Marian P. Merritt - Lagniappe

Where the Bayous Meet the Mountains

Monday, January 25, 2016

Travis W. Inman - Shadows: One Choice A Future Makes

Good Monday Morning Readers!

Today, Travis W. Inman visits Lagniappe to discuss his latest release, Shadow: One Choice a Future Makes

Welcome, Travis!


Tell us a little about Shadows: One Choice a Future Makes
Shadows is a book about choices and their natural conclusions. Justin “Flip” Grey is an ordinary man who lives an ordinary life. His wife is normal, his kids are normal, and they have a family dog. One day, Justin goes to a business conference unaware that a man who is looking for an heir to his massive fortune is watching him. He knows Justin is considered to be a man of honor, but what will he do under pressure? The man arranges to test Justin by exploiting Justin’s vulnerability: He has wandering eyes. Enter Dahlia, the world’s most dangerous seductress. If Justin passes the test, untold wealth will be laid at his feet. If he fails, he will never be anything more than the man who cheated on his wife at a conference. What would you do?

We all say we would stay true to our spouse because we know that’s the correct answer. But, what would you do with the soft moonlight, an isolated sandy beach, and the most tempting woman you’ve ever seen suddenly attempts to seduce you? No one is watching. No one will ever know.

I allow Justin to make both choices. Via the miracle of story telling, I grant Justin the opportunity to experience BOTH choices and split the story into two realities. In the first reality, he is faithful, and the blessing that comes with that choice changes his life in ways he could never imagine. In the dark reality, Justin becomes “Flip” and chases his passions. Only they come with dire consequences, and his world begins to spiral. I follow both realities for a space of 10 years and examine the probable outcomes for both of his choices.

If you could be any character, from any book who would you be? Why?
Authors usually write what they know. In this story, I AM Justin. Well, I was. Sort of. Let me explain. Many years ago, I returned to college at the age of 25 in order to finish my degree. I’d been married for five years when a young co-ed attempted to wiggle her way into my life. I was flattered beyond belief. Nothing like that had ever happened, and I was intoxicated by the notion. But, the offer was made and I had a decision to make. Fortunately, my wife and I worked through the situation and I never became “Flip.” But it would have been easy. And I would have thrown my life away and traded it for something else. That incident stayed with me. Forever. I realized that if it happened to me, it has happened to everyone, and if that’s true, then there must be a story there.


Briefly describe one of your typical writing days?
Pardon my laugh! I have ADHD, so even hearing the icemaker kick on in my kitchen will distract me and cause my mind to chase butterflies. Even this question is distracting to me, because my mind is on fire to explain how this affects my writing. Imagine for a moment that you walk into a room and EVERY SINGLE ITEM in the room can talk. And they are all talking to you at the same time, and they are all fascinating. Even the doorknobs and windowsills have stories to tell, and I hear every blessed word they say. And all the while I’m trying my hardest to remember why I even went into that room in the first place. My wife is fully aware of my explanation for how ADHD affects me. I will hear her say the word, “Doorknob” and that is my reminder that my mind is drifting, and for me to bring it home. Sometimes, I feel like a man holding a rope, but I can’t remember if I found the rope, or lost the mule attached to it. And so I live with ADHD. I know, I know. So many people claim to have that affliction, but if you really have it, your life is both blessed and cursed. I’ve learned to deal with the curse and how to discipline my mind to focus. Sort of. But, the blessing part is incredible. My mind works differently, more imaginatively, and more creatively than most people’s minds. I see angles and situations that many would ignore, even if they saw it. And, what was your question….? Oh, yeah. Typical. Brief. Well, I guess I used a sledgehammer to kill a fly, didn’t I? But, I’m not going to edit my response, just so you do know what typical means for me.

If you weren't a writer, what would be another dream job?
I’m a Police Chaplain, and I deeply enjoy working with the men and women who stand between us and evil, and are often hated for it. I grew up on a ranch and I cowboyed for more than 20 years. But, if given the choice to be anything else, I would choose to own a greenhouse. I love plants and soil, and I love coaxing them to come alive. And I love squash and watermelons. And trees. Lots of trees! Oh, darn. DOORKNOB! See, I did it again. Welcome to my world…

What led you to choose the genre in which you write?
So, I started out publishing sweet Christian romance, but that was never the plan. Back in 2006, I had open heart surgery and I had 6 months of sitting down while I recovered. I’ve always wanted to write novels, so I wrote a Western, which is reasonable for me. But there was no market. So, I wrote an adventure story. Again, no market. I looked things over and concluded that love and romance were pretty much dominating the Christian market place, so I jumped in. Strangely, I found the right mix and published, When Love Called shortly thereafter. And know I’m trying hard to get out of romance, but not sure that will ever happen! Shadows is NOT romance, and my readers are anxious for me to finish telling the When Love Called story.


What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?
I hate promoting my own books. I really don’t enjoy trying to convince someone that my book is the only choice for them. Maybe I suffer from low self-esteem, but I feel like a burden to the prospective buyer when I try to hawk my own books. I’m a great storyteller, and I’m proud of my books, but I still feel great anxiety when trying to sell them. Sigh….

What can we expect from you in the future?
So, I just signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishing to finish the When Love Called stories, which will be marketed as the Glenfield Series. And those are in the editing phase, since I already wrote them and they will be coming soon. So, my next writing project will be a young adult sci-fi series that involves time travel, alternate realities, parallel universes, classing good vs. evil, and lots of adventure, complete with secret quests and unexpected twists….I know….Doorknobs! And, my current project is not even in publishing. I’m also a playwright, and we just started rehearsals for a one act play I wrote that will be staged in March. I’m a busy man!


LIGHTNING ROUND   

Biscuits or Dinner Roll? Biscuits, with lots of gravy.
C.S. Lewis or J.R.R Tolkien? Geez Louise. Ummm….Tolkien.
NCIS or CSI? NCIS
Y’all or You Guys? Y’all!
Artist: Monet or Van Gough Monet
Pride and Prejudice or Gone with the Wind? Pride and Preju…umm. How many can I answer?
Steel Magnolias or Fried Green Tomatoes? Fried Green Tomatoes.
Sweet Tea or Unsweetened Tea? Sweet! Hello?



Shadows: One Choice a Future Makes

Secret societies, dangerous passions, and untold millions await Justin “Flip” Grey when he arrives at a banking conference for a weekend seminar. Little does he know he is being auditioned for inclusion with The Lair, a group of businessmen who influence more than the economy. And they are going to test Justin. Enter Dahlia, the world’s most dangerous temptress, who has been assigned to seduce Justin. He must choose his future: his wife or his passions?

Travis W. Inman then allows Justin to make both decisions, and creates duel realities. In the first, Justin remains faithful. He and his family begin to change the world in ways they never dreamt possible.

In reality two, Justin become “Flip”, and choses the seductress. The consequences of his choice begin to spiral, descending into chaos. Evil begins to manifest in his life, and the disaster it brings is irreversible.

One choice a future makes.




Travis W. Inman grew up in the ranch country of West Texas and worked as a cowboy for his first 20 years.  Travis graduated from seminary in Dallas, Texas, and later served a year in the mission field in Mexico and South America.  He returned home and married Sarah, his wife and sweetheart of more than 20 years.  They have two teenagers whom they home school.
Over the years, Travis has applied his skills to a variety of fields, ranging from marketing and real estate to criminal justice and law enforcement.  Travis served in the United States Army where he overcame a devastating injury and was able to walk again despite the odds.
Writing is a life-long passion for Travis.  His short stories and poems have been selected for publication in a variety of newspapers and on Internet sites.  Travis’ writing includes children’s literature, action adventure, short stories, one act plays, love stories, westerns, sci-fi, thrillers, and drama.
Travis and Sarah Inman currently reside in Idaho.

Links

Book link:
AMAZON KINDLE


Readers, thanks for visiting Lagniappe.

I pray you find a 
“little something extra" 
in each of your days.

Marian