What do you think your best work is?
I think my best work to date is probably CLUSTERS. It took me a year of researching and writing to get it done – which is a long time for me. There were times where the writing was so emotional for me I had to walk away before the darkness settled on me too much.
What do you think your worst work is?
Bohemian Grove. I really had no clue what I was doing when I wrote that. I wasn’t even trying to write a book. I just had this story in my head that needed to come out and it did.
What made you decide to become a writer?
It just happened. I started writing one day and found that I couldn’t stop so that’s what I’m still doing.
What is your favorite genre to write in?
Whatever one is calling to me at the moment. I don’t like walls or being told what to do. So I don’t like sticking to one genre either. It makes marketing a lot more difficult. But it’s what I love.
Do you listen to music when you write?
90% of the time. The other 10% is because I forgot to bring my earbuds.
Who’s your favorite author?
Dean Koontz and Stephen King. So when my work (CLUSTERS and Anna Hyde) was recently compared to them, I had a little fangirl freak-out.
Traditional Publishing or Self Publishing?
I still 100% believe that traditional publishing is the way to go for anyone who takes their writing seriously. And the people who don’t take their writing seriously shouldn’t do either. I also believe that once you’re traditionally published, there will be certain manuscripts that will require self-publishing.
If you could make any of your books into a movie, which one would it be?
Definitely Clusters. I just think it’s so aesthetically magnificent that it just needs to be on the big screen. The characters are so real to me that it would be nice to see them three-dimensional. (Four dimensional?) I think Anna Hyde would be fun too, but not sure how anyone could pull it off.
Do any of your characters play off of people you know or actors?
Only one… Jibril from the Bohemian Grove trilogy. That one was Woody Harrelson. Since then, my writing has grown enough that my characters are true to themselves and like all of us, can’t really be ‘played’ by anyone.
Do you ever see yourself in any of your characters?
Gosh, I hope not. My characters are pretty disturbed individuals. I’ve had people say they think Carter is me. But that’s too complimentary. She’s a nice person with no evil intentions.
How do you find the time to write?
You make time. It’s like anything. If you want something bad enough you’ll find a way.
How do you know when you’re done writing a book?
Instinct.
What are you reading now?
Arguably Essays by Christopher Hitchens and a Philippa Gregory story.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two manuscripts that I’ll be shopping out to agents as I look to take the next step up in my career. One is a straight murder-mystery and the other is historical fiction. I couldn’t decide which one to shop so I’m doing both.
What books do you have coming out?
A zombie anthology, Z Resurrected, next month and Children at the Window – which got pushed back to late fall.
What’s your best advice for aspiring authors?
Everyone has advice and most of it is good advice, but not all of it is pertinent to you. Follow your instinct and ignore the naysayers.
T.M. Williams - Novelist blog 