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
No comments:
Post a Comment