Author John Turney
I am welcoming to my blog today my friend and awesome author John Turney. I mentioned him in a previous blog as an author who followed writer’s guidelines before pitching a story idea. He got his book contracts at Write-To-Publish so he seemed like someone we should get to know. When he’s not wearing his writer’s superhero cape he works as a CAD Technician for a pharmaceutical company in Ohio. Simply put he is an engineer. He’s had several articles published in e-zines as well as several flash fiction in Splickety Magazine. He attends Liberty Heights Church with his wife. They have two grown sons. Before we get started with this interview John has offered to send a copy of his book to one lucky winner who comments on my blog.
Cindy Huff: John is a delight to have you with us today. I just recently finished reading Innocent Blood and was drawn into the epic story. I felt like a movie playing before my eyes. Now, briefly tell us about your book for those who have not read it.
John Turney: My first novel is Innocent Blood: Reckoning of Equinox and was published by OakTara in 2013. Based on the Celtic legends of Halloween, it’s the tale of a young man—a college student—who has his life mapped out. When events force him to look at his plans, he has to decide if he’s going to pursue his dreams or make the sacrifice to do what’s right.
CH: Tell me, why did you choose to use Halloween as the place in time? That day is not very popular within Christian circles.
JT: First, I love the Fall. Foliage comes alive in multiple colors. Football. Warm days blend into cool nights. Football. Wearing jean jackets. Did I mention football?
CH:Okay, okay we got that you love football. You’ve even added a football player as the enemy of your hero, not to mention a pivotal scene taking place on the grid iron. Sorry, I am just so excited about your novel. Continue please.
JT: Second, when the church avoids something—whether it’s a style of music, a people group because they’re not like us, or a particular holiday—it creates a spiritual vacuum. Rather than ignore Halloween, we should embrace it without embracing its darker elements. Give out candy, and not the cheap stuff. You might even have something for the parents as well. Have a Harvest Party at church and invite the neighborhood to your church for the event. Have goodies for the kids, perhaps bouncy houses, face painting, puppet shows and so on. Have fun with it. Instead of being against something, be for something.
So I chose Halloween, introduced some of its Celtic elements and wrote a story where the protagonist stands against the darkness. For the last 2,000+ years, the church has stood against the darkness of its time. We need to do so today. As a writer, this is one way I can do that.
CH: Good point. I appreciate your candor. Now, I have to know. As a mild-mannered engineer where did you learn about karate, sword fighting, police procedure, dwarfs, elves and the walking dead. And let’s not forget believable fight scenes.
JT: One writing motto is “write what you know.” However, if you don’t know something, then you can learn. And we live at a time where learning—or research—can be done by anyone, anywhere at any time. The internet provides a rich source of materials to help learn. For example, the internet offers videos of men and women in armor fighting with various swords. And they give explanations of the various moves. So I spent several hours watching these videos. I may not be able to physically handle a sword, but I learned how it was done. I’m not a cop, but I attend a writer’s conference (Mad Anthony in Hamilton, Ohio) that one year took its conferees to a community college that trains cops. Another year, it had three women from the TV show Police Women of Cincinnati explaining the ins and outs of their jobs. Other years various police agencies have sent officers to explain their duties. I also attended Lee Lofland’s Writers Police Academy and read his blog “The Graveyard Shift.” This weekend, I will be touring the crime lab in Columbus, Ohio with a Sisters in Crime writers’ group. If you don’t know something, go forth and learn. As to the elves, dwarves and the undead, I signed a nondisclosure agreement not to divulge their locations or how to contact them. They’re very private, so I respect that.
CH: Why base Innocent Blood in Ohio?
I based Innocent Blood in the southwest region of Ohio. At one time, Cincinnati had a large influx of both Irish and German peoples. So with, the Celtic culture comprised of western and northern Europe, it just seemed a good fit to start the series there. Plus I live there, and the cost for visiting potential sites for settings was much cheaper.
CH: The conclusion of Innocent Blood leads right into a sequel without missing a heartbeat. When is that coming out?
JT: I don’t have a date from Oak Tara the publishers of Innocent Blood regarding the sequel. But I will tell you this: Patrick and his friends go into the Celtic Otherworld
CH: You also write flash fiction and have had a few stories published. Why flash fiction?
JT: It’s fun. It’s short, so there is no long time commitment. You come up with an idea. You write it and it’s done. 1000 words makes you focus on using the right words. The plot and character development have to explode onto the story.
CH: What would you tell writers trying to break into publication?
JT: Pursue your dreams…unless your world is being invaded by monsters from the Celtic afterlife. Then do the right thing. Listen to the advice of those who’ve gone ahead of you—and tell them thanks—and help those coming behind you. And never give up. Also, take time to watch a football game.
CH: Wise words to ponder. Well, accept maybe the football. 🙂
Your next book Whiskey Sunrise is coming out in a few months and I plan to have you visit us again.
JT: Look forward to it. By the way Lighthouse Publications of the Carolinas will be having a giveaway in July for Whiskey Sunrise.
Book Giveaway to one lucky commenter.
Today I am offering an opportunity for all those who comment on this post to be entered in a drawing for an autographed copy of Innocent Blood:Equinox of Reckoning. Feel free to ask John any questions you may have on writing, Celtic lore or football. Be sure to leave your email in the comment section so we can contact the winner. ( type it using the word at for @ and the word dot for .) If you are reading this interview via Facebook be sure to go to my blog to comment if you want to be in the drawing.
I will be drawing the winners name in a week. I have found not all my comments post right away.
Hi Cindy and John! It was so great to meet you both at Write To Publish. Congrats, John, on your new upcoming release! I have some Celtic blood from my mother’s side but I hate football (mostly because my oldest brother broke his leg playing it and nearly died). I can’t stand the head bashing! Sorry!! But I’d still love to win your book. 🙂 And I’m very much looking forward to your release in August with LPC. May the Lord guide your pen and bless your writing.
You’ll love his book despite the football. 🙂
Thanks, Elaine. I’m glad I got to read your book, Fields of the Fatherless. BTW: In Innocent Blood, the football player is one of the bad guys.
Excellent interview Cindy! I usually don’t like fiction but rather non-fiction but your interview with John Turney made his book sound very interesting. Hmmmmm you might have change my mind on fiction vs. non-fiction as it does sound by the interview it may be a very good book.
This is for John….I recently retired and would like to write “My Story” about dealing with something I have dealt with all my life and continue to do so but am doing so much better with what I have learned in my life by reading and searching and asking a lot questions and believe me by a lot of self reflection. These kind of books are a dime a dozen I know. My audience would be only people who have dealt with life who has issues. So I assume it wouldn’t sell but to a few maybe. It won’t be a self-help book but more of just my story but I don’t know how to write it so it could appeal to more than few readers. Any ideas you would like to share John? Is this feasible or am I being just full of myself in my thinking because who really cares anyway? Thank you Cindy and John for your candid interview and opening my eyes to perhaps a good read in my near future.
Mary Dorneden
marydorneden at sbcglobal dot net
Deb, thanks for the compliment. I am sure you’d find John’s book fascinating. John what’s your thoughts on Deb’s questions.
Mary, I would like to bring you over to the fiction side. Jesus taught great lesson by using fiction. There are several ways to approach telling your story. By making it a memoir. Write it as narrative non-fiction–telling a true story using the elements of fiction. Writing it as a devotional. You could come up with 5 or 10 questions you faced during your trial and then answer those questions. Read several books of the kind you might want to write and see how a published writer told their stories. And learn how to write. No matter how gripping a story may be, if it’s written poorly, no one will want to publish it.
This is an excellent interview! I enjoyed learning about all of the ways John has researched his subjects. Also, Halloween is so popular these days; I love John’s ideas to make it a holiday that is more welcoming of people who question its pagan origins. I also agree about talking about things you love, rather than talking about the things you don’t like. Fantasy is a genre that has wide appeal and I like the idea of making it more accessible and palatable for all.
Thanks, Kathy. The church needs to be active in our society. Complaining does not advance God’s kingdom. Touching people’s lives with kindness will. I have loved fantasy ever since high school. Back then, the stories were painted on cave walls.
Kathy, i assume you are in teh drawing for the books becuase I have your email.:)
I agree, John–well-put! Interesting that you say stories were painted on cave walls. Hmm! Cindy, I hope I am in the drawing. I would love to win John’s book!
Kathy, right now it looks like you’ve got a good chance of winning.
That’s great news! Thank you.