Interview with T. Allen Diaz
Good Morning to you Sir! Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a native of the Tampa Bay area and grew up a history nerd. I grew up loving Star Trek, Star Wars and Aliens. As a kid, I read almost all the time. It’s harder now working full time, being a dad and writing. But I feel it’s important to read, if you want to write, so I do all I can.
I LOVE Star Trek. Especially the Voyager series! So writing is not your full time career then?
No, I’m a firefighter by trade, but I really want to be a commercially successful writer. I am learning the business end of writing, and I have to say: It’s been a challenge.
A firefighter (SWOON!) Learning the basics of writing is definitely one of the biggest hurdles any indie author has to overcome…What is the worst job that you have ever done, and why?
I would have to say that my time as a lot porter at a local car dealership was my toughest. The work itself was easy and I liked most of the mechanics, but I’m not really into the sales culture. I really hated getting out of bed back then.
If you could have written any other book by any other author, what would it be, and why?
At this moment, I’d have to say 1984. I am fascinated by the theme of absolute power corrupts absolutely and love the way the pigs evolve into people.
How would you think your parents would describe your book? Does this differ from how you would describe it?
I think my folks would see Procythian Reign as a sort of Star Wars-like adventure but, I see a lot more history than The Force.
What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?
I like to write science fiction. I find it a good format for creating the perfect world for the story I wish to tell. I have branched out somewhat. I’m currently working a detective noir story that is set in the distant future. It still fits the science fiction genre, but it definitely won’t be a space opera.
That sounds intriguing! What inspired you to write your first book?
That’s a two-part answer: Once upon a time, I had a dream. I just realized how that sounds, but it’s true. I had a dream about an old city by the sea, besieged by Man’O’War-type sailing ships. This became the inspiration for the story that became Procythian Reign. Meanwhile, a friend of a friend got some pretty strong kudos for a screenplay that he’d written. It inspired me and three or four years later, I had a first draft.
Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?
I do. The hotel lobby from my honeymoon will appear in a story, somewhere. I sometimes scribble notes but not usually. I’ve lost a lot of good ideas.
One thing I have learned is to ALWAYS try and scribble down your ideas. Even if you don’t use them for months or even years, they will bear fruit at some stage! Which reminds me I had a dream last night and I need to jot a few elements of that down!
Which was your favourite character to write, and why?
I would have to say Leo Krisminski. I wanted him to be a capable, ruthless professional who is both smart and talented. I tried to make him somewhat sophisticated and urbane. He was a lot of fun because he’s really bad.
Oh, I love his name LEO KRISMINSKI – I will be looking out for him!
What are you reading at the moment, and why?
World War Z. I’m not really a zombie fan, but I refuse to watch a movie based on a novel before I read the book. I’ve enjoyed it, so far.
Left or right and why?
Left. I believe our differences are our greatest strength and that they should be celebrated. Everyone should be allowed to pursue his happiness, as long as it’s not at the expense of others.
That is a very good theory! I am definitely of the live and let live school of thought, myself! What is your favourite movie and why?
I like a lot of historical movies like Patton and We Were Soldiers. But my favourites aren’t movies so much as series like Tudors and Battlestar Galactica. I’d have to say, Battlestar Galactica is my favourite.
I never saw the Tudors series, although I would have liked to have done as they were utterly fascinating and so bloody ruthless in their pursuit of their goals…Do you have an opinion on life after death, and if so what?
I’d like to be wrong, but I’m not a believer. After all, there are millennia of history that occurred before my birth, but I have no first-hand memories. Why should it be any different when I’m gone?
Because surely the whole point is to learn whilst you are here??? If you came armed with memories then what would be the point???
What do you have in the pipeline?
I’m currently doing rewrites of Procythian Reign’s sequel, and have five or so chapters of the first draft of the detective noire novel we discussed earlier. I’m also playing with ideas for the last novel of the Proceena Trilogy, but can’t really start it until I know exactly how I want to end the middle story.
What is your earliest childhood memory?
Seeing Star Wars and Smokey and the Bandit at the drive in. I fell asleep at the beginning of Smokey and the Bandit and woke up during the Death Star chase. That would have to be June of ’77. I’d have been 3.
If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?
I’d want my kids and wife to know I love them. I’m outspoken enough that anything else that needs saying has been said.
Do you have any pets – If so what?
A dog (my son’s) and cat (my wife’s). I love them both, but am very conflicted about pets. I enjoy the companionship, but don’t like sharing my home with animals.
I am like that. We have a dog (my son’s) However, I wouldn’t ever have had a pet by choice! Simba is definitely our first and our last!
Do you have a football/soccer team that you are passionate about and if so what?
Historically, I’m a HUGE Florida Gator fan but, I’m slowly getting disenchanted with college football, too much corruption.
Where was your best ever bucket and spade holiday, and why?
St. Augustine, Florida. I spent a great weekend enjoying the Atlantic Ocean with my kids and wife. I love St. Augustine. There’s so much history there.
My son has a bee in his bonnet about wanting to go to Florida, however when we can get to one of the Greek Islands for a fraction of the cost then he hasn’t got much chance!!!
Thank you for taking time out to spend time with me today, your book is on our “To Review” list and we also have one of your characters scheduled to give an interview over the next couple of months so I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from T. Allen Diaz!!
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6953401.T_Allen_Diaz
http://www.amazon.com/Procythian-Reign-ebook/dp/B00BF9XLME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372803333&sr=8-1&keywords=procythian+reign
http://www.amazon.com/T.-Allen-Diaz/e/B00BK70SCW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
