Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing fiction since the late 90s. I’ve written six novels, a bucket or two of short stories, and one really weird novella. I had a long and delightful career as a professional illustrator for books, newspapers, and magazines. Being a visual artist definitely had an impact when I began writing fiction, and my work is often described as cinematic.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Three Minute Hero, and is the third in a series of crime novels featuring a detective, Luke Fischer who never admits to being a detective. Fischer just happens to be very good at finding people. It’s the third in the series, but each book works well as a standalone, so it doesn’t matter what order they are read in.
This latest one explored Fischer’s past as he travels back to the place that he ran from years earlier. Like the adage, you can’t go home again, Luke doesn’t really want to—but is forced to follow a hit man by the name of Mostly Harold.
The book, and really the whole series, was inspired by those great classic crime writers such as John D. MacDonald and James Crumley. Fischer has a lot in common with the knight errants like Travis McGee and C.W. Sughrue. I love a good anti-hero who tries to do the right thing, while avoiding getting killed.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I work full-time at a university, so most of my writing is early in the morning before I go to work, or on weekends and holidays. I love to write to music, but only in the first draft stage. Music really sets a vibe for the scenes, and time period or locale, as needed. When I first started writing the Fischer books, I listened to a lot of Surf Rock, especially Dick Dale. I found out that it was the perfect twangy driving beat for fight scenes. I think my wife always knew when I was writing a fight scene when she heard the surf guitar coming from my studio.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve already mentioned a couple classic crime writers, but I really read across the genres. I love literary writers like Hemingway, Alice Munro, Carver, Don DeLillo, and Richard Ford. As well, I’ve read a lot of South American magical realism, notably Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
I discovered some crime writers like James Lee Burke whose work and use of language influenced and inspired me. I get kind of obsessed with a writer, and then I read as much of them as I can. Years ago, I did that with Vonnegut and DeLillo. More recently, I’ll read and love everything George Saunders and Jennifer Egan write.
What are you working on now?
I’ve started work on a new novel that to me feels like an Egan novel— or certainly influenced by my favourite novels of hers, A Visit From the Goon Squad and The CandyHouse. I love the challenge of taking short stories and connecting them into a long narrative. I’m a true pantser, never outlining or planning my novels, so I can’t really say where this one will end up, but I’m really looking forward to the ride.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use twitter a lot. It’s my main social media platform, though I do post in the others, and I’m increasingly interested in the reach of Tik Tok. I try to post interesting comment about the art and craft of writing, as well as the writer’s life. Humour is also important. But I also know that every tweet can’t be asking readers to buy your book. For me, it’s more of a slow build. I know being on twitter has built my readership.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Study the craft. There are so many great books on writing out there, both classic texts and new exciting ones. I’m a huge believer in learning as much as you can—I still take workshops and read craft books. Chuck Palahniuk has one of the most unique ones I’ve read in a while, Consider This. I’d highly recommend it. There’s some bad advice out there that tries to say there are no rules. But I disagree. There are definitely some, and you should learn them. Sure, break them eventually, but learn them first.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In terms of writing endings, which are notoriously difficult, I had an instructor give me one of the best visual images for how to end a story.
She said, “A good ending should be both a door and a window.” The door is the closure that the story needs, and the window is the resonance it leaves the reader with—a feeling that the story and its characters will go on.
What are you reading now?
I always have a lot of books on the go. Currently I’m reading the new crime novel, Huge, by the Canadian comedian and writer, Brent Butt. I already love the snap and the humour in the writing. I’m also reading a writer friend’s coming-of-age novel, which is fantastic. When it hits the bestseller list, I’ve told my friend to try to remember who I am.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Whatever comes up on my screen. That sounds kind of boring. I do have a lot of story ideas, but again, as a non-planner (pantser), I don’t really know where they are going until I start banging on the keys. But I like it that way.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Oh, it changes. But for years it was Don DeLillo’s, Underworld. Certainly one of the books I’ve read the most times—and it’s like 900 pages, so that’s saying something.
Author Websites and Profiles
Craig Terlson Website
Craig Terlson Amazon Profile
Craig Terlson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account