On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Author Interview
What inspired you to write AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT?
The simple answer is my wife and daughter. During a long drive to Washington, D.C. for our son’s graduation, my wife and I started talking about some of the antics and funny stories our daughter’s miniature dachshund, Mauzzy, would get himself and her into. At some point, my wife says something like, “You need to write a book about an inquisitive college girl and her mischievous dog.” During the week we in D.C. with our daughter, who flew in for the graduation, the conversation invariably went back to this crazy idea of me writing a book. As my wife and daughter talked, they threw ideas all over the place, their excitement growing with each pitch. I mainly just sat and listened. It was quite entertaining. The rest of our stay in D.C. was filled with conversations on plot ideas, Mauzzyisms, and possible characters.
After driving back home, and as more and more ideas and stories from my wife and daughter POURED in, it dawned on me: I was really going to be writing a book for them. And I was okay with that thought because I was about to retire, so why not. It would keep me out of my wife’s hair. For all I know, with my retirement pending, she was planning ahead and suggested the idea of a book—to keep me out of her hair!
So, the short answer, my wife and daughter inspired me to write the book, and I wanted to write it—for them. And I couldn’t be happier for them. And Mauzzy. 😉
If you could sum the book up in one sentence, what would you say?
I think the closing sentence from MidWest Book Review’s own review sums it up best: “Readers who enjoy laugh-out-loud moments and the winning combination of a clumsy but effective amateur investigator who stumbles into unfamiliar territory will find Against My Better Judgment wonderfully entertaining, refreshingly different, and just the ticket for a lively read.”
What challenged you about writing this story?
The initial challenge was the genre. All the ideas I collected for writing my first book were for thrillers and murder mysteries, but I was writing this book for my daughter and wife and their circle of friends. They’re fun-loving with a hint of crazy. Okay—more than a hint. It had to be fun and lighthearted, but still have a mystery. And Mauzzy had to be integral in a subtle sort of way. I recognized if this was going to work, I needed to write in a style that was outside my comfort zone. But once I got started and channeled Sara, the main character, the story poured out of me, to the tune of a 105K first draft. That’s right, Sara can be rather verbose. In fact, her father likes to say, “Speechless is not in Sara’s well-used vocabulary.” And so, enter stage right, the second challenge. Editing the manuscript down to an eventual 68K words, without diluting the characters, plot and all the fun stuff in it.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
It might seem cliché to say it, but Sara, the main character. Although I must clarify, I relate to her independence and dogged determination. I most certainly do not relate to her clumsy physical awkwardness and penchant for talking. Incessantly. Sara is all about perseverance and believing in herself despite the odds, even when the easier course of action might be to “go along with the crowd.” Throughout my life I have always been very independent, always preferring to do everything for myself. I believe in setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals, even if it takes years or decades. Like getting published. Although Sara is not at the point in her development where she is into goal setting, but as she matures she will be and her fierce determination will drive her to achieving those goals.
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
A smile on their faces, laughter in their hearts, and the knowledge that being true to yourself and believing in your convictions will carry you a long way. Ultimately the story is about perseverance and self-belief.
What is something about you that is unique or we may not know?
I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for seven years, and my professional career spans over 35 countries, many of which are not the “garden spots” of the world. As a bonus factoid, I have bowled nine sanctioned 300 games and my high 3-game set is 826.
The simple answer is my wife and daughter. During a long drive to Washington, D.C. for our son’s graduation, my wife and I started talking about some of the antics and funny stories our daughter’s miniature dachshund, Mauzzy, would get himself and her into. At some point, my wife says something like, “You need to write a book about an inquisitive college girl and her mischievous dog.” During the week we in D.C. with our daughter, who flew in for the graduation, the conversation invariably went back to this crazy idea of me writing a book. As my wife and daughter talked, they threw ideas all over the place, their excitement growing with each pitch. I mainly just sat and listened. It was quite entertaining. The rest of our stay in D.C. was filled with conversations on plot ideas, Mauzzyisms, and possible characters.
After driving back home, and as more and more ideas and stories from my wife and daughter POURED in, it dawned on me: I was really going to be writing a book for them. And I was okay with that thought because I was about to retire, so why not. It would keep me out of my wife’s hair. For all I know, with my retirement pending, she was planning ahead and suggested the idea of a book—to keep me out of her hair!
So, the short answer, my wife and daughter inspired me to write the book, and I wanted to write it—for them. And I couldn’t be happier for them. And Mauzzy. 😉
If you could sum the book up in one sentence, what would you say?
I think the closing sentence from MidWest Book Review’s own review sums it up best: “Readers who enjoy laugh-out-loud moments and the winning combination of a clumsy but effective amateur investigator who stumbles into unfamiliar territory will find Against My Better Judgment wonderfully entertaining, refreshingly different, and just the ticket for a lively read.”
What challenged you about writing this story?
The initial challenge was the genre. All the ideas I collected for writing my first book were for thrillers and murder mysteries, but I was writing this book for my daughter and wife and their circle of friends. They’re fun-loving with a hint of crazy. Okay—more than a hint. It had to be fun and lighthearted, but still have a mystery. And Mauzzy had to be integral in a subtle sort of way. I recognized if this was going to work, I needed to write in a style that was outside my comfort zone. But once I got started and channeled Sara, the main character, the story poured out of me, to the tune of a 105K first draft. That’s right, Sara can be rather verbose. In fact, her father likes to say, “Speechless is not in Sara’s well-used vocabulary.” And so, enter stage right, the second challenge. Editing the manuscript down to an eventual 68K words, without diluting the characters, plot and all the fun stuff in it.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
It might seem cliché to say it, but Sara, the main character. Although I must clarify, I relate to her independence and dogged determination. I most certainly do not relate to her clumsy physical awkwardness and penchant for talking. Incessantly. Sara is all about perseverance and believing in herself despite the odds, even when the easier course of action might be to “go along with the crowd.” Throughout my life I have always been very independent, always preferring to do everything for myself. I believe in setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals, even if it takes years or decades. Like getting published. Although Sara is not at the point in her development where she is into goal setting, but as she matures she will be and her fierce determination will drive her to achieving those goals.
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
A smile on their faces, laughter in their hearts, and the knowledge that being true to yourself and believing in your convictions will carry you a long way. Ultimately the story is about perseverance and self-belief.
What is something about you that is unique or we may not know?
I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for seven years, and my professional career spans over 35 countries, many of which are not the “garden spots” of the world. As a bonus factoid, I have bowled nine sanctioned 300 games and my high 3-game set is 826.
Against My Better Judgment
(Mauzzy and Me Mystery, #1)
By B.T. Polcari
New Adult Contemporary Mystery, Romantic Comedy
Paperback & ebook, 298 Pages
September 16th 2020 by The Wild Rose Press
When freshman year at the University of Alabama draws to a close, Sara Donovan finds herself grappling with the same old question—listen to her head or follow her heart. What she ends up doing is purchasing an Egyptian souvenir funerary mask, and after a mysterious phone call, she's certain a ring of antiquities smugglers are operating in Tuscaloosa.
With finals never far from her mind and her return to 'Bama hanging in the balance, she should be studying. Instead she launches her own investigation to prove her mask is indeed a stolen artifact, and not a cheap trinket. When it comes time to snoop, Sara is more than ready, or at least she was until a hot new teaching assistant moves in next door.
Suddenly she learns things are never as they seem. Ever.
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About the Author
Ever wonder what retired business executives do after they have put in years of effort for society and decide it is time to hang up their hat? Perhaps strolling along the country club’s fairway, or lounging on a 50-foot yacht?
Alas, B. T. Polcari is unlike your typical retired executive. Empty nester and Scarlett Knights alum, Polcari is still learning the meaning of “retired” while feverishly typing away on the next new book idea, smashing the fuzz off the little green tennis ball, or blasting bowling pins for a perfect game. Yes there is a boat, but not one that comes with its own crew; this retiree prefers to bustle along a serene lake in a quaint single seat Sunfish sailboat.
Perhaps the only time BTP can be found in a quiet moment is while enjoying the morning company of two family dachshunds over a newspaper and cup of coffee. B. T. Polcari currently resides in Chattanooga, TN and is thrilled to be fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a published author.
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a print copy of The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Open to US and internationally to those who receive free shipping through the Book Depository
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