Q&A with Trey Stone

Welcome Trey! Thanks for taking some time to talk about writing. First, a few quick-fire questions: What is your least favorite sport? Which actor would you love to cast as the main character of your current work in progress? And what is your go-to beverage on a hot day?

Thank you for having me, Joshua! My least favorite sport (of the ones I’ve tried myself) has to be curling. I tried it once for a horrible team building event with some colleagues and it’s even more boring than it looks. But at least you don’t build up much of a sweat.

I think James McAvoy would be an excellent Jordan Greer. McAvoy has done so many awesome roles and he’s so diverse. Love that guy.

I’m going to be boring for this last one and say water. I’m in the middle of turning my whole life around and getting into shape, and weirdly enough I’ve become very aware of how essential water is. Most people don’t drink enough of the stuff.

I think James McAvoy would be an excellent Jordan Greer.
McAvoy has done so many awesome roles and he’s so diverse.

You have managed not only to balance work and home life, but also produce a steady stream of online content both on your social media platforms and on your website. Do you have any advice for newer authors who feel like they don’t have enough time to maintain an online presence against the demands of writing and of life in general?

That’s very nice of you to say, and my advice would be to not worry about trying to do everything at once. I love hanging out on Twitter and my website, but at the same time, Instagram is a completely different beast, and Facebook is difficult. There are many things to try and stay on top of when it comes to being engaging and doing marketing, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Focus on one thing at a time, and most importantly: write.

Focus on one thing at a time, and most importantly: write.

On your author website you host insightful reviews of books released by both traditionally published and indie authors. How do you feel the review process has affected you as a writer? Does it change your perspective on writing or make you more aware of what it takes to write a great story?

I started doing reviews because I figured, ‘hey, I’m reading all of these books anyway’, but also because I wanted to give back to the community I was becoming a part of (that’s the #WritingCommunity on Twitter). It definitely gives me lots of great inspiration, and it’s very motivating to read all these amazing stories. The best ones are those that make me almost a bit envious because they’re just so magnificent.

It’s easy to get stuck in a headspace where you think got to do what everyone else is doing, but reading indie books have shown me that everyone has a unique style and voice.

One thing I’ve learned from reading all these books, perhaps particularly the indie books, is that there are many ways to write great stories. Sometimes it’s about the words, sometimes it’s about the characters or the plot, and you don’t necessarily have to do it all. It’s easy to get stuck in a headspace where you think got to do what everyone else is doing, but reading indie books have shown me that everyone has a unique style and voice.

 Also: reviews are important! If you find the time to write them and leave some stars online, you’re definitely making someone’s day better, whether you liked the book or not, as long as you’re honest.

Given the recent surge in popularity for crime-based entertainment, including big Netflix releases like The Bundy Tapes and smash-hit podcasts like Serial, I think it’s fair to say that now is a good time to get into crime (writing). Your novel The Consequence of Loyalty is a quick-paced crime thriller that follows Agent Greer through a chilling case of an FBI agent-turned-killer. Did you draw heavily on real-life cases in writing the book or is most of the content purely imaginative fiction?

I’ve always loved crime shows and books, and true crime documentaries, because it’s so much more horrible when it’s just people, you know? The fact that it’s simply the dark side of humanity that’s responsible makes it so much more chilling. Though I’m influenced by real cases and people, my book is entirely fictional. But you’re giving me some great ideas for future books now…

The fact that it’s simply the dark side of humanity
that’s responsible makes it so much more chilling.

What draws you to write about criminals and cold-blooded cases? Is it about the action and excitement or is it more about commenting on the dark side of human nature?

I’d say I’m less about the action and more about the excitement, if that makes any sense, and it’s definitely the dark side of human nature that fascinates me.

The plot for The Consequence of Loyalty came to when I was back home on my dad’s farm, tending his pigs. I asked myself how a crime story would play out if instead of wondering who committed a crime, the question was why? The Consequence of Loyalty is exactly this, because we know who the bad guy is from the beginning, we just don’t know why. I love delving into the human mind like that, shining a light on those dark corners in the back.

I asked myself how a crime story would play out if instead of
wondering who committed a crime, the question was why?

Not only did you successfully publish The Consequence of Loyalty independently but you have accumulated a host of good reviews for your debut novel. Do you have any sage advice for authors who are preparing to self-publish in the crime or thriller genres? Any pitfalls to avoid or expert tips for first-timers?

Take your time. If I could go back and do it again I’d hold back on pressing that publish button so quickly. There were a couple of things I had to go back to fix after the fact, and I learned a valuable lesson.

I’m taking my sweet time with book two now,  which is nearly ready for the press, and I’ve written early drafts for several other projects while I’m waiting for beta readers and editors. At some point, yeah, you have to just go for it, but don’t rush yourself.

Take your time. If I could go back and do it again
I’d hold back on pressing that publish button so quickly.

The Consequence of Loyalty is the first book in The Columbus Archives. Can you give us any hints as to Agent Greer’s future operatives or what we can look forward to in the next installment of the series?

I’ve planned three books in the series. Number 2 and 3 are both written and book 2 is coming soon. Though they’re a series, they function well as stand-alones, and you’re not going to miss something if you read just one out of them, but there’s obviously going to be things that cross over through the series, particularly with Greer’s life and his career in the FBI. In the second book, another one of Greer’s friends are in trouble, and all I’ll tell you is that he’ll do everything he can to save them. Everything.

Where can readers find your books and how can they stay up to date on your current releases?

You can find my books on Amazon! Both as ebooks and paperbacks, and I’ll be producing audiobooks soon as well. You can keep up with me on Twitter or on my website where you can sign up for my newsletter. When you do, you’ll be the first to know about new releases, Advanced Reader Copies, special offers, and free books!

About my writing space: I don’t need much really, and these days I don’t even have a desk. I moved for work recently, and I was going to get one after I moved in, but it just never happened. I’m happy to sit in this old leather chair, with my laptop on my lap and just type away.