Interview with @Tjay_green #TuesdayBookBlog

Today I’m fortunate to present TJ Green author of Tom’s Inheritance and Twice Born.

Thank you for agreeing to this interview!

 Question 1) What part of the world do you come from?

Dudley, Just outside Birmingham in the UK. However about 10 years ago I moved to NZ, and I live in a gorgeous valley called Pinehaven, just outside Wellington.

Question 2) What do you think makes a good story?

Engaging characters who act in believable ways. I also enjoy a good plot, something with depth and a little mystery, and good pace. I enjoy most types of books, the only style I’m not really a fan of is romance.

Question 3) What inspired you to write your first book?

I’ve always enjoyed writing and I challenged myself to write a short story beginning with “Once upon a time.” That introduced the characters of Jack and Fahey in Tom’s Inheritance, and from there I wanted to know what happened to Tom, so I slowly – very slowly- started to write Tom’s Inheritance. The short story was stripped back and became the prologue. I also wondered what it would be like to write for someone. I have a nephew called Tom, so that’s my main character!

Question 4) What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

Intermittent. I work full time, so I try and write most evenings and on weekends, but it doesn’t always happen. However I find that if I write more frequently my writing is much better. Unfortunately marketing can get in the way of writing too.

Question 5) What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m not sure I have one! I’ll write anywhere I can, but my preferred space is my study. I use the computer for writing, but use paper for notes and ideas, and working through issues. I have a notebook for each book.

Question 6) Give us the title and genre of your latest book.

Twice Born is the sequel to Tom’s Inheritance. It’s a teen/YA fantasy that follows Tom’s adventures with King Arthur in the Other. It’s a sort of reworking of the King Arthur myths following his awakening on Avalon, as well as new stories and characters.

Question 7) What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

I’m not a plotter. Although I have vague nebulous ideas for the story, it’s not until I sit down and start writing that the story becomes concrete. Writing is a very intriguing process!

Question 8) Do you have an excerpt from your current work you’d like to share?

This is from Twice Born, released on the 10th February 2017:

“We’d better find Woodsmoke and Arthur. Woodsmoke said he would try to check into the Quarter Way House,” said Brenna. She pointed to a big building with balconies on the far side of the square, built against the bank and onto the field at the top. “It’s more expensive than most, but it guarantees a clean bed and good food.”            

They found Woodsmoke and Arthur sitting in a bar to the side of the main entrance. It was an oasis of calm after the bustle of the square, filled with an assortment of tables and chairs, and screened from the square by thick-limbed climbing plants covered with flowers and a coating of wind-blown dust.

“Well, don’t you two look relaxed!” Brenna said, hands on hips.

“The rest of the deserving after a hard day’s work!” Woodsmoke said with a smirk as he and Arthur stood to greet them. “Tom – you’re here! And you’ve grown.” He walked around the table and grabbed him in a bear hug. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again.”

“You have no idea how pleased I am to be back,” Tom said, giving Woodsmoke an equally big hug in return.

Tom turned to Arthur, who gripped the top of his arms and stared at him. “You look well, Tom. It’s good to have my great-great-great-something-relative here,” and he gave him such a crushing hug that Tom struggled for breath.

Now he was reunited with all five of his closest friends in the Other (or anywhere else), he really felt he was back. Unlike Brenna and Beansprout, Arthur and Woodsmoke looked reassuringly the same. Although Tom had grown, they were both still taller than him, Woodsmoke lean and rangy, his longbow propped next to him at the table, and Arthur muscular, Excalibur in its scabbard at his side.

Question 9) What can we expect from you in the future?  

There’ll be a third book, a sequel to Twice Born and Tom’s Inheritance. I’m writing that now. I’d also like to write an adult magic/mystery book, but I only have vague ideas for that at present!

Question 10) What was the best money you ever spent as a writer? 

Hiring a professional editor and cover designer. Both have been fantastic and I highly recommend using one. If you can’t afford both, get an editor. However if your cover’s awful, no-one will buy it anyway!

Question 11) How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

I have a website where I post on all bookish things, including reviews, – http://www.tjgreen.nz/p/home.html

I’m also on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/tjgreenauthor/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/tjay_green

Pinterest – https://nz.pinterest.com/mount0live/my-books-and-writing-author-name-tj-green/

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