Author Interview With Lannie Wright
Here we have the third interview in my new interview series, this time with Lannie Wright. Read on to find out about his third book, Monterey Madness – Mr. One Pocket.
What exactly do you write? (Fiction? Genre? Novel? Short story? Series? Technical or nonfiction? Articles? Reviews?)
I write mystery/suspense novels. I have one series I’m working on that will also include a little of the supernatural.
How would you describe yourself in a short third person bio?
This is a difficult question for me to answer so I asked my wife. She thinks I’m like an onion with many layers. A financial advisor by trade. A furniture maker by hobby and a quick learner (I figured out how to say “Yes Dear” in a few short weeks.) The Lannie Wright I see is a doer. I’ve never met a problem I couldn’t figure out sooner or later and I never quit anything I believe to be worthwhile.
Do you have a day-job (other than writing)?
I’ve been selfemployeed as a financial advisor for the last thirty-four years. I do my writing in the evenings an average of six days a week.
What made you initially want to write? Has your motivation changed since then?
I’ve had many motivations over the years, but writing a book was never one of them. At first I wrote simply because I enjoyed doing it. After that, I wrote because my wife kicked me into the office to write more because she liked what I wrote. Later I wrote because I hated watching the reality TV shows that my wife loves. Now, I just like to write to see where my characters take me.
What do you think is the most important part of writing?
Another hard question. If you are asking what I think is the most important aspect of the writing process, it would have to be consistency. If you don’t create the habit of writing every day, you’ll never make it.
Tell us an interesting fact about you.
I have a second degree black belt in two martial art styles.
Do you prefer a physical book or an ebook? Why?
I actually enjoy both. I like to hold a real book in my hands from a traditional perspective. However, I also enjoy the simplicity of using an e-book when it comes to shopping for the next thing to read.
Are you a self-published author/indie author or did you go down the ‘traditional’ publication route? Why?
You keep asking difficult questions. The simple answer is yes, all of the above. The accurate answer would be that I started by going the traditional route. I spent several years going through the procees of getting an agent and was thrilled when that was finally accomplished. I had written three books and turned two of them over for the agent to get out to the large publishers. So far (after almost two years) they are still unsigned. I have great expectations for that work and will not compromise that goal with those manuscripts. The third book, Monterey Madness – Mr. One Pocket, I chose to take to a small publishing house and it was accepted quickly. Finally, I am seriously considering the self publishing route for a different series and make it available sometime this year.
Tell us a little about your book, Monterey Madness – Mr. One Pocket.
First, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had writing. Like most mysteries, there is a murder involved. What sets this book apart from most are the characters. The main character is Adam Shaw, a tough as nails police detective who doesn’t get along with authority. Having been suspended for attitude problems, he’s put in a bad situation when his longtime friend is accused of murder. Not being allowed to use traditional resources to help his friend, he must turn to an eclectic group of miscreants to help him. To make matters worse, he’s visited by Tootie, his skirt-chasing father-in-law, who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. It’s fun and full of people you can’t help but fall in love with.
Which projects are you working on at the moment?
As I mentioned earlier, I am currently working on a new series designed for the e-book market. (self pub) The title is Castle Grey – A Katt and Mouse Mystery. This first book of the series should be complete in the next month. My hope is that, with editing and learning the self publishing process, I can make it available sometime in July or August.
How has writing changed your life?
It’s made me rich and famous. No wait, that’s down the road. In reality, it hasn’t changed me all that much. I write for myself first. I expect, down the road, some things will change and look forward to that time.
Have you ever written under a pseudonym?
I haven’t yet. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. If I ever write chiclit I’ll probably use one then.
Where do you get inspiration for writing from?
This question kinda falls in to the wierd category. I get inspiration from just about anywhere. My third book, for example, came from strange things that were happening in my life, but then the title came from Google Earth. Another inspiration came from walking down the country road I live on and looking at the cracks in the black top. If you open your mind to possibility, anything can enter.
Do you listen to music whilst writing or have a ‘writing cave’?
No. I can’t do that. I have a ‘writing cave’ and then put ear plugs in just to make sure squeaks and strange sounds (and my wife’s questions) don’t interrupt my train of thought.
Is there a particular form, style or genre that you’d like to have a go at writing? Why?
So far, I’ve worked in the mystery genre. If there was any area I would like to try my hand at, it would more than likely be fantasy. I’ve already started notes on somethings futuristic. But I think I would really like to take a stab at historical work that creates an alternative outcome to well known historical events.
Do you think it’s necessary to have a degree (in English or another subject) in order to be a writer?
Well if I did then I wouldn’t be writing. If there is a part of this process where I can offer advice, this is the place. The thing that makes a good story is your imagination. Without that, it doesn’t matter what degrees you have it won’t sell. Where the new authors I’ve talk too get hung up is on the editing of that creative work. If you don’t have the education…get help with someone who know the rules.
Favourite book and/or author(s)?
I have too many authors I completely enjoy and none that I would call a favorite.
What would you say to those who want to become a writer?
Don’t do it!!! Actually, what I would suggest more than anything is to figure out why you are writing in the first place. It’s like professional sports, only a fraction make it to the top, so if your goal is fame and fortune, more power to you. Just be prepared to get lucky in about ten to twenty years down the road if you really work hard at it.
Lannie C. Wright, author
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www.wings-press.com
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