Q&A with John Locke

-The western, what is the deal on that? Where did that come from?

At the heart of every western a man or woman faces danger, hardship, or overwhelming odds. It’s a timeless theme of courage, especially when their quest takes them into the vast unknown, where they must face the elements and other enemies head on, with little more than a horse, a gun and meager supplies. People always tell me they don’t like westerns, so I thought, why not create the type of western people would like to read? I decided to write a cool, fun, hip western, with a unique cast of characters, and situations that, while dangerous, might provide some opportunities to inject humor.

Donovan Creed has quickly become one of my top favs, what was the genesis of that whole thing?

I wanted to create a critically flawed hero whose reactions are impossible to predict. This is the kind of man men want to be like and women want to be with. Women are a little afraid of him, but they understand his flaws and think there is something about him that makes him worth saving. They often don’t approve of his behavior, but they think at the heart of it all, he means well.

-What is it like wakening up everyday to rock star status and sales?

Haha. In my house I’m often in the middle of writing a scene and my wife will ask me to take out the trash, or my son will want a sandwich or completely sidetrack me with what’s happening in a ball game. In my house I’m just the guy who’s been spending more time at the computer than he used to!

-Your stories are twisted and bent in so many different directions and yet you tie them all together nicely. How do you do that?

Thanks for saying that!  However, critics would say just the opposite! Which brings up a good point: I write only for my target audience, not the masses. So readers either like my work a lot, or hate it a lot, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But to answer your question in the way it was intended, I know my characters completely, and trust them implicitly. I put them in crazy situations and force myself to stay out of their way as they work through them. I create a lot of loose ends for my characters, but they do their best to tie them up on their own. If it doesn’t fit neatly at the end, it’s because I, the author, got in the way.

-What is your favorite kind of food and do you have a recipe you can hit us with?

I’m a Louisiana boy, living in Kentucky, so I like southern style food. I’m an accomplished cook, so sure. Here’s a recipe for corn bread that will make a jack rabbit jump up and slap a hound dog. Now, this is sweet corn bread, and tastes more like a cake.

Donovan Creed Cornbread

Enough butter to grease pan

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

¾ cup fine sugar

½ tsp salt

2 large eggs, whisked

1 cup whole milk

1 cup plain yogurt

1 stick, plus 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1.      Preheat oven to 400. Grease an 8-inch square glass cake pan with melted butter.

2.      Whisk cornmeal, flour, powder, soda, sugar and salt together in large bowl. Add whisked eggs, milk and yogurt. Sir in the melted butter and mix until it’s just combined.

3.      Pour batter into greased pan. Place on center rack of oven. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until done (check by placing a sharp knife into center. If it comes out clean, it’s done). Depending on your oven, you might need to place foil over the top during the last 20 minutes to prevent the top from burning.

4.      Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before cutting into squares.

-The cover art is simple yet plain. What is your thinking on that?

I had no choice in the first cover, but after that, I wanted sexy women. After my fourth book, my publisher, Claudia Jackson, of Telemachus Press, had the inspiration of putting women’s legs on all my books. It’s a great branding idea, and I loved it the minute she suggested it. Claudia is brilliant, and creative, and that’s why I always recommend her to people.

-What is next for Donovan Creed?

In a few days the latest Creed adventure will be available for download on Kindle, iPad, Nook, etc. It’s called “Vegas Moon” and it’s already being called “The most hilarious Creed book ever!”

-Are you considering adding another franchise to your growing collection?

I would love to have three, if my readers will indulge me. It’s hard to explain to Creed fans why I want to develop the western series, because they want all Creed, all the time. But the western allows me to free up my mind. It allows me to come back to the Creed genre completely refreshed, and forces me to start anew, with new ideas, and new energy. For me, a separate franchise is like a palate cleanser for my brain.

 
-With your busy schedule how do you fit any down time into your day or week?

            I just don’t! Not at this point. Not yet.

-What is something you want your readers and fans to know right now?

  
I want them to know I love them with all my heart, and that my main objective is to bring them a few hours of smiles when they might need them most. I want them to know I will work into my beyondness to earn their continued support.

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