Ask the Author: G.J.C. McKitrick
Answered Questions (10)
G.J.C. McKitrick
I don't have any unresolved murders in my life. There are several cases of "why did this person do this or that?" but no unsolved deaths. In addition I'm a bit cautious about using autobiographical material because negative reactions to the book can easily become negative reactions to the author. At least it can feel that way.
G.J.C. McKitrick
Probably Nick and Amy Dunne in Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl", a perfectly executed dysfunctional mess.
G.J.C. McKitrick
Self promotion is not my strength. I took a look at your listing on Amazon. The first thing I would do is make it available as a ebook. I did not see a Kindle link there. I don't know what your subject matter is but the title is suggestive and many people don't want to be seen reading something suggestive in public. "Fifty Shades of Grey" sold a lot more digital copies than it did paper copies because people could read it more anonymously. If your book is not about the activities of a "Dirty Old Man" in the sexual sense then you'll need an immediate title change. I'm also assuming that you're self published. If not you would be getting some advise on this from your publisher. Here's three good books on the "business" side of self publishing. David Gaughran has two excellent titles. "Let's Get Digital" and "Let's Get Visible. The other indispensable book is "Write. Publish. Repeat" by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant. Hope this helps.
G.J.C. McKitrick
Hi Kimmy. No I don't ever remember not showering because of writing. :-) I have no problem working on writerly ideas when I'm doing other things though like walking or, I suppose, showering. In fact I worked out many of the plot lines in "A Walk in the Thai Sun" while delivering mail. I wouldn't write if I didn't enjoy it. About 97% of published writers don't much enough money, so it's not a economic survival strategy. You have to love it!
G.J.C. McKitrick
How do you get inspired to breath? It's just a natural state for me.
G.J.C. McKitrick
I'm writing a massive science fiction trilogy. The first book is called "The Fahr" and is currently in the 2nd rough draft stage. I will be publishing this under the name T.K. Boomer for marketing reasons.
G.J.C. McKitrick
I get to wear comfortable clothing without have to worry about how it looks.
G.J.C. McKitrick
Write and get feedback. Write and get feedback. Over time put yourself in progressively more challenging feedback situations.
G.J.C. McKitrick
I find that writers block, when it occurs, is usually specific to the piece I'm working on. I just work on another project for a while and that seems to do it.
G.J.C. McKitrick
In the early 1980s I learned the story of a missionary who had been murdered in Thailand because of a mistakenly jealous husband. The event triggered a lot of negative coverage in the local Thai press, most of it in the form of criticism of the morals of Christian missionaries working in the country. In effect this turned the murderer into a folk hero and threatened the continuing presence of the missionary organization in the country. The organization realized that this was a battle they could not win and wisely decided not to seek justice. The victim's family, strong supporters of the mission, agreed with this decision. The killer was never charged, the local press interest faded, and the missionary organization was able to continue its work. When I heard this story I wondered how the story might have been different had the victim's family insisted on justice, if they didn't believe in the importance of the missionary work. Over time this story began to take shape:
Retired Vancouver Police officer Sam Watson has little use for religion. When his only son, Jeff, commits to missionary service in Thailand, Sam is understandably upset. An uneasy long distance relationship continues until the unthinkable happens: Jeff is murdered. The mission organization wants nothing to do with the investigation and the Thai Police seem unable or unwilling to solve the crime. Sam finds himself in Thailand seeking his son’s killer but also grappling with loss, culture shock and, ultimately, the meaning of his son’s short life.
Retired Vancouver Police officer Sam Watson has little use for religion. When his only son, Jeff, commits to missionary service in Thailand, Sam is understandably upset. An uneasy long distance relationship continues until the unthinkable happens: Jeff is murdered. The mission organization wants nothing to do with the investigation and the Thai Police seem unable or unwilling to solve the crime. Sam finds himself in Thailand seeking his son’s killer but also grappling with loss, culture shock and, ultimately, the meaning of his son’s short life.
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