Author Interview and Giveaway - T. L. Higley

Alrighty readers -- here is my interview with T.L Higley! Enjoy reading it and make sure to leave a comment answering this giveaway's mandatory entry question! :)

First off, would you mind telling us a bit about yourself and something about you that might surprise your readers?

I’m a writer, wife, mother of four, and entrepreneur (Besides writing, I’ve owned an internet retail company for seven years, and this provides the main income for my family)

Which book that you've written was your favorite to write?

It’s usually the one I’m working on now! I always look back and see things I wish I could change about past books. And I’m in love with the characters as I’m writing them. Afterwards, it’s impossible to pick a favorite.

Haha I can understand that!
Has your faith influenced your writings? How?

Definitely. I believe we’re all on an adventure to discover our unique calling from God and to pursue it with passion. I try to illustrate this with each of my books, as we watch the characters take this journey. In the process, I hope readers are inspired to do the same!

That's great! It's amazing how our faith enters our writing, often without us even purposefully doing it!!
When you started writing, where did you begin? With an outline? Or did you just jump into it and let the story form as you wrote?

I’m a big outline-person. I like to have the plot ideas well in hand before I begin. The characters develop as I go, but I usually know what’s going to happen all the way through before I begin.

 Ugh that's so not me! I threw the whole outline idea out the window. LOL
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?

Tiger, maybe? I like the idea of hunting, stalking, going after my goals with strength and purpose.


Ooh that's a good one! That's probably what I would be too.
What prompted you to write a story that took place in Pompeii?

I love ancient history, and Pompeii is so rich with story possibilities. When archaeologists began unearthing the city buried in lava 2000 years ago, they found the whole place nearly intact, frozen in time. I couldn’t wait to bring it to life again.

That's so great. I haven't had the pleasure of diving into Pompeii yet(it's quickly climbing my TBR list, though!) but I've read Petra and absolutely LOVED how much history I learned from reading it!
Did you base any of your characters on people you really know?

Stana Katic as Ariella

Yes, I suppose they are all composites of people I know, and the traits we all share. It’s very rare for me to pick a certain person and completely model a character after him or her. But I put parts of people together, definitely.

Who would you have play Cato and Ariella if Pompeii were made into a movie?

I’m a big fan of the TV show Castle, and I think a bit of Kate Beckett (and Rick Castle) crept in to the writing of Pompeii. I kept hearing their smart, fun dialogue in my head as I wrote, and picturing Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion. Ariella’s personality, especially, with all its strength and intensity, reminded me of Kate Beckett’s character.

 Great choices! If you could have any book you've read, or written, made into a movie, what book would it be?

Nathan Fillion as Cato

I would love to see my book City of the Dead made into a movie. I love Ancient Egypt, and it would be such fun to see the special effects and such.

Do you have another book in the making? Can you give us some insight on what it's about?

Yes, I’m currently working on something that weaves together a contemporary archaeological suspense with an ancient Greek storyline, and then blends the two in a really fun way.

AWESOME! I can't wait to read it!
How can our reader's reach you?

I’d love to have your readers find me on my website/blog at www.TLHigley.com. I’ve got tons of cool stuff there about my travels to Greece, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Italy researching my books – travel journals, photos, video.


That you do! I love reading stuff about the places you've traveled on your site!
Thanks for visiting Reviews By Jane!

Thank you!

---

Not only has Tracy been gracious enough to allow me to interview her, but she is also willing to giveaway a copy of her latest release - Pompeii - to one lucky commenter! USA ONLY! Enter soon! This giveaway ends on August 19th!

REQUIRED ENTRY:
Follow this blog via GFC and leave a comment answering this question -- if you could go to any of the places Tracy has gone(listed in interview) where would YOU most like to go?

For Extra Entries:
Comment on another review of mine (+1 per comment - maximum amount of entries is 3)
Subscribe to this blog(+1)
Post about our giveaway on your blog(+2)
Twitter this giveaway(+1 per tweet per day)
Follow me on Twitter(+1)
Digg this post and any other post(+2 entries per Digg per post)


Rate my review of Departures by Robin Jones Gunn(+1)



Rate my review of Praying for your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn(+1)



Rate my review of Sir Quinlan by Chuck Black(+1)