Ask the Author: Tom Haikin
Answered Questions (8)
Tom Haikin
In my first book, Chet, I created a fictional afterlife and I have returned to it twice; once in The Carnation of Ed Burgess, and the second time in Seeking The Big Office. I'd go there.
Tom Haikin
I currently work in a liquor store that offers a wide variety of alcoholic beverages in a large choice of sizes. The smallest and most inexpensive item is a 50 ml bottle of sickening sweet bourbon that retails for ninety-nine cents. Despite much better choices nearby, it' the item that is stolen most often. There must be a reason for this. Why would someone commit a crime that offers such a small reward for equal risk.
I'm exploring that in a novel I'm now writing.
I'm exploring that in a novel I'm now writing.
Tom Haikin
Odd thoughts enter my mind all the time. In the book I'm writing now, I remembered a teacher telling me years ago that there were so many people who automatically order any book about Abraham Lincoln, that the books always do well.
I decided to try out the theory by creating "Abraham Lincoln Didn't Sleep Here." It's a mystery.
I decided to try out the theory by creating "Abraham Lincoln Didn't Sleep Here." It's a mystery.
Tom Haikin
I trust the characters. If I have them well established in my mind, I can put them in a situation and see what they do. That probably sounds a little weird but I know Todd and Molly pretty well by now, so if I don't know where the story is heading, I'll put them in the situation and wait for one of them to answer.
In the Antique Heiress, Molly breaks up with a boyfriend. I wasn't sure how that was going to go, so I had her cry on Todd's shoulder. It was out of character for her to cry, but I was a little surprised when Todd told her that he was wearing his good suit and that tears weren't good for it. It brought her back from a tough situation that I hadn't figured out yet.
In the Antique Heiress, Molly breaks up with a boyfriend. I wasn't sure how that was going to go, so I had her cry on Todd's shoulder. It was out of character for her to cry, but I was a little surprised when Todd told her that he was wearing his good suit and that tears weren't good for it. It brought her back from a tough situation that I hadn't figured out yet.
Tom Haikin
I get to create my own world and move around in it. Todd Dugan, the despicable character in Royal Majestic, became my main character in a detective series and he's now on his third adventure.
In Dead Ended, I created the character of Josh Bonnet, and watched him work his way though a bewildering series of exercises that ultimately led him to a truth about himself - A truth I didn't know until I approached the end of the story.
In Dead Ended, I created the character of Josh Bonnet, and watched him work his way though a bewildering series of exercises that ultimately led him to a truth about himself - A truth I didn't know until I approached the end of the story.
Tom Haikin
What you say and how you say it is what makes your story unique. My first book started out as a short story and would have remained that way until a few people read it and asked for more.
Tom Haikin
I'm writing two books. The one I'm spending the most time with is a case involving identity theft. The other is a sequel to my first book - Chet.
Tom Haikin
I was looking for a variation on the whodunit theme, and decided that creating a cast of characters who all had reasons to commit a crime would be a difficult task for my team of detectives. It gave Todd a chance to show off his background in antiques and Molly got to color inside the lines the way she likes.
The ending should be a surprise. I hope it is.
The ending should be a surprise. I hope it is.
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