Inspiration Station

Introducing Shadows Kill by Bill Holland

4/25/2015

marcoujor

After I participated in the Interview challenge: "The Next Best Thing" started by my friend and colleague Lois W. Stern, I decided to reach out to some of my friends who had recently written/ were in the final stages of writing their own book.

I was thrilled when Bill Holland, also known as billybuc to his loyal readers, was the first to answer my call.

If you haven't checked out Bill's writing yet, you really should. From fiction to fact, to everything in between, Bill is a wordsmith and makes it his business to share whatever he knows with anyone who cares enough to ask.

I, for one, am sending this interview far and wide. I want this man to find a publisher! Hope you enjoy enough to share with your friends too.

Bill Holland - Author of Shadows Kill

Maria: What is the title of your book?

Bill: The title is “Shadows Kill.”

Maria: Where did the idea come from for this book?

Bill: Oh my! As usual, this book took a roundabout route to completion. I wanted to create a character like Lee Child’s Jack Reacher in his series of suspense/thrillers, so this book idea started with my main character, Eli Baker. Once I wrote his mini-biography and had the character I could live with, then I wrote a story around him.

It was going to be a simple mystery and I was actually 10,000 words into it when I changed my mind. I wanted to add some paranormal to it. I also wanted a psychopath in it like Hannibal Lecter, so I threw away the first 10,000 words and started the story over incorporating those key elements. What I ended up with was a story about a vigilante who is suddenly targeted by a psychopath who is killing off the women in Baker’s life. Baker must unravel a deep, dark family secret before everyone he loves is killed.

Maria: What genre does your book fall under?

Bill:This is a suspense/thriller. It started out as a mystery but the mystery was solved halfway through the book, so I decided it didn’t fit in that genre.

Maria: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Bill: What a great question. This one took me a little thought.

Eli Baker, the main character, would be played by Matt Damon
Liz Myers would be played by Evan Rachel Wood
Lyle Peterson would be played by Tom Selleck
Father Walker would be played by Bradley Cooper
Jeremy Bancroft, the scary antagonist, would be played by Jake Gyllenhaal

Maria: What is a one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Bill: “Death Wish” meets “Silence of the Lambs.” They date, have a child, and that child is “Shadows Kill.”

Maria: Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

Bill: I don’t have any plans to self-publish this book, Maria. As I told you earlier, my dream has always been to be published by a traditional publisher and this is the book that is going to accomplish that for me. That’s how confident I am in this book. Now, of course, I may be wrong. If I don’t find an agent or publisher within one year you just might see this on Amazon as an ebook, but not a minute before then. The time for me to make my dream a reality is now.

Maria: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Bill: The first draft took five months. From start to finish, including all the edits and rewrites, took eight months.

Maria: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Bill: This is actually written in the style of James Lee Burke. There is much reflection, philosophy and psychological drama in this novel.

Maria: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Bill: I would have to say all of the fine mystery writers who came before me inspired me. I’ve read mysteries seemingly forever, starting with the Travis McGee novels written by John D. MacDonald many years ago.

Maria: What's next? Working on any new books / ideas you can share with us...?

Bill: This is the first in what I hope will be a long series. I have started the second in the series and the working title for this new one is “Shadows Over Innocence.” All of the books in the series will have “Shadows” in the title.

Thanks, Bill. This was awesome - and so are you, dear friend.

Until next time, keep reading good books!

Hugs, mar

22 Comments

Bill

4/25/2015 04:02:21 am

Maria, you are a sweetheart. Thank you so much for posting this interview. I am honored and humbled. I hope, one day, this book will be published so that everyone can enjoy the characters as much as I do. :)

Blessings and love, dear friend

bill

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:25:06 am

Good morning, Bill,

I hope that very soon I can add an addendum to this interview about the publishing of your book - wishing you the best, as you are THE BEST...!

Love to you and thanks for this amazing interview, Maria

Mike

4/25/2015 04:11:58 am

Great interview mar and with one of the stars of Hubpages. Bill's writing has garnered wonderful reviews. That he sets his goals so high is a lesson for the rest of us. Traditional publishing is going through a tough transitional period so he is sailing off into very rough seas.

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:27:09 am

Thanks for stopping by with your kind and insightful remarks, Mike - speaking of one of the stars of Hubpages...hmmmmm.

Paula link

4/25/2015 05:20:11 am

Once again our own resident Barbara Walters turns out a great interview.
I enjoyed every word of this except for the news that IT MAY BE A YEAR BEFORE WE WILL HAVE BILL'S NEXT BOOK IN OUR HANDS!!
That's a very long time to be chomping at the bit! Well I guess that gives me time to find the best deal on comfortable camper. Once this book is out, I'll be living parked outside the theater, waiting for the Movie to open!
Billbro.....If it appears to you that someone has broken into your writing studio and left the place a mess, I just want you to know, it wasn't ME!........Love to both of you....Paula

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:31:53 am

Yup, it's official...Mr. Holland has his first groupie (who sounds just a weeeeeeee bit like a stalker, just sayin'...LOL)

All I know is 'she' writes a heck of a review so this book needs to find a publisher...STAT...!

Oh, have I told you how much I LOVE when you refer to me as 'Barbara Walters'...(just like Momma used to...you sweet, silly thing??) Love you Miss Paula... :))

Shauna link

4/25/2015 05:54:08 am

Mar, what a great interview. If you ever leave teaching, you really need to seriously consider taking Baba Wawa's place. I hear there's an opening! LOL

As you know, Bill is one of my favorite people on this Earth. I follow him like a stalker and have read both of his published-to-date novels. I look forward to this one and am excited that he's going the traditional publishing route. You've got it in you, Bill!

Bill, you've teased us with the names of your characters. I'm only familiar with two of the stars you mention: Matt Damon and Tom Selleck. I may know the others by sight.

Bill, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but Mar and readers, I'm honored to play a bit part in Bill's novel. He held a contest a while back, the prize of which was having a character in Shadows Kill named after the winner. Guess who that was?

Bill, I know you're going to get snatched up by an agent even if your fans have to knock down the door and hogtie him/her!

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:38:53 am

Oh SNAP, Sha...

Now I am seeing you 'acknowledge' that 'I follow him like a stalker'...LOL.

I am initiating a 'Stalkers NOT SO ANONYMOUS Group' that will be meeting in the Weebly Lounge later this afternoon...snacks and drinks will be provided...yada yada...

Looks like the agenda will be how to 'hogtie an agent'... with a 'character' like Shauna, it should be a KILLER meeting...LOL!

Paula

4/25/2015 06:19:28 am

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:40:30 am

Paula, Are you stalking this comment section? (LOL)

Martie link

4/25/2015 09:20:37 am

Maria, this virtual interview with Bill, like all your interviews, is just one great delight.

Bill Holland aka billybuc is an inspiration to all of us. He is a role model par excellence. I hope with all my heart his dreams come true rather sooner than later.

'Shadows Kill' by Bill Holland sounds like a hit.

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:42:09 am

Thanks, Martie...I appreciate these kind words and I'm sure Bill does as well. Love and hugs, mar

suzettenaples

4/25/2015 10:05:23 am

Really nice interview of billybuc! I wish him the best in getting published. The book sounds fascinating.

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:43:12 am

Thanks so much, Suzette - great to see you here today!

Genna East

4/25/2015 10:31:12 am

Bill Holland is one of the finest writers on Hubpages, as well as a friend and inspiration to many. I was delighted to see this interview as I have long thought that Bill’s writing is Pulitzer quality. His suspense/thriller promises to be a best seller in all the right ways. My advice to the appropriate agents in this genre (and others): Wake up, and smell the proverbial coffee! Thank you, Maria, for this thoughtful, gracious interview. And kudos and best of success to our own billybuc. :-)

Maria link

4/26/2015 02:47:42 am

Dear Genna,

You are such a fine writer in your own right and I know that your words mean a great deal to Bill, as they do to me. From your "mouth / pen" to an agent's ears...truly and quickly...!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Love and hugs, Maria

Gail Sobotkin

4/26/2015 03:08:19 am

Dear Maria & Bill,
Thanks for sharing this behind the scenes introduction to "Shadows Kill," which sounds like a thrilling mystery. I know that in Bill's capable hands, the main characters will be so real we'll be easily drawn into the paranormal aspects of the book and will deeply care about what happens to Eli and his loved ones.
I'm an avid fan of Bill's and hope the perfect publisher for "Shadows Kill" is found sooner, rather than later, because this sounds like a great read.
One thing I know for sure---Bill has the talent, persistence and determination to follow through on his dreams and make them happen.
Sending Blessings, Love & Hugs to Both of You,
Gail

Bill

4/26/2015 04:01:40 am

I am a blessed man to have friends like all of you. Thank you for the very, very kind words. I am speechless this Sunday morning.

Love to you all!

bill

Mary link

4/26/2015 04:25:46 am

I may be late to this party but you can be sure I won't be quiet! What an inspiration Bill has been to all of us and his success and millionaire status is just a matter of time. Great writers start out slow but when they take off, watch out. Time for us to step back and watch Bill rise to the top!
Where is the Weebly Lounge anyway ;)

femmeflashpoint link

4/27/2015 04:59:21 am

Mar,

Congratulations on another great interview and feature on Inspiration Station and best wishes to Bill with his book!

femme

Vicki link

5/7/2015 03:01:58 am

Dear Maria and Bill,
This is a really interesting review, as I've always been fascinated to see what Bill, the prolific writer, will come up with next! I find his abilities in this to be extraordinary.
I really admire Bill's persistence, a model to us all, and I'm sure his book will garner a good audience, as it is always a popular genre, although not in my library. I get scared!
Great review, Maria, and best of luck with this endeavor, Bill!

Theresa

5/16/2015 09:48:40 am

Maria,

I stopped by this afternoon to see what I have missed on your wonderful site, and I see I have missed much, especially your wonderful interview here with Bill and his new novel! I have always loved mysteries/suspense/thrillers and to throw in a bit of paranormal ...how interesting!

I just know Bill will have much success with his latest endeavors here and continued series of "Shadows" ...I hope we will be invited to the premiere when his novel is made into a blockbuster hit movie.

Guess, I better start now with getting in shape to fit into my little black dress : )

Peace and blessings always to you both,

Theresa