T.M.’s Comments (group member since Aug 05, 2013)

T.M.’s comments from the Ask T.M. Goeglein Anything! group.

Maria wrote: "I like Sara Jane's name. How did you come up with it? Did you go through a lot of names to get to it?"

Hey Maria -

I'm from a Greek-American family and it occurred to me that after a couple of generations pass, the ethnic first names tend to be replaced by more traditionally American-sounding names.My protagonist is third generation Sicilian-American and thus, rather than Ottorina or Concetta...Sara Jane.

Thanks! - Ted

Hey Maria -

I'm from a Greek-American family and it occurred to me that after a couple of generations pass, the ethnic first names tend to be replaced by more traditionally American-sounding names.My protagonist is third generation Sicilian-American and thus, rather than Ottorina or Concetta...Sara Jane.

Thanks! - Ted

Maria wrote: "Hi Ted,
What inspired you to write the series? I love Sara Jane and her family, how did you come up with them?"

Hey Maria - thanks for the question. Frankly, I tried to create a family that, from the outside, appeared as boringly normal as possible. Mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, small family business -- and then remove that normalcy bit by bit until Sara Jane realizes it's all a facade. Best - Ted

Hey Dianne -

I approach it like a dedicated plumber - I write 9 to 5, and overtime, if necessary. There are stretches of rumination, of course, which become part of the schedule; for me, writing and thinking about what I'm writing are the same thing. Plot or character - hopefully, they're as intertwined as two vines, impossible to separate. Think of Holden Caulfield - no other kid could've narrated The Catcher in the Rye. The story and him belong to one another. Thanks for the questions! - Ted

Justin wrote: "What books do you read more than once? Do you read a lot of YA novels?"

Hey Justin - I re-read "Out of Sight," by Elmore Leonard, and '"The Long Goodbye," by Raymond Chandler, pretty regularly. And of course, the greatest YA book ever - "Catcher in the Rye," by J.D. Salinger. Best -

TMG

Patti wrote: "Hi Ted, What got you into writing? Was it a particular book that inspired you?"

Hey Patti - Probably movies as much as books, but I can never get enough of anything written by Elmore Leonard! Best,

TMG

Julia wrote: "Hi Ted, I'd like to know what Sara Jane's favorite book would be. Except for the one that's saving her life right now, of course."

Hi Julia - SJ's favorite book is one she's had since she was a little kid - "Worst Case Scenario - Survive-O-Pedia, Junior Edition." It comes in handy! Best,

TMG

Jenni wrote: "hi ted! i'd like to know what your favorite writing music is. do you listen to any chicago jazz to get in the mood? or are you more of a heavy metal dude?"

hey jenni! the truth is, i listen to so much varied music while i write that a comprehensive playlist is impossible. i created a playlist for what i loved listening to while writing the first novel in the trilogy, Cold Fury, which should give you some idea of what i like. you can find it here: http://shadowmundane.blogspot.com/201...

have fun! thanks for the great question.

It's T.M. Goeglein here, and I'm ready to answer your questions. Ask me anything - about Flicker & Burn, about Cold Fury, about Sara Jane Rispoli, about Chicago - anything goes.