1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Ernie says: First, Chuck Wendig. I only know of him through his Twitter feed, but he seems perfectly badass enough (can I say ‘badass’ on your blog?) to be like Ash from Army of Darkness. I can see him cocking a shotgun and saying, “Come get some.” Second, after reading The Martian, I’d have to go with Andy Weir, because he’s brilliant enough to rig whatever we’d need to stay alive. And maybe build a spaceship too so we could get away from the zombies. Third…while I don’t think he’s written any fiction, I’d have David Sedaris along. Why? Because laughter would be necessary in a post-apocalyptic zombie world.
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.
Ernie says: Hah! Well, at least you didn’t ask me to pick only one. Supposing they can both be saved, I’d go with J. K. Rowling first, because anyone wealthier than the Queen of England likely has monetary access to excellent hitmen. I wouldn’t want her angry with me for not picking her first.
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Ernie says: I just finished reading The Martian again for the second time, in preparation for the movie release. Prior to that, I absolutely devoured Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven. Brilliant, melancholy, and full of gorgeous writing that made me jealous of her talent.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Ernie says: Tomcat in Love, by Tim O’Brien. I’ve been recommending that book for years. Some of the things O’Brien does with language in that story are astounding.
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Ernie says: It’s for sure a tossup between The Martian and Eleanor by Jason Gurley. The interesting thing is, both were originally indie-published works, and both went on to get picked up by Crown Publishing, a division of Random House. A refined version of Eleanor is due out in January 2016. Take note: I’m positive that Gurley will be one of our future literary giants.
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Ernie says: This has been the year of little reading, for a variety of reasons, so my choices are limited. But, I’d have to go with Station Eleven. I didn’t want it to end. Ever.
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
Ernie says: Telekinesis. Mostly I’d just like to be able to flick a finger and pick up all of the toddler toys, fling the laundry on hangers and in drawers, put the dishes away, and pour a glass of wine without having to get up from the couch. Forget fighting evil villains. I just want the chores to be done.
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Ernie says: I’m such a creature of habit that I have to be tucked away in my little office, sitting at my cluttered desk. Trying to write anywhere else throws off the balance.
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from one of your books.
Ernie says: The climax/ending to Sara’s Game. My former agents felt the original ending could be quite a bit stronger and asked me to revamp it. I waffled with ideas for two or three days until the perfect resolution hit me. I’m convinced it contributed to the success that title has seen, and likely allowed me to keep doing this as a career.
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Ernie says: Wow. Um. All of them? Not counting the kidnappers and killers? The closest would probably be Chris (a.k.a. “Brick”) in Going Shogun. The witty everyman.
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Ernie says: I can’t actually write to music. At least not music with words. I’ve learned to manage most aspects of my ADD, but being able to write while someone else says words isn’t one of them. So, for me, it’s the soothing sounds of rain, ocean waves, or waterfalls in a jungle, with binaural beats in the background that are supposed to enhance creativity or concentration.
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Ernie says: Use your adverbs sparingly, he said, conspiratorially.
Connect with ERNIE LINDSEY!
USA Today bestselling author Ernie Lindsey grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, working on the family farm and reading, and has spent his life telling stories to anyone that will listen. He is the author of thirteen mystery, thriller, and suspense books, along with numerous short stories. When he's not writing or reading the works of other thriller writers, you can find him chasing a toddler, feeding a toddler, or cleaning up after a toddler. He remembers non-toddler things, but they're flimsy, gauzy mysteries.
Ernie and his family live in Oregon, along with a multi-fingered Hemingway cat named Luna.
Head over to ErnieLindsey.com for more information, or join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErnieLindseyFiction
