Tony Acree: Connecting with "The Speaker" Himself

Part 2 of my "Cool People I Met at Imaginarium" series...

Tell us a bit about your latest work.

I am currently working on the next book in the Victor McCain series, titled The Speaker. In the third book in the supernatural thriller series, Vic is having a tough time because of *&%@%% and finds his inner demons may be worse than the actual ones he fights in his day job. (Part of the previous line was redacted due to spoiler protection)

What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?

I like to write about the choices we make and how they affect our lives. I also like to put people in situations they think they will never survive and see if they are right.

What would be your dream project?

To write a story in which the star would be Stana Katic. Heck, I would settle for writing a story she says she has read. Even if it’s only a limerick.

If you have any former project to do over to make it better, which one would it be, and what would you do?

I would change the dramatic cliffhanger ending of my first novel, The Hand of God. It would still be dramatic, but less of a cliffhanger. Seems people don’t like waiting six months or more to find out what happens to their favorite characters. Death threats and witch’s curses are only some of the things I dealt with.

What inspires you to write?

Generally, taking a breath is all the inspiration I need. But to be more specific I like to write thrillers and bump off the people who tick me off. Everyone who dies in one of my books is based on someone who got on my bad side (yes, I am including you man who stole my parking spot today. Wait and see what happens to you)

What writers have influenced your style and technique?

Jim Butcher, Nelson DeMille, Erma Bombeck and Edger Allen Poe. And Brad from sixth grade, who wrote a poem to the girl I wanted to be my steady girlfriend, forcing me to do the same. I've been writing ever since.

Where would you rank writing on the "Is it an art or it is a science continuum?" Why?

Oh, writing is an art. Well, it can be a science too if you write science fiction. Or use science in your writing. Hmm. If you are painting a space scene and then include an inscription, is it both?

Any other upcoming projects you would like to plug?

Besides The Speaker, to be released from Hydra Publications, I am also writing a short story for Unseen Adventures, an anthology coming from Blackwyrm Publishing. I am also thinking of writing the next “great American novel”, but have the fear it will be the “almost acceptably average American hamburger ad.” But we all must have a dream.

For more info about Tony, visit: http://tonyacree.com/