Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
J. Treacy Cole is the author of the series Robin Winter’s Tales; creator of Chippy and the Pink Balloon (an animated short film); screenwriter of Consumed, Modern Persecution, Helen Hires a Hitman (with Elizabeth Hawes), and Ubiquitous Indignities. She lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She is anti-cult and pro-Ukraine.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Cult Following. It was inspired by my fascination with cults, religion, and propaganda. I have always been interested in what makes a person vulnerable to a cult or any other belief system. The cult in Spindale, North Carolina (the Word of Faith Fellowship) with its “blasting” of demons and general power over the town is one of the most disturbing to me, because it has so far been impervious to authority.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have unusual writing habits. I tend to outline my work. I use color index cards (virtual or paper). I do not wing it. I know where I’m going with a story. Having said that, inspiration can strike in the middle of my writing! I do think it’s important, though, to rein myself back in when I find myself digressing too far from a well-planned path.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors who most influenced me are those I read when I was a child. I lived on a lake and I had no TV for much of the year. I read a wide variety of series for children that were quite dated even back then! Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden, The Boxcar Children, Donna Parker, and the Meg Mysteries.
Candle in her Room by Ruth Arthur was a favorite book only second to one about demonic possession that I cannot track down! If anyone knows of it, I certainly would appreciate your detective work. It was about siblings–a boy and girl–and the girl, Lucinda, was possessed by the devil or some kind of demon. It was terrifying and I loved it but I have no idea of the title or author!
When I got a bit older, I read several Steven King books including The Shining which gave me nightmares (yet I didn’t regret the experience!) I also read The Thorn Birds and other novels that I found quite shocking! I am most definitely against book banning, because those experienced opened up new worlds for me in a safe way.
I also love classic children’s books such as Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, anything by Ursula K. Le Guin or Lois Lowry.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on adapting Robin Winter’s tales into a limited series for television/streaming.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t think I’ve found the best method to promote myself! I find it overwhelming. It seems to me that most of my readers have found me via Kindle Unlimited.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you have writing in you, you’ll have to write whether you sell anything or not. Don’t imagine that you can work without an editor. It is essential that you have a line editor for your work to be publishable.
Be wary of “experts.” I have heard so many horror stories of bullying writing groups and consultants–including one who was so critical that she caused the author to abandon her project. Years later, this same author was long-listed for a prestigious book award and secured an agent for that same work.
So… trust yourself and your message, but do get an education.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Murder your darlings.” -Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch
For me that means I need to move through my writing and remove any and all extraneous words, phrases, and sometimes whole sections. It’s surprising how trimming adverbs alone can elevate one’s writing.
What are you reading now?
I’m a reader of screenplays for a new production company–looking for the next Citizen Kane! I’m also reading Harry A Milman’s Forensics: The Science Behind the Deaths of Famous People (he’s a self-published author I met at a local Barnes and Noble). I’m also reading High by Mary Sullivan (a beautiful YA novel in verse).
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working with the challenges of self-promotion. I’m spending quite a lot of time on researching how to get my book in the hands of young people. That’s the tricky one. For my creative writing, I’m focusing more on screenplays and series than novels for the time being.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That is a tough question. I’m not sure I can answer, but I will say that The Color Purple just flashed through my mind. Maybe that’s it!
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