Interview with Tom Stark:
Hi Tom. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book
The Brothers Gallagher is a time travel tale about a guy who just isn’t happy with the world and has the chance to travel back and change history. He does and finds a brand new present to come back to. Unfortunately for our main character he isn’t finished and goes back and screws everything up; and finally settles on love instead of wealth and finds true happiness
- How do we find out about you and your books?
You can always check my website its Tom Stark.com if you want.
- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?
As a matter of fact a reader brought up a question about The Brothers Gallagher that has prompted me to start thinking about a sequel that will have the main character chasing himself and our heroine Mary through the future, which is our past.
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Lots of the little back stories and all the characters are from my life and are based on my friends and people I know.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
I work my stories out in my head while I work all day then when I get a chance I write them down and keep rewriting or as I call it sanding you know adding things here and taking things away till it flows.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
To relax I like to play ice hockey; I play goalie for the Cleveland Chiefs. I also enjoy playing golf with my best friends Joe Stolitza and Eric Johnson we play just about every Friday night after work at Big Met. I also enjoy hunting deer; sitting up in a tree stand watching the sun come up is my favorite way to start a day; Well maybe not my favorite but it’s a good way.
- Do you feel humor is important in women's fiction and why?
I think humor is important in everything; even in the most tragic moments there is something funny there you can point out, and even in the height of passion humor can add an interesting twist.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
I don’t really write in one genre I’m all over the page. I write like I live I’m a nonconformist I don’t fit into any stereotype nicely. I’m a big old jock who has a tender side people would never expect.
- Fill in the blank favorites - Dessert. City. Season. Type of hero. Type of heroine.
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate oatmeal cookies.
City: People say a lot of bad things about my hometown but if you can stand the weather Cleveland a hell of a town.:
Season: Fall It’s warm and the scenery is full of colors, plus its hunting season.
Hero: I like a hero full of human faults someone you can relate to.
Heroine: Tall, tough and gorgeous always keeps me interested.
Song: In your eyes, by Peter Gabriel.
- What are some of your favorite things to do?
I love to go to rock concerts. I love seafood Red Lobsters my favorite restaurant. I’m a Browns season ticket holder and have been since 1984 yes I sit in the dog pound section 12. I love to play Hockey and Golf.
- Who are some of your favorite authors?
I like Ray Bradbury. Dan Brown can certainly tell a story. I don’t get to read very much though so I guess I’m more of a movie buff I love Hitchcock.
- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
Well the main character Mary is based on a girl I was head over heels in love with in high school. The idea of having her start out the book old and having Terry fall in love with her as a young girl came from an Elvis Costello video for the song Veronica, its an old woman remembering her past in photos as the song play it has always stuck with me and I though it worked out well.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Well I’d like to think that in five years I might be sitting in the Caribbean on a large yacht listening to Jimmy Buffet, sipin' margaritas in the warm sunshine. But I’ll probably still be walking back in forth mowing your front lawn.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
The story line comes first. Then the setting comes into play and a few main characters. Then I like to spice things up with the stuff you hear or experience as you are writing.
- Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Just keep plugging away and you never know. Like they say you’ll never know unless you try.
Thank you very much, for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to busy schedule. Good Luck Tom, and keep up the good work. We will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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