My husband loves to speculate about the day-to-day lives of henchmen in action films. Like when they go home for dinner at night, do they have to explain to their spouses that Mr. Big Baddie spent a billion dollars on a laser gun instead of making a larger contribution to their 401(k)s?
What’s your background, what compelled you to start writing?
Holley Cornetto: A love of books and reading, mostly. When I read something I love, it inspires me to create.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Trisha Ridinger McKee: I would tell my younger self that it all works out. To always remember why I started writing in the first place. For the joy it brings. The rest will follow.
What does literary success look like to you?
Holley Cornetto: Writing stories that people enjoy reading.
V.A. Vazquez: Someone on Twitter once wrote that he didn’t want to end up as “the E.L. James of horror.” Good because that frees up the job for me. I want to write shamelessly horrific and funny (and sexy!) novels that you can whip through in an afternoon. Spare me your Booker Prize; give me shelf space at Walmart.
How many hours a day do you write?
V.A. Vazquez: I try to write 2000 words a day, which takes about two hours. Right now, I’ve just wrapped up the first draft of a new thriller novel, so I’m plunking out like 500 words a day while I get some R&R and contemplate revisions.
If you didn’t write, what would you do? Or, if writing is not a full-time job, what do you do?
Trisha Ridinger McKee: I work for a university as an Instructional Production Specialist. I love it. I do what I love during the day and at night, I continue to do what I love when I am writing.
Holley Cornetto: I’m a librarian. I absolutely love my day job, and I wouldn’t give it up, even if I could.
Jasmine Jarvis: I wish I could write full-time! That is my plan though to one day have it set up where I can write all day long because I absolutely love telling stories. Until then, I juggle my job in admin and my university studies with my writing commitments.
What inspires you?
Thomas K.S. Wake: Great many things, but mainly folklore, myths and legends. Music is a great influencer also as I listen to a lot of music and sometimes tunes, song titles, album covers, arts and video games.
Did you always want to be an author?
Thomas K.S. Wake: Yes. I come from a small farming town (population 11k) where creativity wasn’t exactly encouraged. It was never squashed either, but it just wasn’t in the curriculum of the community. It was a custom that when kids turn 14 they get a moped. I opted out of this and wanted a typewriter, which I got.
Were you an avid reader while you were growing up?
Holley Cornetto: Absolutely. My mom used to bring a book with her everywhere we went, and I picked up that habit at an early age. I still generally have a book with me, no matter where I’m going.
Jasmine Jarvis: Absolutely! Still am
How did you come up with the stars/MCs of this book?
V.A. Vazquez: My husband loves to speculate about the day-to-day lives of henchmen in action films. Like when they go home for dinner at night, do they have to explain to their spouses that Mr. Big Baddie spent a billion dollars on a laser gun instead of making a larger contribution to their 401(k)s? When it’s Career Day at school, how do they explain their profession to a group of fidgety four-year-olds? Do we see so many British henchmen because they don’t need private medical insurance through their employers? So when I was asked to write a story for 13 Victims, I decided I wanted to write about two low-level drones who get caught up in trouble that’s way above their pay grade.
