News, Notes and Whatever the Little Birdie Sings

No reason, I just figured to have a little fun with this update.

Q: So, why are we doing this? What, nobody wants to interview you, or are you just desperate for some attention?

Both, I guess. No podcasts have reached out, no publications are emailing and nobody wants to talk so I’ll just shamelessly talk to myself, okay? Fine. (Full disclosure: I haven’t reached out to any of them yet, either.)

Q: Fine. Every writer is different, so walk me through your writing routine. How much of it is actual writing and how much is scrolling, surfing or screwing off?

All the above. When I get home from work I usually sit down to write, but it isn’t always just writing. Some times I have no energy to write, other times I’m thinking about where to start. But then There are edits, contests to enter, anthologies to submit to, pitch lists for publications, promotional work, making graphics, brainstorming and worldbuilding the next project, and the one after that, continuous research, finding assets for book trailers and social media, and all else. Writing is only a part of being a writer.

When it comes to drafting a new project, that starts with my trusty (see what I did there?) notebook, jotting down the initial ideas, characters and plot points. I’m starting to plot more now after having been a lifelong pantser, so pre-production is getting more important all the time. I did more planning and plotting for this book than any previous one, and I think it shows.

Q: Okay, so you’re busy. Let’s talk about your new book, Farlight. Which character is most like you and which is based on someone you secretly despise?

The main character, JJ, and I, have some similarities because I wrote him from a place I know. He’s a left-handed first baseman like I was. Line drive hitter. Some injury history. He’s in his own head a lot, and eager but suspicious for the right reasons. Even some of the things that JJ does on the field are based on games I played in real life. There are no characters based on someone I dislike, but some are inspired by people I played baseball with, for, and against.

Q: Interesting. So, who is the ideal reader for this book and who should avoid it for their own sanity?

Anyone who likes a fast-paced hero’s journey in general, or baseball (with a big twinge of supernatural mystery and magical realism), ornery characters, spooky settings and funny dialogue in particular, will connect with this book.

It’s not expressly horror, or comedy, or action, drama, thriller or mystery, but it does include bits of all those. Anyone who isn’t into any of the above might not be interested, I suppose. Though there’s something in here for everyone, I think. I hope people give it a try.

Q: Sounds like an entertaining, old-timey rural romp to me. Where do you get your ideas from, anyway?

Ideas are out there all the time. They don’t stop. Whether they exist like infinite motes of cosmic dust, or flow endlessly from some magic universal well, or whatever other hyperbolic source people may think exists, the trick is not to force-start an idea; just be open and accepting to them when they do arrive.

I embrace the rare “aha!” moments, and those sparks ideas that always pop in my head at the gym, or in the shower, or some other place where I can’t immediately do something with it (because that’s how it always happens, right?) So that’s a long way to say I don’t know where I get my ideas from. I just run with them when they appear.

Q: I’ve had enough of this. Any last infinite pearls of wisdom? And when is Farlight coming out?

Nothing too wise off the top (or bottom) of my head. Farlight will be out when then becomes now. Meaning, soon. We’re wrapping up revisions, cover art is on deck, and then it’s time for production. Then beta reads, proof edits, shipping time, etc. It’s a process.

With everything going on, my best ballpark guess would be early October. I’ll be racing hard for that. But we’ll see. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for interviewing myself. I appreciate my own time!

Follow me on IG @ kevt_author.