LexiCon's Spotlight Author, Bill Wetterman

First off, I want to thank you, Bill. It’s great that you took the 

time from your busy schedule to talk to me.

    

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio. My mother was first-generation Slovak and my father was of English-German descent. We lived in an old multi-ethnic neighborhood on Cleveland’s Westside. After college and a career move in Ohio, I relocated the family to Tulsa, Oklahoma. We’ve lived here 34 years and consider Oklahoma home.

My wife, Pam, and I have been married forty-seven years. We have two grown boys and are more in love as each day passes. Both of us are retired business professions and authors. We critique each other’s work and are still married. Lol. I write dark thrillers with anti-heroines and themes straight out of the news.

When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always loved thrillers, and I wrote poems and pieces for the Ohio University press. Then life interrupted with marriage, kids, bills, and career moves. My grandparents came to America so their grandchildren could pursue the American dream, and the American dream added up to dollars and cents.

As I approached retirement, I’d accomplished the American dream. So I launched my writing career. I studied with Cecil Murphy and William Bernhardt, joined critique groups, entered contests, and wrote every day. Room 1515 won the OWFI Mystery, Suspense, Thriller Competition in 2011, and the same year I place 8^th in the genre short story competition held by Writer’s Digest.

What inspires you to write and why?

In 2006, I looked toward the future and decided to plan for a different career. As Pam and I watched television, or enjoyed a movie, I’d whisper to her, “Watch and see. Here’s what going to happen next.” Then I’d say, “I could do better than that.” Doing better takes time. I’ve studied the craft since 2006, and I learn more every day.

Why did you choose to write this particular book?

I was inspired by Harry Wilson’s War, a true story about a congressman who arms the Afghans to fight the Russians. The book opens with lobbyist and the congressman in a pool being entertained by female escorts. This is the setting of Room 1515. I love politics. I love international intrigue. Ever read novels were the bad guys have no redeeming character and the good guys are Dudley Do-Rights. The real world is not this way. The more conflicted people and events are the better your novel will be. I mentioned the anti-heroine earlier. To put a true protagonist, loyal, honest, loves dogs, into Room 1515, would be sinful. I want an anti-heroine, a flawed woman pursing the enemies of her country, until she questions the tactics of her own government. I don’t want an evil antagonist either. Instead of Doctor No, I want to be unique. Create a sympathetic character with a noble purpose, likeable with being ruthless. Unique, complex characters hold readers interests. 

How did you come up with the title?

Room 1515 is a suite in the Emerald hotel, a hotel built by Homeland Security to monitor the activities of congressmen, lobbyist, and their guests. Peacock, the anti-heroine, runs the female escort service for Homeland security in Room 1515. She can woo you or kill you. The government tells her which.

Have you started another book yet?

The sequel to Room 1515, Global Conquest, is in final draft. Another novel, a psycho-thriller, is going to press as of this writing. The Fifth Step is about an out of control pornography addict. A prominent preacher’s addiction threatens to destroy his reputation, his ministry, and his wife’s life. The Fifth Step comes from the 12-Step Program, Step 5: Admitted to God, ourselves, and another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I speak to writer’s groups and do Internet radio and television interviews. I’m active in my church. I’ve taught Sunday school there for 20 years. I’m treasurer of the Tulsa Nightwriters. I’m an active blogger when I doubt have deadlines. I design my own book trailers, and I work with my wife on her novels. Oh yes, I read. Tom Clancy and Stieg Larrson are two of my favorite authors. 

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I will have over ten books published. I will hit the New York Times Best Sellers List. I’ll be invited to be the Keynote Speaker at major writer’s conferences. I have no plans to slow down or to retire. You see, first you have to have a great book. Then you have to market, market, market.

How and where can we purchase your book?

Go to my website, www.bwetterman.wordpress.com. On the right side bar is a Buy Now section. Select Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Sony Reader, your choice. Room 1515 is available in both paperback and E-book.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. 

It was great having you, Bill.