Jack Strandburg, Author of Hustle Henry and the Cue-Ball Kid

Your novel, Hustle Henry and the Cue-Ball Kid, published with Solstice. How did you discover Solstice Publishing?

I found Solstice Publishing the “old-fashioned way.” Internet search, submit, get rejected, pick myself up and do it all over again. I’ve never regretted signing with them for one moment.

Where did your inspiration come from for this book? Was there a character that just had to be heard? Was there an event that inspired you to start writing?

As the title suggests, the book is a parody/satire of the movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. I wrote it just for fun in the mid 1980’s never entertaining the idea of publication. Even when I started writing to be published, I never dreamed this would be my first published book.

Does your background (in terms of job, family, geographic location, etc.) play into your writing? What kind of research went into your story?

My background in Information Technology not only plays a part in my writing – it dominates it. I’m big on processes and outlining and constantly looking for ways to get a novel written in a shorter time period. This sometimes works against me because I often spend more time streamlining my story-writing process than actual writing. But I’m working on changing that bad habit. (Once I perfect the process of course). Regarding research, since the story takes place in the Old West, circa late 1800’s to early 1900’s, thanks to my editor, I needed several months of research to ensure my main character didn’t carry around a cell phone. Everything from dialogue, speech, what cuss words were used, clothing worn, furniture, buildings (just to name a few) needed validation before the book was published.

Describe the genres in which you write (paranormal, contemporary, westerns, etc.) If write in more than one genre or area (poetry, non-fiction), do you have a different process when you’re writing different kinds of fiction or non-fiction?

Although this particular book is Western Humor (how many of those are on the shelves?), my preference is a combination of mystery, suspense, thriller, although I also would love to dabble in the supernatural/paranormal genre, even if in a short story format.

What is your mind set or process as you sit down to write? Do you have a playlist going? Do you need complete silence? Are you a 6 am writer or an 11 pm writer?

I am trying to get into a habit of putting in at least 8 – 10 hours a day with writing and writing-related tasks, which includes reading, but it’s challenging, especially mentally. The best time to write for me is from 7:00 a.m. up to mid-afternoon (3:00 or so) although I do try and put in some time after dinner. I prefer being by myself and like listening to Nature Music, sometimes Gordon Lightfoot, always Enya, depending on what stage of the story I am working on.

How do you balance writing with work and/or personal life?

Even though I’m retired, I sometimes find it hard to balance, because going to the gym and making sure I stay fit (okay – alive) is critical. Of course there are meals (since my wife still works I usually prepare dinner), and yard work (I’m still too cheap to pay for lawn maintenance). I’m doing better in leaving the TV off in the evening because for one thing, there is never anything to watch despite having hundreds of channels. However, TV does provide ideas for characters and plots so when I watch something I always have a pen and notebook at the ready.

Do you have any other projects you’re working on?

I am currently rewriting (for what seems the 10^th time) my first mystery titled A Head in the Game, taking notes for an inspirational non-fiction book, have 60% of the first draft for a second mystery written (War Zone), have recently completed a short story, and have three other short stories in the works. Then there is always the time necessary for marketing and promotion, writing blogs to hopefully command a presence on the Internet, and yes, I still eat and sleep and go to church.

Any words of advice for aspiring writers?

The same advice they have heard thousands of times – keep writing, lock the door when your internal editor knocks, read other writers, read books on writing, search the internet for writing prompts, and write some more.