Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love anything crime fiction: books, movies, TV and video games. I was originally a big horror and science fiction reader before tripping over crime thrillers. I was inspired to write after a five-year obsession of crime fiction reading. Bourbon & Blood is my first crime fiction novel, but I have plans for several more.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel Bourbon & Blood is tribute to the 70s and 80s action movies I grew up on. I’ve loved crime fiction since I was a child and my Parents brought me to see Sean Connery as Ian Fleming’s James Bond in Goldfinger. I use to pretend that I was James Bond and run all over the house shooting the bad guys. When I was a little older I sat with my Dad and we watched action movies like: Steve McQueen’s Bullet, The Getaway, Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry film series and the French Connection with Gene Hackman. When The Godfather came out it had a huge impact on me and I tried to gather up my friends to make our own movies mimicking the gangsters. As an adult I always loved reading and listened to horror, fantasy and sci-fi for years. Then one day I discovered crime fiction novels by Ken Bruen, James Lee Burke, Dennis Lehane, Adrian McKinty and Stuart Neville. After five years of non-stop crime genre activities like: reading, audio books, movies and TV, I was overcome with a desire to write. I wanted to start painting since I’m a traditionally trained fine artist but my wife did want me messing up her house. Anyway, so I started painting with words and that led me to write Bourbon & Blood.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My favorite way to write is to put on some classic rock, make a fresh pot of coffee and sip bourbon. I find that with the right ratio of those three elements my character’s voices and action come to me and the book writes itself. Took much of any of these elements may end in a disastrous writing session. I could become, intoxicated, anxiety ridden or just plain pissed off. So I always tread lightly with my muse. It’s a delicate balance, but it does work for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Authors that have influenced me the most are: Ken Bruen, James Lee Burke, Adrian McKinty, Dennis Lehane and Stuart Neville. Whenever I read their novels, I am amazed but their work. They are my professors of fiction. I can only hope to follow along in their shadows and learn from their success.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing the sequel to Bourbon & Blood. It’s been a blast to write and I think reader will enjoy another action packed adventure. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m extremely active on Twitter, Facebook, Kboards.com and awesomegang.com.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read as much as you write. Reading is the fuel and writing is the exercise to build up those muscles. I usually listen to one book and read another, switching between them depending on my mood. I set reachable goals of 500-1000 words a day. Some days it’s more and some days it’s less. It’s kind of like saving pennies. After a while you have a whole lot saved up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
80 percent of success is showing up.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Ian Fleming’s Casino Royal and listening to Adrian McKinty’s The Bloomsday Dead.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m feverishly trying to get bloggers to give Bourbon & Blood a chance. I’m the new kid on the block and I plan to keep writing. I can only get better over time and I certainly have my role models and know what I like to read.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty, Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville, Feast Day for Fools by James Lee Burke and American Skin by Ken Bruen. I’ll gladly fight it out and take a bloody nose for the fifth book.
Author Websites and Profiles
Garrard Hayes Website
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