Ask the Author: Terry Lynn Thomas
Answered Questions (9)
Terry Lynn Thomas
Hey, Tessa. Apologies for this late response. Right now I'm writing contemporary legal thrillers; however, Cat Carlisle stories have been popping into my head. So stay tuned! I do love writing Cat and hope to have some more Cat stories in my future.
Terry Lynn Thomas
Hello, Grace. Apologies for this late response. My current publisher does not provide hardback copies of my books. So not at this time.
Terry Lynn Thomas
Yes! The House of Lies is slated for release on March 4!
Terry Lynn Thomas
Hello. I'm so sorry you don't like the narrator for the second books! My publisher handles all that, so I don't have anything to do with it.
Terry Lynn Thomas
Hey, Jackie. Here I am, answering your question five months late. Sigh. Anyway, the third book the Sarah Bennett Series, "Neptune's Daughter," is now available on Amazon! I'm also working on a new series that will release in 2018. As for Sarah, I am planning a series of novellas. I'll post about those here, so stay tuned. Thanks for reaching out.
Terry Lynn Thomas
Of course, I want to say the ability to stay home and work in pajamas, but I love immersing myself in my story. My books take place in the 1940s, so when I am composing, I try to immerse myself in that time period. I read books that were written during that era, listen to the music, read magazines and newspapers. The ads are hilarious and enlightening. It is so interesting to revisit the events of the past. On a deeper note, during the actual journey from the blank page to completed manuscript., I always discover something about myself in the process of telling a story. Storytelling enriches my day-to-day experiences, makes me more aware of others, and the individual stories that each and every one of carries within. Writing is also very cathartic, and I believe that the world would be a better place if everyone wrote.
Terry Lynn Thomas
Hey, Jason. Thanks for the question. It is a good one, and the answer is a resounding yes. I have had one person tell me that I should take a beginning composition class. She teaches at community college, and although she is a fabulous teacher, her comment was off base and cut to the core. I immediately called my agent, who talked me off the ledge. That is just one instance. The road to publication is rife with criticism, and I imagine once my debut is out, there will plenty of people who do not like it. I remain hopeful that I will find the readers who like my work. That is my ultimate goal. Criticism, or constructive feedback, is an absolute necessity for the writer. As a professional, you must be able to learn to take the feedback, and use it to hone your skills. The teacher (who obviously is not a fan of my writing) is still an acquaintance, and I've decided that her opinions about my ability to write are none of my business! Thanks for the question, Jason.
Terry Lynn Thomas
My advice for inspiring writers is to keep writing, no matter what. Find a mentor and a critique group and write you A@* off! It takes a long time to write good, marketable fiction. You might pen three novels, and they won't see the light of day. You will get better and hone your craft, but you need to keep plugging away. Writing is a solitary endeavor, so I cannot stress the importance of writers' groups or critique groups, and professional organizations. It is important to keep up with industry trends, and professional organizations are the go-to for staying abreast. On another note, the writers that I have met at conferences and functions are some of the kindest and generous people, ever. It is important, once your writing starts to pay off (and I believe it will if you have the guts to persevere), to pay it forward and in turn be generous with your time and advice. So to all those aspiring writers: Keep plugging away! Good luck.
Terry Lynn Thomas
What a great question. I never utter the dreaded word, but if I come to a standstill, I turn off the computer, grab a pen, and brainstorm longhand. This is a failsafe method for me and has worked every time. I am a compulsive outliner, and all of my stories are plotted to within an inch of their life. This doesn't mean that I don't stray from the outline, because I do. I just use it as a map, knowing that I have the security of it, should I get lost along the way.
Having said that, my stumbling comes during the outline process. There has been many times where I've backed a character into a corner, and nothing jibes. When this happens, I step back, unravel what I've written, kiss the pages off to experience as I toss them in the fire. Then I forget about this particular issue, and do something else, either work on another part of my book, or shut down for the day and go play outside. Stepping away works wonders, and there's nothing like a good gallop in the woods on my horse (who keeps me sane) to clear the cobwebs and give me a fresh perspective.
Having said that, my stumbling comes during the outline process. There has been many times where I've backed a character into a corner, and nothing jibes. When this happens, I step back, unravel what I've written, kiss the pages off to experience as I toss them in the fire. Then I forget about this particular issue, and do something else, either work on another part of my book, or shut down for the day and go play outside. Stepping away works wonders, and there's nothing like a good gallop in the woods on my horse (who keeps me sane) to clear the cobwebs and give me a fresh perspective.
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