Random Interview – Tina Glasneck
One of the best parts of attending a con is meeting people, and Michelle and I were lucky enough to chat with author Tina Glasneck after one of our panels at RavenCon. Tina has graciously agreed to fall victim to the Random Interview Generator, and give us a peek at her new romantic suspense novel, Thou Shall Not. – Reesa
Tell us a little about yourself. What do you like to write? What’s your latest release about? What have you read recently that knocked your socks off?
Tina Glasneck: When I was a kid, books were my friends. Although I’ve always been outgoing, an extrovert, who loves to meet and interact with new people, there has always been a sense of self in finding a good book. My first love was a character from a Jude Deveraux novel. It was easier to pine for a man from the Middle Ages who lived in a castle then to deal with the hormonal 16 year olds that were all around. In fact, my weekends were coordinated according to the number of books I could devour from Friday until Sunday.
My repertoire is quite varied when writing: I enjoy writing everything from poetry to suspense, with a heart. But it is important for me to carefully walk the line between horror and suspense. I make sure to craft characters that are all “gray” in morals. I believe this creates genuine characters and helps the reader to connect to them. My thought is that a good man can do evil just as an evil one can do good. It all depends on the circumstances. I enjoy writing from my antagonist’s POV, and creating a true villain, who is not all bad, such a character is usually called an anti-hero. I think there is strength in realizing that the boogie man also has a clear motive for his actions, a fear to create his humanity, and something to lose to make him fight even more for his perceived “just” end.
My latest release, titled THOU SHALL NOT, is about a woman, Xandy Caras, who is trying to get her life back together after beating a murder charge. But there is someone out there who wants to make sure she pays, where justice has failed. This story evolved in so many ways during the time of me writing it, and I look forward to what the characters are going to bring to life in the story’s continuation.
Recently, I had a chance to judge an entry in a writing contest, and I was blown away by one of the entries (I really am rooting for that particular story to get published), there is so much talent out there; in published works, I enjoyed Shakespeare Curse by J.L. Carrell. In high school, we did a good amount of Shakespeare and the twists and turns of the story had me quickly turning the pages to find out what happened.
Do you build your characters layer upon layer or do they spring to life fully functional in your mind?
Tina Glasneck: My characters slowly develop; usually the story line pops in my head before the characters do. But when the characters take form – that is it! I can usually hear their voices in my head, and then their traits will either ring true in the text or they will demand a re-write (they are pesky sometimes).
A great example of this is when I was writing THOU SHALL NOT; I had initially created a love story between two of the characters, but for six months, the characters were telling me that such a story between them wouldn’t work. After I changed it, all the pieces fell into place.
When the character tells you what to do, my advice is to do it.
What is your favorite writing beverage, and why?
Tina Glasneck: When writing, I usually zone out and remain parched. However, the one beverage that will not distract me and keep me focusing on my creation is warm chamomile tea. It seems to relax me and it allows me to tune in to what my characters are saying.
You have to understand though, when I write, I am only dictating the scene flashing before my eyes. It is almost like eavesdropping on someone else’s life, and knowing all about him. When I try to intrude with my own thoughts and wants, just as quickly as the scene unfolded, it can then cease, leaving behind only a faint impression of what is supposed to occur next.
I’ve tried writing while drinking wine, but that seems to inebriate me more than anything else – and although it might help me be creative, more than naught, it causes me to jump to my next artistic task and leaving writing behind (until the alcohol wears off, at least).
What would you tell yourself ten years in the FUTURE?
Tina Glasneck: Never give up! The power of perseverance is amazing. One simple drop of water has the power to sculpt mountains. One lump of coal, through experiencing great pressure, can turn into a diamond. As long as I don’t give up on me, I will make my dreams a reality. Look back and see how far you have come, Tina. Aren’t you glad you didn’t give up?
Do you prefer tv or movies? What’s your favourite?
Tina Glasneck: I’d say TV, if I’m in the mood to dissect a plot or not. TV leaves me on the edge of my seat because it stretches out the plot for seasons on end, while a movie usually provides a quick fix. Currently, I LOVE Castle (and would love to be like him when I grow up), and of course, True Blood; I also watch some reality television – my husband hates to give me the remote for fear it is going to land on House Hunters, Cupcake Wars, Chopped or The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
How many of your daily meals make it into your writing? (That is, if you make pecan waffles on Saturday mornings, do you ever have a character do the same?)
Tina Glasneck: To date, none. Unless the meal has a particular function, I usually don’t include it in a scene, besides a casual reference. I am more likely to include information about beverages that my characters are drinking (usually coffee – love the smell of it and it makes me feel alive), and these beverages are quite often a part of my normal life.
Michelle and Reesa, thanks for having me on your blog. It has been a pleasure, and I am forever grateful for this opportunity.
In this Excerpt of THOU SHALL NOT, this scene is the opening murder, which begins the terror in Richmond.
Tonight she was a star.
He’d taped her perfidious mouth and silenced her deafening scream. Her once comely bun now frayed. Her makeup streaked, her perfection soiled.
On stage, he knew she felt at home. But not tonight. No, tonight, she lay petrified on the hard and dusty platform of the Mosque Theatre. Pancuronium coursed through her body, paralyzing her. He could almost imagine her throat constricting, her breathing lessening.
Silent and trapped in her own skin, tonight was her final act.
With a scowl, he loomed over her. Gripping his hunting knife, he lowered it to her warm soft flesh and carved into her delicate skin.
Groping, with gloved fingers, he pried the edges of the flayed skin apart, placing a cloth tag into the opening. The threaded needle punctured the taut skin surrounding the wound. The thick golden thread created a neat row of stitches.
He rose from her side, reached into his duffle bag and retrieved the large rock he’d brought for the occasion. Palming it, he yelled, “Thou Shall Not” and swung his arm back. His voice echoed off of the rafters. He slammed the rock over and over into her skull until her brown hair was stained red and his arm was tired.
Waves of pleasure rippled through him with each hit. The sound of stone breaking bone was its own melody.
With a bloodied hand, he yanked the crimson-spattered watch from her lifeless arm and broke its dial as he had her skull. Placing the timepiece in a blue crushed velvet box, he cast one last careless glance at his scene and tossed the postcard depicting the Greek goddess Nemesis on the stage.
Let her bleed, let her die.
No one listened nowadays.
THOU SHALL NOT is available in print, as well as ebook.
CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/3834289 (print)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Thou-Shall-Not-Series-Volume/dp/0985416203/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335752172&sr=1-2 (print)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Thou-Shall-Not-Series-ebook/dp/B007PVHUH8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335753620&sr=1-1 (ebook)
Since the print version of THOU SHALL NOT is now available on Amazon, I am giving away a signed copy to a lucky winner. Just leave a comment, and one lucky winner will be chosen!
If you’d like to stay in touch with all things Tina Glasneck, please visit her website at www.tinaglasneck.com
