For far too long this man has been picking at the complex craniums of writers around the world. But I say NO MORE! It is time we turn the tables. It’s high time he answers the hard questions.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome an extraordinary gentleman, devoted philanthropist, and our friend… author Thomas Rydder.
It’s so wonderful to finally have you here, Thomas. But let’s fire up that hot seat and get right to it, shall we?
We’re here today to discuss your recently published debut novel…
The Clearing
Click to Get It
On Amazon
Description: “After twenty years in the Marine Corps, Major Frank Cutlip comes home to the quiet hills of his beloved Pennsylvania to take up a new life as the sheriff of Allegheny County.
Professor Beth Lowe took up a post at Paxton University because she became enamored with western Pennsylvania’s charms, a more enduring love than she thought she would ever feel for a man.
When Beth’s dog is savaged by wolves, their peaceful lives are shattered, and their fates entwined. On the brink of death, the dog not only survives but grows larger… and more vicious. A thousand-year cycle of carnage is reaching its climax once more, and the peaceful wooded hills will soon be smeared with blood.
Sheriff Cutlip leads his community in a hunt for the hidden terror, but then his own brother is bitten, his blood corrupted by the ancient evil. The sheriff must confront terrible choices, and he can’t do so alone.
‘The Clearing’ — a novel of ordinary people thrown together in extraordinary circumstances.”
(Me) – Now, Thomas, after reading the back cover blurb for The Clearing, I have to know: have you always been fascinated by the paranormal?
(Thomas) – I have, actually. The werewolf has always been my favorite. I think it has something to do with the allure of the moon, and its irrevocable pull on the wolf’s psyche. But, any type of paranormal being attracts me.
Was there anything in particular that happened in your life that inspired you to write The Clearing?
I’ve always wanted to feel what it’s like to be a werewolf. Now, don’t go all crazy on me… not necessarily the killing part (although I’ve run across a few folks in my time that probably needed it). But being a creature of the night, and knowing whatever comes across your path will be afraid. And the power – feeling the moon tug on the strings of your soul. Whew.
Ah—to become one with nature… and have super strength!
Now, I’m curious to know, did you always want to be an author?
I wish. If I had, then I would have started a lot sooner in life. But, I never realized I could write. (Actually, it’s still in question). I picked up the figurative pen at the tender age of 54 – and am going to have to go like hell to make up for lost time.
Do you prefer to start your stories in a notebook or on a computer?
I, in fact, have a spiral notebook where I jot down ideas. I actually have one page where I list all the initial thoughts. When I get the idea for a book, I add it to this page, along with any thoughts on how I want the book to go. Then, when I have some time, I go back and try to flesh it out a bit on its own page. That way, it simmers a bit in my mind, as I’m doing my other writing. And as I get even more ideas on it, I go back and write them down.
I like your method of storing your ideas – always something to write about. But what happens when the ideas just stop? How do you deal with writer’s block?
I’m bad about this. Real bad. I don’t give up – so if I get a block, I just keep at it. I probably waste some time doing it that way, but it’s my way. Stuff like that bugs me, and I can’t concentrate on any other writing until I get it. I’ll stare at the screen, type a few words, delete them, try again, delete that. Eventually, I ram my way through, and it starts to flow again.
Good old-fashioned perseverance… I like it. But there must come a time when you need an escape. What kinds of books do you most enjoy reading?
Generally speaking, the kind I write. I love the paranormal, so any ghost and spirit story catches my eye, and creatures are great. But I also love a good crime mystery too. There’s nothing like following a wily detective and trying to figure out who killed the pretty young actress before they tell you!
*Sniff sniff* Is that the next upcoming Thomas Rydder novel I smell? Hmm… have to wait and see, I guess. But I digress. Certainly, this interview would not be complete, or rightfully any interview of mine, if I didn’t pose a few off-the-wall scenarios. So…
I’m a car girl, so I have to ask… if you could have ANY year, make and model car or truck, what would it be? Oh, and don’t forget color.
Easy. I’ve always been a fan of Mustangs, and in fact, now have my first one. It’s a 2007, and I love it. So – 1969 Mustang Shelby GT500 with a 428 Cobra Jet engine and 400 horsepower. Oh, and it’ll be fire-engine red with Cragar mags and the loudest stereo I can have in it. Then it’ll be time to ROCK!
With a beast like that, I can only say one thing: keep the bail money handy, my friend.
Okay… Dream Sequence Time! A Hollywood director calls you up and tells you they want to make a movie about your life… what actor would you want to portray you on the big screen?
If Jerry Lewis was younger, I’d pick him.
Seriously, I’d go with Timothy Olyphant. I’ve followed his career closely, and his current show “Justified” is one of the best on TV. He’s a terrific actor, is extremely smart, and has a streak of the smart ass in him – all the best ingredients. 
Are you telling me the fact that he’s lusciously attractive and drives the girls crazy didn’t have anything to do with your choice? Because it should’ve…
But anyway… if you could have a fancy sit-down dinner with any author, who would it be and why? And what would you order?
This is going to sound corny, and I don’t care. I’ve met dozens of terrific people since I started blogging and so on, and in the last few months, have been met with nothing but grace, camaraderie, and friendship. I’d give a lot to get all of us get together, reserve an entire restaurant, and spend the entire evening eating, drinking, and swapping stories and experiences. Whew…wouldn’t that be a party? And for me it would be a small steak, lobster tail, and chocolate mousse – oh, and keep the rum and cokes coming.
Haha! $20 says we get kicked out of the restaurant and you have to take that chocolate mousse to go. 
BUT, after we do, let’s say you can get us all in to see any musician or band live, living or dead – who’s it gonna be?
Luciano Pavarotti (bet that one surprised you). He had the best voice in history, as far as I’m concerned, and I would have sawed off my left leg to see him live in concert.
Honestly, that would be pretty awesome. I’m there!
Alright, now, let’s fast forward: you’re a big-time author rolling around on a mountain of cash, you’re all “M.S. who?” and “T.W. what’s his face”… what charity would you devote most of your time and money to, and why?
Who’s T.W.? Oh – sorry Tim. Ahem… okay, it’s an easy answer. Cancer research. The big C is the scourge of the earth and we simply have to come up with a cure. My mother died from it, my best friend, his sister and father, my boss’s mother-in-law, and countless other friends and relatives of friends, and it simply has to stop. And as a matter of fact, the death of my friend – only weeks ago – was the last straw for me, and I decided to donate 25% of my royalties from the sequel to “The Clearing” to the war against cancer.
Well, sir, on behalf of anyone anywhere who has ever been touched by cancer, thank you for being so selfless and considerate to mankind. You’re a breath of fresh air and an inspiration.
Thank you for joining us, Thomas. It was truly a pleasure.
Mel, thanks so very much for having me! I really enjoyed being here with you today
And after all this rambling, if anyone is the least bit interested in reading my debut thriller The Clearing, then the links are below. And if you get a copy, I’ll take this occasion to thank you very much!
Book links:
Kindle
United States – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMEVA0W
The United Kingdom – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BMEVA0W
Canada - http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BMEVA0W
Paperback on Amazon
United States – http://www.amazon.com/dp/1481077686
The United Kingdom – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1481077686
Smashwords
Multiple Formats Available – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/290578
Add The Clearing on Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16280546-the-clearing
Also, if you’d like to get in touch with me, these are my links:
Blog – http://thomasrydder.wordpress.com/
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/thomas.rydder
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ThomasRydder
Come by and say hello!
