Author Interview: Heart of Stone

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AUTHOR INTERVIEWS WITH JIM & SUSIE!

Which of your Published or Unpublished books is your favorite, and why?

Jim: Wow, kicking things off with a tough question, yes? Love it. If I had to choose I’d go with Rooms, my first novel. Why? Because it’s the one I dreamed about for years (and wrote for years) and when I finally held that book in my hands after it was published it was a glorious feeling. I sat there on my front porch with my wife stunned that the dream had come true. A wonderful moment.

SMW: My favorite book is always the one I’m currently working on! I love developing my characters and the story, and going on the adventure with him to their happy ending. That said, I do have a particular fondness for Rembrandt. Writing him not only stretched me, but I loved seeing him come to life on the page. He’s a keeper!

How do you pick your character’s personalities or looks?

Jim: The majority of the time I take fascinating people from my own life and plop them into my stories. They feel real to readers (with all their quirks and skills and strengths and weaknesses) because they are real. And yes, I often take unkind people and put them in my novels as well.

SMW: I usually start with the story seed, and then ask, what kind of character would be the most interesting to go on the journey with. Then, I start asking who they are, and what they want, and what their wounds are, and develop them from the inside out. Only when I have a good sense of who they are on the inside do I go on the hunt for someone who matches that image. Sometimes, yes, I discover an interesting character, and then I ask: what kind of story works best with this character. I sort of did this with Rem—I sort of saw him in my mind, figured out his regrets and issues, and then built the plot around him. I didn’t actually SEE Rem until I saw Henry Cavil in Night Hunter, and suddenly, he came to life.

What is your favorite genre to read? What is your favorite genre to write? And why are they your favorites?

Jim: To read: Time travel. To write: Time travel. I’ve been captivated by the what if question as far back as I can remember. What if I’d made a different choice back in grade school, high school, college? What if I hadn’t gone to that movie? How would my life have turned out differently? What if I hadn’t helped this or that person? What would their life be like?

SMW: I love military suspense, and if you can throw some romance in, I’m planted on my sofa, reading for days. My favorite genre to write, however, is epic romantic adventure. In both stories, I love strong heroes and heroines stepping in to save the day.

What inspires you the most?

Jim: My wife, Darci.

SMW: Aside from the Bible? I love a great story, a great read, movie or podcast about overcoming. I’m also really into sports movies, for that same reason.

Once an idea takes root, how long does it take you to write it down? Do you use outlines?

Jim: When an idea pops into mind I write it down immediately. The reason I carry pen and paper everywhere I go. (Sure, I could use my iPhone, but there’s something about physically writing the idea down that makes it stick in my head (and heart) more completely. Outlines? What are outlines?

SMW: I let it simmer for a while until I start to see all the what-ifs, and possible plot points. Then I go in search for the right characters, and finally, I plot the story. I definitely use an outline because I like to see if the story works before I jump in, and untangle as much as I can so I can get it on the page quickly. As for writing it down…I write EVERYTHING down, from my first story seed to the final marketing copy. My brain just isn’t that big or sharp to hold all that information!

Do you have a favorite author? Or someone whom you would say has influenced your writing style?

Jim: Deceased- C.S. Lewis. Alive- Ted Dekker and Karen Hancock

SMW: I have many favorites. I am a fan, of course of James L. Rubart. I love how his imagination works! I love the literary voice of Rachel Hauck. I love the military/spy details of a James Hannibal novel. I love the depth of a Ted Dekker book. I love the small town romance of a Melissa Tagg book. So…I guess it depends on my mood!

What are your hobbies other than writing?

Jim: Scuba diving, guitar, golf, sleight of hand, wood working, photography, hiking, back packing, water skiing … I don’t think I’ll ever allow myself to die, too many things to do.

SMW: I love home DIY. We do a lot of remodeling projects around our house!  And of course, I love to read. I also live near the beach part of the year, so I love to take walks and SCUBA dive. I collect great wine, good gourmet food with the hubs, and I love to travel!

Do you have a genre that you would never write?

Jim: Horror. I went to a horror movie when I was a junior in high school. First and last. So can’t imagine myself writing it.

SMW: AMISH. HORROR. EROTICA. (talk about many ends of the spectrum! LOL)

What is one thing you would say has had the greatest impact on your writing?

Jim: Without question my wife, Darci. She’s been my rock, inspiration, coach, editor, and champion from the moment the dream started.

SMW: My faith. Even if I’m writing a general market book, I can’t help but put a piece of truth in it. Every story has to have a nugget of truth for the character that they learn on the journey, or, to me, we’ve missed the point of the journey.

Lastly, what was your favorite book growing up?

Jim: Till I was ten, The Fabulous Flight by Robert Lawson. After that, The Chronicles of Narnia.

SMW: A Time Travel book called The Ghosts, by Antonia Barber. And I was a huge fan of the Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators series with Jupiter, Pete and Bob. I also loved the Black Stallion series, and devoured anything by Louis L’Amour.

Thank you both for stopping by and letting us readers get to know you better!

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive one The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone print copy (winner’s choice) and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 29, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 6, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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