Welcome to The Next Big Thing

My writer friend, Jeff Joseph, recently tagged me for a ‘chain’ blog entitled ‘The Next Big Thing’. The deal is: I answer a few questions about my current work-in-progress, then I invite other authors to do the same. A bit like a chain letter, except it is only focused on an author’s work-in-progress. Jeff Joseph was tagged previously by Kathy Logan. I’ve included details of their blogs so you can explore their answers to the same questions. The authors I’ve chosen have, along with Jeff and Kathy, been tagged below my answers. So here goes:

What is the working title of your next book?

The next book is tentatively titled, “There will be …..”.  It is a secret at this point.  It is the sequel to “The Wolf’s Moon.”  Like everything in writing, the title is subject to change.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I sat in a hotel restaurant having breakfast while waiting on my wife.  She was giving a two hour lecture at a conference.  I usually carry a pad of paper in order to kill time.  I started writing, not really thinking about a novel, maybe a short story.  By the time it was over, I completed “The Wolf’s Moon.”  The story actually wrote itself.

What genre does your book fall under?

I like to think it is a thriller/suspense novel.

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Many times I have been asked this question.  Since there is little chance should “the Wolf’s Moon” be made into a movie that there will be a budget for who I’d want, I’ll throw some names out:

Lansdowne/Linden – Daniel Craig

Skruggs                      – Johnny Depp (my wife would like this choice)

Sheriff Benson         – Ed Harris

Amy Reel                  – The real Amy – yes, there is one!

Cindy Winters         – I’d leave that choice to casting.

The title song by Khym Carmichael – If Khym can’t make it – I guess Adele.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Love, loyalty, redemption – with one big beast killing people.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self-published.  If a literary agent wants to take the time to read my books and really expresses that he/she can find a publisher, and the publisher offers enough money – we can talk.  It’s a tough world and I would like to make enough money that I can keep my wife as a PAID Business Agent (really, I just love having her at home with me).

 How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

The first draft took less than a year.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I don’t know if there are any books (that I have read) for a comparison.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

As I said, “The Wolf’s Moon” just happened but once it did, my inspiration was to finish the manuscript.

What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

Believe it or not, the book is a love story as well as a thriller.  I was once asked in a radio interview if there was a lot of me in the book.  My answer was that, “probably more than I want to admit.”  My wife is so much more than just a wife.  She is the mother of my son and daughter.  Sandy is “Grandma” to five wonderful kids.  Above all she is my best friend and supporter.  I never want to feel as Lansdowne, about the loss of one true love…but I would.

Here are the blog links for Jeff Joseph and Kathy Logan

My blog link is Patrick Jones

The authors I’ve invited to join in the fun are:

Kate Thompson

Timothy Hurley