Ask the Author: Martin Clark
Answered Questions (16)
Martin Clark
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Martin Clark
Linda: Good morning. And apologies--I still struggle to make my way around Goodreads, and I'm just now seeing this. My friend and mentor Tom Wolfe told me that seat-time, actually sitting down and writing every day, even when you don't feel like it, is the key to turning out good books. Me, I still write early every morning and still enjoy it. I think it's important to have the habit, the rhythm, and I'm convinced good things come from putting in the time. Good luck. And...oh...have fun with it. Best--MFC
Martin Clark
I am grateful. Many thanks. As best I can tell, you are my very first sale. Hope you like it. MFC
Martin Clark
David: Thanks so much. I am sorry I didn't see your note and acknowledge it. It was somehow buried in the standard Goodreads author questions, plus I'm just not as attentive to my page as I need to be. THE PLINKO BOUNCE will be released September 12. Hope you are writing up a storm. I'm a fan. MFC
Martin Clark
Annabella--The new book, THE PLINKO BOUNCE, is finished and should be out this fall. David Aaron Baker and Morgan Hallett just finished recording the audiobook. As for writing and my focus, I always try to save the hard liquor until I'm through at the computer--a nice reward or treat. Also, I write early in the mornings, so quiet and calm are very much welcome. Cheers and thanks for asking. MFC
Martin Clark
To borrow from Casablanca's prefect of police: I'm only a poor, state court judge, so this one won't be on my docket. As for writing about it, seems to me that might be a tough sell--readers usually like at least one character they can pull for.
Martin Clark
You are very kind to ask. THE PLINKO BOUNCE is finished and with my agent in New York. Should be released next summer. I'm very excited about the audio version. Signed up with Recorded Books again, and the incredible David Aaron Baker will be back, plus, for this book, they are bringing on a female reader, something I've always wanted. Thanks again for checking in. Best--Martin
Martin Clark
Good morning. I did in fact write while I was a judge, almost every day. Honestly, I'm not sure there were many complications or challenges. I enjoy writing, and on most days, it beat the heck out of a docket full of probation violations. There was really no transition for me--I still write every morning from around six to seven-thirty, same as always. I tell folks now that I have only one fulltime job. Wishing you the best in retirement and with your books. Cheers--MFC
Martin Clark
Teresa: Sorry for the long delay in replying. I just this morning found your question. I'm not sure I have much to offer in terms of tips, but I can tell you that in 2000, when my first book was released, I knocked on a lot of independent-bookstore doors and asked them to give me a chance. I hope you you hang the moon with Poor Starla and wish you all the best. Martin
Martin Clark
Carol: Good morning. Huge apologies for not answering your question. I'm not on Goodreads that much, and obviously, I haven't figured out the Q&A feature. I just this morning discovered your question. Mr. Wolfe was a friend and mentor, and I also love Bonfire. He is much missed. Haven't seen the movie but will keep an eye out. Enjoy the holidays. Best--Martin
Martin Clark
Good morning. And apologies. I need to solve Goodreads and check in more often so questions don't languish for a year. The Legal Limit borrows most from real events and a real case, and the basic plot of Plain Heathen Mischief is lifted from a civil case I tried. That said, most of the plots and outcomes are plain old fiction. Thanks for the question and the kind words and support in your reviews. Again, sorry to be such a dolt in terms of replying. Best for the holidays--Martin
Martin Clark
Patricia: Jeez, sorry it took me so long to discover this. I'm not getting any better at this part of Goodreads. Folks seem to like the local stuff, and it makes the book seem much more real to readers in this part of the world. Big thanks for buying my novels. I'm grateful, and grateful for the kind words. All best--Martin
Martin Clark
Chasity--Good morning. It's definitely not my place--or good form--to in any fashion rate people or characters. Ralph Clay and Hazel Clark raised us different than that. I'd like to think that all of my TSO characters--except the obvious villains--are beautiful in some way or another. Especially Nelson. And thanks again for coming out to visit at Parnassus. I very much appreciated your thoughts on the jailbird riff--indeed, something a little less optimistic than my norm. Big cheers to you--MFC
Martin Clark
Thanks for the note, Carol. Much appreciated. I’d say THE LEGAL LIMIT might hit your fancy. At the risk of not selling a book, I doubt you’d care for MANY ASPECTS, given your other reading interests—it’s very hit or miss with folks, who either love it or hate it, and it’s not Lee Child or the very-talented Steinhauer. This might seem like an odd suggestion, but one of my favorite “legal” books is Mr. Tom Wolfe’s BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES. Of course, it’s much more than a thriller. It’s full of insight and satire, but he sure gets the justice system down pat. Again, thanks for the note and kind words. Best—MFC
Martin Clark
Jim: "Homemade sin" is pretty much a part of the vernacular in these parts. That said, I'm now heading YouTube to hear the song Lost Mind. Best--MFC
Martin Clark
Jeff: Thanks for the note and kind words. I am just now-- in the last month or so--learning my way around Goodreads. I found this message today, in my "Author Dashboard" box. First trip here for me. Sorry to be late getting back to you. The new one, THE SUBSTITUTION ORDER, is out July 9, 2019. All best and thanks again--Martin
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