Interview with Bret Tallent Interview with Bret Tallent

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born in Moab, Utah. However, I grew up in Denver and Albuquerque, but now live in Phoenix.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

My family has always had the wanderlust gene. We relished new places. As a child I lived in Moab and Monticello Utah, Delta Colorado, Farmington New Mexico, Albuquerque New Mexico, and Denver Colorado. After school, I continued to expand my residence experiences. I lived in Memphis, Kalamazoo, Boston, Bar Harbor, Suffolk, and finally moved to Phoenix to care for a sick in-law. I have been here ever since. I am looking forward to retiring in Spain.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I have always been a writer at heart, just not for a vocation. I would write poetry, short stories, even a novella. Then one day I just decided that I really wanted to be a writer, and not just “wish I had”. I had a story that kept buzzing around my mind. I could almost see it as a movie. It would not let me rest until I put it down on paper. That buzzing became a quest until I finally finished my first book, “The Winter People”. I will note that first novel took me nearly 20 years to finish, as life got in the way. It is difficult to write when you have a young family, full time job (that is not writing), and too many hobbies that fill your time. My next book, “Creepers,” only took me two years to write as I became more focused on writing.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My books are creature horror. I always loved a good monster. Not the shiny vampires or cuddly werewolves, but good old fashioned monsters. I also like to incorporate real stories into my writing, Native legends, and even news articles. I think it adds realism and lends to the eternal question, “what if?”

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

I think anyone that likes a good monster or well developed characters. My monsters are always based on some myth, story, or real life entity. My characters are usually developed from someone I know, or have met along my journeys, so they are very real.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

Writing is a lot harder than I thought it would be. You really do have to treat it as a job and sometimes that means forcing yourself to go to work everyday. Publishing, with the help of Amazon, has become the easiest thing I have ever done. Before this, it was always submit, wait, wait some more, then get a rejection letter. Now, It’s just point and click. Don’t get me wrong. I would love to have a publisher pick up one of my novels and add me to their client list. But you don’t have to. You can easily get your story out to the masses. I like that.

If you could, what advice would you give to past self yourself before embarking on this journey?

Take more writing classes. Learn your grammar. Or be prepared to pay for a really good editor. Don’t think you’re going to write the great American novel, and don’t search forever for that story to come. Write what you know, and write right now.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Everyone! I think there is something in my writing for everyone. However, if only one person is scared or moved by my work, then I am happy. I write for me. I write for the story that is nagging me to tell it. If anyone else likes it too, then I am doing a good job.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Finishing the story is always the biggest challenge for me. I love the research. I love developing the story and the characters, setting a mood, all of it. I will get two thirds through the book and my attention brings me to another story (or stories). It is a challenge to get back and finish the first one I was working on. It takes discipline, and is something I am still working on.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Experience and imagination are my biggest strengths in writing. I have lived in a lot of places and met a lot of people. I have learned the stories in the region, either by Native Peoples or old-timers. Listening is a great strength too. It all helps you to live your story while you write it and make it real. Today’s savvy readers want that realism, that’s what brings the fear home. Publishing has become so easy with on-line outlets that it doesn’t take any real strength, except perhaps the strength to put yourself out there for the world to see. Marketing is much harder because no one is going to read your work if they don’t know it is there. My strength in this arena is my

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

My biggest weakness is procrastination when it comes to finishing the book. I have so many stories running through my head I am eager to get started on them all. I think it is called WADD, Writer’s Attention Deficit Disorder. However it is just the opposite with publishing. I get so excited to get my work out there that I sometimes publish it before it has been thoroughly edited. For marketing, my biggest weakness is time. It takes time to market your work. Time that is better used for writing, or living. I always wish I had more time.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

I am currently working on the sequel to my first book, “The Winter People.” This new book picks up right where the first one left off and is called, “The People Eaters.” I am 17 chapters in and going strong. I hope to have it finished by the end of January.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I am totally self published.

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