Interview with Rick Gualtieri, the hilarious author of The Tome of Bill series....

 

		Today, I am teeming with anticipation at having Rick Gualtieri with me in the forum. For those of you who haven’t heard, he is the hilarious, bestselling author of The Tome of Bill series. One of my sisters had already read the first three books before begging me to invite him for an interview.
Tim Greaton: Rick, I feel we may as well roll out the dirty laundry first. I’ve heard rumors that you have drawn a pretty stern line with certain people. Is that true?   Rick Gualtieri: It absolutely is. I am a rabid Transformers fan.  I have the comics, the toys, the movies, heck I even have a Decepticon symbol tattooed on my right shoulder (and no, I’m not sending pics :-).  I’m a bad person to take to Toys R Us because I ALWAYS disappear down that aisle.  I’m that strange man who’s there picking up the boxes and pretending to read the price tag, while secretly looking at the character bios.   I’m constantly on my guard, protecting my collection from their worst possible enemy...my kids.  As I’ve told them many times, “Boys, see these?  These are daddy’s prized possessions.  One day, though, daddy will be gone and when that happens...well don’t get any bright ideas. Daddy’s being buried with them all!”   Tim Greaton: What kinds of books do you gravitate towards?   Rick Gualtieri: I mostly read horror and techno thrillers, with some fantasy and sci-fi thrown in.  If it has a monster in it, chances are I’ve read it or have it on my to-read list.  A few of my favorite authors include: Stephen King, Jim Butcher, Douglas Preston, and Lincoln Child.   Tim Greaton: Are they in the same genres in which you write?   Rick Gualtieri: There is some overlap. Currently I write in both the horror and comedy genres (with maybe an additional genre out there under a pen name), with a future book planned that probably falls into paranormal action / adventure.  I write stories that I would want to read, but I don’t necessarily always read in those genres - if that even makes sense.   Tim Greaton: You came to a turning point in your past. Could you tell us about that?   Rick Gualtieri: College for me felt like my first taste of actual living.  My life before then was okay, not exactly a horror story in of itself, but, generally speaking, through a combination of my home life, being an introvert, and a few other factors, I wasn’t particularly happy.  It took me a while, but eventually I was able to climb out of my shell, join some campus organizations, and meet some great friends.  My last two years of school really shaped the person that I am today, and I think that’s reflected in my writing (especially the snarky parts).  It’s also where I started having some pretty awesome adventures...at least a few of which have made it to the pages of my books.  Which ones? That’d be telling.   Tim Greaton: When readers provide feedback about your books, what do you most like to hear?   Rick Gualtieri: I think the best compliments are those that say I’ve given someone exactly what they’re hoping for from a book, i.e. either a scare or a laugh.  That last one is especially awesome.  Comedy is hard to write.  Just because one writes a joke and thinks it’s the funniest thing ever, it doesn’t mean a reader will even crack a smirk at it.  That’s my biggest fear with my horror/comedy series: putting out an unfunny book.  I’m grateful that I’ve gotten many comments along the lines of “laugh out-loud funny”.  Getting something like that is both an incredible compliment as well as a huge relief.  That I was able to bring a smile to someone’s face is just icing on the cake.   Tim Greaton: I heard a rumor that you’ve got some great outdoors stories. Could you share one of those?   Rick Gualtieri: Several years ago, I went canoeing with a group of friends.  We were supposed to go hiking, but one of them had a sprained knee.  I’ve never been too big on being out in the water, so I was mostly griping about it the entire way.  One of my friends said to me, “Oh come on! You have to admit this is better than being on a train back to Hoboken” (Where I went to school).    I answered, “I’ll get back to you on that.”   A short while later the ‘fun’ started.  I was paddling at the bow of our canoe one moment, the next thing I knew I was underwater.  The person sitting behind me had leaned over to look at a fish and capsized us.  I surfaced underneath the now upside down canoe, to cries of my friends yelling for me.  They thought I had drowned...but fate wasn’t quite done tenderizing me yet.   Instead, I got the canoe off of me just as we entered some rapids.  Ten minutes later, having been bounced off of multiple rocks like a human pinball, I caught sight of my friend from earlier.  He had been in the same boat and was likewise in the water doing a good impression of a bug being smashed against a windshield   “Just for the record,” I yelled, still being dragged by the current, “I’d rather be on that train back to Hoboken!”   His response, “Me too!”   Tim Greaton: I love asking the next question, because it shows how much variety there is among us scribblers. What is your writing “system” like, and how has it evolved over the course of your career?   Rick Gualtieri: I’d say my writing style has evolved from a state of pure chaos to that of slightly organized chaos.  Since I write in different genres, I find my style changes depending on the book.  When I write comedy, I’m a pantser.  I find humor is funniest when it’s spontaneous and just off the top of my head. The more I think about a joke, the less funny it’ll be.  It’s different writing horror, though.  In that case I need my plot outline next to me so I know 1) where the monsters are vs. the survivors and 2) which of my characters I’ve already killed off so as to not have them reappear in a later chapter.  It’s weird having multiple styles, but I’m a big believer in using whatever works best for the situation.  That means keeping flexible in everything I do.   Tim Greaton: I understand you put your later drafts through a gauntlet before you let them free in the world. Could you describe that process for us?   Rick Gualtieri: I am eternally paranoid about my work, so I make use of beta readers.  My wife is my first line of defense.  She typically doesn’t read the genres I write in, so she’s not afraid to tell me if something sucks.  Then I have a few awesome friends who are next in line to scald me with their comments.  Following that, I’ll often recruit a few brave souls from my social media circles and have them give it a go.  I like my beta readers to be a mix of regulars (who I know I can count on) as well as new people.  I’ve found that’s the best way to get a good mix of useful feedback.  To date it’s worked out wonderfully.  They’ve managed to keep me from zigging when I should have zagged.   Tim Greaton: Do you find any parallels between your work and books by other established authors?     Rick Gualtieri: I’ve had a few wonderful readers compare my comedy writing to Christopher Moore’s, which is more awesome than I can put into words.    Tim Greaton: So would you say you intentionally model Christopher Moore?   Rick Gualtieri: Actually, I look towards Jim Butcher for inspiration with regards to style for my horror/comedy series.  His Dresden Files series (of which I am a big fan) is told from a first-person perspective, which can be difficult to pull off.  When I read his books, I’m greatly enjoying them but I’m also paying close attention to his style as my series is told from the same perspective.  I see no shame in learning from those who have come before, but at the same time credit where credit is due.   Tim Greaton: Could you tell us what you have for new book news?     Rick Gualtieri: My latest release is only a few weeks off.  It’s titled Holier Than Thou.  It’s the fourth in my Tome of Bill horror/comedy series about a foul-mouthed vampire geek named Bill.   In my mind I see it as sort of a comic book progression.  The first book (Bill The Vampire) was the origin story.  The second (Scary Dead Things) expanded upon the world a bit and gave the hero more conflict.  The third opened him up to the big picture.  Now, he’s busy trying to hide from that big picture, but alas he can’t. There’s too much going on and a lot of it hits close to his heart (both physically and emotionally).   The plot: The ancient enemy of the vampire race, The Icon - a creature that can destroy the undead with nothing more than a touch, has arisen.  There’s just one problem: Bill is hopelessly in love with her.  Horror hilarity ensues.   Tim Greaton: I know The Tomb of Bill series has been amazingly popular. Will there be more sequels in the future?   Rick Gualtieri: This is an ongoing series, so there will definitely be more to come.  I have some great ideas for book five.  That being said, I’m not rushing things.  That way I can give it the TLC it deserves, but also take the time to explore other genres.    Tim Greaton: What else can we expect from you on the horizon?   Rick Gualtieri: My next work will be a follow-up to my first horror novel, Bigfoot Hunters.  I absolutely love monster rampages, and I can’t wait to get to work on it.  If it turns out like I’m planning, the creepiness factor should be ratcheted up through the roof.  Writing horror is incredible fun, so expect to see a lot more from me going forward.  Let’s just say, I wouldn’t mind being known as that author whose books you DON’T take on a camping trip.   Tim Greaton: Sounds like you are a true devotee to a certain type of dark fiction. Could you talk about that?     Rick Gualtieri: I love horror movies of all types, but I have a special place in my heart for horror comedy.  I’m not talking slapstick here either.  Movies like Ghostbusters, Army of Darkness, and Big Trouble in Little China manage to take potentially scary situations and turn them into hilarity by changing up the characters a bit.  Instead of a dark brooding hero, you instead get a wiseass.  That almost never fails to entertain me.   I felt there was a lack of that in the literary world.  There are plenty of political or contemporary comedy books out there.  Likewise, many horror novels have generous dollops of humor, right before getting to the terrifying stuff.  My goal is to recreate that movie genre in book format, to put forth that frightening scenario but have a protagonist who is absolutely incapable of taking the whole thing too seriously.  It’s the best of both worlds: some scares, some gore, and hopefully a whole lot of laughs.   Tim Greaton: Another question I ask a lot is: when you finally find rest, what would you like your tombstone/obituary to say?   Here lies Rick Gualtieri: Beloved father, husband, and writer. Strangled 3 grizzly bears and a velociraptor. Sadly didn’t see that ninja sneaking up behind him.   Tim Greaton: I have to say that’s a great answer J Could you share your website/blogsite and links to where our audience could directly communicate with you and purchase your stories.   Rick Gualtieri: It would be my pleasure, Tim.   My blog is www.poptartmanifesto.com Likewise I am very active on twitter at: @rickgualtieri and Facebook: www.facebook.com/RickGualtieriAuthor   My Amazon author page is: http://www.amazon.com/author/rickgualtieri   Pop by and say Hi. I don’t bite, even if some of my characters do.   Tim Greaton: Thanks for spending time with us today, Rick. I’ve had a wonderful time learning about you and your popular fictional worlds, and I have no doubt that many of our readers will be searching your name in bookstores across the country.   Rick Gualtieri: Thank you, Tim and all of the awesome readers out there.  It has been my express pleasure to be here today. It’s humbling to be amongst such great company and I hope I can live up to those expectations.   I likewise want to thank everyone out there who has taken a chance on me or is considering it.  My goals are very simple: all I wish to do is entertain.  If I can do so for even a minute, then this journey has been more than worth it.

Dark fiction author Lin Boelz joins us in the forum today....

 

		Today, in the Forum, Lin Boelz is here to talk about her novels and stories. I have a feeling we’re in for an interesting interview. Lin. Lin, would you like to have a seat now?
Tim Greaton: Seriously, it’s great to have you here, Lin. I have often compared the process of creating a story to preparing a stew. This analogy works particularly well for someone with your interests, doesn’t it?   Lin Boelz: I do love cooking. In my spice cabinet alone I have over 140 different spices. Recently I have gotten into making my own canned goods and cheese. Rather than your stew comparison, I would probably say cake. I love baking. I have gone so far as to order ingredients from Africa, England and India to bake a recipe that caught my eye.   Tim Greaton: Your mother had a difficult childhood that turned into a fascinating method of raising children. Could you tell us about that?   Lin Boelz: My mom lost her mother when she was five and was adopted by an aunt who had no children of her own. Her aunt turned out to be like Cinderella’s evil stepmother. Consequently, my mother’s childhood was filled with all work and no play. As a result, when she had kids of her own, she made up for lost time. When Dad would leave for work, the four of us, including Mom, would play hide and seek and tag in the house. Yes in the house, running and jumping on furniture.   Tim Greaton: So when you weren’t all running and playing together, did your family have any difficult times?   Lin Boelz: I remember one Christmas when my dad had lost his job. We barely had enough money for rent and a few groceries.  That year, we all drew pictures and wrapped them in homemade paper. Though hard at the time, it is the Christmas that we now remember fondly and talk about the most. We learned that it is not what you own on the outside but what you own on the inside that matters: the gift of family love stays with a person for a lifetime.   Tim Greaton: We’ve already talked about your international recipe fetish. Do you have any other pastimes that you’d like to share?   Lin Boelz: Gardening is another of my hobbies; it ties in well with my cooking. I have started an herb garden and use the herbs to make medicine instead of taking manmade drugs. I also have a soapwort plant; I make soap out of the roots. I like to be close with nature.   Tim Greaton: People often say your writing makes it easy to visualize themselves in your scenes, which is a tremendous compliment. But there’s another comment you often hear. What is that?   Lin Boelz (grins mischievously): Some readers say I have a dark side.   Tim Greaton: I know you have a some works currently with retailers. What are those?   Lin Boelz: In all, I have nine short stories, a variety puzzle book, and two novels currently available. Syeribus Creatures of the Night is a two-book series. Vampire Dolls is a standalone novel.   Tim Greaton: So what else can readers expect in the near future?   Lin Boelz: I have two novels and short stories coming out by the end of April. I’m having an especially great time producing one project I pulled out of moth balls recently. It’s called my Prepper & Survival E-zine, where I share what I have learned about preparing for short- and long-term disasters.   Tim Greaton: Writers are always fun to hang out with because they seem to have the best stories about their pasts. Something happened to you when you were seventeen. Do you remember what I’m talking about?   Lin Boelz: One night, I came home late from a date. My upstairs room had an outside staircase, which was too dark to use at night. Well, when I moved a trunk to open the French doors, to let my dog in, a rattlesnake was lying beside him. It had crawled upstairs looking for a place to keep warm. My dad saved the day by trapping it in a box and letting it go in the desert the next day.   Tim Greaton: I often ask novelists about their writing “system.” You use a term I’ve never heard before.   Lin Boelz: I am a flow writer. I just sit down and start writing, letting the story take me in whatever direction it wants to go. Sometimes I will just start typing a few words and, before I know it, I have a chapter. Recently, my husband has taken an interest in my writing and will come up with suggestions about the direction stories should take. I credit Syeribus’ ending to him. I also have taken on an editor, someone who isn’t as close to my stories. I definitely like having an editor for those times when I know what I want to write but forget to fill in the blanks for my readers.   Tim Greaton: Do you have beta readers in your family or circle of friends?   Lin Boelz: I already mentioned my husband. I have also started to use beta reading groups throughout the development of my books. One reader’s suggestion brought a couple of important changes to a work-in-progress chapter called The Wizard of Asil.   Tim Greaton: Could you tell us about your upcoming release?   Lin Boelz: It’s a combination of two projects that are coming out on the same day. One is a short story based on a man recently released from prison. He is determined to prove the warden wrong by not returning to the hell hole he emerged from after ten long years. First thing he needed was a job, but who was going to be willing to hire an ex-con? After having a job and a mysterious black cat fall in his lap, he figured maybe, just maybe he was going to get the break he deserved. Daniels soon finds out nothing is free and everything has a catch.   The other project is my aforementioned Prepper & Survival E-zine. I figure if I can help even one person become better prepared to navigate the stress and trials of disaster, then I will have done my job. Let’s face it, the world may never turn into an apocalyptic disaster movie, but earthquakes, floods and tornadoes are a fact of life. Are you ready to live off the grid or feed your family if it takes days or even weeks for help to arrive? And what if someone or something does cause the world to go crazy for a few weeks, months or years? What then?   Tim Greaton: Will there be sequels to either of those two new works?   (She gives me that grin again).   Tim Greaton: I’ll take that as a maybe J   Which author do you model your work after, or do you not see any parallels with past works you’ve read?   Lin Boelz: Edgar Allen Poe, Sherlock Holmes, and The Twilight Zone and Outer Limits television series had the most influence on my writing.   Tim Greaton: So that’s where the dark Lin comes from J   What part of your books are the most difficult to write?   Lin Boelz: It’s never the same, but one recent ending was particularly difficult. My husband and I battled for quite some time before it got worked out.   Tim Greaton: If a director contacted you to put one of your works on a movie screen right now, what would our audience see?   Lin Boelz: Scenes from my upcoming short story—   Tim Greaton: You really aren’t going to tell us the title?   Lin Boelz (again the grin): My movie would unfold with glimpses of a mysterious woman who is never seen at the same time as the black cat who often follows my freed prisoner around. To Daniels it will start to feel like the cat is everywhere at every waking moment.   Tim Greaton: You have a unique solution if any of the monsters from your stories appeared in real life. What is would you do exactly?   Lin Boelz: I would pull all the beds out of the house and leave the lights on.   Tim Greaton: Could you share your website/blogsite and links to where our audience could directly communicate with you and purchase your stories?   Lin Boelz: http://www.weaverofshadows.com. My email and blog are on the website. My books (under the name L.M. Boelz) are available on Amazon kindle and Smashwords.com. Smashwords is especially great because of the variety of download formats they offer.   Tim Greaton: Thanks for taking the time today, Lin. It’s been fun.   Lin Boelz: No, thank you. I feel lucky to have found a forum where readers can get to know authors. Really, your site is priceless.  Thank you, and thank you to all the readers who took time out of their busy days to spend with us.