Blog Hog: Be Inspired!

The Rules:
1. Answer the ten questions
2. Tag five writers to do the same

Zombie Dispatcher

1. What is the name of your book?

TOMAHAWK.  I’ve been through a half dozen title changes, and this is the one that finally stuck. The most accurate title was The Zombie Adventures of Jack Whitacker: Juvenile Delinquent, but it seemed a little long.

2. Where did the idea for your book come from?

I’m fascinated with post-apocalyptic fiction in general, but when I started talking to my teenage son about what he’d do if zombies invaded our town, he had so many crazy ideas I just had to put some of them to paper and Jack Whitaker’s adventure was born.

3. In what genre would you classify your book?

Young adult horror. It’s got plenty of zombie action, but it’s safe for a slightly younger crowd to read.

4. If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie rendition, who would you choose?
That’s a tough one. I think I’d look for an unknown to play Jack Whitaker. It would be a great break-out role for someone.  As long as it’s not Michael Cera playing the nerd-turned-law-breaking-bad-boy, I’d be okay with it. Maybe Dakota Fanning for Katie Mendelson, and definitely Kurt Russell for Justin, the man in black.  Kurt plays all-american bad-ass better than anyone, and his age would be perfect.
5. Give us a one sentence synopsis of your book?

When fifteen-year-old Jack Whitaker’s family goes missing in the chaos of a zombie outbreak, it’s up to him to find them: alive, dead, or undead.

6. Is your book already published/represented?

No. I wish.  I’m on the seventh version of my query and synopsis and still no bites.  I’m very picky about who I send to so it’s very slow going. But if you’re an agent reading this…call me!

7. How long did it take you to write your book?

First draft about eight months.  Second, third, and fourth revisions took about another eight months.

8. What other books within your genre would you compare it to?  Or, readers of which books would enjoy yours?

That’s also a tough one. The closest age range and zombie scenario would be Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin, but I’m not going to pretend it’s in the same league.  I think readers who enjoy YA dystopian and/or horror novels would love this book.  It’s all about what happens when normalcy gets completely thrown out the window and the protag gets to make up his/her own rules.

9. Which authors inspired you to write this book?

My narrative voice seems like a bizarre mix of Stephen King and Rick Riordan, though not always the best parts.  I really enjoy both author’s style and characters.  They always give their MC’s something important to say, and a journey that isn’t easy or obvious.

10. Tell us anything which might pique our interest in this book?

Ever wanted to kill a zombie with a tomahawk?  Ever had a crush on a girl rocking a sniper rifle?  Ever wanted to raid a convenience store or set fire to a Lexus with no consequences?  Boy, do I have a story for you!

Now…  you’re tagged:

1.  Wakefield Mahon

2.  Siobhan Muir

3.  Thea Isis

4.  Jeff Tsuruoka

5.  Angi Black

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