An Interview with Tim Myers!
Do you see a part of yourself in your main character?
I see a part of myself in every character I write, even the bad guys. This is all about empathy, in my mind.
What is your writing schedule?
I start between 4-6 AM and sometimes work until 8 at night. It's a great deal of work, but I love it, and I hope it shows in my books.
What mystery authors have inspired you?
Carolyn Hart, Charlotte MacLeod, Agatha Christie, John D MacDonald, Tamar Myers, Gregory MacDonald, Lawrence Block, Donald Westlake, the list goes on and on
What is the best and worst part of writing the book?
The best is the jolt of creation for me, finding out what happens as I write about it. The worst part is the galley stage. Any mistakes I miss go straight into my book. Arrrghhh.
What advice might you give the novice mystery writer?
Read heavily in the field you want to write in, write every day, and study how others do things you can't do as well yet. I do this all the time still, and think it's wonderful advice. The single most important part is write every day. Oh, and don't give up. Try to learn something new every week too. I know, that's not single anything, but there you go.
What inspires you to write?
Contracts are wonderful inspiration. Deadlines are great motivators, but the truth is, it's the joy of telling a new story.
Do you write in a frenzy when an idea comes along or do you go about it sedately, let it be and come back and can pick right up without flinching?
Once I get the germ of the basic idea, I dive right in. It's most fun for me that way.
Do you tend to do a lot of research or just as needed?
I do enough research, but not too much. For my crafting mysteries, I make everything I write about. Why not? It's fun to do, or I wouldn't write a series about it.
If you could interview an author, whom would it be and why?
Stephen King or JK Rowling, two technically brilliant writers, in my mind. Besides, I'd get to hang out with them, and I'm a huge fan of their work.
If you could travel to one favorite place, where would that be and why?
I'd go to Ireland. Never been, always thought it looked beautiful, but now that I can afford it, I can't take the time to go. Ironies abound in this life, don't they.
Do you write by any other name?
Yes, I also write under the name Elizabeth Bright. There are other projects that will be published under yet other names, but I'm not at liberty to discuss any of those.
Why do you write cozy mysteries over any other types of mysteries?
I've always loved reading cozies, so it was a natural place for me to start. Some of my short stories have been rather dark, but I always come back to cozy.
How do you choose the season the book is set in?
Part of it depends on the season I'm writing, part on the last book written in the series, and part of it is capricious.
How long does it generally take you to write the first draft of your book?
No two books are the same, but generally two or three months. Remember, that's seven days a week, day in and day out, and most of those waking moments devoted to it.
How many rewrites do you allow yourself before you let go of it?
I do as many as are needed. I don't like to fuss with it too much, because sometimes I think that steals a book's freshness.
That was fun. Now it's time to get back to work, though <G>. I hope you enjoy my books!
Best,
Tim
