Thomas White Interview Published on: 22, May 2023
What was life like for you growing up?
I was a New England kid who moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 7th grade. I’ve been a west coast person ever since. I’m the oldest of 5 with 4 younger sisters, and no, I wasn’t spoiled as the big brother. Don’t know why so many people Say that. It was like I was an only child in a house where I was alone. Fortunately I discovered the theatre in high school and it defined the rest of my life.
Were you an avid reader as a child? Do you still read books?I read a lot. Especially once I found the theatre. I particularly like action novels.
As a teenager, what were you obsessed with?I was obsessed with the theatre and was a very active participant. I did 17 plays during my high school career and the. Went on to college as an actor/director major and went professional out of college.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote and where you wrote it (in an old notebook, crumpled piece of paper, on a laptop, etc)?Lol! I wrote a whiny, heartbroken short story about a girl That dumped me. It was pathetic!!
When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?As a theatre director I was always a storyteller. I had stories running through my head almost constantly. It was an easy transition from Director
To writer. I just had to learn the craft.
When you create characters, do you tend to model them more after yourself, and the people around you, or just start from scratch?I try to visualize the character in the real world. What’s interesting about them, what’s mundane? What are the hot buttons that make them Respond in a definitive manner? That’s what is interesting to me.
How did you come up with the plot of your novel, The Siren's Scream?I wanted to Do something about the mermaid myth but was coming up dry as to how to re-imagine the legend. Then, on a family phone call where we were dealing with a particularly difficult sister I wondered if mermaids had to deal with this stuff? Do they have families? Do they have a lineage? How did they become mermaids? And what with the Siren’s? Are they nasty and call sailors to their death? Do they have a reason? All of these questions led me to the conclusion and the plot formation.
Where did the inspiration for your character, FBI Special Agent Brian Wylie come from?Justice Rules came from seeing a father on a court house steps address the media after the man who killed his son was acquitted. Brian is a regular guy with a unique understanding of the criminal mind. He follows the clues and draws proper conclusions to send him in the right direction.
Why is crime fiction often hard to understand?When it is written correctly it isn’t.
How can one understand that he/she is a writer by heart?I think that writing is a combination of skill
And talent. You can learn the skill, I.e. structure, outline, character but you can’t learn to write. An example would be, “sometimes times are doing well And then again bad things happen.” As opposed to, “It was the best of
Times, it was the worst of times.” They both say the same thing but one is awkward and clumsy while the other is brilliant.
What are some rookie mistakes you made as a new author and that a lot of other authors make as well? What are some ways one can avoid these mistakes or correct them?Cardinal rule about writing is simple, “Show, don’t tell.” Most novice writers tell how their characters are feeling rather than show. Here’s an example of telling, “The woman saw the sexy blonde touch her husbands shoulder while they talked in the pool and her blood ran hot.” Here is an example of showing, “The sexy blonde laughed and rubbed her husbands shoulder. She waded across the pool, grabbed her by her bleached roots and forced her head under water. Pulling her up
She screamed, ‘Stay away from my man!”
What are your techniques to improve writing?The most significant lesson I haves learned came from Stephan King. In his book, On Writing, he says, “If you ever read an author who uses a sentence such as, ‘The sunset was indescribable.’ Fire him. His job is to describe the sunset.” I mutter That to myself dozens of Times a day when I’m writing. Describe the sunset! That’s how you become a better writer.
Which is the best compliment or fan mail you have received for your work?Justice Rules was a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest. One of 8 finalists out of 2700 submissions.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?I have several projects started. One is the story of a spoiled, arrogant first round draft choice who learns over time to become a decent human being. It started out as a sports story but has evolved into a father/son relationship story.
How did you first come across the AllAuthor website and what do you think of it? Is this a platform you would recommend to other authors?I was recommended by a friend to Join. It has offered me another valuable outlet for promoting my work as well as introducing me to many other writers.
