Author Interview – N.T. Franklin

First Monday of the month, yay! Author interview time! This month, I’d like to introduce you to N.T. Franklin. He writes after his real job hoping one day to have it be his real job. When he’s not reading or writing short stories, you might find him fishing or solving crossword puzzles.

I met N.T. in a writing group, and he always has some great advice.

Please allow me to introduce you to N.T. Franklin.

Thanks for taking the time to drop in and share a little bit of yourself with us! Let’s get right to the questions. What drew you to write in the short story genre?

N.T.: I write short stories because I read short stories. I’ve enjoyed short stories for as long as I can remember. My work demands limit the time I have for reading novels. The last several ‘novels’ I read were nonfiction and most were actually textbooks.

I enjoy reading and writing short stories too. What do you think makes a good short story?

N.T.: Drama, interaction, conflict, resolution. The hero or heroine has to be someone the reader can identify with; they can like, or can dislike the main character. Most of my short stories are cozy mysteries. In one (The Sniper), the heroine is good, but damaged as she seeks revenge. In others, a body surfaces and a mystery ensues.

Those stories sound very interesting. What are you currently working on and what is it about?

N.T.: I’ve been working on a series of middle group (MG) stories about the misadventures of two rambunctious young teenage boys, “Me and Bart.” The stories are set in the late 1960’s when it was a simpler time with no cell phones and free-range kids. They go on escapades that result in harmless mischief. The stories are intended to entertain and perhaps bring back memories of growing up.

And of course, I’m still writing cozy mysteries.

How often do you write, and do you have a special time during the day to write?

N.T.: I have no set writing schedule, I write when I have the time, which is not often enough. This is something I’d like to change to have more time for writing. And before you ask, I use a computer when I write. I can’t imagine doing it any other way.

I’m the same way. I write when I have time on the computer. Thank goodness for spellcheck! Where do you see publishing going in the future?

N.T.: More electronic publishing and less print; more self-publishing and less traditional publishing.

Yeah, I fear a lot of traditional publishers and brick and mortar book stores will go out of business. Do you write with a specific reader in mind?

N.T.: I write stories that I like to read, so I guess I’m the reader I have in mind. I want to write stories that my children and grandchildren can read and enjoy.

How do you market your books?

N.T.: I have not marketed any of my writings so this my first effort! Clearly, I need to do more on this aspect.

I’m happy to help you out with some marketing. Let’s switch gears with some personal questions. What do you want your tombstone to say?

N.T.: Doting Grandfather, Good Father, Loving Husband

Which famous person (or author), living or dead would you like to meet and why?

N.T.: I’d choose someone in my profession; I guess I’m a University Professor/Scientist first and an author second.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?

N.T.: In my job, I have traveled to many places and had the opportunity to live in several countries for extended periods of time. I’d have to say that I have already visited places in the world I want to go.

Sadly, out time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Author Bio:

N.T. Franklin is a grampa, a daddy, a husband, and a university professor in agricultural science. His interest in writing traces back to his interest in reading. He read nonfiction and mystery short stories. N.T. has been published in Fiction on the Web, 101 Words, Madswirl, Postcard Shorts, 404 Words, Scarlet Leaf Review, Freedom Fiction, Burrst, Entropy, Alsina Publishing, Fifty-word stories, among others.

For all the information, updates, and publications by N.T. Franklin, please be sure to follow him on Amazon and friend him on Facebook. Take a look at his publications below…