Outskirts Press author, Gary Turcotte, is taking his latest book, MonsterHeart, on tour – a virtual tour, that is. He will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead so keep your eyes peeled to learn more about him and his book.
Luckily for us, Gary was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of MonsterHeart.
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OP: When did you start writing?
GT: Although I’ve published 11 books since 2008, I really don’t consider myself a writer. I didn’t set out to publish any. I don’t know where the stories come from…
OP: Tell us a little bit about MonsterHeart. What is it about?
GT: A High School football star turns to drugs to enhance his game. He experiments with steroids and other mind altering drugs. He’s involved in heinous crimes that he has trouble remembering. Pimples, cyst, cuts and dark circles under his eyes make him look like the monster that the drugs had created. Francis is 6’5” and weighs 255lbs——–his kind personality is gone. Drugs have transformed him into Frank N. Stein. He breaks into his neighbor’s houses late at night to support his habit. All is lost to his love affair with drugs.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
GT: I wanted to put a modern twist on a classic monster.
OP: Wow! That’s pretty interesting! The original Frankenstein was an amazing story. Why the twist?
GT: I used the iconic Frankenstein to attract readers, (every writer wants to be read) I used a play on words and my character was Frank N. Stein. A modern day monster—— the monster is really drug addiction, and happening to a super sized athlete with stars in his eyes. I didn’t want to write a remake, or take away from the Frankenstein of yesterday. I just wanted to use similarities of the two, and trust me when I say that Francis Norman Stein is truly a monster and not a let down to anyone expecting to read a monster story.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
GT: Anyone who would enjoy a monster story that’s close to true story, also anyone who has teens that are tempted by prescription drugs.
OP: What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
GT: This story is happening around the world——the main character may not have a monster’s name but may live a similar life. The monster may be hiding in the medicine cabinet.
OP: Every story has a moral. What do you want readers to take away from MonsterHeart?
GT: The message in MONSTERHEART ——-Even the mighty can fall. Those thought to have it all fall prey to drugs and bad influence. Francis’ choices affected everyone—–his mother,father, friends and neighbors.
OP: Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?
GT: I have published 11 novels; my 12th will be available Jan 2011. I write as a hobby and genres range from, Fiction, Humor, Mystic/Fortune teller, Sci-Fi, Family, Thriller/Murder, Crime, and Monster.
OP: Thanks for your time, Gary! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gary Turcotte was inspired as a sophomore in High School by an English teacher who would assign the class a task of writing either short stories or poems. Turcotte had an active imagination. He thought everyone had the same, but his teacher would read his stories not only to his class, but to all the classes. When he graduated she wished him well and said she couldn’t wait to read his books when he would get published. Since then he carried his books in his mind, never getting them on paper. He was busy with a family and a construction business.
Finally his daughter got her license and he had some free time to write five manuscripts over the seven years. He has now written and published nearly a dozen books.
For more information or to contact the author, visit www.outskirtspress.com/monsterheart.
This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking the book on the “virtual road”. Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.
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