Meet Author Bill Garrison

Author Bill Garrison

Bill Garrison's novel THE DAY SHE DIED is a time travel thriller. Pull up a chair and meet Bill in person . . . via cyberspace, of course. (posted by Michelle Griep)

Why in the world did you decide to write not just any book, but this book?

So many things came together at once that allowed me to write this novel. THE DAY SHE DIED is much more personal than any of my previous novels. At the time I was reading a lot of time travel books and watching Lost, but I wasn’t a science fiction writer. At the time, I did a lot of daydreaming about certain things I would have done differently in life if I had a chance to do it again. And I like mysteries. So it all came together to be about man going back in time to solve the murder of his fiancé while also making different choices in his life.

What's one thing you learned from either the writing or publication process for The Day She Died?

As an unpublished author, I learned to never give up, and to always have faith that you are writing for a reason. I saw God work in crazy ways where I met the people I needed to meet to complete this journey. I also learned to don’t be shy about submitting your novel to the review process. So many Christian writers, agents, and editors are willing to give their time and knowledge to help you be a better writer.

How do you go about plotting a book?

I’ve written four novels, and the second was flying by the seat of my pants, and plot wise, it turned out okay. But I’m a plotter. THE DAY SHE DIED was plotted in an extensive excel spreadsheet

Every writer struggles with time management. What's another roadblock to writing that you struggle with?

Kids!!! I have three from ages five to 13, and they are involved in every activity known activity known to man. A big problem for me is, I’ll choose my kids every time. Or even a TV show, or a movie, or reading. Sometimes I have to force myself to write.

What's one piece of advice you'd give a newbie writer?

Force yourself to write. Even if it’s the hardest thing in the world to do, crank out those 500 words a day. Then before you know it, you will actually have a real life novel in your hands. It may not be very good, in fact it’ll probably be horrible, but at least you finished it, and then the fun begins. Editing!

Name 2 of your favorite authors and why you like their writing.

I’m reading John Sandford right now and love his ability to make the story flow. Everything moves so fast. Never a dull moment on the page. Even the dull moments aren’t dull. They are funny and character building. I also love Steven James. He’s a great thriller writer with strong Christian themes that ultimately come through in the end.

What's your next writing project?

A sequel to The Day She Died is in the works. I won’t be writing about the same characters, but a another person that gets to explore regret and the past.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this clean time-travel whodunit, a middle-aged coffee-shop owner always wondered what his life would have been like if he’d stayed in town the day his college fiancee disappeared, the victim of an unsolved crime.

One morning he wakes up 20 years earlier and finds himself a student at the University of Oklahoma again on the day she died. In a journey that takes months, he stumbles over people connected to Kim’s disappearance and puzzles over connecting the dots.

Oddly enough, things are different when he relives sections of his life. For example, as a teen he plays baseball and as an adult he discovers what it’s like to be a Christian pastor, things he never did before.

Can he find some answers about Kim and about his own life? Or prevent Kim’s death? And if he succeeds in changing history, what happens to his wife and kids?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debut author Bill Garrison lives the American Dream with his family of five in Oklahoma City. As a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Bill works in the healthcare and accounting industry by day, but lives his creative side once he leaves the corporate world. After putting the kids to bed with a good story, he turns to his laptop and spins his daydreams into novels. Bill Garrison, CPA by day, story weaver by night.