Interview with Thomas Scott, Author of State of Wrath (Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller Series Book 23)

What can you tell us about your latest book State of Wrath (Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller Series Book 23)?

State of Wrath is the 23rd book in the ongoing Virgil Jones mystery / thriller series, and like all the previous books, it is but a chapter in the larger story of Virgil and his extended family. It also picks up right where State of Vengeance ended. Sorry, that’s not entirely accurate. It actually starts before the end of State of Vengeance…if that makes any sense. Also, it doesn’t explode out of the gate (most of my books don’t anyway because I don’t believe in that sort of nonsense) but once you’re in the story, I think you’ll find it hard to put down.

Many of your readers have commented that you’re good at that…keeping people turning the pages. Is that hard to do?

No, not really. I enjoy it. I want the reader to get to the end of a chapter or scene and tell themselves: Okay…only one more, but that’s it! I’ve got to make dinner, or mow the lawn, or whatever.

Would you say that being a writer is a difficult job?

Yes, without question.

What is so difficult about it?

Well, I’d have to simply say that writing for a living is very hard work…much harder than most people might imagine. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not afraid of hard work—in fact I enjoy a challenge—but the entire process isn’t all sunshine and roses. It can, and often is, very emotionally draining. If you want to get it right—and I do want that—there is a tremendous amount of work required to tell the kind of story that readers can get lost in. If you can make that happen, then I think it’s safe to say there’s a measure of success in that.

Have you done that? Succeeded?

To be perfectly honest, I’m not entirely sure. I think that’s more for the reader to decide. I do know this: I manage to make the mortgage payment every month and keep the lights on…and all those kinds of things, so in terms of being successful in that regard, then yes. As for the rest of the question, it isn’t up to me to say because writing is a form of art, and art (as you well know) is subjective.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes, I suppose so. I’m not a linear writer. That means I don’t sit down, type ‘Chapter One,’ then start telling a story. That has never happened, and I sort of hope it never does. Obviously I have to begin somewhere, but I often find that when I start a new manuscript, the first thing I write is not the first sentence that shows up in the finished book. In fact, I can be halfway through a manuscript, then write a really great scene that ends up back at the beginning or something along those lines. It might not sound like a big deal, but when you’re working with a 100,000 word story, getting all the puzzle pieces to fit together just so is probably the biggest challenge I have.

What do your fans mean to you?

Without sounding trite, my fans mean everything to me. They’re like family in the most literal sense. I answer every single email I get—which is often a full-time job in itself—but the thing to remember is this: It’s the best part of the whole gig. Yes, the job can be fun, yes, it pays the bills, but hearing from and interacting with my readers…that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

In a word? Love. Love for my family, love for my family of readers, love of the craft, and love of life. I’m a lucky guy…and that is never outside my frame of reference when I wake every morning…you know, once the fog clears. Also, if I’m being honest, my bladder plays a roll in the inspirational process of getting up every day as well.

Do you have a favorite writing quote?

Yeah, I’ve got a few, but the one that tops the list is from Alan Watts. He says: ‘Write like you’re a death row inmate and the governor is out of the country and there’s no chance for a pardon. Write like you’re clinging to the edge of a cliff, white knuckled, on your last breath, and you’ve got just one last thing to say, like you’re a bird flying over us and you can see everything, and please, for God’s sake, tell us something that will save us from ourselves. Take a deep breath and tell us your deepest, darkest secret, so we can wipe our brow and know that we’re not alone. Write like you have a message from the king.’

Do you feel you’ve accomplished the things mentioned in that quote?

I think I’ve managed to scratch the paint job on one or two. As for the rest, I probably still have some work to do.

Would you care to elaborate on that?

[laughs] Nope.

Okay. So, how do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Different ways, really, but mostly by simply paying attention to what’s happening around me. For example, my book, State of Vengeance was written based on nothing more than something I kept seeing over and over every time I went to the grocery store, if you can believe that.

What was it?

There’s a huge industrial solar farm not far from where I live, and I kept seeing it every time I drove past the damn thing. I mean, this place is massive and it’s pretty hard to miss. So I started doing a little digging about solar farms in general, and it was simply out of curiosity. What I discovered is that they are pretty controversial for a number of different reasons. That led to more research and a ton of notes, all of which eventually turned into an idea that wound up as a finished manuscript.

When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?

Well, I write in a series, so for my main characters, I know them pretty well, but I’m still amazed each and every time with regard to the things they’ll reveal to me about themselves as I write. As for the antagonists in the different books, I let them develop naturally as the story progresses. I might have a general idea when I start, and then by the time I’m finished with the manuscript, I’ll often discover the character is someone else entirely. That’s the fun part. That’s the magic of writing.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I only have one…my home office. I don’t think I could do it anywhere else. I’m not good with distractions, so you’ll never find me in the coffee shop with a laptop, sipping on a hot latte or any of that sort of silliness, because this is my job and I take it very seriously. I need the peace and quiet and familiarity of my own personal space to do the work.

Speaking of work, you’ve written quite a few novels to date—

Yep. 25 and counting.

Can you tell us which one is your favorite?

Sure. I have two, actually. The last one, and the next one.

Seriously, though…

No, no, I’m not being facetious. There is a tremendous sense of relief and satisfaction that comes from knowing I’ve accomplish something that many people only dream of. That feeling is addictive. It’s also sort of short-lived. When that feeling begins to fade, it’s time to start chasing the dragon…which, by the way, is what I’m doing right now.

Okay, we’ll wrap it up then. Do you have a website where readers can learn more about you and your books?

Of course. It’s ThomasScottBooks.com Thanks for your time.