Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Currently reside in Charlotte, NC with my wife, Tammy, and our kids Olivia (16)
and Chandler (15). My wife is an executive in the grocery industry, which means when I
am not writing, I am a trophy husband or the arm candy. It’s a burden I have to bear,
but I try to give it my all. It’s hard sometimes, but I usually find a way to make it work
without being too much of a distraction.
When I’m not tanning for my night job, I write a lot. However, I’ve only published
one book – Until Tomorrow…Little People – I felt one was about all the public could
take right now. I am working on a follow-up book and have a general outline for a third,
but all in good time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Until Tomorrow…Little People is the name of my debut book, and it was therapy
that inspired it. We all decided to go to California for three months after our kids signed
with a talent agency in Hollywood. We rented a small 2-bedroom apartment after living
in a 5,000 square foot home and paid more in rent than we did for in mortgage back
home.
I hated every second of LA life and I realized either my attitude needed to do a
180* turn or I was going to end up the subject of a Dateline episode. That is when I
started writing about everyday life in LA from the perspective of someone from North
Carolina. That is why the book is referred to as Beverly Hillbillies meets Modern Family.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Absolutely. I only write in the nude, which is how I keep everyone away from me
so I can concentrate. Honestly, not really. I have some quirks v. habit – like writing at
different times of the day v. a set tie. I am more of a write-when-it-hits kid of author v.
sitting down and forcing something on the page. Nothing is more intimidating,
humbling, or frightening than a blank screen or piece of paper. However, nothing is more
exhilarating with your clothes off than filling that page.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King was the first influential author I read – he wasn’t my first author,
but he was the one that made me take notice of the art of storytelling. The way he
crafted characters, cut out the fluff, and got right to the story was what made him stand
out to me. I’ve also devoured his book, On Writing, multiple times – so much great
information and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in writing.
Vince Flynn, Harlan Coben, and recently Simon Sinek & Kristin Hannah have all
been influences. I just love a good story and I like it when it moves and doesn’t get
weighed down in unnecessary detail. I also have to say that Dave Berry was the first
author I discovered that could make me laugh, and then I read Sh*t My Dad Says by
Justin Halpern and literally laughed out loud in every chapter. That’s when I discovered
the whole humor genre of books and I’m extremely excited to have added my book to
the category.
What are you working on now?
Humility really. When you are recognized at a coffee shop in Crosby, MN, you
know your life is about to change. I think I am up to a ridiculous number of reviews of
the book – like 3 – so you can see where it would be hard to go out in public, so I stay in
confinement and write. Currently working on a book covering the 3 months I spent in
Toronto with my son as he filmed a movie for Warner Brothers called 8-Bit Christmas,
starring Neil Patrick Harris, Steve Zan, and June Diane Raphael. We were stuck in a
beautiful city we couldn’t experience because of the lockdown and ended up visiting a
dog park every day for our social interaction. Looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other
way because it led to some really funny experiences I am looking forward to sharing.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You can visit my website.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes – don’t try to be me or anyone else, find your true voice and the words will
flow. I wanted Stephen King, so I wrote fiction and was absolutely horrible at it. I
wrote short stories, poetry, and non-fiction, but it wasn’t until I introduced humor that I
found my way. I found that by being me on the page, it was easier to put words on the
page which is the ultimate goal.
If you haven’t caught on yet, my inflated sense of self-worth and self-deprecating
humor is the path that opens up the most stories for me personally. I am able to become
the people I loathe the most in life (egomaniacs) and use it for humor.
The other point I would make, whether writing fiction, non-fiction, or whatever
genre you choose, is, to be honest, and genuine on the page. Readers don’t have patience
for BS and can read it a mile away, which ultimately kills the trust you have to build with
the reader. If I were to force stories to be funny, the reader would pick up on that in a
heartbeat, but if I can be genuine, relatable, and humorous, they know that every time
they pick up my book, chances are high they will laugh.
Once you gain the reader’s trust, you have to deliver, and once you deliver, you are
usually worshipped like a pagan god. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stopped
on the street or in a grocery store, but once it happens, you will be the first person I tell.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I grew up in a small town – Monticello, MN, and my father drove me past the
funeral home one day and said that is where your life will be defined. I had no clue what
he was talking about, so I pressed him on it, and he told me that if I can fill that building
up when I pass, I will have lived a good life. If people take time out of their day to say
good-bye, then somehow you impacted their life. It was a powerful message and
depressing all at the same time. The way my mind works, I instantly thought, “how will I
know?”.
The other thing I could never get over about that moment was it was the first time
I noticed the funeral director’s name was Doug Pitt. How fitting. Of course, our librarian
was Sharon Peters, the wrestling coach was Dick Pullen, and so I was surrounded by
subtle humor my entire life, it just took a while to sink in.
What are you reading now?
I am reading Starts with Why by Simon Sinek for about the 4th time, found Ethan
Cross and Blake Crouch recently and have been knocking their books out. Kristen
Hannah, who I mentioned earlier, is a fantastic author and storyteller and would highly
recommend her books as well.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I received some devastating news the other day. I found out I didn’t make
the AARP Chippendales Summer Team, so that was sort of a blow to the ego, but now that my dream of collecting “dolla bills” is over, I can concentrate on writing. I have the
follow-up book in the works and am hopeful to satisfy the public demands for more of
me by the end of the year.
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?
Well, being stranded, I would need the Cheryl Tiegs Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
edition since it pretty much transformed my teenage years. I would have to have the
Bible, a picture book of my family, and “How to survive being stranded on a desert island
with only pictures of Cheryl Tiegs, your family, and God.”
Author Websites and Profiles
Matt Deboer Website
Matt Deboer Amazon Profile
Matt Deboer Author Profile on Smashwords
Matt Deboer’s Social Media Links
Pinterest Account
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