Hey Guys! Welcome to Tuesdays here at Larissa’s Bookish Life! I am happy to welcome Sam Hilliard, the author of the new thriller, "The Last track”!
His publisher, Buddhapuss Ink, has also been super kind and is offering a Signed copy of “The Last track”, Details at the end of the post.
Enjoy the interview!
When did you first start writing? While I did write a lot in high school and college, I resisted making a commitment to it throughout my twenties. Turning thirty, getting married and then laid off three days after we returned from our honeymoon changed all that. Suddenly I was off the fast track and found myself with lots of free time between interviews. That’s when I rediscovered my love of writing.
Do you consider "The Last Track" to be Urban Fantasy? That’s an interesting question, and one I had not considered before now. To the degree that the story is adult fiction, and the hero wields a skill that some view as supernatural, it’s possible that classification could apply in part. And while future Mike Brody books will be set in more urban settings, this one occurs in an area that is more than a little bit country. So I think of the book of as a mystery/thriller.
Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you? Thomas Harris Silence of the Lambs (both the book and the film), Chris Moore’s Practical Demonkeeping, and anything by Gillian Flynn Nolan, Evelyn Waugh, Ernest Hemingway or Madeline L’Engle.
I watch a lot of movies but the ones that stuck with me through the years include: Apocalypse Now, The Big Chill, The Doors, Night of the Living Dead (George Romero’s original version), Fight Club, Rocky, This is Spinal Tap, and Dead Poet’s Society.
What is your favorite subject in the Urban Fantasy Realm? I tend to prefer those set in contemporary times where the fantasy is used as either political or social commentary.
Favorites:
Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?I know it’s old, but Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?X-Files
Favorite Paranormal themed Book?Greywalker
Favorite Author?Evelyn Waugh
Favorite Paranormal Romance Author?Kat Richardson
Favorite one of your Books?The Last Track (so far)
Who is your favorite of your own characters?Crotty, the villain.
Why? Villains are tricky to write. They must be evil, yet still exude humanity. In a way, meeting that challenge can be more rewarding than drafting a likeable hero.
Which was the hardest to write?Mike Brody was the hardest to write.
Why?I had to come up with a plausible motivation for his decisions and behavior, and that meant digging deep into his background, which in turn meant exploring some very dark places in his psyche.
What would you be if not a writer?
In a profession with a minimal managerial interference, reporting to someone who largely got out of my way and let me get things done. Why? Unfortunately as hard as it is for employers to find the right personality and skill set to fill a position, bosses that don’t micromanage their employees are even rarer. I’ve had great bosses and awful ones and having the former makes all the difference in job satisfaction and performance.
Quickies:
Coffee or Tea?Decaf tea.
Up or Down?On the ground, always upwards. If I’m in a plane, I want down.
Virtual or Real?The real world makes less sense, so I’m all for that.
Right or Left?Left.
Trackers or Cops?To a degree they need each other. My respect goes to cops, my loyalty to trackers.
Vampires or Werewolves?Blood thirsty, soul sucking, meat-eating vampires who erupt in flames when sunlight hits their skin. But they must read poetry, build playgrounds and call their Mom every Sunday.
Angels or Demons?Demons are more interesting.
Friends or Seinfeld?Close call. Seinfeld.
Rolling Stones or The Beatles?The Beatles
Reading or Writing?Can’t write without reading, so I choose writing.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
It has to be when the characters take over and I look back a chapter and have no idea where the words on the page really came from.
What is your least favorite part?
Dealing with editors who replace words I consider valid. I still say automagically is a word. (EDITORIAL NOTE: Sorry Sam, it is still not a word)
The Mike Brody series in your own words?
Mike Brody is the man you want, when the one you love is missing. He’s able to tap into the memories and emotional charges left behind by the missing in their tracks and visualize the events that led to their disappearance. The series will follow the adventures of Mike, his ex-wife Jessica and a cast of recurring characters, as he moves from case to case, searching for that mission that will finally heal his childhood wounds.
Any plans for more books in the series?
Yes. The next one is slated for the Holiday season, 2011.
What is coming up next for you?
A whole mess of interviews (part of a 2 month Virtual Book Tour), some signings, and some book fairs. Oh, and some writing of course!
What are you working on right now?
Two projects, one is the sequel to The Last Track, the other has no fixed deadline.
Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published author someday?
Surround yourself with people who believe in what you are doing, so when the journey takes you through some hard times, the chorus remains positive. If you’re looking to hear no, the universe will send plenty of people your way who will say it.
Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?
I haven’t even scratched the surface yet with Mike Brody. I hope they will find themselves thinking that the only thing better than reading The Last Track, would be seeing it on the big screen.
Thank you so much for being here!
Thanks so much for having me! The honor is all on this side of the screen. Good luck with your writing!
You can Win a SIGNED copy of “The Last Track” by Sam Hilliard!
To Enter:
- Leave a comment about anything on this post. - Leave an EMAIL for contact! (if you don’t feel comfortable leaving it here, email me at larissa@larissaslife.com)
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What are you working on right now?
