Monday, August 1, 2011

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)

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Please enter me to win, and I would love to go to Israel and Egypt

lizzyree@cox.net

Charity U said...

I follow.

Oh my, that is a hard question! My parents went to Greece and Turkey and it sure looked cool. I've always wanted to go to Israel and Jordan, just because of all the Bible history there. Egypt...wow. To see the pyramids would be so amazing! And Italy. I would love to travel Europe. And Italian food is awesome. :)

So I really can't decide!

Umm, I don't think you meant to say it ends on April 29. That's a long time away. Maybe August 29? That's a while too. :)

photographer4ever832[at]gmail[dot]com

Charity U said...

I rated your review of Departures.

Charity U said...

And of Praying for Your Future Husband. Your review actually made me read it...and wow, was it moving! Review coming soon on my blog.

Charity U said...

And I rated the review of Sir Quinlan. Again, your review made me want to read it, but I haven't found a copy yet.

Charity U said...

And I just blogged.

http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2011/08/giveaway-on-reviews-by-jane.html

Charity U said...

Second entry for blogging.

http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2011/08/giveaway-on-reviews-by-jane.html

Faith said...

I think I'd like Egypt. I've always thought that, that is a very cool place.
I ranked all three of your reviews.

Please enter me
crazi.swans at gmail.com

Jordan said...

I want to go to Italy more than anywhere in the world!

I must say, as a new Castle fan (just watched the season 3 finale yesterday - OMG I can't wait for September! haha), I absolutely LOVE that you had Castle and Beckett in your head while writing! Makes me want to read it more! :)

Jordan
lizzielaura17(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hayden said...

If I could go to any of those places...wow. Italy would be SO cool, but then I've always been fascinated by Egypt, as well.

please enter me in the givaway! :D

Cathy said...

Hi, I'm a new follower. Great interview! I love history and have never read anything by this author before. I just bought this book recently and started reading it a few days ago! Feel free to visit my blog...
http://thoughtsonbookss.blogspot.com/

Cathy :)

Ruth Cox aka abitosunshine said...

From Tracy's travel list I would definitely choose India. I have been in awe of the Taj Mahal and would love to visit there.

New GFC follower.
ruthcox at abitosunshine dot net

Ruth Cox aka abitosunshine said...

Following you on Twitter @abitosunshine

ruthcox at abitosunshine dot net

Ruth Cox aka abitosunshine said...

Twitter tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/abitosunshine/status/101019986184765440
ruthcox at abitosunshine dot net

Ruth said...

new gfc follower (Ruth)
I would love to go to Egypt. As in go and be able to get out of the plane and explore. I have been on a plane in Egypt, but we were not allowed off the plane since we were headed to Yemen.
ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

Ruth said...

tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/ruthhill74/status/102376235388239872

Unknown said...

I follow via gfc
nannyjessi2000(at)hotmail(dot)com

I would love to go to Greece

read the printed word!
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