Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Tom Batt
Book Title: Old Wounds
Released: 08/24/21
Genre: Crime Short Stories
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Old Wounds”?
Batt: I’ve always been a fan of film noir and hard-boiled detective novels by authors such as Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I enjoy the first person narrative, the deliciously descriptive language and the seedy characters that populate the worlds.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Batt: Names are always a tricky one. You want something that sounds believable, but also stands out and is memorable to the reader. I believe in the case of Old Wounds, the name Nick Shelby came first, before I even had a story and I felt it would make a good name for a detective. When I sat down to write it was obvious what my protagonist was going to be called. I got Shelby from the Mustang car and Nick just sounded right alongside it.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Batt: Writing books was never something I ever considered doing. I started out writing screenplays and that was all I wanted to do. However it’s very hard to get people to read your screenplay and it’s also the first step in a very long process before the final product. Writing prose means there’s no middle man to overcome before readers can enjoy your work.
If "Old Wounds" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Batt: This is a really good question and something I always think about when writing. For the role of Nick Shelby I imagine someone like Jake Gyllenhaal or Ryan Gosling. And for Louise, either Emma Stone or Brie Larson.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Batt: Most of the time I have writer’s block it’s down to a lack of inspiration, so I seek out stuff to inspire me. Films, books, video games, anything with a narrative and characters that can get my imagination going.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Batt: If writing is what you want to do, then don’t let anything stop you. Everyone gets rejected or criticised and everyone is disappointed in their own work. And write for yourself, not for anyone else. If you think it’s a good idea, chances are someone else will think it is as well. Don’t try and second guess what audiences want.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Batt: I enjoy crime books, or mysteries, but my favourite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s the perfect tale of slow revenge with a satisfying end.
What are you working on next?
Batt: I’m currently working on a couple of novellas.
Learn More About the Author and Old Wounds here:
https://twitter.com/picklez4uk
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or on Kindle Unlimited
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