Hello. I am author, Rebecca Scarberry—Scarberryfields on Twitter. Thank you for visiting my blog today. I have interviewed author, Dixon Rice. You’re going to love his humor!

 

Scarberryfields: Can you tell us a little about your nationality?

Dixon Rice:  My mother’s ancestors (the Shannons) were Protestant Irish (Orangemen is the term, I think). My father came from a mixture of half Irish along with some English and Scottish.  So I’m about three-quarters Mick, which helps explain the red hair and lousy complexion.  The Irish are said to be prolific storytellers and terrible drunks. I’ve been white-knuckle sober for over 20 years, but haven’t been able to conquer my addiction to writing.

Scarberryfields: When you finished your debut novel, did you miss the characters?

Dixon Rice:  Um, without giving away too much of the plot, quite a few of the characters didn’t make it through to the end. However, I grew fond of some characters – both major and minor – and there seems to be interest in a sequel, so it appears THE ASSASSINS CLUB will continue to expand its membership.

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation, grammar, etc., where do you turn?

Dixon Rice:  About ten years ago, fellow novelist Jake How and I looked around northwest Montana for a critique group with some open spots, and couldn’t find one.  Of course, it might have been that bad breath and dandruff thing.  Anyway, we decided to start our own.  The group has been tremendous at unearthing grammar, spelling and plot problems.  Jake was recently honored with first place in the PNWA historical fiction category, and I’m on my way to inflicting my second novel on an unwary world.

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them?

Dixon Rice:  I’m fortunate to have great support from my wife, Mitzi.  She seems to believe I’ll eventually make money off my affliction, and buy her a new stove.  My four, mostly-grown kids (Baby Boy is a senior in college)  have been wonderful, except when I ask their opinion on a chapter containing a sex scene.  Then, the unanimous reaction is “Ewww, Dad!”

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how?

Dixon Rice:  I find writing very rewarding, both mentally and emotionally.  Financially – not so much.  Yet.

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks?

Dixon Rice:  Never turn them on while writing.  I spend about an hour on email and social networks in the morning, and another hour in the evening.  My computer doesn’t beep when I get a message, and I don’t own a smart phone.  I am hopelessly old-fashioned.

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel?

Dixon Rice:  No.  My wife’s main interests lie in historical and women’s fiction, whereas my protagonist either kills or has sex with somebody in every chapter (sometimes both).  As for my children, see “Ewww” above.

Scarberryfields: Do you feel social networking as a marketing tool, is beneficial?

Dixon Rice:  I’ve got nearly 5,000 Facebook friends, a couple thousand on Goodreads, and *mumble* on Twitter.  (Facebook link is http://tinyurl.com/7atd5g2  and look for @MTDixonRice on Twitter.)   Most are writers or other publishing professionals.  I wouldn’t  trade their support and suggestions for anything, but those numbers haven’t translated into lots of paid sales.  If there is a method for finding numerous readers online, it has escaped me so far.

Scarberryfields: What is the last book called that you completed and published?

Dixon Rice:  Since the economy went into the toilet a few years back, it’s been pretty hard to get published by the Big Six unless you’re already a successful author, or your name happens to rhyme with “mopra.”  I got close to a contract a few times, and gathered a nice collection of “positive rejections,” but ended up self-publishing my thriller, THE ASSASSINS CLUB, last Christmas.  I’ve been selling roughly one copy per day.  That’s not anything to make John Grisham break into a nervous sweat, but I’m pretty thrilled to get my characters out of my head and out into the world.

Scarberryfields: Where can readers go to find your books?

Dixon Rice:  It’s an e-book on Kindle at the moment, but I’m exploring a CreateSpace trade paperback version as well.  I’m the only “Dixon Rice” on amazon.com and I recently received a nice check from amazon.uk so I shouldn’t be too hard to find anywhere within the Amazon Evil Empire.  The amazon.com link for THE ASSASSINS CLUB is http://tinyurl.com/7fav44l

Scarberryfields:  You’re a blogger as well, right? 

Dixon Rice:  That’s right, Becky.  My Wredheaded Writer blog aims for a posting every day of the week, but life sometimes intrudes.  I often host a “Tip O’Day” from guest authors on the craft of writing or how to get published.  Other days there are quirky literary quotations.  Every once in a while, I throw in an original thought of my own. 

The Wredheaded Writer blog has had the pleasure of guest posts from the talented Rebecca Scarberry on two or three occasions, and I look forward to more.  The link to my blog is  http://wredhead.blogspot.com/

Scarberryfields: Thank you so much for taking time out from your busy schedule to answer my questions. I have enjoyed your humor, love your blog, and hope to read your books one day---you know, after I finish reading those I promised to read eight months ago.