BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR MICHAEL J. MOLLOY

Today contemporary romance and suspense author Michael J. Molloy stops by for a chat. Learn more about Michael and his books at his website. 

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

Probably about twenty odd years ago. I finally got around to writing a few drafts until I finally came around and completed one.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

I would say about three years ago. I’m not counting a book I self-published six years ago. I consider that a training period to hone my skills.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

Traditionally with a small Texas-based press.

Where do you write?

In my computer room on my PC. Writing in public can be tainted by too many distractions.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

I can go either way. But when I wrote my first romance novel, The Diamond Man, I played Chicago since one of their songs played a part in the story. For Sadistic Pattern I played the soundtrack from “Vertigo”.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

A lot. I see a lot of myself in the hero from The Diamond Man. The heroine of my current work-in-progress is based on someone I knew personally.

Describe your process for naming your character?

I have no formula, but I do have a penchant for alliteration and I like to throw a name out there that can be a tongue twister.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Real towns and cities definitely, including landmarks and restaurants. I don’t disparage the places. That’s a no-no.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

The pretentiousness of one my female characters in Sadistic Pattern. I do exaggerate here.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

I don’t have one per se. I do have odd tendencies.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

Moby Dick. I just love the adventure and the drama of the chase.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

Meeting the woman I am now with earlier in my life.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Traffic on the highway.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

Wine, books, and perhaps a TV with a dish satellite receiver.

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

A retail job in a shoe store.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

The Dead Zone by Stephen King.

Ocean or mountains?

Do lakes count? That’s my favorite.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

City guy but I do like to get away once in a while.

What’s on the horizon for you?

Currently writing my next romance novel, Sweet Greetings from Carthage.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

I try to write things that will hold your interest and make you think.

Sadistic Pattern

College professor Roger Lavoie is found not guilty by a jury of crimes he allegedly committed because of reasonable doubt. More than twenty years pass until an eerily similar string of events unfold. Lavoie becomes the prime suspect. Will the police stop him in time before his madness deepens?

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