Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Alan Brenham
Book Title: When Things Fall Apart
Released: 10/17/23
Genre: An Adult Crime Thriller
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “When Things Fall Apart”?
Brenham: I’ve written and had published several crime fiction and police procedural novels so I stayed with this genre for When Things Fall Apart. After watching the TV series Dark Wind, I decided to make my detective protagonist a Native American female modeled a little after Jessica Matten’s characters. The other inspiration came from having worked alongside female police officer and female federal agents.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Brenham: My wife created the name of the main character, Kit Hanover. The others were assembled from various names generated from internet searches.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Brenham: When Things Fall Apart is a multi-award winner, including being named as a Top Pick for 2024 by Killer Nashville and a Finalist for the coveted Silver Falchion Best Detective Novel award also from Killer Nashville.
If "When Things Fall Apart" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Brenham: I’d like to see Amber Midthunder (The Ice Road w/ Liam Neeson) play Kit Hanover; Detective Wade Shephard should be Gary Oldman; Sgt Adam Combs – Joe Mantegna; Sgt Jack Somers – Dominic West; Ann Hanover (Kit’s mom) – Sissy Spacek.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Brenham: When I encounter writer’s block, I usually put on the headphones and listen to instrumental music while reading a novel on my e-reader.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Brenham: The only tip I am positive will help them achieve a good story is to read in their genre as often as they can. Other useful tips would be to establish themselves with a good editor and a good beta or proofreader.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Brenham: My favorite genre is crime fiction. My favorite book of all time is any that feature Harry Bosch.
What are you working on next?
Brenham: I’ve just finished the first draft of the sequel to When Things Fall Apart.
Learn More About the Author and When Things Fall Apart:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlanBrenham
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanbrenham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanbe75/
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Find it for purchase here
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