About Thomas W. Devine:
Thomas W Devine was born in New Zealand and educated at Marlborough College and Waikato University. After a successful career in public administration he now writes full time. He has published eight novels, his first becoming a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. He currently lives in Wellington with his wife and extended family.
What inspires you to write?
I love creating stories and characters that people might enjoy reading about. It’s immensely satisfying and fulfilling. Once I have a self-convincing plot idea in my head I just have to flesh it out into a full-blown novel.
Tell us about your writing process.
I started out in my first two books with nothing more than an idea in my head which I let develop (seat of the pants) as I wrote. I then started using mind maps (on paper) simple or complex for both character relationships & plot elements and combined it with detailed character fact sheets (on paper) prepared in advance for key characters to improve my characterization.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Not exactly, but I do regard them as “children” growing up and developing, empowering them to become their own persons within the scope of the story idea. I feel very fatherly about the characters I create, though I sometimes kill them off.
What advice would you give other writers?
If you have a true calling you’ll persevere. Learn the craft of writing before you start to write or at least before you do a final draft for publication. Use specialists (sub-contractors) to hone your work, especially if you self-publish. Listen openly to the opinion of others about your work. If you get encouragement let it help you with any self-doubt but don’t get big-headed.. Love the creative process and the hard work.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Rejections almost turned me off writing and publishing. Then getting a semi-final entry in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award led me to discover indie-publishing. It has so many advantages, especially with the CreateSpace.com platform.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
My crystal ball isn’t functioning.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: thriller, suspense, adventure
What formats are your books in?: Print, Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Thomas W. Devine Home Page Link
