The Next Big Thing…
Many thanks to Ginger King, author of Carolina Wine Country Cooking, for including me in The Next Big Thing blog series. Ginger, you rock!
Christmas 2012 is now behind us. Many of us will use this time of year—the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day—to reflect upon the many ups and downs of the passing year. Though I’ve had my share of memorable moments in 2012 (my debut novel The Beast of Macon Hollow was published!), I’m looking forward to the many surprises 2013 may bring.
So here’s a look forward at my upcoming projects as well as a little about The Beast of Macon Hollow.
What is the working title of your book (or story)?
The Beast of Macon Hollow, Book 2: Rise of the Apollyons
Where did the idea come from for the book?
It’s the natural progression of the characters and plot lines of The Beast of Macon Hollow. There were some intriguing ideas brought to light near the end of the book that were worth exploring with a second (and maybe third) book.
What genre does your book fall under?
Young adult fiction, for the most part. But I try to write in a way that all age groups can enjoy the character development and action sequences. The Beast books will always have strong characters, elements of the supernatural, and some science fiction.
What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
The Beast protagonists—Will Shepard and Cate Duncan—will need to be young, up-and-coming actors that need their big break. For the character of Howard Macon, I’ve always envisioned an Alec Baldwin-type. For Rufus Jackson, the rough-and-tumble everyman that figures prominently in the events of Beast, Michael Rooker would be perfect.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
For The Beast of Macon Hollow: After moving to Macon Hollow, fifteen-year-old Will Shepard is drawn into a deadly struggle with a legendary creature known as the Beast and with those who want to control it for their own evil purposes.
For Rise of the Apollyons: Will Shepard must once again find the courage to face his destiny: this time in the form of the remaining apollyons and the menacing force behind them!
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
The Beast of Macon Hollow was published by Second Wind Publishing.
How long will it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
That is a good question. It depends upon the time I have to devote toward it. My goal is to complete it in 2013.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
As far as the overall plot—boy with a problem or boy vs. monster—I would compare to a number of young adult books by highly acclaimed authors, such as Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The Beast of Macon Hollow was born because my wife dared me to write a story about our hometown’s legend, the Beast of Bladenboro. But when I began to actually explore this creature, Macon Hollow’s beast took control of my keyboard and proceeded to reveal itself to me in startling detail. The result is its story. I may go back and actually write another book on the original beast. For Rise of the Apollyons, my inspiration is to further explore these characters and plot lines and see what adventures I can find!
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
I strove to make The Beast of Macon Hollow a story with rich characters and settings that will allow the reader to become a part of Macon Hollow. For instance, Will Shepard has been a victim for much of his life—physically bullied by his peers and verbally bullied by his father. It’s through facing his destiny—the Beast—that he faces and overcomes his fears of life. Also, Will’s sister, Liz, must take over the motherly duties after Will’s mother is killed by senseless violence. During the story, Liz reaches out to help another of life’s victims—a hearing-impaired character named Possum—and transforms his life through her kindness. These are just two of the characters that populate the Town of Macon Hollow.
For Rise of the Apollyons, the Beast goes global!