Today, we are visiting with Edward Hancock, II who has a new book out this month.  And be sure to read to the end of this interview.  It will be worth it. So let’s get to know a little about him.

Jim:  It looks like you were very active during College in the journalism field, and won a number of awards. Did you ever pursue journalism as a career?

Eddie:  I was a member of the newspaper staff at Kilgore College. I was also a member of the KC Ranger yearbook staff. On the yearbook, I eventually rose to Editor-in-Chief. As a member of the yearbook staff, I won more than 20 awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. I’ve always said it was one of the most rewarding experiences in my writing life.

Jim:  More than 20 awards!  That’s impressive.  When did you start writing novels? What was your first novel, and was it published?

Eddie:  I wrote my first novel when I was 22 or 23. I had written a non-fiction story when I was 19 or 20, but ultimately decided it would never see the light of day. I self published the novel when I was 26. Self published another the following year. They were not very good and were, frankly, not very Christian. I am glad they did not sell well.

Jim:  When you developed the character Alex (in Mourning Reign) did you know he would be a continuing character, or did that come out later?

Eddie:  A little of both, I think. My literary idol was and is Dean Koontz. He had always resisted the temptation to do a series. At the time, he said he was not very likely to ever do one. Now, he’s done two or three series (most notably the Odd Thomas Series). Although, I conceived Alex Mendez long before that (and began writing his stories), I felt like Koontz writing his first series was validation of sorts. Permission, in a sense, for me to continue Alex Mendez’s story. After that, plot ideas flooded into me faster than I could write them down. I have probably forgotten more plots than I have outlined in the forthcoming series.

Jim:  Your novel that I’m most familiar with is Mourning Reign. The spelling of the words and the picture on the cover seem to be at odds. How did you come up with that juxtaposition?

Eddie:  It actually came from writing the book. As with most novelists, I was writing the manuscript as “Untitled.” The story itself deals with Terrorism in a small town. A good ways in, there is a scene where the terrorists send a tape to Danny, Alex’s friend and fellow cop. On the tape, they tell him “…blood will flow and Mourning will Reign…” Not every one of my books have, or will have 2-word titles, but I happen to be a fan of 2-word titles…. as such, “Mourning Will Reign” became simply “Mourning Reign”. As expected, when talking about the book, I always have to spell the title, otherwise people would look for a book titled “Morning Rain”

Jim:  Tell us how you came to write Mourning Reign, and a little about the book.

Eddie:  The book itself is best described as “September 11th style terrorist attacks brought to a small East Texas town, specifically Longview, Texas where Alex and his wife, Lisa, have both acted as police detectives.” As to where I came about the plot, it simply came out of the events of September 11th, 2001. As I sat there watching the planes crash into the building and the subsequent collapse of the towers, my heart sank. But, I was watching from the safety of my house, more than 1,000 miles away. As I sat there with my eyes glued to the television, I became keenly aware of the fact that our country’s innocence had been lost. Our illusion of safety had been shattered… and I wondered, “when are they coming for me?” September 11th was a game-changer in the war against terrorism. And I couldn’t escape the paranoia of asking when would the game change again.

Jim:  I understand Heart Beatings, the sequel to Mourning Reign, is coming out this month. Will Alex Mendez be the protagonist in this book as well?

Eddie:  Yes. Although, it’s really an ensemble cast. At the very least, he shares the lead with his lovely wife, Lisa Mendez. We see Alex and Lisa as both professionals and in their roles as spouses and parents. They have a daughter starting Kindergarten. So, big changes are in store for the Mendez clan. It is an exciting time to be sure.

Jim:  Do we get a little hint on the story line for it?

Eddie:  What I can tell you, without giving too much away, is that the story opens with Alex Mendez kneeling over the dead body of one of East Texas’ most vial and vocal racists. As he looks down on the brutally murdered body of Andrew Kramer, Alex finds himself with the unenviable task of having to solve the murder of a man who — in life — would have just as soon seen Alex Mendez swinging from a tree.

Jim:  I’d like to leave your books and take up another topic. I’ve heard that you also give motivational speeches. Tell us a little about this?

Eddie:  It’s not something I’m a regular at by any means. I give talks when I’m asked, but I rarely pursue the venue. I am a disabled man, having been born with Spina Bifida. As such, I welcome any and every invitation to speak to children who maybe are bullied for being different or maybe in schools where bullying is an issue. In elementary schools in particular, the students are very impressionable. When a person in a wheelchair rolls into the room and basically takes over, showing them how normal I am, I’ve never had a class yet that wasn’t absolutely changed by the experience.

I’ve also spoken to churches and other religious organizations about my faith and about the struggles I’ve had in that realm. About how it’s played a part in my life and, of course, in my writing. If anyone should want to have me for a talk, they can find information at my website, www.edwardhancockii.com. From there, you can E-mail me or even connect with me through Facebook.  Facebook is probably the best way to contact me. If I’m breathing, I’m usually on Facebook.

Jim:  What is the basic idea you want people to take away from your talks?

Eddie:  No excuses. Everyone has problems. Everyone has roadblocks. Everyone is different. Holding someone else down does nothing to build you up, and we are always stronger when we work together. Differences do not make one another better or worse. Merely different. Rather than denigrating one another for those differences or ignoring them and pretending like you don’t see them in some misguided and false sense of open-mindedness, SEE the differences. REALLY SEE them. And celebrate their beauty. For example, one of the things that personally bugs me is the person that says “I don’t SEE color” when speaking of other people. Why not? I see color. It takes many different colors to make a rainbow doesn’t it? I see beautiful black women. I see strong and tall Asian men. I see proud Native Americans. I see the majesty in a white woman holding her newborn child. I see color. And I celebrate what I see.

I want to reiterate, no excuses. I’ve penned novels from a wheelchair. In 2012, I embarked on a multi-city book tour. It started in January and the only reason I’m ending it November 16 is because I made a commitment that the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season I would give to God. With Heart Beatings coming out, I’ll be planning dates for 2013 at some point, but it’s all about priorities. I don’t quit. Neither should you!

Jim:  How about one basic bit of advice for our readers?

Eddie:  Find what works for you. Most writers seem to say “write every day.” That doesn’t work for me. Especially when you’re hitting 50 or 60 cities in a year. I need a break. I need rest. My body isn’t the strongest in the world. Besides, if you’re writing every day, when are you editing? Do I think you should do something every day? Yes. But let that something be Read, Write, Edit, research, Query, revise, go on interviews, book signings, publicize, blog, etc, etc, etc. Take this seriously. Treat it like a business or get a day job and enjoy this as the hobby it otherwise is. That choice is yours.

Also, do not listen to the doubters. I say this because the most powerfully negative comments will come from those you love and from those who love you the most. They mean well. But they do not understand. If writing is what you were born to do, dig your heels in and don’t let anyone deny you of your God-given purpose.

Jim:  Wow!  What an ending.  Thanks, Eddie, not only for visiting with me today, but also for the wonderful advice everyone can use – not just writers, everyone.  I love what you want people to take away from your talks:  No excuses.   I will remember that.

You can find information about Mourning Reign at:  http://amzn.to/WNwm27

And leave Eddie a comment if you have a moment.  Thanks.