Skip to main content

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with TJ Butler, author of Dating Silky Maxwell

Author’s Bio: TJ Butler writes fiction and essays that are not all fun and games, teaches workshops, and coaches writers. Her work has appeared in media outlets such as Huffington Post, Insider, and various literary journals. She owns a business that supports the arts, and she was one of those kids who wanted to be a writer when they grew up. BUST Magazine calls her recent short story collection, Dating Silky Maxwell “gritty, realistic, often unnerving, and far from glamorous.” Connect with her at TJButlerAuthor.com. 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

TJ Butler: I’d written a few short stories, then I attended a summer writing conference. The instructor suggested I write more and put them into a collection. It felt like a revolutionary idea. 

DL: How do you overcome the challenges of writer’s block?

TJB: I take long walks with my dog and give the words some time to flow. I don’t believe you can force them. If a story isn’t coming to you, work on something else. 

DL: What is your writing process?

TJB: I write short stories so I need to create unique characters and new storylines pretty often. I get the seed of an idea and let it live rent free in my head for a while. I become obsessed. Before I begin writing I need to know what the conflict and tension are and how it is resolved. Even when I have those things, I don’t start writing until I how the story begins. 

DL: Is there a specific author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

TJB: I read voraciously when I was younger. While I don’t have a specific book or author, reading about a variety of fiction and nonfiction topics before I was old enough to figure them out impacted my desire to be a writer. 

DL: What was the most valuable piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?

TJB: Every story needs conflict of some kind. 

DL: What are three books you’ll never part with?

TJB: Clockwork Orange, Alice in Wonderland, I Who Have Never Known A Man. 

DL: What are three fun facts about yourself?

TJB: I’ve worked as a magician’s assistant, I love the beach in the winter and hate it in the summer, and my husband and I got married alone in Ireland on a rocky, windswept bay by a Celtic monk. 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Dating Silky Maxwell?

TJB: Sure, here you go: 

From “The Wings That Follow Fear” Two nights before Ryder's coming home day, I walked down the hill to the barn to say goodnight to the animals. My hair was hanging loose over my thin cotton nightgown, the long plain one I wear in the summer when he's gone. The air was soft and still. The field beyond the barn twinkled with lightning bugs like a scene in a movie. I walked past the barn to the edge of the field and picked out one glowing flash, still and low to the ground. I counted the morse code of brilliance that flared in a pulsing yes to entice a mate. I thought of Ryder as I turned toward the barn, wishing for his hand in mine on the edge of this field and longing to watch the flickering display with him. I plucked his old plaid shirt from the nail by the barn door. I'd worn it so many times since he'd been gone that it smelled all of me and none of him. I could not get closer to him than the flannel sleeves around my arms but I did not mind. His coming home day was so close. As I slipped my arms into the soft worn sleeves, I heard the faraway crunch of tires on our gravel drive. I stepped out of the barn, heart pounding deep inside my chest. Ryder was not due home for a couple of days. 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

TJB: I’m working on two short story collections. One will have flash and short short stories, and the second will have longer stories. 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

TJB: Readers can get more information here:

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work. 

TJB: I appreciate the opportunity to share my book with your readers! 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview with Jacqueline Seewald, Author of THE INHERITANCE

Author’s Bio: Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Sixteen of her books of fiction have previously been published to critical praise including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies. What inspired you to write your book? I enjoy writing romantic mystery fiction. The idea for this particular novel just seemed to evolve organically from my imagination. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I would have to say reading the Bible was influential. As far as regular books go, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and
20 comments
Read more

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Debbie Stokes, author of The Stranger He Knew

Author’s Bio: Debbie Stokes was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She has always had a desire to be a published author of a fiction novel, but fear stopped her. She often shares how her story ideas come to her in her dreams, and how she jumps up to write them down. Finally, one day, she pushed past her fear and allowed her vision to come to past. She is now a published author, and The Stranger He Knew is her first book.  Debbie is a former CEO, blogger, and interviewer for her previous women's empowerment blog called, 3 Women Voices, where she shared empowering stories of how people overcame odds to live their best lives. She is also a former contributing writer for FEMI Magazine, a cultural lifestyle magazine, where she interviewed and shared people’s stories.  When not writing, she enjoys singing, dancing, inspiring others, and spending time with family.  Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Debbie Stokes: That is a funny story. One day, I went
10 comments
Read more

National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Jahi Trotter

Poet’s Bio: Jahi Minkah Trotter was born in Atlanta, GA, and moved to Alabama when he was six years old. He has been writing poetry since he was 11 years old. He has written two poetry books: It Was Already Written (2016) and Adapting To Life: Poems and Quotes by Jahi Minkah Trotter (2020). He developed a love for filmmaking while receiving his bachelor's degree in social science. Jahi decided to continue his quest for filmmaking at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, GA.   During his final two years at SCAD, Jahi was encouraged by his professors to go into acting while continuing to work behind the camera as well. This was a crucial time for Jahi. He lost his father in 2019 a month before taking an elective acting class that lead him into acting. He lost his mother in 2021 and continues to act and create films, including his thesis film "The Last Job," in which he acted and starred in. Jahi graduated with a master's degree in film and television from S
2 comments
Read more