Fault Line, looks like a great young adult/military fiction book. Any plans for this to be part of a series?
There is definitely more that these characters want to say. I don’t believe their story is done yet.
What do you think makes a great story?
I have always found that great stories have characters that are relatable, ones that you find yourself caring about, not necessarily in a good way. Sometimes I really care that the villain meets a very nasty end. The story must take place in a setting that draws you in. The scenes have to make you feel like you can almost smell the air, taste the rain, hear the receding wave draw the sand along the beach. A great story has you thinking about it after you put it down, going over the story in your mind, kind of obsessing over it until you can get back into it. A great story makes you feel and think in a special way.
What inspired you when writing Fault Line?
There has been a great deal of discussion about keeping our borders safe and the problems with gang activity. We need to address those issues. There is and has been a problem with gangs and drugs in our country for a long time. The brave men and women of law enforcement have been fighting these issues head on. Another problem that is not talked about as much is human trafficking. People in America go missing at an alarming rate, especially young women and children. The problem is even worse in other countries. What is almost never discussed is that those victims are kept as slaves right here in the land of the free and the home of the brave. It is a dire issue that is and must continue to be fought.
The kernel of the story came to me one night when I was out with some friends. I saw what I considered to be some sketchy activity going on across the street. Local law enforcement stepped in and dealt with the situation quickly. Well that inspired the writer in me to ask the most powerful question a writer can ask: What If? And the answer is Fault Line. I hope you enjoy it.
What are your ambitions for your writing career? Full time? Part time?
I love writing and telling stories. I am looking forward to one day being able to spend my time writing as a full-time pursuit.
When did you decide to become a writer?
I have always loved stories. I have been an avid reader and moviegoer my whole life. I have also been an avid people watcher. Everyone has an interesting story. We put our face on that is appropriate for the situation we are in. Every person in every situation tells a story as they pass you. I have always been interested in trying to glimpse as much of that story as possible. Once I retired from the military I have had more time to focus on my interests. The third novel I am releasing is actually the first story idea I had. It is called Levels and is in the final editing stages. I will be pitching it to agents and publishing houses this spring. The first novel called A Life Worth Living is available on Amazon. It was the most intense story idea. It came to me one night while I was driving. I pictured the pivotal scene in such detail. It was like I was watching a high resolution movie playing in my mind while driving down the road. It was very intense.
When writing Fault Line did anything stand out as particularly challenging?
Fault Line is the most action driven story I have written to date. I didn’t want the details of the action to overwhelm the characters themselves. At the same time I wanted to describe the events as realistically as possible for you to feel the scene. It was a fun line to walk and I hope you think I achieved that balance.
How did you come up with the story of Fault Line?
Please see above.
What do you like to do when not writing?
I love to read and usually have between three and five books I’m reading at a time. I am also an avid runner. The only races I run are between me, the route I’m on, the distance, and the clock. Usually the clock only because I only have so long to get my run in.
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Twitter: @TLScottAuthor
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