Ask the Author: Matthew FitzSimmons
Answered Questions (26)
Matthew FitzSimmons
Rob, I have a new book out in October. It's called, The Slate (as in wiping it clean), and it is a political thriller set in Washington DC where I live. Thanks for reading!
Matthew FitzSimmons
Thank you so much. That's really very kind. So I am sorry to say, there is unlikely to be another book in the short term. However, the books have been optioned and are in development, so there is a chance (yes, I know what I did there) we may see Constance again in another medium. Fingers crossed.
Matthew FitzSimmons
That's very kind of you for taking the time to write. It's a really lovely thing to read first thing in the morning, and you've already made my day. Thank you for reading!
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew FitzSimmons
I am. When I was in high school, I thought for a while that I wanted to be a music critic/historian. Freshman year, I remember studying the Vietnam War and coincidentally listening to 60s acid rock for the first time - a light bulb just kind of went off in my 13 year old brain that music and culture and history were all intertwined (obvious I know but at the time it was huge for me). After that music has always been a way for me to understand what's happening in the world; it hasn't failed me yet.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
Matthew FitzSimmons
Thank you, Linda! That’s wonderful to hear.
Matthew FitzSimmons
In the fall of ‘22.
Matthew FitzSimmons
In the fall of ‘22.
Matthew FitzSimmons
Not only is there a chance but a dead certainty. I'm currently editing and polishing the manuscript. It will be called, Chance.
Matthew FitzSimmons
When I wrote The Short Drop, I simply hoped that it might one day see the light of day. There are so many hurdles to getting published for an aspiring author that I didn't dare look too far down the road. I knew that there were other stories that I could write about Gibson Vaughn should the opportunity arise, but calling it a plan would be giving myself too much credit. Fortunately, the success of TSD made writing a sequel the obvious choice.
Matthew FitzSimmons
Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley. Because they were my first, in high school, and because it took me several rereads to understand that they weren't a couple at all. Taught me a great deal both about writing relationships and about myself. Can't ask for more from a novel.
Matthew FitzSimmons
Roleta - I'm afraid that I'm not aware of any Book Club questions for Short Drop. If I hear of anything, I will pass it along to you.
PS - A movie is not in the cards, but a tv show is in development so fingers crossed.
PS - A movie is not in the cards, but a tv show is in development so fingers crossed.
Matthew FitzSimmons
Sandy,
Cold Harbor is the working title for Gibson Vaughn Book 3 although that may be subject to change. It's not a short story; I'm halfway through a draft, but it won't be out until late 2017. Glad you're looking forward to it!
Best, Matthew
Cold Harbor is the working title for Gibson Vaughn Book 3 although that may be subject to change. It's not a short story; I'm halfway through a draft, but it won't be out until late 2017. Glad you're looking forward to it!
Best, Matthew
Matthew FitzSimmons
Hello Leslynn!
So this is a question that I've been thinking about a lot as my publication date draws near, and the answer is both yes, and... I don't have the foggiest idea. Poisonfeather is a different book than Short Drop - perhaps an unnecessary and self-evident statement so allow me to elaborate. My feeling was that if Gibson Vaughn and Co. were to become a series that I did not want to repeat Short Drop. I wanted to avoid discovering the "Gibson Vaughn" formula and writing book after book that took essentially the same structure. I never want the characters to become static. I believe I succeeded in that aim, and that Poisonfeather should feel both familiar and foreign to readers of Shot Drop. So I do feel that sense of satisfaction that you asked about, and yes, I do feel good about it. On the other hand, I know that mine is no longer the only opinion that matters and as a writer still in his professional infancy, I have butterflies and worry that I've changed too much. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't, and honestly, I hope that internal contradiction never fades. I think the best I should wish for as a writer is to feel good about my own work and hope, but not expect, readers to come along for the ride.
I suppose I shall see on October 4th. I hope my ramblings answered your questions.
Best,
Matthew
So this is a question that I've been thinking about a lot as my publication date draws near, and the answer is both yes, and... I don't have the foggiest idea. Poisonfeather is a different book than Short Drop - perhaps an unnecessary and self-evident statement so allow me to elaborate. My feeling was that if Gibson Vaughn and Co. were to become a series that I did not want to repeat Short Drop. I wanted to avoid discovering the "Gibson Vaughn" formula and writing book after book that took essentially the same structure. I never want the characters to become static. I believe I succeeded in that aim, and that Poisonfeather should feel both familiar and foreign to readers of Shot Drop. So I do feel that sense of satisfaction that you asked about, and yes, I do feel good about it. On the other hand, I know that mine is no longer the only opinion that matters and as a writer still in his professional infancy, I have butterflies and worry that I've changed too much. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't, and honestly, I hope that internal contradiction never fades. I think the best I should wish for as a writer is to feel good about my own work and hope, but not expect, readers to come along for the ride.
I suppose I shall see on October 4th. I hope my ramblings answered your questions.
Best,
Matthew
Matthew FitzSimmons
Roger, Thank you for your kind thoughts. Haven't had a chance to listen to the audio book, but I've heard James Cronin did a great job with it. Hope you enjoy the second book nearly as much. Cherry pie does sound pretty good...
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew FitzSimmons
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Matthew FitzSimmons
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has a soft spot for Fred Tinsley.
I definitely have plans for Tinsley to return, but in his supporting role. He's the sort of supporting character that is great in small doses, but might become difficult to take if he was the protagonist. I think of a character like Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) who is so mesmerizing in No Country for Old Men. I love all of his scenes, but for me, he belongs off in the shadows and not at the center of the story. Not sure I could take an entire novel about him. Tinsley may be the same. But, never say never.
I definitely have plans for Tinsley to return, but in his supporting role. He's the sort of supporting character that is great in small doses, but might become difficult to take if he was the protagonist. I think of a character like Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) who is so mesmerizing in No Country for Old Men. I love all of his scenes, but for me, he belongs off in the shadows and not at the center of the story. Not sure I could take an entire novel about him. Tinsley may be the same. But, never say never.
Matthew FitzSimmons
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Matthew FitzSimmons
Thank you, Kirk! Glad you liked it.
To answer your question, I think there are a number of ways to create characters. One is to imagine the character and then invent a backstory that gives them the attributes that you want. Creating Gibson, I tried to work in the opposite direction - I created the backstory first. Once I knew the major events/traumas/landmarks in his life, then I asked myself, how had that shaped him? How would it make him strong and to what would it make him vulnerable? I wanted him to be a real person so I'm glad you appreciate that about him; I feel that "ex-Navy SEAL" has become the default superhero backstory for many thriller protagonists that allows protagonists to simply be good at everything. I've never cared for the overpowered, infallible hero in books or movies and definitely wanted to go in a different direction with Gibson.
And it can be a challenge to stay in character, but I really enjoy that aspect of writing. I'll give you one example - Gibson is very smart, but he never went to college; he went into the Marines instead. His education has largely been practical rather than esoteric, and he's never had a lot of time for pop culture - he doesn't know much about film, music, . He's been too busy trying to survive. I, on the other hand, went to college, and I am a pop culture sponge. It sounds like a small thing, but I have to constantly remind myself that Gibson just doesn't know a lot of the useless trivia that I do. I'll write a line of dialogue for him and then realize that that is something that I would know, not what Gibson would know. It seems like a small thing, but it helps keep Gibson separate from his author.
To answer your question, I think there are a number of ways to create characters. One is to imagine the character and then invent a backstory that gives them the attributes that you want. Creating Gibson, I tried to work in the opposite direction - I created the backstory first. Once I knew the major events/traumas/landmarks in his life, then I asked myself, how had that shaped him? How would it make him strong and to what would it make him vulnerable? I wanted him to be a real person so I'm glad you appreciate that about him; I feel that "ex-Navy SEAL" has become the default superhero backstory for many thriller protagonists that allows protagonists to simply be good at everything. I've never cared for the overpowered, infallible hero in books or movies and definitely wanted to go in a different direction with Gibson.
And it can be a challenge to stay in character, but I really enjoy that aspect of writing. I'll give you one example - Gibson is very smart, but he never went to college; he went into the Marines instead. His education has largely been practical rather than esoteric, and he's never had a lot of time for pop culture - he doesn't know much about film, music, . He's been too busy trying to survive. I, on the other hand, went to college, and I am a pop culture sponge. It sounds like a small thing, but I have to constantly remind myself that Gibson just doesn't know a lot of the useless trivia that I do. I'll write a line of dialogue for him and then realize that that is something that I would know, not what Gibson would know. It seems like a small thing, but it helps keep Gibson separate from his author.
Matthew FitzSimmons
First, thank you. Working hard to make sure it is worth the wait.
To answer your question, it has been an adjustment that is for sure, and I'd be lying if I said there isn't a different kind of stress than I've previously experienced. I've learned a lot from writing the second book, and there will be things that I do differently. Like anything else, I'm trying to learn and apply those lessons moving forward.
Cue the stress, steep learning curve and comical flailing of arms.
I've talked to more experienced authors, and from what I'm told there is definitely a "first book hangover." In that, the first book an author writes is on their own timetable; if an author isn't happy with it then they are free to spend all the time they want getting it exactly right. Then, if one is lucky enough to sell it, the publisher says, "great, that's terrific, now do it again, but in eight months. Go!"
It's the transition from amateur writer to professional, and there is a reason Child, Patterson, Baldacci et al get paid the big bucks - they can hit their deadline time and time again and that isn't easy to do. But, I am learning (he says with a magnificent flailing of his arms).
To answer your question, it has been an adjustment that is for sure, and I'd be lying if I said there isn't a different kind of stress than I've previously experienced. I've learned a lot from writing the second book, and there will be things that I do differently. Like anything else, I'm trying to learn and apply those lessons moving forward.
Cue the stress, steep learning curve and comical flailing of arms.
I've talked to more experienced authors, and from what I'm told there is definitely a "first book hangover." In that, the first book an author writes is on their own timetable; if an author isn't happy with it then they are free to spend all the time they want getting it exactly right. Then, if one is lucky enough to sell it, the publisher says, "great, that's terrific, now do it again, but in eight months. Go!"
It's the transition from amateur writer to professional, and there is a reason Child, Patterson, Baldacci et al get paid the big bucks - they can hit their deadline time and time again and that isn't easy to do. But, I am learning (he says with a magnificent flailing of his arms).
Matthew FitzSimmons
So you're not dreaming, let me start there. And no, I'd not previously published The Short Drop -Thomas and Mercer were my original publisher. So the explanation is that while my publication date was officially December 1st, The Short Drop was part of the Kindle First program.
Kindle First is a perk offered to Amazon Prime members in the United States - each month, Prime members are offered a slate of six novels and may download one for free. There are forty million Amazon Prime members so as you can imagine it is an enormous boost for a first time author. The Short Drop was a November Kindle First book, so by the time my December 1st publication date rolled around, the book had been at the top of ebook sales list for almost the entire month.
I hope that answers your question.
Kindle First is a perk offered to Amazon Prime members in the United States - each month, Prime members are offered a slate of six novels and may download one for free. There are forty million Amazon Prime members so as you can imagine it is an enormous boost for a first time author. The Short Drop was a November Kindle First book, so by the time my December 1st publication date rolled around, the book had been at the top of ebook sales list for almost the entire month.
I hope that answers your question.
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