My interview with Tim Dutton

I met Tim Dutton on both social media sites. We chat on Twitter when we are both there, and we always seem to hit Facebook around the same time, so, we get to chat better there using more than Twitters 140 character limit :).
We started off talking about our books, progressed to our love of writing, of course including pet hates,  before delving into the lives we each lead that are separated by the big pond. A friendship was struck up pretty fast, and we speak regularly as well as support each other when, and where, we can.
Tim has a wonderful nature, and is very much the gentleman, but when you get to know him you see his true depth of character, along with a rather wicked sense of humour.
Tim has a lot of personal achievements. He is a licenced private investigator, a bounty hunter, though it's called fugitive recovery now, and a personal bodyguard. He backs all this up with his skills as a personal trainer, is also a self-defence instructor, and owns Tim Dutton Investigations and Tim Dutton's Warrior Combatives. Really not someone you would want to mess with ;).

Here is what Tim Dutton has to say...

Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
 
My nephew kept telling me to write a book, so I tried it and was hooked. Realized it was what I loved to do.
 
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
 
Stared with nonfiction loved teaching people new stuff this gave me a new medium to do so. Then, when I started doing fiction I had stories in my head that needed to be released.
 
How long have you been writing?
 
Since 2006. So ten years. There was a couple of years that I was unable to write, due to family matters. That’s when I realized I was defiantly a writer. Just about drove me crazy not being able to write.
 
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
 
For novels it was what I was familiar with. For screenplays I don’t have a tried and true genre, just write what I would want to see.
 
Who is your favourite character, and why?
 
I have a personal connection to James Bodey Bodine from Broken and Abused. That book is loosely based on actual events and people. James Bodey Bodine AKA Bo is an amalgam. He’s made up of a little piece of me as well as a few other bounty hunters I have known. I also feel a connection to Axe Wolf, a character from a screenplay I wrote. Can’t really explain the connection. He is an uncivilized barbarian, maybe that’s the connection right there.
 
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
 
I have to have an actual thesaurus and dictionary near me. I would rather look in them than search online. I also don’t do social media on my writing laptop. 
 
What does your family think of your work?
 
My mom is supportive, I read everything I write, to her first. Don’t have much contact with other family members.
 
How do you deal with writers block?
 
I start by trying to determine if something is wrong with the scene I’m trying to write. Over the years I have figured out that my writers block is actually my subconscious mind telling me something is wrong. It could be as small as alternate spelling of a name, or a character has an object that wasn’t explained how they got it. The scene may not be needed at all and doesn’t move the story forward. After correcting the mistake or deleting the scene, I’m generally off and writing again. If that doesn’t work I reread what I have already written, to see if it gets me going. Meditation can help if I need to focus or calm my mind. If those fail, I just put it aside for a while and come back to it later.
 
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
 
For me it’s editing. I write as fast as I can. I don’t worry about spelling, grammar, usage or anything else. Just try to get the story out of me as fast as I can. When I’m done I have to go back and try to weed out all the mistakes, some are hard to spot.
 
What do you enjoy the most about writing?
 
Everything. The freedom of being able to do it whenever I want, with no timelines. The fact that I get to create worlds, people and tell stories that no one else has, is just amazing to me. The best part is when the characters just go their own way and I just tag along and see where they take me.
    
Where do you find your inspiration?
 
Life. Everything I write has a little piece of me in it. I write what I am familiar with and have had experience with. As a bounty hunter I used to study people. Get to know human nature and profiles. As a writer I find myself doing it more.
 
Are your characters based on anyone you know?
 
Yes. My latest novel Broken And Abused is loosely based on actual events and people. Almost every character in there is based on people I have known. The other fiction writings are as well, but not as complete.
 
What do you do in your spare time to relax?
 
Take long walks and hikes through the woods. Just let nature in and block everything else out. Recently bought a house on south side of a small mountain. Can’t wait to get house done and moved over there. I plan to hike to the top of the mountain and just sit up there and take everything in.
 
What do you like to read?
 
Mainly mystery, but anything I can get drawn into. Even read some graphic novels if the story is interesting. I am currently reading and enjoying Angel’s Blood that just happens to be written by you, Sallyann. Seems I have found a new genre.
 
Who is your favourite author?
 
If I said you, you would think I was just sweet talking, so I will say Craig Johnson and Judson Roberts are tied at the current moment.
 
Where are your books available?
 
The first one “Streetwise Guide To Conducting Hardball Investigations” is only available from Thomas Investigative Publications, Inc. All the others are available on Amazon.
 
What are you working on right now?
 
A screenplay about a bounty hunter who has to protect a Seven year old little girl, who was the victim of human traffickers. It is one that is close and sometimes hard to write.
 
What is your ultimate goal?
 
Just to make a decent living as a writer. I’m not one for the limelight and don’t need to be rich.
 
Do you have a favourite film? And if so what is it?
 
I guess as a screenwriter I have to make a study of films, so I don’t particularly have a favourite, but will say I am partial to Young Guns and Rambo. Also several Disney little girl shows, but that is less about the content and more about who I saw them with.

Here is where you will find Tim Dutton


Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/timdutton
 
Twitter: @TheWriteTim
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TimDuttonWriter
 
I'd like to take this last moment to thank Tim Dutton for being a pleasure to interview, and of course agreeing to it. I hope you'll take the time to check out his works on Amazon, and see just what he has to offer, be it a screenplay, or one of his full length novels. You won't be disappionted, and I'm sure you will find something you will want to tell your friends about.
I'll let you in on a little secret, I have Broken And Abused already on my kindle and can't wait to get stuck in ;).
Once again, thank you Tim Dutton!

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