Ripple Library: Author Chat With...Terrence Mccauley!

How do you deal with writer’s block?

 

I deal with writer’s block by not allowing it to form. I fall out of love with everything I’ve ever written at some point in the process. The words just don’t flow or I don’t feel like writing on a particular day. Instead of letting it stop me, I go do something else. I’ll do research or read something outside the genre I’m working on. Or I’ll write my struggle on a yellow note pad. And if that doesn’t do the trick, I’ll go somewhere public and describe the first five strangers I see. Who they are, what they’re wearing, what they’re doing and why. That usually helps keep the creative juices flowing.

 

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

 

If I told you that, it would no longer be a mystery. But I suppose the biggest mystery is how an untrained writer could go on to write thirty novels across several genres. I can’t explain it myself, but it’s been a great ride so far.

 

What are you currently working on?

 

I’m currently working on the second book in my Dallas ’63 trilogy. The first in the trilogy is called THE TWILIGHT TOWN. It centers around three corrupt cops who find themselves caught up in the conspiracy to kill President Kennedy in Dallas, 1963. The second book is TEARS ON A RIVER. It’s about one of the detectives from the first book racing against time to save Lee Harvey Oswald’s life. Spoiler Alert – he doesn’t, but I’m enjoying using real-world facts to explain why it happened.

 

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

 

I’ve always been fascinated by people’s curiosity of odd things. Ancient aliens and bigfoot and UFOs and the like. I’ve always found a common sense explanation for many of the subjects mentioned above, but the JFK assassination wasn’t easy to dismiss. Every time I was about to close the book on the incident, I’d find another fact that didn’t fit. And the deeper I dug into certain aspects of the case, the more I found. I realized it could make an entertaining story if told in the right way. It’s a challenge I’m glad I accepted.

 

What kind of research did you do for this novel?

 

I watched a lot of documentaries on YouTube and downloaded lots of books on my e-book app. I tried to read something from every aspect of the case. I’ve read defenders of the Warren Commission as well as the critics. It’s a massive topic, so the more one understands the minutia, the better one can see the discrepancies in the evidence. The people who shouldn’t be where they are. The facts that don’t fit. Discrepancy is where the drama lives for a novelist.

 

In general, what emotions do you usually wish to elicit with your writing?

 

I always strive to help the reader forget about the outside world while they’re reading my work. I try to create settings and people the reader might not like, but are compelled to discover what happens next. I like to add a dash of violence and tension to keep the reader interested.

 

Best advice on writing you've ever received?

 

I’ve received a lot of great writing advice over the years, but the best piece of advice I’ve ever heard came relatively recently from my friend Michael Frost Beckner. He believes every author should ask themselves two questions before beginning a project. 1) Why this book? And 2) Why now?

 

The answer can be complex. It might be simple. You might be writing your novel or story just because you feel like it. That’s a valid reason. But if you’re trying to sell it to a publishing house or to attract an agent, answering those two questions is important.

 

What is the weirdest/wildest topic or fact that you’ve had to research or uncovered in your research?

 

I’ve read some real winners over the years, but the wildest is that JFK and his wife, Jackie, staged the president’s death so they could be with their respective lovers. And that the blood we see on the Zapruder film was only a Hollywood special effect. I’m willing to consider a lot of possibilities in the Kennedy case, but that’s a bit too far, even for me.

 

What else would you want readers to know about you? Where can readers find you online?

 

After writing across several genres, I’ve learned how to write books that emphasize character and plot with a healthy dose of action added for good measure. I find that if people read the descriptions of my books, they’ll enjoy them. If not, they probably won’t. I can be found on my website: www.terrencemccauley.com, where there are links to all my social media pages.