Interview with Author Stuart West

Liberation It’s coming soon! Really, really soon!

Interview with Author Stuart West

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know one pretty amazing guy. We met during a blog hosted query contest where we were thrown together as opponents. We made terrible “combatants” as we were rooting for the other’s query to make it to the next round from the minute we introduced ourselves. Stu kicked my butt in round one with his kick-ass entry and neither of us wound up winning the contest, BUT I can honestly say I’ve gained a lifelong writing buddy. So, when Stuart asked me read his already published tale of a teenage boy who finds out he’s a witch, I was like “Oh, no! This is so not my cup of tea. How am I going to get through this?” Little did I know that the story my friend wove together with every emotion possible, would become something I am calling a MUST READ. With the release of the second installment in his Tex series, Tex and the Gangs of Suburbia, I sat down with my man Stu to hear all about what makes him one of the coolest guys I’ve ever known.

Hey, Jess, thanks for having me here! Tex, The Witch Boy is a YA paranormal, mystery thriller, comedy, romance tale dealing with high school bullying. Someone’s killing the bullies at Clearwell High, and through no fault of his own, Tex, a sort of everyman character, finds out he’s a witch and uses those powers to unveil the killer. Tex and the Gangs of Suburbia is another mystery this time dealing with high school violence and identity. Oh, and there’s a new character shrouded in mystery. That’s her on the cover. Both books are based on true events (well, except for the supernatural stuff, natch).

Tell us a little about yourself and when you started to write?

I was an awful graphic artist for an even more awful company for 28 years. A couple years ago I decided to try my hand at something I might be halfway decent at and actually like. With the support of my awesome wife, that’s what I’m trying to do. Verdicts still out as to how successful I am!

What inspires you to put pen to paper? What I love about paranormal/science fiction is that you can’t possibly “write what you know” so how do you come up with your stories?

Hm, I guess I have stories to tell! Most of my books have some basis in reality. The fun part comes from wrapping wild elements around the truth.

You’ve said before you didn’t set out to write Young Adult Fiction, but clearly you’ve got it down pat with Tex, the Witch Boy. How did you figure out this was what you wanted to write about?

I’m exorcising my high school demons, Jess! I hated high school, was on the beating stick end of bullies, and counted down the days ‘til I got out. Sometimes I wondered if I’d even make it out. No, I didn’t set out to write YA fiction, it just sorta’ happened. I wanted to tell my tale, maybe even reach teens who’re going through the same stuff I went through. Sadly, bullying hasn’t really changed over the years. I think it’s even worse.

In Tex, the Witch Boy you explore what it’s like for an outsider—the non-jock/unprom-king/so-not-popular kid in the cruel world of high school. For me, one of the most moving messages that came through was about bullying. Tex and his friends endured some pretty harsh and outlandish acts of brutality, was bullying something you dealt with as a kid and if so were any of the scenes in the book based on real life events?

Every bullying incident in the book happened to either myself or a friend. I know some of the events seem outlandish, but they happened. To this day, a friend of mine still can’t fully use his hand.

I loved how Tex and his loveable bunch of misfits rose above what was going on around them and found a way to take a stand. Your writing is very powerful in that the deeper meaning behind the story came shining through. You’ve mentioned to me that you explore other important topics in books to come. Can you name some of them?

Sure! Tex And The Gangs Of Suburbia is based on a true event that happened at my old high school a few years back. The theme is about shocking high school violence and how it affects everyone. And with more tragic shootings happening all the time, awareness is needed. The third book, Tex And The God Squad (out in December), tackles teen suicide, religion and homosexuality (I ain’t nothin’ if not ambitious!).

I must confess, I’ve never been a big fan of paranormal or sci-fi. I’m a romance girl, that’s why I was able to fall for Twilight. But your book drew me in and made me believe. You had a way of describing Tex’s newfound witchdom that made me think, “damn, my friend Stu is a witch!” Mickey’s hilarious instruction and wacky lessons were so convincing. So, it must be asked: Stu, are you a witch or do you practice witchcraft? And if not, how the heck do you know all this stuff?

The only witch in this house is a sandwich! Nope, not a witch. And, um, I just made a lot of the witchcraft stuff up. Some of it was researched. I even talked to a witch online (who, ah, had mixed feelings about how I tackled witchcraft. Hope he didn’t put a spell on me!).

Was Tex the first book you wrote? Did you query many agents/publishers before you signed with MuseItUp?

Yes, Tex was my first book. Actually I lucked out and got accepted on my first submission! Everyone tells me I’m dang lucky.

How do you handle rejection? What advice can you offer to moving past it?

How do I handle rejection? I drink. Lots. Then I fall to the floor and pound it for a while. Then I pull up my big boy britches and move on. Rejection gets easier after a while.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Write for yourself. Don’t write to trends or best-selling genres. And don’t give up. It’s easy to give up once you’ve received your first slew of rejections. But as Kelly Clarkson sings (and I can’t BELIEVE you’re making me quote her!), “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

What’s next on the agenda? What are you currently working on and are there more books in the Tex series to look forward to?

Three Tex books. Then a spin-off for my mystery girl who was so much fun to write, she practically begged me to write her book. After that, I’m going to try my hand at some adult thrillers. I’m currently working on an epic ghost story that takes place in 1935 and 1969. It’s based on the history of a dilapidated mining town in Oklahoma. Also have a darkly comedic serial killer thriller in the works. Oh! And two children’s books.

Thanks for having me, Jess. You’re the best and your book’s great too! Read it, folks!

It’s been a pleasure knowing Stuart and I look forward to reading any and all of his upcoming releases…he’s that good. Please click the links below for his first two books in the Tex series.