Author Interview ~ Chris Well Part II

Bio: Chris Well is a novelist and magazine editor. His first novel, the crime thriller Forgiving Solomon Long, was published January 2005. His next novel, the quirky crime drama Deliver Us From Evelyn, will be published March 2006. By day, he is the editor for Homecoming Magazine and a contributing editor for CCM Magazine. Chris is a member of International Thriller Writers, Inc. He and his wife make their home in Nashville, Tennessee. Find him online at www.StudioWell.com, or at his blog www.chriswellnovelist.blogspot.com.

Amy Grant reading Forgiving Solomon Long






Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

I am finding that time spent promoting the writing takes time away from doing the writing …

... but if I spend all my time doing the writing and not promoting the writing, then nobody will know that I’m doing the writing …

... but if I spend all my time promoting the writing and not doing the writing, then nobody will have anything of mine to read …

It’s a vicious circle. (So I guess my “pet peeve” is that I’m not better at time management.)


Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

On a good day, I take my spiral notebook with me to lunch and I write out the core of the chapter for the day. That evening, after I get home from work, I type that “core” into the manuscript, and flesh it out so that it is at least 1,000 words. As long as I need my day job, that seems to be my limit for now. I also do other bits of writing here and there in short bursts.


If you could choose to have one strength of another writer, what would it be and from whom?

He’s not a novelist, but I think I would point to Joss Whedon, creator of Serenity, Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. He has such a knack for weaving together some of the funniest dialogue, some of the scariest moments and some of the best drama into one package, sometimes inside the same scene. He is able to do all that and also delve into spiritual questions.

Oh—and he gets to write X-Men comics.


Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you would love to accomplish?

Right now, I am just focused on building this second career up into being my first career. (And when I get to that place, then I can use my lunch hours and nights working on my real love—writing comic books.)


Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

In the first 10 years or so as a freelance magazine writer writing about Christian rock, I tried to “retire” several times—and the Lord wouldn’t let me. Every time I would announce “I’m finished, this just doesn’t seem to be getting me anywhere,” some new opportunity would open up to keep me hooked.

Then, about 12 years ago, I was offered the chance to be a professional magazine editor. And that has been my day job ever since.


What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

My favorite part is the thrill of discovery … of pushing through to find that great story element, that great plot twist, that great scene. My least favorite part would be how some people dismiss the sweat it takes to write. They’re proud of you when it's convenient, after the book is finished—but impatient when you’re actually doing the hard part.


How much marketing do you do? Any advice in this area?

My publisher can only do so much—after all, I am just one writer, and they have dozens to worry about any given moment—so I have done what I could with the resources I have. I don’t have money for advertising or marketing, so I have spent my energy on press releases (any excuse for a press release is usually a good excuse for a press release), updating the website(s) at least twice a week, and trying to make a name for myself in the blogosphere.

My advice to other writers—and this is me speaking as an editor—is to give your gatekeepers all the tools they need so if they do want to spread the word, they can do it as easily and painlessly as possible.

But remember, nobody owes you anything—so be polite, and be low maintenance. If you antagonize people, the odds of them helping you diminish rapidly. RAPIDLY.
(It’s a shame to have to tell this to people, but there you go.)


Parting words?

There is no great "writing," there is only great "rewriting." The first draft is never good enough.
And stop looking for shortcuts. If you work hard, if you shine, you will be noticed. You will be found.

Review of Forgiving Solomon Long
By Chris Well
Harvest House Publishers
ISBN 0-7369-1405-6
280 Pages

Description:

A page-turning crime thriller that sizzles with action! Crime boss Frank "Fat Cat" Catalano has his fingers in nearly every business sector of Kansas City. But a coalition of local storeowners and clergy have had enough---and enlist the help of Detective Tom Griggs. Can they catch "the Cat" before they become the mice?

Reviewed by Dawn Burns

I really had no idea what to expect with this book. I didn’t expect the thrill and fast pace that this story delivers. I was surprised at the intensity, actually feeling my own heart beating fast on numerous occasions.

Chris Well’s writing is edgy and engrossing. Great characters and witty dialogue wrapped in a plot that will keep you guessing until the end - I was unprepared for the twists and turns and never figured it all out until it unfolded on the last few pages.

I read the last page several days ago and have yet to quit thinking of Solomon Long. Yes, it is a story of organized crime and all the evil that goes with that, but it’s ultimately a story of God’s power and His pursuit of us, no matter what we’ve done.