Indie Author Interview with Joey Hendrix - Author of the Psychological Crime Thriller All These Evils Come.
Joey Hendrix is a former captain in the United States Army and a combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan. During his eight years in the United States Army he served in the Infantry and the Military Police Corps. Hendrix has a bachelor's degree in sociology with a concentration in criminology from the University of North Alabama. He also holds a master's in international peace and conflict resolution.
Interview with Joey Hendrix
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| Author Joey Hendrix |
Joey Hendrix: I’ve had a couple nonfiction pieces published, but this is my first work of fiction.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
There are several authors I really like, but Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane are my favorite novelist. My favorite books would include The Poet and all the Detective Bosch novels written by Connolly as well as the Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro series by Lehane. Reading the Poet is actually what rekindled my desire to write again. I was fascinated by the way Connolly used the point of view of the protagonist and the antagonist. That definitely inspired the way I wrote All These Evils Come. I have also been very moved by the way Lehane peels back the layers of humanity. His writing is so deep and rich.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I fooled around with writing a lot as a kid, but become more passionate about it as a teenage Unfortunately I did not have very supportive parents so that wasn’t something I was really given the freedom to pursue. I played with the idea of become a writer when I first went to college and took a few creative writing classes, but eventually opted for a major in sociology. I’m glad I did because my studies and experiences have given me a deeper understanding of humanity.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I do remember the first story I ever wrote. It was about Detective Allan Pinkerton saving Abraham Lincoln from an assassination attempt in Baltimore in 1861. There is some controversy as to where or not that really happened, but I was nine or ten years old when I heard about it. I thought it was a cool story so I decided to write a story about it. Hopefully my dialogue has improved since then.
"I absolutely do not create a linear outline."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
Well, writing ideas come to me in very random ways. I absolutely do not create a linear outline. I just bring the ideas together to set the boundaries for my story. It feels like forming a mental puzzle. The ideas create the edge pieces that put everything into context. Once I have that set I just start writing. Once I have a decent draft put together, I rewrite and edit.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
I have a loft in my apartment that has a desk and a large comfy chair that are surrounded by books. Just being in that workspace makes me feel inspired.
"[...] I dislike the most is the editing."
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
The easiest thing for me is the process of bringing ideas together and creating a story. What I dislike the most is the editing.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I love the feeling of creating a story that gives insight into humanity and causes readers to ask more questions about humanity. I think that is the only way we can really begin to heal.
AI.png "All These Evils Come (Joey Hendrix)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Joey, please tell us a little about your Psychological Crime Thriller All These Evils Come.
All These Evils Come explores evil within the context of humanity’s fragility and brokenness. Detective Gideon is a passionate but complex protagonist on the verge of being consumed by his personal demons. He searches for a way out of his darkness while trying to hunt down a predator who is killing women for shear pleasure. The story is set in the serenity of Savannah, Georgia and is surrounded by a compelling cast that could only be found in the South. All These Evils Come is a psychological thriller with brains and heart. It’s as a entertaining as it is thought provoking.
"I think that kind of emotional conflict leads us to start asking hard questions about our own role in creating the monsters we see in our society."
What inspired you to write the book?
Honestly I was a little bit frustrated with the typical good versus evil paradigm. I don’t believe the world is black and white. I see it as black and gray. None of us are pure. I wanted a protagonist that who has his own share of flaws and struggles. I wanted people to understand what the fight against evil can do someone emotional. Also, most stories offer little understanding of what leads a person to become a killer. I wanted to create an antagonist that made readers judge him yet feel sorry for him at the same time. I think that kind of emotional conflict leads us to start asking hard questions about our own role in creating the monsters we see in our society.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
This book is obviously for anyone who is into crime thrillers or noir, but I also think this book is for anyone who wants to explore the dark side of humanity while being entertained.
The book is available in paperback and for Kindle at Amazon. You can find my author page and full reviews at https://www.amazon.com/author/joeyhendrix
It’s also available for Nook, Apple Products, and Kobo.
What makes your book special?
This book is special because of the depth of characters and the exploration of the root causes of evil. Unlike most books, readers will obtain a good understanding of the antagonist’s development into a killer. Readers will also see the internal struggle that takes place within individuals like Detective Gideon who have given so much of themselves in the battle against real evil.
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
I’m fairly pleased with the success so far. People are starting to talk about it, great reviews have been written, and more people are starting to hear about it. I think I’m off to a good start.
How long did it take it to write the book?
I spent close to five years working on it. That includes time studying the craft of writing. I read a lot of books on the storytelling process, went to writing conferences, and spent a great deal of time developing my voice. I was more concerned with using this book to learn than I was getting a book in print.
"[...] a lot of people talk about writing but don’t do it. Write!"
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
Write. That sounds crazy but a lot of people talk about writing but don’t do it. Write!
Read books in the genre you want to write, but also read nonfiction books on the topics that come up in your story.
Read any and all books by Donald Maass that you can get your hands on.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m currently working on the second novel in my Detective Gideon series. I’m hoping to have it out by the summer of 2015.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I am biased because I’m a book collector. I don’t see books stores going away completely in my lifetime even if it means I have to keep a few of them open myself. After that I’m not sure. In all seriousness, there are too many people of my generation, and older, who want a book in the hand and want the warm feeling of shopping in a bookstore. I think it will take a while before they completely go away.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
The Kindle Fire
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I just recently got out of the military and I am back in school full time.
How can readers connect with you?
Readers can follow me on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Novelist-Joey-Hendrix/723669204380887
Twitter at https://twitter.com/joeydhendrix
and they can email me at novelistjoeyhendrix@gmail.com
Thank you very much for the Interview, Joey.
About the Book All These Evils Come
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Detective Gideon’s hopes of finding peace are crushed when it appears a killer is targeting young women in Savannah. From the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the brutal homicides of Atlanta, evil has followed Gideon his entire adult life, taking friends, foes, and the woman he loved.
To prevent more death, Gideon must plunge back into the darkness as he tries to hunt down a predator while fighting through the personal horrors that consume him.
- "[...] This is an excellent read that I could not put down! It is always exciting to see a gifted new author emerge. His writing style is meticulous and realistic, which I find refreshing. I appreciate how Hendrix draws from his personal background, experiences, and expertise to develop the story and characters. The descriptions are precise which in turn creates a rather detailed visual. There is never a dull moment and you will not be disappointed. I am excited to follow this author and look forward to what happens to Detective Gideon next! " - Reader Review
Links to the Book
Link to the Paperback All These Evils Come with Excerpt on Amazon
Link to the eBook All These Evils Come with Excerpt on Amazon
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