How are we feeling today? The days seem to be staying brighter longer, so that's got to be a good thing, right? Right! Today on the blog, we're chating with Pete Prown, author of Thimble Down. Let's get to know him and his book.
Welcome to We Do Write, Pete! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’ve been a journalist and editor for over 25 years, specializing in guitars and horticulture, as well as other subjects. I’ve also written some non-fiction books on the guitar.
How long have you been writing?
Since 1985, when I started writing Legends of Rock Guitar—a non-fiction reference book published a dozen years later.
Interesting! Tell us about THIMBLE DOWN. What’s the story about?
Essentially, it’s a mystery set in the Halfling village of Thimble Down and answers the question: “What if Agatha Christie wrote The Hobbit?” One of the no-good Halflings comes across a rare gem and parades it around town … until it gets stolen. It’s up to the bookmaster, Mr. Dorro, and his friends to find it before murder comes to the village.
Well, that's different. How did the idea of the story come to you?
I like English mysteries and vintage fantasy. I merely combined them into something new, and it’s working out quite well. I just started the fourth book in the series today.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I self-edit, but I’m pretty ruthless about it. If something isn’t good enough, it gets cut.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Both. I write based an outline, but that document can—and should—evolve as I write. Once I have a few chapters for an outline started, I’ll start writing the manuscript. After that, the outline and book grow at the same time. The more spontaneous I am, the better the story. I strongly believe that a story should end up in a far different place than you intended it to.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Actually, writing is easy. Once I get going each day, it picks up speed all its own and the chapters spill out. Now, picking a good title is hard and, of course, selling and marketing the hardest of all.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
All I need is my laptop. I can write anywhere—indoors, outdoors, on trains, in libraries. But I do like to have a Diet Snapple handy.
What are you reading right now?
I’m re-reading The Wind in the Willows—perhaps my favorite book ever. And I recently finished Enigma by Robert Harris.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Invisibility, of course. It’s a no-brainer.
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
I google constantly, as I’m always following up on trivia, facts and history. Was recently looking up information about the Magna Carta and frontiersman Kit Carson.
Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: thimble, gravitate, and lethargic.
“Even when I’m lethargic, I gravitate towards reading Thimble Down.”
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
… on Facebook. I run a popular guitar page called “Legends of Rock Guitar.”
Cool. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.
My wife, kids, and friends—the people who keep me sane.
And finally, where can people find you and your books online?
Resurrection by Laury Falter
Laury Falter is a bestselling author of young adult romantic suspense and urban fantasy. She has three series out: the Guardian Trilogy, the Residue Series, and the Apocalypse Chronicles.
Ty and Marcus Mitchell are average middle school brothers growing up north of Chicago until one night when they’re hurtled through an inter-dimensional gateway to a parallel world defined by its multiple moons and planet-wide apocalypse. As they struggle to figure out where they are and how to get home, the boys encounter refugees of “the last day” from the distant city of Atlantis and a mysterious girl called Bellana, the sole survivor and resident of the devastated city of Spartanica. Ty and Marcus soon learn they only have seven days to get home. But before they can leave, they must battle through long-extinct predators, track down the elusive Professor Otherblood, and rescue a new friend from certain death. Is all of this insanity just Ty’s overactive imagination or are the brothers truly on the brink of being stranded on the brutal wasteland known as Spartanica?
Powers Molinar grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and earned engineering and business degrees at the University of Iowa. While he works as a process engineer and project manager during the day, his passion is writing science fiction. His first novel, Spartanica, is the culmination of several year's of part-time effort mostly late at night and on weekends when he wasn't enjoying time with his wife and kids, all of whom were big helpers getting Spartanica written.
Powers believes every kid has the potential to become exceptional. In addition to being a blast to read, he truly hopes his books spark kids' imaginations and inspire them to read more and maybe even become writers. Being a solid reader is a foundational piece of leading an exceptional life. Powers hopes his books can be part of that foundation for as many kids as possible.
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Magick and destiny intertwine as he fights to save his kingdom and the goddess he loves.
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