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FAQs |
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When did you start writing “Lady Luck’s Smile?”
TWL – In 1992, Mark and I were working at a cable company (Media One?). He was
the manager and I was a video producer. He said, “Let’s write a book together.”
I thought it sounded like more fun than writing the lame book I was working on
back then so I agreed.
MNS – Terry and I both had writing projects going and had shared some chapters,
but neither of us was making great progress. I suggested we try writing a book
together. Terry said he’d write a chapter and give it to me. He said he had an
idea for a story, but now I don’t think he did. We just started writing.
Do you remember writing your first chapter?
TWL – On a whim, I decided that I would have my character wake up in bed with a
good looking blond and not have any recollection who she was. And I did. That
chapter, while still in the book, is now Chapter 5.
MNS – Yes, I do because it is the chapter where I created Smiley and the Old
Saloon.
How did you handle two authors, each writing in first person?
TWL – To me, it was easy. I wanted my character, Jake, to be written in first
person. When Mark said he was going to do the same thing, we just had to work
out a few production-type details and never looked back.
MNS – Terry gave me Jake’s first chapter. As I mentioned, I had no idea where
this story was going so I had Hank go about his day as he would and he waited
for his path to cross Jake’s. At some point Jake (Terry) had to let Hank in on
the scheme. For about the first third I only knew what I read in Jake’s
chapters. There were surprises in Hank’s life that I didn’t even know were going
to happen until I wrote them. Since Jake and Hank were best friends that is how
I treated them. There’s a lot about Jake that Hank doesn’t like, but they are
still friends through it all. It wasn’t hard for us to make Jake and Hank
different.
How long did it take to write “Lady Luck’s Smile?”
TWL – I’m not sure. I’d say about a year.
MNS – The first draft was probably a year. And we had many rewrites. It was not
until much later that we wrote the prologue.
Where did you get the ideas for your two main characters, Jake and Hank?
TWL - Jake is a combination of three different guys I used to know. We all hung
out at a bar in Fridley, Minnesota, where we’d drink beer, tell stories, play
pool and chase women. These guys were funny, smart and tough – just the sort of
guys you would want to have your back.
MNS – Hank being an artist comes from my background. When we wrote the book I
was living on a small farm in Wisconsin and kept chickens and goats and a bunch
of other animals. There was a junkyard across the road. Hank’s seedy friends and
knowing about guns came from some of my friends.
Is there a central theme within the story?
TWL – Trust. Who do you trust in your everyday life? Who do you trust with your
money? Who do you trust with your life? And greed. The prospect of sudden money
touches almost every character in the book – and not in a positive manner.
MNS – The story within the story is Jake and Hank’s friendship. Jake is still
trying to find out who he is and Hank is just living his life waiting for Jake
to grow up.
Did anything happen while writing the book that need to be changed?
TWL – Technology happened. When we first wrote this book, GPS technology needed
to be explained. When the book was finally published, GPS is about as common as
air conditioning.
MNS – Technology changed.
You’re both from Minnesota so why did you choose Santa Fe?
TWL – I hate winter. I dream of the day when I can move to year-round warm
climate. I’ve vacationed in the southwest for many years and I really enjoy the
desert, the mountains and the warm winters.
MNS – I have always been interested in New Mexico through my love of Georgia
O’Keefe.
What’s next for Jake and Hank?
TWL – We have several more adventures for our guys. Without giving too much
away, in the next book “The Devil’s Smile,” Jake and Hank face a personal
tragedy when their closest friend is shot and left for dead. In looking for the
killer, they uncover a story so dangerous that their lives are suddenly in
jeopardy.
MNS – Jake and Hank are still in New Mexico. There’s a new Jake, he has learned
a few things. Events of the past, not just Jake and Hank’s, will come knocking
at the door. After that Jake is still looking to get rich quick and Hank will
have to save him once again.
Are you writing any other books?
TWL – I have several non-Jake & Hank books in the works. One is a murder-mystery
set in Minneapolis, another is a novel about a man with too much money trying to
buy something not normally for sale, a mock-mentary on computer gaming and a
trilogy that follows a family from pre-World War II Germany to modern times –
with the idea that Hitler’s plans for a master race might not have died with
him.
MNS – I have two projects going. One involves a small town woman who is the police chief
and a childhood friend who is now a St. Paul homicide detective. Their paths
cross when a murder in Wisconsin leads to St. Paul. The other is a children’s
book based on Celtic lore set in a small town in Wisconsin. The main character
is a young boy who learns the truth about his heritage. There is a lot of magic involved.
What other authors do you enjoy reading?
TWL – John Grisham, Vince Flynn, Barbara Kingsolver, Carl Hiaasen.
MNS – Walter Mosley, John Irving, Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (Martin Beck
series, which I have read a few times), Robertson Davies, Raymond Chandler,
Barbara Kingsolver, John D. MacDonald
What is your favorite book?
TWL – “The Firm” by John Grisham. While it’s not great literature, I simply
could not put it down. No other book has ever done that for me.
MNS – To Kill A Mockingbird |
