What can you tell us about your new release, State of Vengeance (Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller Series Book 22)?
State of Vengeance is the 22nd novel in the Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller Series, and like all the prior novels, at its core, this book is basically the next chapter in a larger overarching storyline. I don’t do cliffhangers, so each book is its own complete story. I’m pleased that readers seem to be enjoying each individual book as they navigate their way through the series.
Are your books meant to be read in order?
I think that answer is largely up to the reader…but, yes. I have a large number of recurring characters, and if a reader jumps in at, say, book eleven, or anywhere else for that matter, then they will have missed much of the character development that took place in the previous books. My novels are very character-centric, so it’s natural to expect a continuation of depth and development across the entire series. I do drop a bit of history and backstory into each book, but sometimes it’s hard to delineate the character growth in a way that’s satisfying (at least to me) if someone jumps in and starts reading in the middle of the series. That’s not to say you can’t, but reader response on the whole has shown that starting at the beginning of the series is the way to go.
You’ve said that before…that your novels are character driven. Can you explain that?
You bet. All of the Virgil Jones novels are crime fiction, but when you hear or see that label, I think the first question that goes through everyone’s head is: What’s the plot? But to me—as the writer—plot is always secondary. In fact, I’ll go a step further and say plot is the least important aspect of a well-written novel.
What makes you say that?
Well, I just believe it to be true. I’ve read lots of books that were very well-plotted, but they bored me to tears because I couldn’t relate to the one-dimensional characters. So, a book could be about anything…murder, kidnapping, drugs, extortion…whatever fits into the crime fiction category. It really doesn’t matter. What does matter is how the characters interact with each other as they navigate their way through the story. And if you can do that, plot takes care of itself. What’s interesting is this: Most of my novels have multiple layers of plotting…but it’s not intentional on my part. Bottom line—get the characters right, and plot takes care of itself. I like to create bad guys who sometimes try to do good, and good guys who sometimes do bad things in order to get the job done. It makes for some pretty interesting characters.
Did you accomplish that with State of Vengeance?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, the primary antagonist in State of Vengeance (I believe) is one of the more interesting characters I’ve written. He’s someone who is at war with himself, but he doesn’t necessarily understand why…or what to do with the conflicting feelings he has. It was a tremendous amount of fun to write about this guy, and even though he’s the villain, there’s a human side to him as well, one that he tries very hard to hold on to even as he’s running around doing all sorts of bad things.
Do your readers enjoy that…bad guys trying to do the right thing, and good guys who do bad things to get the job done?
Oh yeah, without a doubt. Most of the reader feedback I get is either about that singular point, or how much they love the characters in general.
Can you tell us about your writing process?
Sure. It goes something like this: I sit down and stare at a blank screen in shock and horror for hours on end, then give up and try again the next time I sit down at the computer. I’m being a little facetious there, but the whole process is sort of a tough gig, especially if you’re trying to get it right. My goal is to write every day, though that rarely happens. We all have busy lives, errands to run, lawns to mow, etc. I do find though, that if I write first thing in the morning, I get much more accomplished. My mind is clear and much more open to the possibilities and the sense of relationships between the characters within the story. I usually manage to write at least five days a week and produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,000 to 3,000 words a day…then the next day I’ll sit down and whittle that back, deleting the stuff that doesn’t work…stuff that doesn’t have any flow or direction, then do it all again the next day, unless, you know, I’m mowing the lawn, or whatever.
Many people have commented that your novels have an odd combination of violence and humor. Those two things don’t seem to go together on paper, but you seem to pull it off. Can you explain how you do that?
I’ll try, but the main thing to remember is this: I write fiction. That means I can put a certain character in any given situation—even an horrific one—and often find this little nugget of humor, one that usually presents itself as an interaction between two or more characters. Humor balances the scale and gives the reader room to catch their breath. There are a lot of suspenseful situations in all of my books, and I tend to offer some equilibrium by injecting humor….often when it’s least expected. Plus I’m sort of a funny guy (although my daughter gave me a box of emergency dad jokes for my birthday, so maybe I’m not as funny as I think I am) but when I’m writing, dropping humor into dialogue often happens with little effort.
You’ve said on more than one occasion that you don’t outline your novels. Why is that?
That’s true, I don’t outline. I let the story itself lead me to where it wants to go. But there is a caveat to my answer. I do outline what I’ve already written (usually chapter by chapter) after the fact…although I’m not sure I would even call it an outline. It’s more like notes to myself about what I wrote, and why. I find the exercise necessary because I’m not a linear writer. I can be three chapters in on a new manuscript, then write something that ends up being placed in say, chapter eight, or something like that, so an after-the-fact outline saves me quite a bit of time. Plus, my memory isn’t exactly what anyone would consider ‘podium-worthy.’
What scene from State of Vengeance (Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller Series Book 22) was your favorite to write?
I think (he says while kicking a toe in the dirt) that the opening scene came out very well. In addition, there is a scene near the end of the book between one of the main characters and the aforementioned antagonist that was really exciting to explore. There is a moment of understanding and acknowledgment between these two very different characters, both of whom could relate to each other and the struggles they’ve faced in the past because as it turns out, they’re more alike than either of them would like to admit.
If you could tell your readers only one thing about your writing, what would it be?
I treat writing like a job. I dress for work, I show up on time, and like I said, I work at least five days a week. When you write for a living, I think you have to give the craft the respect it deserves. That means I give it my all, each and every time. If you pick up a Virgil Jones or Jack Bellows novel, you’re going to get a complete (and hopefully) satisfying read…one that will lead you on to the next book. I write every novel as if it might be my last because one day it will be, and I’d like to go out knowing that I gave it everything I had. Plus, a good work ethic helps keep the lights on, which interestingly enough, keeping the lights on is part of the storyline in State of Vengeance. I hope everyone enjoys it.
Can you tell us what you’re working on now, and when it will be available?
I could, but if you really want to know…and I mean deep-down-in-your-bones want to know, you can find the answer to that question on my website: ThomasScottBooks.com under the ‘Coming Soon’ section. Thanks for your time.
