Interview with Stephen Tremp, Author of the Suspense Thriller, BREAKTHROUGH

Interview with Stephen Tremp, Author of the Suspense Thriller, Breakthrough Blogs.

I’ve invited author, Stephen Tremp to answer a few questions about his new thriller, Breakthrough.

Linda: Hi Stephen. Your suspense thrillers sound fascinating. Tell us a little about the Breakthrough trilogy and what motivated you to write the stories.

Stephen: Breakthrough, Opening, and Escalation are basically a “What If …” scenario. I have taken this premise and developed a trilogy that incorporates mainstream and proposed theories of physics. This includes Einstein-Rosen Bridges, or wormholes as they are commonly known. Wormholes are only the beginning and open a Pandora’s box of breakthrough discoveries that threaten our world as we know it.

Conflict drives a story. I introduce conflict based on breakthroughs mankind may be on the cusp of discovering but not yet ready for. The discovering party wants to use these breakthroughs for the advancement of mankind. However, greed rears its ugly head, and a group of misguided zealots steal the breakthrough and use it to kill important global figures. The protagonist, Chase Manhattan, understands he needs to stop more murders and destroy the breakthrough before he himself is killed. The setting is M.I.T. in Cambridge, MA and Orange County, CA.

Linda: When did you first decide you would become a writer or at least dream about being a writer?

Stephen: Although I wrote a lot as a kid, art was my first love. I loved drawing and painting. It wasn't until shortly after high school I knew I wanted to be a writer.

Linda: While growing up what book or books inspired you?

Stephen: Mysteries, especially suspense thrillers. I remember my first book report was Mystery by Moonlight, a YA novel by Mary C. Jane. This stirred something inside me to write, but art was still my first love.

Linda: Who has inspired you most in life? And what books have influenced your life and world view?

Stephen: This would be a blog all its own. The Bible has inspired me. Think of all the crazy events that happened, or are prophesied to happen. What if they can be explained scientifically? Jacob’s Ladder, Jesus appearing in the center of a room after his resurrection, angels and demons appearing and disappearing at will, the events of the book of Revelation?

Linda: As most writers, I have read books on writing. Are there any you found helpful and would recommend to aspiring writers?

Stephen: Yes. I refer often to You Can Write A Great Mystery by Gillian Roberts . I even wrote a blog from her book called The Seven Cs of Writing.

Linda: Of the elements that go into a novel such as characterizations, dialogue, action scenes, plotting, sex scenes, and setting, among other things, which do you find easiest for you personally in your art of writing? In other words, what do you consider your strength to be?

Stephen: One of my strengths is research. I like to use Google and Google Earth a lot. I also research Web sites and articles from renowned people like physicists. If I’m using a Starbucks location in Cambridge MA (I live in Southern California), I need to be accurate down to the intersecting street names, if there’s a crosswalk in front of it, and if the sun is shining through the front windows at 11:00 a.m. I also visit the same establishments my characters frequent and eat the same meals and drink the same beer and wine they eat and drink in the story. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it.

Linda: The publishing industry is going through a change and currently there is a lot of controversy about ebooks and self-publishing. And many of us welcome that change. What made you decide to self-publish rather than go the traditional route?

Stephen: Believe me, I’m diligently searching for a New York publisher. And a reputable agent. Until then, I’ll do the best I can via self-publishing.

Linda: What is your favorite quote?

Stephen: "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein

Linda: Are you currently working on your next book and if so, what can we expect?

Stephen: Breakthrough is the first book in a trilogy. I currently have Opening and Escalation, the next two installments, over half finished. I’m excited to start working with my editor in a couple months.

Linda: Thanks for taking the time to share more about your book and I wish you much success with it and the ones to follow.

You can visit Stephen at Breakthrough Blogs. Breakthrough is available at Barnes and Noble and for download to Kindle and other eReaders .

~Linda