Attack of the Killer Squirrels! T. J. Smythe Interview




After getting bitten by a squirrel in the park, Bob’s life takes a dramatic turn for the worse as people begin to die around him. 

©2018 Travis Smith (P)2019 Travis Smith
 Attack of the Killer Squirrels!


Hello and welcome my friends, Attack of the Killer Squirrels!in this post I have the great fortune to interview the first-time writer
T. J. Smythe, about his new book Attack of the Killer Squirrels!



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What is the plotline of Attack of the Killer Squirrels!
 The book is set in the middle of a small, quiet town. Bob, who is the main focus, moved there to get inspiration for a book about nature and urban Harmony. He meets his two friends, Ed, and Angel there. While he is researching and writing under a walnut tree, he tries to feed a squirrel that is nearby. The squirrel bites him and then he starts noticing that people keep dying around him. Now he's questioning if it was a coincidence he sees squirrels each time, is he losing his mind, or are the Squirrels really trying to destroy the town?

 Where did the idea for Attack of the Killer Squirrels! come from

how did I come up with the idea of the book It started out as a joke. My friends and I were talking about a squirrel running out into a road and someone swerved to avoid it, nearly causing a crash. I joked that they knew the person would swerve to incoming traffic. We joked how these little squirrels that look cute actually could be putting on a front and they were truly evil. That joke started my mind to wonder, what if squirrels were like that?

 Who did you get to be the narrator for Attack of the Killer Squirrels!?

Karl A. Nordman auditioned for the audiobook and did an amazing job. the narrator sounds great, I opened the book up to auditions and Karl A. Nordman answered. I listened to the test script and it was right on. We talked about some of the characters and he brought each one to live in a way I only dreamed about.

 Why did you want to write your first book?

 I started writing as a way to change gears during my lunch at work. I was getting pretty stressed out and my friends dared me to write a book. I had this in my brain for a while and started writing during my lunch as a sort of way to decompress before I went back in. It started to get that I was excited to work in the morning so I could work on the book during lunch. It helped break the stress a great deal. The writing was not what I thought I'd be doing. It was just something for stress. I work in business by trade but doing it to relieve a little stress and get creative I think sparked a new passion that I'm excited about.

 Did you find it difficult to bring your story to life in words as a first-time writer?

 It wasn't too had to write at the start until I got about halfway in and realized that some parts would not work with the ending I had in my notes. That was the big thing was needing to rework a number of the early chapters as the ideas evolved naturally into something better as the book went on. After I got those chapters back in, the last half of the book seemed to write pretty fast.

  Had you written many short stories before writing Attack of the Killer Squirrels!?

I had written some very short fan fiction that I never published but only 20 or so pages, mostly just one or two scenes. I did just start writing and go forward but about halfway through I realized that problem I just mentioned. At that point, I also realized I had no idea what I was doing in full-length writing, so thanks to the internet, I was able to find a few articles that helped give some tips for new authors. That was when I started writing out the notes more formally, which really helped things along. Learning for the next book.

 Any tips for new writers thinking of writing there first book?

 The biggest tip I can give would be to keep writing. At about 40,000 words it starts getting hard and you just feel like you want it to be over. Keep plugging away and even if you have to rewrite half a dozen chapters, keep working on it until your happy. Once you're happy with it, no matter what you completed something to be proud of, so never give up.

 Squirrels kill off mankind is your very first book do you plan for book 2? 

 Yes, I do actually and have it in production. It will be a little bit before I get it published but hopefully, in the next 6-9 months, it will be ready.

  Will you be attending any events to promote Squirrels kill off mankind?

 This was my first real public launch. I have a local radio interview coming up and will also be trying to get a table this year at Medford Comic-Con to be able to sign books and promote the audiobook as well.

  Who is your favorite author?

Timothy Zahnn is my favorite author and I got thrilled to get his autograph and picture with him at his table at Rose City ComicCon.

  Who has given you the most help in any way while you wrote your first book?

 My wife has really given me the most help. She listened to ideas, jokes, concepts and was a sounding board to see if it worked. If she laughed and shook her head at me, I knew that was right for this book haha.

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