“It is mostly about real people. There are a few fictional characters but most lived and really did much of what I tell in the novel. I’m fussy like that about historical fiction.”
J. R. Tomlin 4 April 2011
The Back Flap
Before William Wallace… before Robert the Bruce… there was another Scottish hero…
1296, Scotland: newly knighted by the King of the Scots, Andrew de Moray fights to defend his country against the forces of the ruthless invader, King Edward Longshanks of England. After a bloody defeat in battle, he is dragged in chains to an English dungeon.
Soon the young knight escapes. He returns to find Scotland under the heel of a conqueror and his betrothed sheltering in the hills of the Black Isle.
Seizing his own castle, he raises the banner of Scottish freedom. Now he must lead the north of Scotland to rebellion in hope of defeating the English army sent to crush them.
When did you start writing the book?
I started the writing about two years ago, but the research went a lot further back than that. I’ve always read about Scottish history, about 4 years ago I started studying it in depth with the view of writing historical fiction.
How long did it take you to write it?
It took about six months.
Where did you get the idea from?
Part of the idea came from my admiration for the people who fought against overwhelming odds to regain their liberty. However, some of it was spurred by much I hate the way Braveheart twisted Scottish history. There isn’t any need to lie about the amazing stories that took place during those bloody years in Scotland. The real story is more amazing than anything you’d make up.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The end was very hard for me, but I don’t want to talk about why.
What came easily?
Because the story was so fixed in my mind and I could see it all so clearly, most of the novel came pretty easily. It was one of the easiest novels I ever wrote, one of those rare times, for me anyway, when it flowed.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
It is mostly about real people. There are a few fictional characters but most lived and really did much of what I tell in the novel. I’m fussy like that about historical fiction.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Sure, I’m an omnivorous reader. Early on Alexander Dumas gave me a love of adventure novels with his novels, such as Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. I learned to love historical novels from authors such as Victor Hugo and his Hunchback of Notre Dame. And I learned to love fantasy from, need I say, Tolkien. But also from current writers like Martin and Gaiman.
Do you have a target reader?
Ummm… People who like to read? Actually, myself. I try to write something that I would love to read myself. I can’t imagine that a writer does well writing a story they don’t love. I rather visualize myself as the village storyteller setting in the middle of the square.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Mainly just BIC. I don’t outline. Characters are generally lurking in the corner of my mind somewhere or stomping around demanding a story. If they’re fictional characters, I dump them into trouble and see what happens. If they are historical characters, I let them tell me their story.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just Chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Nope.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Edit as I go. I tend to get into the story again by going over what I wrote the day before.
Did you hire a professional editor?
This was professionally edited as well as critiqued by beta readers.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Depends on what I’m writing. I can’t listen to anything with lyrics while I write, but I listen to a wide variety, everything from the LotR soundtracks to Chopin to Tchaikovsky. It’s hard for me to write without music playing.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes. I went through the whole miserable, humiliating process.
What made you decide to go Indie? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I had published several novels with small publishers, and then I signed with an agent who pitched one of my novels for a year. It didn’t sell, and in the meantime, the whole indie thing started. I had these novels on my hard drive. I had to make a choice. I’d read all the stuff that people like Konrath were saying, read as Kris Rusch changed her mind, and watched Vicki Lieske have a tremendous success. Eventually, I felt it was the only logical step for me.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?
I had it professionally done. JT Lindroos did it for me and I am extremely pleased with how it came out.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m not quite sure it rates being called anything as formal as a marketing plan, but I have a strong idea what I need to do. At the moment, I’m a bit frustrated by a glitch with Amazon. I know it’s only slowing things down for a while and it’s a long-term game plan, but having interviews and reviews come out for something that isn’t priced on Amazon is frustrating.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
The best thing I can advise is to read what Joe Konrath and Kris Rusch have to say. Talk to some indie writers at places like Kindleboards. Indie publishing isn’t for everyone. It is a lot of work. It’s not going down the easy road. But it is one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Mostly in Texas, but I spent summers in Scotland with family too.
Where do you live now?
Oregon. It’s even rainier than Scotland so that makes me feel right at home and gives me something to complain about.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I hope that the most important thing about me to my readers is my stories. Sure, I’m a great person, or so I tell people, but it’s the story that counts.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two novels now. One is another historical novel set in Scotland about one of the most important followers of Robert the Bruce, James Douglas, and one is an old-fashioned fantasy.
End of Interview
You can buy Freedom’s Sword at Amazon US
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