Author's Interview with E.C. Saulness

First, before we move forward with our Author's Interview, I would like to start with an introduction. 

1. Could you please introduce yourself to us?

I’m a parent, a former social worker, and a US Navy Veteran. I’ve been writing in some form since I was a teenager. I’m a natural contrarian and fight an unending (and not always victorious) battle with my tendency towards sarcasm and dark jokes. 

2. Congratulations on your book. So what inspired you to write this book?

A combination of my experiences as a social worker and as a military veteran. The feeling of seeing truly horrible things and not always being able to do anything about it, along with knowing people who have been damaged if not truly broken in some deep and fundamental way but who keep getting up and putting themselves in harms way anyway, despite their trauma. 

3. What is the book all about?

The book is about Frank, a hundred year old private investigator who is a werewolf and a veteran of several wars. Because of his own trauma he lives an isolated life and self medicated heavily with drugs and alcohol, not wanting any company except his large pack of rescue dogs that he keeps taking in. As tends to happen to people with a past, it catches up to him and he is dragged reluctantly out of his isolation to help find a missing girl who has fallen in with dangerous people. Along the way Frank is forced to deal with the parts of himself that he has been hiding from as parts of his past keep confronting him.

4. Why did you choose this genre for your book?

I don’t know that I chose a genre. In fact, I have a hell of a time choosing a simple label or category. Urban Fantasy? Thriller? Mystery? Hardboiled/Noir? Horror? I just wrote the story I wanted to write, using the supernatural elements as metaphors to address some very real issues. The result can be categorized at your convenience. 

5. How much time did it take to complete this book?

I didn’t have the luxury to work on it in a vacuum, so I’d say the first draft took a couple months. Then I put it away for a year, revised it some and had some people read it. Hired an editor to come at me with the dreaded red pen… and then I put it away for another year. So two answers really… it took me about 6 months of working on it, but it took me three years to finish. 

6. What makes your Book Special?

If it is special, and I hope it is, I think it is as a result of the subject matter, the style, the characters, and the paranormal elements combining in a way that isn’t something people are used to. But I suppose I’d be a bit of an ass to crown myself the final arbiter of whether or not I succeeded in that. I humbly await the verdict of the readers. 

7. When is your second book coming?

Sooner than it took me to produce the first one. I’m in early stages of putting it together now. I’ll keep plucking along at it and hope to have it out around winter.

8. While writing did you get any writer's block? What is the Tip that you will give others who are facing writer's block?

Music plays a large role in this book, though in a sort of eater-egg capacity (kudos to readers who notice it, not many do.) When I needed a minute to stretch and process I’d out some headphones in and wander around outside. Sometimes it would be a proper walk or hike, other times I’d just wander a crowded parking lot or shopping center with a bit of a crazed look on my face as I let the music I had chosen for the time and place I was writing about do it’s work. 

9. What are your other hobbies besides being a talented author?

I’m supposed to have… other… hobbies? Oh. Well, I’ll get right on that. 

10. Last but not the least, How did you feel, while giving this interview?

Chilly. A little hungry? And grateful to have a chance to talk about my word-baby. Thank you. I hope you enjoy it. 

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