually get deeper and the stakes get higher!
About the Author:
R J Terrell is a native of California now living in Vancouver BC. If its outside and involves mountains, water and lots of trees and snow he most likely enjoys it. His love of fiction, particularly fantasy, has filled his bookshelves to bursting and has fueled his vigor to join the ranks of the most prominent figures in fiction and fantasy.
Today we are pleased to have Steve O’Brien with us. Mr. O’Brien is the author of Elijah’s Coin. An inspiring story about how simple it is to make a change in people’s lives.
Rhodes Review: What inspired the events of Elijah’s Coin?
Steve O’Brien: Some have asked if Elijah’s Coin is autobiographical in any way. It’s not, however the story weaves together personal experiences and those of friends and acquaintances. I wrote the story for my kids originally. I became troubled by their interest in pop culture and the ways that some develop fame. Many times it comes through dangerous or reckless behavior. Success had become living in the extreme, even crossing into unlawful behavior. I wanted my kids to know that success was very different from the way it is portrayed in modern media. So I wanted to create a fictional story that would provide lessons about real success and having a purpose in life.
Rhodes Review: What would you like people to come away with from Elijah?
Steve O’Brien: I want readers to learn the importance of giving and of kindness (no matter how corny that sounds) and to pay it forward. I was struck by a thought that at the end of your life, people won’t remember what kind of car you drove or what house you owned. They won’t remember anything about your “stuff.” They won’t even remember much about the things you did during your lifetime. Everyone you touch, however, will remember exactly how you made them feel. That comes back to how you treat others. So Elijah’s Coin is an attempt to get people to look outside themselves and look at the impact they can have on others—that is true success.
Rhodes Review: What is your background in writing?
Steve O’Brien: I have a journalism degree and worked as a sports writer in high school and college. I wrote several short stories, but wasn’t terribly interested in the publishing side—mostly it was for my own enjoyment. My legal career kind of overwhelmed my creative writing until the past few years. Elijah’s Coin had a very personal purpose. I didn’t really write it to publish, but people encouraged me to move forward with it. Oddly, I remembered how much fun writing is, so I have a few more projects I’m working on.
Rhodes Review: Did you always want to be a writer?
Steve O’Brien: Writing has always come kind of naturally to me. I guess I wanted to be a storyteller. That’s what drew me to the law. In a former life, I was a litigator and the challenge of explaining a complicated case to a jury was an opportunity to “tell a story.” To take facts and cast them into a description that is persuasive, yet true to the evidence. I’ve always felt that great litigators were great storytellers. They have to quickly and convincingly engage their audience more than any other type of storyteller. So even though I wasn’t doing hours of writing for some part of my life, I was still engaged in the craft.
Rhodes Review: Where do you get your muses?
Steve O’Brien: Two of the greatest words in the English language—“What if…” The core of every story can come back to one great “what if” question. I also love history. I’m not one for memorizing dates and events so much as taking the context of a historical situation and bringing it forward in time. Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code is an example of that historical shift, or works by James Rollins.
Also, my wife and I play a game when we are at a dinner or event. One will point out another table or group of people and say “what’s their deal?” The other will go into a long and detailed description (all imaginary) describing everything about their lives. It is a great exercise for character development and besides that it’s just plain fun.
Rhodes Review: What would you tell my readers who are interesting in writing?
Steve O’Brien: Write something every day. Read every day. Learn the craft. Stephen King said something that stuck with me. He said we don’t get to decide if our work has commercial value. Kind of an odd remark to inspire a writer, but the point is we have to be ourselves as writers. We have to develop our own style. If a writer tries to mimic a known, commercially successful author’s style, the work won’t have any sense of identity. Be yourself. You don’t need a license or anyone’s permission to be a writer. If it’s in you, only you can bring it out.
Rhodes Review: What other writing projects are you working on currently?
Steve O’Brien: In March my second novel, Bullet Work will be released. This is a very different book from Elijah’s Coin. It is a mystery suspense novel set at a thoroughbred race track. It is written in third person, so I have evolved to a different genre and style of writing. I also have a suspense thriller manuscript that is through the first draft. I still have a lot of work to do on that one.
Rhodes Review: Any appearances/announcements you’d like to mention?
Steve O’Brien: Bullet Work will be released March 22, 2011. If you are a mystery suspense fan, you’ll enjoy this book.
Thank you Mr. O’Brien for taking the time to visit with us here. You can read a review of Elijah’s Coin here.
Today we’re pleased to Welcome Julius Thompson to our site.. Mr. Thompson is the author of Ghost of Atlanta, the third book in a trilogy.
About the Author (From his website):
Julius Thompson grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York and attended Bushwick High School. The sixties in Brooklyn was an era that had a personality, a feel, and a life-force that changed a generation. Mr. Thompson felt this energy and experienced these fires of social change.
After high school, Mr. Thompson spent the next four years riding the “A” train to Harlem, in upper Manhattan, to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from the City College of New York. At CCNY, which was located just a few blocks from the famous Apollo Theater, Wednesday afternoons was hard on the undergraduates. The matinee performances of the major R&B groups of the times were more tempting than attending a boring college lecture. Most of the time Mr. Thompson succumbed to the temptation, but still earned a college degree from one of the best universities in the country.
At CCNY, literature instructors like Prof. Thomas Tashiro, fueled the fire in him to become a writer!
Mr. Thompson’s journey to compose a trilogy began in 1995. The fourteen year fictional journey of character Andy Michael Pilgrim from Brooklyn, to Philadelphia and finally Atlanta is now complete. In this pilgrimage, readers experience places that are filled with hopes, dreams, challenges and fears that make us human.
The novels that make up the trilogy are A Brownstone in Brooklyn which was published in 2001, Philly Style and Philly Profile in 2007 and Ghost of Atlanta which will be published the first week of January 2011.
Mr. Thompson received the Georgia Author of the Year nomination for Philly Style and Philly Profile, from the Georgia Writers Association, in 2007.
Mr. Thompson is writing his fourth novel, Purple Phantoms, which is a story about the haunting of a mythical high school basketball team.
Mr. Thompson is currently a Creative Writing/Publishing Instructor at Atlanta’s Evening at Emory’s Writers Studio. For more information please visit him at www.ghostofatlanta.com.
About Ghost of Atlanta:
In The Ghost of Atlanta, Andy Michael Pilgrim faces demons from his youth that haunted his life. These are the ghosts in the crawl spaces of his life; some are real and some supernatural.
After landing a job with The Atlanta Defender, Andy returns home and visits the place where he finally faces remembrances of his deceased abusive father. While walking around the grounds, he meets his mysterious cousin, Joe Boy, and finds out that the property is going to be sold by unscrupulous cousins.
While Andy fights this battle, he must confront the personal demon of a possible drug addiction, breaking the color barrier at the south’s largest newspaper, The Atlanta Defender, meeting his old girl friend and fighting the lingering effects of segregation in small-town Georgia life.
As the story unwinds, all these forces push Andy toward the breaking point, where he almost quits on life. Malevolent mortal deeds are committed and Andy could be next in line.
“The Ghost of Atlanta” is, overall, a superbly written book. 5 stars!~Readers Favorite
Rhodes Review: Tell me about your current book?
Julius: In Ghost of Atlanta, Andy Michael Pilgrim faces demons from his youth. These are the ghosts in the crawl spaces of his life; some are real and some supernatural.
While Andy fights this battle, he must confront the personal demon of a possible drug addiction, meeting his old girl friend, breaking the color barrier at the south’s largest newspaper and fighting the lingering effects of segregation in small-town Georgia life.
As the story unwinds, all these forces push Andy toward the breaking point, where he almost quits on life. Malevolent mortal deeds are committed and Andy could be next in line.
“The Ghost of Atlanta” is, overall, a superbly written book. 5 stars! ~Readers Favorite
Rhodes Review: Care to tell our readers about your background in writing?
Julius: I’ve been a writer since I was a sophomore at Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, New York. I wrote for my high school newspaper and then at The City College of New York.
After College I worked as a copy boy with the New York Times and then as a full-time sportswriter with the Philadelphia Bulletin and a part-time sportswriter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Gradually, after leaving the newspaper business and becoming a high school Language Art teacher my interest moved toward the world of fiction. In 1995, I started the first book of the trilogy, A Brownstone in Brooklyn that was published in 2001 then Philly Style and Philly Profile in 2007. That book garnered me a Georgia Author of The year Nomination.
And now, Ghost of Atlanta, the final book in the trilogy was published in January 2011.
Rhodes Review: Have you always wanted to write?
Julius: I knew I had this ability to write, but the motivation and confidence was zero. What developed confidence in my writing ability occurred when I was a junior at Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, New York.
I got up enough nerve to ask my English teacher, Miss Egan, the question. If the answer was negative, all my hopes and dreams of becoming the next great writer would be dashed.
I knocked hard on the door to her office, entered, and asked her, “Can I be a writer?”
She stared at me for a few seconds and then said, “Do it!”
I haven’t looked back.
Rhodes Review: What is your writing process like?
Julius: Without a doubt my best work is done late night around 11:00 p.m. It feels like early morning, the ideas start to flow, my minds’ eye is filled with the visuals.
Rhodes Review: Where do you usually get your muse/inspirations?
Julius: The inspiration for writing the trilogy came from the people I’ve known, loved and imagined over the years and the situations I’ve encountered.
As a college student in New York City in the sixties, I experienced the sit-ins at The City College of New York while looking at the gates of City College shut tight and wondering if I was going to graduate.
I can still smell the smoke from the burning buildings during the Brooklyn riots. From incidents like these the genesis of the trilogy evolved.
Rhodes Review: What led you to come up with the story for your current book?
Julius: This is the end of Andy’s journey. I needed to see him come full circle, but most the maturation of his character, both physically and mentally. He’s learned you can’t control or change every negative thing that happens. It’s part of life and you have to adjust and live your life to the fullest.
Rhodes Review: How long did you spend writing your current book?
Julius: I spent two years writing, rewriting, rethinking Ghost of Atlanta, and a year finding the right Publisher. I’m thrilled with my current publisher, Passionate Writer Publishing. The wait was worthwhile!
Rhodes Review: How much research is involved in writing?
Julius: In writing the trilogy the research was pretty easy, these places were home. The settings are real places with real streets and building structures. Everything needed to be exact. I revisited all the places to make sure my memory was correct.
Rhodes Review: What’s your newest writing project?
Julius: I’m working on my fourth novel, Purple Phantoms, which is the story of the haunting of a high school basketball team. What sparked my interest in writing this book, as a basketball coach, I’ve seen too many young athletes die at an early age. I’m about 35, 000 words into the project.
Rhodes Review: Where can readers find you?
Julius: Readers can visit me on Facebook, Twitter and my websites: www.jtwrites.com and www.ghostofatlanta.com . I’d love to chat and answer any questions about my books and the writing process.
I’m a Creative Writing instructor at Evening at Emory, a program of Emory University in Atlanta.
I will be glad to help any reader or writer with any information that will help them become a published author.
Rhodes Review: I’d like to thank Mr. Thompson for taking this time to talk to my readers and tell you a little bit about himself.
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Rhodes Review: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 
Rhodes Review: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 
Robert Louis Smith, author of 
Author and million-mile flier Stuart Gustafson is really enjoying life now that he’s retired from the corporate world. As America’s International Travel Expert®, he travels to exciting places around the world, and he’s begun writing fictional mystery novels set in some of those places. The crashing waves in the photo above are from one of his favorite spots — Los Cabos, Mexico — the primary setting for his debut mystery novel Missing in Mexico. His second novel is set completely in Sydney, Australia, and the book introduces a new character who becomes a fixture in future books.
Texan born, C.D. Shelton grew up in Los Angeles California. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Rhodes Review: Tell us a little about Ian and about Once We Were Kings.
Though it wasn’t a conscious effort to address such topics, I didn’t shy away from them either. I believe people of all ages face prejudice, social inequity, moral dilemmas, and live in unstable political and societal climates. Sure, this is a book of fantasy, but I believe it must resonate with the lives of my readers in order for them to connect with the characters and the story.
Rhodes Review: What inspired the events of Elijah’s Coin?
Rhodes Review: What would you like people to come away with from Elijah?
Today we’re pleased to Welcome Julius Thompson to our site.. Mr. Thompson is the author of Ghost of Atlanta, the third book in a trilogy.
In The Ghost of Atlanta, Andy Michael Pilgrim faces demons from his youth that haunted his life. These are the ghosts in the crawl spaces of his life; some are real and some supernatural.