Author’s Bio: F. J. Talley is a Philadelphia native who has
had many different career aspirations. After cowboy and fireman, he temporarily
settled on being a music conductor. F. J. wrote his first novel-length work in
the summer between college and graduate school. This still unpublished work
helped to develop his writing style, characterized by dialogue sprinkled with
wit and dry humor, even though he doesn’t really have a sense of humor.
He is a big fan of
NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and was led to NaNoWriMo by one of his
students who has written five novels: F. J. is determined to catch up with her.
His first NaNoWriMo-written book is the science fiction work Twin Worlds, followed by Take Hart, a police procedural; both
were published in 2017. He hopes to publish his third novel, Diaspora, in 2019.
DL: What inspired you to write your book?
FJT: Take Hart wasn’t
something I had thought about for along time. However, I’ve always liked strong
female characters in action movies, mysteries or science fiction. Characters
like Abigail Borin or Ziva David from NCIS,
Jane Rizzoli from Tess Gerritsen’s novels, Ellen Ripley from the Alien
franchise, Black Widow, Michelle Yeoh from Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Coffey Brown (Pam Grier) and Modesty Blaise from the
original novels. Even Agent Carter from the TV series. Emma Peel from the Avengers.
I wanted to create a
strong female character of color to do much the same thing. It was important
that she be aware of her status as s woman of color–she’s actually biracial—and
comfortable making a place for herself as a cop and as a force to be reckoned with.
DL: Describe your writing process? Do you use an outline or let it
flow organically?
FJT: I suppose my answer
should be “yes.” For my novels, I outline individual scenes and chapters,
sometimes with whole sections of narrative or dialogue. On the other hand, I
always allow myself to let the words flow as they come. For all four of my
novels—the two I’ve self-published and those in progress, scenes and whole
sections have emerged almost without me realizing it. I try to sit down
regularly, review where I am in the outline and just start writing. Much of the
time, I find myself very unhappy with the writing when I do it, hoping to make
it better through rewriting. It is stream of consciousness writing and
generally fast; it’s the editing and rewriting that takes significantly longer.
DL: What do you think makes a good story?
FJT: A good story grabs the
reader enough that he or she can’t put the book down. The smile when they see a
great line, frown when something isn’t going the way they thought and their
eyes widen when there’s a big surprise. Most of all, a good story contains
characters you want to know more about, and offers nuance.
DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in
any way either growing up or as an adult?
FJT: It was Sherlock Holmes: A Golden Picture Classic.
This was the first book I remember reading and re-reading time and time again.
It introduced me to detective fiction, which I’ve read ever since.
DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would
be your dream guests?
FJT: Walter Mosley, Sara
Paretsky and Tony Hillerman.
DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
FJT: I’m still working on
that, though part of the process must be extensive planning, then working that
plan. It is clearly a marathon, and not a sprint: I’m still in the middle
distances.
DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?
FJT: First, to just jump in
and write, be it novels, novellas, short stories, poems: it doesn’t matter.
Just writing and finding your voice and how you will write long term is the
thing.
DL: How about sharing an excerpt from Take Hart?
FJT: Here you go:
“Is this how it ends?” She
could taste the gunpowder as she tried to keep her focus on the task
ahead. The tunnel felt dank and closed in
claustrophobic.
One member
of her team shot, and the other injured and in a lot of pain. She glanced back at him, and thought she could
see the strain in his eyes as he sat.
Still, she knew he would back her up, his weapon at the ready.
The weapon
in her arms suddenly felt heavier than before and she could feel beads of sweat
under her helmet. But, she had a job to
do.
“This is what I trained for.”
She
brought strength to her arms and hands and took a deep breath. She focused her gaze down the tunnel.
“Let ‘em come.”
DL: What’s on the horizon for you?
FJT: Now that I’ve completed the short story challenge
for 2018, writing 50 short stories in November and December, I’m now going to
focus on submitting these stories to publishers and to contests. I will also
continue editing my earlier project from 2018, and continue submitting the
novel first written in 2017 to agents and publishers.
DL: Where can readers learn more about you and
your book(s)?
FJT: They can find out more about me and work here:
·
Website: http://fjtalley.com/
·
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2LRi2BZ
·
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fjtalleyauthor
·
Blog: http://fjtalley.com/
·
Book Buy Links: For Twin Worlds:
https://amzn.to/2LRYRbk; for Take
Hart: https://amzn.to/2F8u1dj
It’s been a pleasure
having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you
and your work.
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