Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written several books, eight at least, some of them are not quite done, but close enough to finish in a month or so.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is one that will be published by a traditional publisher next year. I wanted to write something different from what I had been writing, to write a main character who had flaws, was not particularly moral or diligent, but who found those things in himself on a journey with lawmen.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, except that I can write a novel until I get to the marketing part, then sort of stall out until I find a place to sell it, or at least some utility for it, then I can finish, but they are usually 2/3 done by then and easy to conclude.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Cormac McCarthy, who writes novels of the West, as I do, rather than Westerns. But, there are authors who inspire me and authors who influence me. William Faulkner inspires me to write as does Steinbeck, but McCarthy and Larry McMurtry have influenced how and what I write.
What are you working on now?
Yes.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter has worked for me in the past, Amazon of course with their free offers. My website is a good place to go and I try to send people there. A lot of the rest have been word of mouth, I am a member of Western Writers of America, who promote a large range of just Western type novels, even contemporary Western novels and help get publishers and agents involved.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write it down. Be honest, because no matter what you do, most of it is going to be somewhat autobiographical, so be honest about your emotions. Getting it in publishing shape and be done later. Get the story down.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ralph Cotton a very successful Western writer, when we were just both starting out, he told me: “You’re only a writer while you are actually writing, every other moment you are a book salesman.” He was right.
What are you reading now?
The Transformation of John Foster Dulles
What’s next for you as a writer?
I need to get the traditional thing going with Deputized, then an agent so that I can focus on writing a bit more.
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?
A Light In August, William Faulkner, War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy (for length if nothing else) the collected works of William Shakespeare and maybe The work by Maxim Gorky.
Author Websites and Profiles
T.L. Davis Website
T.L. Davis Amazon Profile