Interview with Terence Mix [jandtmix] on Whohub

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What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

The first book I ever read was "Tom Sawyer," which was my first experience of how good writing can draw you into imagining the story created by the writer, to be mentally experiencing the protagonists challenges and problems from the written pages of a book. Many years later, in the middle of my career as a trial lawyer, I came across an intriguing case that prompted me to write a novel, "A Question of Judgment," eventually published by Bantam in 1985. I guess you could say that other than judges and appellate court justices reading legal briefs, the first to read anything of significance that I wrote was the general public.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

My favorite genre are political and spy thrillers, although - as one might guess - I also enjoy legal thrillers, such as books written by John Grisham. The website which concerns my current literary effort, "The Price of Ovulation," can be accessed at www.terencemix.com. Old copies of "A Question of Judgment," a legal thriller, can still be purchased through Amazon.com.

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

It, of course, depends upon whether I am writing a novel or nonfiction. For my nonfiction effort ("The Price of Ovulation"), I spent a good part of a year researching before putting anything down on paper as a manuscript. I then came up with an outline of how I wanted the book structured, from the beginning chapter to the end. And since I was going to be presenting and educating primarily lay readers about a lot of science, my challenge was to make it not only understandable, but also interesting, to hold their attention throughout a book that would eventually run over 500 pages. This I did by using a story format, generally in the first person. I would tell the reader what had happened to me over a period exceeding 30 years - they would hopefully share my experiences, my challenges and obstacles, my strategies, my disappointments, and, importantly, also my discoveries and successes. They would join me on my 3 1/2 decade ride from 1972 all the way to 2008. I saw my book as both a teaching tool and a source of entertainment. And each day, as I would write each succeeding chapter, I would draw from my records and notes - and memory - as I played the experiences out in my mind.

Writing a novel, for me is quite different in many ways, although similar in some. Since plotting is of critical importance in my fiction writing, I do start off with an outline, generally laying out the story. I also have the principal characters, their personalities, background, flaws, habits, goals and other traits, usually drawn up on pieces of paper or 3x5 cards. But although I have the story and characters in mind, in each chapter I don't know how they will get from A to B until I start writing. I know that they must get from A to B; I just don't know how. I let the characters drive the story, as I write, dictated by by their personalities and ambition. What is pushing them and how would a person with the character traits I have established go after what he or she is trying to accomplish? This is why the more developed your characters, the more your story comes alive.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

Most writers, I believe, at least initially, draw on personal experiences in creating a story or subject matter for their writing projects. But aside from my own experiences throughout my career, and the interesting stories and people I experienced and met along the way, the greatest source for ideas for me has been from reading interesting stories in newspapers and magazines.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

Character and plot. Some writers emphasize one over the other, but every great story must have these basic elements.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

My preference is in the third person - especially for a novel, although I used the first person in my nonfiction book, primarily because I was telling my own personal story. I believe that the first person in fiction is too limiting, especially if you want to create tension from a character or event distant from your protagonist (which he or she would not know about).

What well known writers do you admire most?

John le Carre for spy thrillers and Scott Turow for legal thrillers.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

The more flaws and faults the better. I try to draw characters from real living people, although they are frequently an amalgam of two or more of them. Real people make mistakes and make believable decisions or take credible action, consistent with their established personalities and character traits.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

Because of my experience as a trial lawyer, I can usually tell a pretty good story verbally. However, I have never been much of an extemporaneous speaker, and believe I do a better job when writing it out in manuscript form, primarily because I can write and rewrite, and then rewrite some more, as I give the story more and more thought. Good stories are well-structured stories with a surprising punchline or ending. For me this usually occurs after much thought and polishing.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

I write to entertain and educate my readers.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

Not for me. My writing, especially my nonfiction book, is to serve what I perceive to be a greater purpose to my presence on earth - a mission, if you will, to help my fellow man, as in the case of "The Price of Ovulation," where I am hopeful that the contents of the book will one day lead to eradicating hundreds of thousands of birth defects around the world.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Absolutely. It can in fact inspire me to do better. Even if it contains criticism, it can also be instructive to helping me become a better writer.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

Yes. My nonfiction book has been entered in competition with other books. Receipt of awards, of course, is a means of validation that a writer is on the right track in terms of his skills as a writer and the importance of the subject matter of his book - along with obvious marketing benefits. To date, "The Price of Ovulation," was awarded finalist in 3 different categories of the 2008 Best Books Awards (Women's Health/ Pregnancy & Childbirth/General Science) and was recently selected as a 2009 Nautilus Book Silver Award winner. Both are major national awards.

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

Generally not, although there can be exceptions when I am dubious about being on the right track.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

I schedule 6 hours each day that I am writing, with a specific starting and concluding time.

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

I isolate myself in my office (converted bedroom) in my home, sitting at my laptop and with my door closed - it is the only way that I can escape my wife. Of course, all of my research materials are within reaching distance of my desk.

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

I use a laptop computer with Microsoft Word, which I correct as I go, and print off completed and edited pages at the end of each day.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

None at the present time.

What has been your experience with publishers?

"The Price of Ovulation" was turned down by 19 major publishing houses before it was accepted by Tendril Press in Aurora, Colorado. My current publisher has worked closely with me, both in book design and editing, literally night and day. Because of the energy and commitment by my publisher, we accomplished in months what took Bantam a couple of years for my novel ("A Question of Judgment") - and with a technically more difficult book.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on my next novel, "Adverse Reaction," which is about 30% complete and totally outlined. It is a legal thriller (what else!) involving a lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company, and draws on 3 decades of experience in this field of law. I anticipate that it will be completed within the next 4-6 months.

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

Never be afraid to show your writing to someone whose opinion you would trust. Experiencing rejection is part of the process, and I doubt that there is one major writer, both today and in the past, who has not been rejected. It is the only way you can learn and grow as an author.

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