The Page Turners discussion
Author Q&A's
>
[Closed] Author Q&A: Robert Bailey
date
newest »
newest »
Was the publishing process difficult?How did you begin writing?
Do you have any books in the works that you can share with us?
Do you have any writing tips?
What was your inspiration for "The Professor?"
How often do you write?How do you decide where to end a chapter?
Are your characters based off real-life people?
Who is your biggest inspiration?
If you could meet any author, who would it be?
What recommendations would you give to an aspiring writer?
How long did it take you to write The Professor?
How long, on average, does it take to have a book published?
What is the most challenging component of being an author?
Where did you attend school?
When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
Do you have any plans for future books?
What is your favorite book of all time?
Who is your favorite author?
How do you overcome writer's block?
Mod
Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer?
What is your favorite series?
How do you choose character names?
How do you choose settings?
What is your favorite era to read/write about?
What is your favorite point of view to write from?
Do you prefer writing about a male or female protagonist?
Here are the answers:Was the publishing process difficult?
Yes and no. The process of obtaining a literary agent and a publishing contract was very challenging. Upon completing the novel, I sent over 100 queries to literary agents and had at least thirty ask to read the book. I eventually had two offers from agents, and went with one for about three months who wanted me to make wholesale changes to the book. I did my best to make those changes, and she then very nicely said she thought I’d be a better fit with someone else. I went back, hat in hand, to the first agent that offered me, who loved the story and had only wanted me to make a few minor changes. Luckily, she accepted me back with open arms. Then the process started over again with my agent sending queries to publishers. That process took about seven months, and we got to the boardroom with several publishers before being told no. Then we caught a break. One of the editors suggested four very specific edits that he thought would make the story better. After looking at his comments, I thought they were excellent ideas and resolved to make those changes regardless of whether this editor made an offer. It took thirty days, but I made the changes. Though the editor with the suggestions eventually passed on the revision, it wasn’t much longer before we received an offer from Exhibit A.
Since signing with Exhibit A, the publishing process has been a dream. My editors have been easy to work with, the editing of the novel was smooth and relatively seamless, and I had a lot of involvement in the selection of the cover for the book.
How did you begin writing?
I took a creative writing class in college where I wrote four short stories. I loved the class, got some decent critiques, and continued to dabble with writing while I was in law school. A couple years after law school and only a few months after marrying my wonderful wife, I told her my idea about The Professor. She told me to go for it. I did, and, a couple of mornings later, I wrote the prologue and first chapter of The Professor.
Do you have any books in the works that you can share with us?
Yes. I’m currently working on book two in the McMurtrie and Drake series, which is entitled Between Black and White. This story will take Tom and Rick to Pulaski, Tennessee where they will attempt to help out an old friend who has been charged with capital murder.
Do you have any writing tips?
My number one tip would be to read Stephen King’s memoir, On Writing. In my opinion, that book should be mandatory reading for any aspiring writer. Then, as King says: “read a lot and write a lot.” Also, try to develop writing as a habit. Something you do every single day at the appointed time. That’s not glamorous, but the pages will begin piling up if you sit down and make yourself look at the computer for an hour or two every day.
What was your inspiration for "The Professor?"
Growing up in Alabama, I was raised on stories about Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and the legends that played football for the Crimson Tide. When Coach Bryant came to Alabama, he famously declared that “Mama called,” comparing the call of his alma mater to the call of Mama. The Professor begins with an analogous scene, where Coach Bryant asks Tom McMurtrie to give up a promising career as a trial lawyer to become a law professor at the University. The character of Tom McMurtrie was certainly inspired by Coach Bryant and those legendary men who played for the Tide in the early ‘60’s.
How often do you write?
I try to write every morning. I don’t always achieve that objective, but my goal is to write every morning for 1-2 hours.
How do you decide where to end a chapter?
I usually end a chapter when I know where the next chapter is going to pick up. In other words, I don’t end a chapter until I have a nice transition into the next chapter.
Are your characters based off real-life people?
Some of them are. There is a supporting character in The Professor who is largely based on my best friend from law school. Additionally, Rick Drake is based somewhat on my younger self.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My kids. My wife and I have three children, ages 9, 7 and 3. I want them to be proud of their daddy.
If you could meet any author, who would it be?
I can’t boil it down to one, so I’ll give you three: (1) Stephen King, (2) John Grisham and (3) Michael Connelly. If I could play golf with those three, that would make for a dream foursome.
What recommendations would you give to an aspiring writer?
First and foremost, BELIEVE. In yourself, in your characters and in your story. After that, write every day and, when you get published, keep writing every day.
How long did it take you to write The Professor?
About eight years. I re-wrote the story three times during that time frame. The last re-write, the one where I finally found my story, took about a year.
How long, on average, does it take to have a book published?
I signed with Exhibit A last January, and my book comes out January 28, 2014, so I’d say about a year.
What is the most challenging component of being an author?
Revising the work. Chiseling it down to where the story is tight and moves forward without losing any of its charm.
Where did you attend school?
Undergraduate at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, where I obtained a B.A. in history. Then law school at the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa.
When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
Probably in college while taking that creative writing class.
Do you have any plans for future books?
Yes. I’m working on the second installment of the McMurtrie & Drake series, Between Black and White, and I have several ideas for future works in that series as well as some stand alone projects.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Of all time? Wow, that is so tough. I’d say the best book I’ve ever read is The Grapes of Wrath. Just an incredible story and Tom Joad is one of the greatest characters in American literature. However, my favorite book…the one I tend to dig out every few years and dust off and give another read is A Time to Kill by John Grisham. I love re-visiting Jake Brigance, Harry Rex, Carl Lee and that incredible story.
Who is your favorite author?
That has changed over time. Now, the answer is probably Michael Connelly. I really enjoy the Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series. Five years ago, I’d have said Greg Iles. Five years before that, Stephen King. In law school and college, it was John Grisham. In five more years, it might be someone else.
How do you overcome writer's block?
By writing every day. When I’m writing every day, the speed of the writing keeps me from getting blocked, and the story moves. It is the breaks of two and three days that lead to blockage. When I’m in the midst of writing a story, I have to do it every day. Not necessarily all day long marathons or anything—usually, a writing session for me lasts between 1-2 hours—but I need to get that morning writing session in every day.
What was your favorite book when you were growing up?
If I had to pick just one, it would probably be To Kill a Mockingbird. I read it in high school, and the character of Atticus Finch still resonates.
Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer?
No. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a basketball player. Later, that dream turned to wanting to be a pro golfer, and I played three years of college golf. When I was a senior at Davidson and my dreams of being a golfer had faded, I realized I wanted to be a trial lawyer. Around that same time, while I was applying to law schools, I took the creative writing course mentioned above and began thinking about writing novels.
What is your favorite series?
The Harry Bosch series from Michael Connelly. I love the way Connelly develops that character but also keeps Harry’s core values intact. To Harry, “everybody counts or nobody counts,” and that’s just the way it is. I love it.
How do you choose character names?
Honestly, they just pop into my head. I chose Thomas Jackson McMurtrie, because “Thomas Jackson” was Stonewall Jackson’s given name, and I wanted the character to have a strong, southern name. The “McMurtrie” part just popped into my head, because I thought it sounded good.
How do you choose settings?
A lot of choosing a setting is character driven. With The Professor, I wanted to write a story about an Alabama law professor that played football for Coach Bryant. Naturally, the state of Alabama and Tuscaloosa, in particular, became the setting for much of the book. However, as a lifelong southerner, I am certainly drawn to settings with a southern backdrop.
What is your favorite era to read/write about?
For the most part, I enjoy writing and reading books set in the current day.
What is your favorite point of view to write from?
Third person, past tense. I’d like to try my hand at a first person story, but I haven’t found the right vehicle yet.
Do you prefer writing about a male or female protagonist?
I probably lean towards a male protagonist because I am male, and it is easier for me to identify with the character. However, I’d love to write a novel with a female protagonist, and I certainly enjoy reading books with female protagonists--I thought Darby Shaw in The Pelican Brief was one of John Grisham’s best characters.
Here is the synopsis:
Thomas Jackson McMurtrie is a living legend scorned. Forty years ago, he gave up a promising career as a trial lawyer to become a law professor at the University of Alabama at the request of his mentor. Alabama football Coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant. Now Tom is forced into retirement, betrayed by both a powerful colleague and his own failing health.
Meanwhile, the young family of one of his oldest friends is killed in a tragic road collision. Believing his career is over, Tom refers the case to a brilliant, yet beleaguered, former student, who begins to uncover the truth behind the tragedy, buried in a tangled web of arson, bribery and greed.
But as the eve of trial approaches, the young attorney's case begins to unravel. In over his head and at the end of his rope, he realizes there's only one man who can help...
Please post questions by the 12.