Interview With Author Patrick McNulty
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Patrick McNulty was born in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. He married his high school sweetheart straight out of high school and then went on to university where he studied Neuroscience. After finding that he would rather write about strange behaviours of the brain than study them he left Ontario for British Columbia where he studied screenwriting and ended up working with the production company called the Zanuck Co.on an original screenplay he wrote called Dark Season. In the end Dark Season was not filmed so McNulty turned that screenplay into his first novel, Sleepers Awake.
After leaving British Columbia, McNulty joined the Canadian Armed Forces where he was trained as a medical technician and was stationed in Petawawa, Ontario. Currently he is a police officer in Ontario living with his high school sweetheart, their three beautiful children and their dog, Charlie.
I’ve written 11 books in total.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the latest book is called FOLLOW THE DEVIL and the story comes from a screenplay that I was working on. I always enjoyed stories that were claustrophobic and set in remote places so I tried to recreate that with a story set in the Wyoming mountains during a deadly blizzard and only a few characters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to write in notebooks and I still find them kicking around the house, and sometimes I dig one out and see what I can mine from me ten or twenty years ago, but now I mostly write on my phone. The screen is big enough that I don’t have to squint and I carry it with me all the time – so when an idea strikes, I’m ready.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Beyond a doubt authors such as Blake Banner, Lee Child, John Connolly (the Charlie Parker series) and Mike McCrary (the REMO COBB SERIES) They all really opened my eyes as to what a novel could be. Fast and brutal and exciting on the page.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m finishing the second book in the Danny Devlin series. FOLLOW THE DEVIL is book one and RATTLER ROAD is book 2. It follows Danny as he makes his way to a town where everything is not what it seems.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve written screenplays for a long time and was lucky enough to have my manager promote me and my work, but now I’m learning as I go. So far promotional websites like AWESOME GANG and the like have driven new readers to my books so right now I would say those work the best.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
For new writers my advice would be to keep writing and reading. I know it’s boring, but it’s true. You only get better by doing and that means writing everyday and reading those writers who have been doing it longer. I learn new things everyday from rending the greats and then I use those methods and tips to make my writing better.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard was allow yourself to suck. Don’t wait to craft the perfect sentence or the best comeback. Just write. Get the words down on the page and come back later and do a polish. You can’t edit a blank page. Just do it and get it done – you will usually surprise yourself.
What are you reading now?
I like to read several books at a time so right now I’m reading: Mark Dawson – NINE DRAGONS and Mike McCrary’s – SOMEONE SAVAGE
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, right now I’m writing the Danny Devlin series. The next book after RATTLER ROAD which comes out in August, is BLOOD DEBT which is scheduled to be released in September.
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?
THE THIEF OF ALWAYS – CLIVE BARKER
THE REMO COBB SERIES – MIKE MCRARY
HEART SHAPED BOX – JOE HILL
THE CHARLIE PARKER SERIES – JOHN CONNOLLY
Author Websites and Profiles
Patrick McNulty Amazon Profile
Patrick McNulty’s Social Media Links