A Werewolf Walks into a Detective Novel…
1) Let’s introduce yourself. What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.
Wayne Turmel
2) What inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer my whole life. And, lord knows, I’ve tried everything… standup comedy, screenwriting, business books, novels, short stories, limericks on bathroom walls… I always thought writers were cool and important, and who doesn’t want to be in THAT club. Plus, I was lied to and got told they went around the world doing book appearances and lived in nice country estates with huge libraries. Lies, but by then I was sucked in, and it was too late.
3) Which character of yours was the most challenging to write and why?
In some ways, Johnny Lupul is easy, because modern language is easier to write in than historical time periods, and pretending to be a werewolf (I write in first person, mostly) is so much fun. The problem is that Johnny is literally half my age and not quite as bright, so I have to go to my younger friends to make sure he’s using real language and references.
4) Do you prefer writing dialogue, action or other scenes?
I love dialogue (and have been told it’s a strength) and action scenes are tough but rewarding. My problem is the “bridge chapters,” when you have to get from cool scene A to cool scene B and have it make sense. I’m always frustrated, like why can’t I just go from this conversation to the scene with the 10.000 invading rats?
5) What is the hardest challenge in being a writer?
Now that I’ve been doing it for a while, I have to say actually getting complete strangers to read your work. For newbie writers, it’s being willing to listen to feedback without getting crushed by it. I can’t be trusted with the voices in my head (they either believe I’m totally brilliant and don’t need to reexamine anything I’ve written, or total crap and I should go back to watching Netflix. Nothing in between)
6) Pick five books that are must-reads in your mind.
The Great Shark Hunt, Hunter S Thompson
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Dumas
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
Frankenstein, Mary Shelly
1001 Arabian Nights (the R-rated version by Richard Francis Burton)
7) Which book villain would be the hardest to defeat?
I think Sauron is still pretty much the gold standard. It took thousands of the strongest mythical figures ever, three huge back-breaking volumes and he still only lost because Golem slipped.
8) If you had to write in any other genre, what would that be and why?
I’ve written nonfiction, historical fiction, urban fantasy… I would love to write a rom-com but I’m too old and cynical. The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to type The End, and I can’t help remembering that every relationship that doesn’t end in a breakup, ends in death.
9) Name one of your favorite authors.
For pure fun, my new obsession is Fonda Lee and her Jade wars series. For the beauty of his prose, Mark Helprin. I wish I loved anything in my life as much as he loves writing about New York City.
10) If you could live in any “book world” what would that be?
Do I get to choose what role I play and how much money and power I have? Being a peasant in any fantasy novel seems to really suck. If I get to choose, then being a rich Hobbit seems like a pretty good gig.
11) Villain, hero or “show steeling” side character? Which would you be?
I think I’m the side character that people love to talk about. I’m endlessly fascinating and charming but I have been told a little of me goes a long way. Pop in, stir the pot, get some laughs and get out before people try to get me involved in something dangerous or stupid.
12) Let’s talk about you for a little bit. What is the name of your book/series? Tell me a little bit about them.
Johnny Lycan and the Anubis Disk is the first of my urban fantasy, “The Werewolf PI” series. Book 2, Johnny Lycan and the Vegas Berserker, comes out in early December.
Johnny is a 30-year old ne’er do well from Chicago who is trying to get his act together as a private investigator. Not easy to do when you’re a Lycan. He thinks he’s the strangest thing in the world but the more cases he goes on for his mysterious new boss, the more he realizes there’s a lot stranger things in the world than being a werewolf.
13) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?
My website is https://wayneturmel.com/
14) Where can we find and follow you? (Name your social media platforms.)
Twitter @Wturmel
All of them can be found on Linktree https://linktr.ee/Wturmel
15) If there anything important that you would want my readers to know about you?
I love hearing from readers and other writers. If you enjoy anyone’s work (especially indie writers) please take the time to leave a rating or a review. It’s like applause for the author.
