Do you have a method for keeping track of your writing ideas? And if so, how do you know which story idea to pursue next? Our guest today is author C. Kevin Thomson.
Welcome, Kevin!
Name: C. Kevin Thompson
Genre: Speculative Fiction, Mysteries, and Thrillers
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Latest Novel: The Letters
Writing Tip:
When coming up with ideas for books to write, keep a cheap, spiral-bound notebook handy and on one page, jot down a tentative title, some possible protagonist’s names, and a quick synopsis of the story that came to mind. Try to keep the information to one page. Don’t drone on about it. Be as succinct as possible, but give enough info so that when you look at it later, you’ll remember the idea.
Then, let it sit and simmer for a while. As more ideas come to mind, jot those down too. If you don’t, you’ll forget them, and they may never come back.
When you’re ready to start a new novel or non-fiction work, peruse your idea book and see what jumps off the page, begging you to write it next. And don’t be surprised it two or more ideas raise their hands and say, “We’ve been talking, and we think if you work it right, you could incorporate all three of us into a more intricate, deeper work.” Sometimes, it’s the combination of ideas that turn out to be the best.
Writing Tip for New Writers:
The writing life—the one that looks soooo glamorous as it is portrayed in movies and TV shows—is really a hard life. It’s not an easy market to break into these days, and it can be daunting. This world of writing and publishing has also changed so much in the last ten years. Therefore, learn the craft (i.e., learn how to write well), be patient (nothing in this industry happens overnight), write what you can live with. Why? Because if you don’t, you may end up being a very miserable but rich author. One who wants to write in another genre but can’t because his or her publisher is saying it’s against the religion of “platforms.” At that point, you’re left with “jumping ship” and leaving your publisher (and your major source of income) or “jumping off a cliff,” because if you have to write one more _______________ (fill in the genre blank here), you’d rather take a long walk off a short pier.
I exaggerated a little on that last choice, but you get my drift. Go into this writing life for the long haul.
THE WORLD IS A CRAZY PLACE
WHEN THE LIVING ARE DEAD
AND THE DEAD ARE ALIVE.
Rachel Hamar—a Manhattan bank teller—lives nothing close to a Manhattan lifestyle. Residing in Washington Heights, NY, the only thing keeping her in The Big Apple is her mother—a long-time patient in a local psychiatric hospital. It’s December, 2014, and the twentieth anniversary of her high school sweetheart’s tragic death. She’s not sure how much more heartache she can endure, especially after being told earlier in the day she no longer has a job at the bank. A casualty of downsizing.
In the midst of spiraling depression, Rachel receives a mysterious letter in the mail. When she opens it, she becomes cautious and skeptical of its contents and discards it as a mistake, concluding it’s simply addressed incorrectly or a postal worker’s faux pas in the midst of a busy Christmas season. But another letter arrives the next day. And another the day after that. Before long, she is in possession of several letters. Each one more puzzling than the last.
Thinking that someone may be playing a cruel game, she contacts the police, and this propels Rachel and the two detectives into one of the most bizarre cases they’ve ever encountered. Is it a friend’s cruel joke? Is it some stalker’s perverse idea of manipulation? Or is it something more?
Working together, the pair discovers an unusual business card among Ms. O’Connor’s family belongings that leads them on a journey to China. There, the women embark on an adventure of faith and self-discovery as they uncover secrets, truths, and ultimately, God’s perfectly arranged plans.
C. KEVIN THOMPSON is a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a kid at heart. Often referred to as “crazy” by his grandchildren, it’s only because he is. He’s a writer. Need he say more?
The second edition of his award-winning debut novel, The Serpent’s Grasp, is now available! The first four books of his Blake Meyer Thriller series are scheduled for re-release in the spring of 2022, with the heart-pounding conclusion of Books 5 and 6 to join the series in the summer of 2022! And, his newest standalone novel, The Letters, winner of the 2021 Selah Award in the Speculative Fiction category is now available in both e-book and paperback!
Kevin is a huge fan of the TV series 24, The Blacklist, Blue Bloods, NCIS, Criminal Minds, BBC shows Broadchurch, Shetland, Hinterland, and Wallander, loves anything to do with Star Trek, and is a Sherlock Holmes fanatic too. But you will never catch him wearing a deerstalker. Ever.
Social Media Links:
C. Kevin Thompson – Author Fan Page
Thank you so much for joining us today! Please take a moment to check out Kevin’s latest release, The Letters and connect with him on social media.
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