Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Hello, I am Clifton Don Nixon A fifth generation Texan and confessed liar by way of authoring crime fiction mystery novels. More info at cliftonnixon.com
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Try Dying”?
A2. The key writing challenge for me was taking the time to write. I solved that problem by joining classes at SMU Fiction Tract (Southern Methodist University ) and subsequently a Writers Group for 12 years just to keep writing. That got the “writing muscle” developed for me.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. You must first be a reader to become a good writer. I was initially influenced by English to American writers–Shakespeare to Poe. More recently, I continue to read Michael Connelley, James Lee Burke, Robert Crais, and Nelson DeMille as my major influencers, and currently, Nick Petrie and Harry Dolan.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. Of course, I am partial to Texas. There is such a variety from beaches(Padre Island) to mountains ( Marfa), plains(West Texas) to canyons (Palo Duro), grasslands (North Texas) to forests (East Texas), and the old west Fort Worth) to gleaming cities (Houston). However, my favorite spot, outside of Texas, is Carmel-by-the-sea. A great American writer blessed it with the title of “the greatest ever meeting of land and sea.” I agree
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Two Times Dead’?
A5. If you will release me from these handcuffs and remove that hot light from my face, I will confess that “TWO TIMES DEAD” is autobiographical. Yeah, closer to True Crime than mere Fiction.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Try Dying’?
A6. Writing “TRY DYING” took a decade. That was my SMU writing project that I labored into a published novel, finally.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. My books are not widely available. Amazon was my only refuge, except maybe Goodreads or Book Sirens.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Two Times Dead’?
A8. The cover for “TWO TIMES DEAD” was totally a desperate compromise. My contacts with book cover designers became a major “failure to communicate.” I sent them pics of downtown Houston skylines in the 70’s, bridges, too. Got back renderings nothing like that. Picture a scenic old concrete bridge over a bayou with 70’s city skyline background on a dark night with one man following another. What I got was Clip Art. As for the book title name, read the book and you will see it fits.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I keep stories fresh with different characters and/or locations. That’s possible even though readers are liking continuing their favorite characters. Although both “TRY DYING” and “TWO TIMES DEAD” take place in Houston, my next book is in and around the Mexican pyramids with an uncompromising archaeologist battling Mexican Cartels.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. The best writing advice I ever got was to just keep writing—never stop.
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