I want to thank Reece
(@Reece_Bridger ) for
the opportunity to be a part of this by selecting me and pinging me to take part
in a blog-hop, prompting me to discuss my work.
I think it’s wonderful that
she has taken the time to initiate this interview as a way to encourage writers
to discuss and promote their writing—I think we all (those of us who are fortunate
to be published authors) want to help others who are aspiring to achieve their
own literary dream, and I am more than happy to participate. Any considerate
offering such as this ought not to be squandered!
So thank you kindly,
Reece, for selecting me as one of your three picks and boosting me to discuss
my novel!
1) What are you
working on right now?
Presently,
I am in the final proofing stages of my first novel (with the sequel itself
halfway written) which I had gotten the idea for about 25 years ago when I was
thirteen—I wasn’t mature enough back then to tell the story in the profound way
it deserves, but little more than four years ago that old idea began to surface
in my mind again and so I decided, “Why not?” After all, I had invested so much
time in learning about all of the facts and details concerning what had
happened under recreational circumstances which could only mean I’d be able to
put my story together appropriately.
Bandita
Bonita: Romancing Billy the Kid is a story that details the account of the New
Mexican Lincoln County War (1878), the small war that was responsible for
initially catapulting William H. Bonney, aka, Billy the Kid, into the legend he
became in those days and still is today. The story deals with Elucia Howard, an
eastern socialite who crosses paths with the Kid and, through unfortunate
circumstances, finds herself caught up in the whirlwind along with Billy and
the gang of men who fought with the Regulators. She describes the account of
the war from a first person perspective, as well as giving the audience a look
into Billy’s personality which I was able to put together based on the
countless, detailed information and interviews taken from those who knew him
during those volatile days.
2) How does it
differ from other work in its genre?
I
suppose I couldn’t say for sure, but though I had to tell this story in an
unconventional manner, creating a fictitious female protagonist whom did not exist,
let alone ride with the Regulators and fight alongside of them, I had an
initial goal of using my protagonist to tell the details as we know them today,
and so the story sticks very closely to the facts. I did not take liberties and
bend the facts to fiction, but rather I made sure to bend fiction to fact,
making sure the two melded nicely and justly. So it’s half fiction/fantasy and
historical fact.
3) Why do you
write what you do?
Because
over the years I had not only become extremely fascinated with Billy—this boy
who not only had to learn to survive on his own from the tender age of 14—but
began to hold a considerable amount of affection for him as he is one of my
three favorite historical figures. The maternal instinct in me developed the
desire to want to nurture his memory and try to offer my own perspective on who
I believe this boy was based on the numerous accounts told of him, and to have
my book serve as a highlight to the biographies written by the countless numbers of
men—the veritable “Boys Club” of Billy Bonney. I wanted to create a character
study, but I did not want to write yet another biography. I wanted to tell a
story that paints Billy as a three-dimensional literary being, and for the most
part, I think I have a pretty good handle on him.
4) How does
your writing process work?
I spend
a lot of time thinking up a story before laying it down. It took me three years
of mentally considering this account before finally sitting down to write it
about a year and a half ago.
My
writing process consists of driving around endlessly while listening to my
music (especially music that I can make relate to the tale I want to tell) and
thinking about what it is I want to say. It often works like a charm, and
though I’m extremely fortunate in that I can come up with fun scenarios or
dialogue without too much effort thanks to all of that time spent sussing
things out and smoothing out the lines before even beginning my project, there
are some occasions when I hit a wall. I can’t rightly consider it writer’s
block because I’m far too involved in this story to truly have any problems
such as that (this story now unfolds in my mind as though it is second nature),
but sometimes I have a new idea that I want to insert and so I head out in my
car, drive for however long it takes, and when I arrive back home I’ve got the
answer!
I hope the three I select will also take the time to
complete this short interview as it does serve an incredible purpose. That
is…it serves a purpose if you truly believe in your work and have every
intention of taking advantage of any opportunities that come
your way to get it out there and share it with others.
I would like to select these three in the hopes that
they, too, will take this opportunity and run with it. Publicity is
publicity—don’t waste it!
** Please take these questions and apply them and their
answers to your blog/website.
@Gary_C_King
@GiselleMarks1
@KMWeiland
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