Tony Lindsay is the author of eleven novels; One Dead Preacher, Street Possession, Chasin’ It, Urban Affair, One Dead Lawyer, More Boy than Girl, One Dead Doctor, The Killing Breeze, Chess Not Checker, Melody Knight a Vampire’s Tale, Three Married Women and Her – and five short story collections titled Pieces of the Hole – Fat from Papa’s Head – Emotional Drippings stories of Love, Lust, and Addiction – Almost Grown – and Acorns in Skillet stories of Racecraft in America.
Tonylinza – twitter
Author Website: http://www.pen-4-hire.com
1) First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me! When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most?
That is a good question; it was after I read a Donald Goines book, I don’t remember which one, but after I read it, I was certain I could what he had done. My being a writer was confirmed early, in grammar school two teachers told me I could write – and then I met Gwendolyn Books who told me I was writer as well; later in college, Sterling Plumpp told me “If you do nothing else with your life, write.” What I love most about writing is creating life on a page. What frustrates me the most is not having the financial means needed to live a successful writer’s life in America.
2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you?
The novel One Dead Activist is a murder mystery concerned with police shootings, and it is a romance concerned with a divorced couple reuniting; the mystery is thrilling, and the romance is very sexy. The work can be purchased on amazon.com, and there is an author’s page with my other titles listed.
3) Where do you draw your inspiration from for the stories that you manage to weave together and the characters that you create?
My inspiration comes from life: current events, community events, personal events, and family events. I also write about things that could happen and exert power over the bad guys. I am inspired by life and my own crazy thinking.
4) Do you have a schedule for when you write? Do you outline your novels? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel? What projects are you currently working on?
I prefer to write first thing in the morning, but life does not always allow that schedule. Outlining helps me with seeing the end; however, the outline is fluid and permits plot change ideas. Writing a novel has always taken me more than two years. Presently, I am working on a murder mystery with all new characters with an unexpected religious conflict.
5) What’s the first book you ever read that really moved you emotionally? Who is your favorite author to read? What book are you currently reading?
Emotionally? It had to be the Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison. I love reading so many authors: John A. Williams, Paul Beatty, Diane McKinney Whetstone, Nnedi Okorafor, Tyehimba Jess, Gayl Jones – I could do this all day. Currently reading ‘One Man’s Action’ by Lydia Watts
6) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?
Writing in different genres and having people read all of them is the most significant accomplishment to date. Five years from now, I will be atop a couple of best sellers list, meet again with several movie producers and talking about more novel to movie deals.
7) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career? What is your advice for other writers to better be able to cope or navigate their way through the publishing process, be it traditional or self-publishing?
To handle rejection, I keep writing and I keep grinding; finding new outlets for my writing keeps me busy; when doors close, the goal is to find new doors and new windows if necessary.
8) Do you find it hard to juggle the creative side of being a writer against the business side of being a writer, in terms of marketing and promotion and things of that nature? How hard has it been (or easy) for you to build up your author platform?
I enjoy meeting new readers, but I don’t enjoy marketing. PR and marketing are necessities because I do not have a marketing department or a sales force pushing my book, so my grind must be consistent and strong. I am the marketing department and the sales force.
9) What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity? How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?
I chase readers harder than I do dollars; if I go to an event and sell six books, I’m good – not happy but good – six new readers add to my reputation as a writer – those six people are going to tell a lot of other people how good my books are.
10) How can readers find you and your books?
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