BooksChatter: ℚ The Tick Tock Man

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author R.M. Clark to talk about The Tick Tock Man (2 May 2017, Month9Books, LLC, 203 pages), a Middle Grade Fantasy.

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to R.M. Clark; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for The Tick Tock Man?

"I’ve always been fascinated by the inner workings of big clocks, so after I observed one that had stopped, I decided to build a world with them as the main components. I added a conflict and some interesting characters and The Tick Tock Man came to life."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Not much, other than the fact that, like the main character, CJ, I was also a dweeb-ish thirteen-year-old many years ago. This book is purely a figment of my imagination. I’ve put myself into some of my other books, but not this one."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for The Tick Tock Man - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Thank you! The cover was designed by Danielle Doolittle and she did an incredible job. I can’t much credit for the concept or the design, so I’ll give it all to Danielle. I will say that I loved it the first time I saw it, with the spooky eyes and the various clock parts. It’s wonderful."

Why should we read The Tick Tock Man and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I don’t know of too many other books that take place in a world of big clocks with clock part characters, gear-headed bad guys and swinging pendulum walls. It’s a unique blend of real world and clock world conflict as CJ and others try to figure out why all the clocks in town have stopped."

Can you tell us something quirky about The Tick Tock Man, its story and characters?

"I’m particularly fond of the quirky main female character, Fuzee. She’s human, but has taken on clock part characteristics over the years. She knows her way around the clock world and can hold her own with anyone.

She appears to have a “thing” for CJ, the main character (though she would never admit it). She and CJ manage to work out their many differences along the way and eventually work well together. There’s even a big plot twist at the end concerning Fuzee that will surprise many readers."

Who would you recommend The Tick Tock Man to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"This is a middle grade book and readers from third grade and up can enjoy it. Adults, too! If anyone has read my previous works, they’ll be in for a pleasant surprise with this one."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I typically write middle grade mysteries. In fact, my first five publications have been mysteries (one adult, the rest middle grade). I branched out slightly with The Tick Tock Man, which is in the speculative fiction realm. It’s more of a fantasy wrapped around a mystery.

I also completed a refugee adventure book, about a young Vietnamese boy who escapes from his home country as one of the “boat people” and survives an arduous journey to Indonesia and several months in refugee camps before coming to America.

I’ve also completed two books in a series about a young magician who uses magic and his ability to communicate with the dead to solve mysteries."

What is your writing process?

"I write mostly at night, on a wooden stool in my kitchen. I try to get something writing-related done every day, whether it’s churning out words, editing or answering interview questions.

I don’t listen to music or drink anything but water. It’s just me and the dog."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?