Thonie Hevron was born in San Francisco and raised in Marin County. After college, she worked for the San Rafael Police Department. Thonie remained in law enforcement for 35 years, retiring in 2011.
She writes thrillers using her experience to create a rich and textured understanding of the life of the people behind the badge.
Her book titles include:
By Force or Fear:
http://www.amazon.com/Force-Fear-Meredith-Mystery-Volume/dp/1610091604/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409100463&sr=8-1&keywords=by+force+or+fear
Intent to Hold:
http://www.amazon.com/Intent-Hold-Thonie-Hevron/dp/1610091493/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y
BMH: You have a long weekend. What would you do with the time?
TH: Write and go horseback riding. Maybe a little gardening.
BMH: You can go back in time, meet and chat with anyone, who would it be?
TH: Jackie Kennedy. I love the “Camelot” atmosphere of the early Kennedy White House. She distinguished herself with service and managed to stay in a positive light on the world stage. I love that she was a book editor.
BMH: What would you talk about?
TH: I’d like to hear her take on world affairs of any moment. I’d like to hear her philosophy on raising children and living a faith-filled life of real value.
BMH: Who are your favorite authors?
TH: Larry McMurtry, Michael Connelly, PJ Parrish, Harlan Coben, and Robert Crais.
BMH: What is something you wish someone would have told you before you became an author?
TH: Get started sooner! Quit putting my dreams on the shelf!
BMH: What do think about the new faces of publishing?
TH: Laurie McLean of Fuse Literary says that she belives publishing will be a hybrid of indie, self-publishers and traditional in the next five years. I agree. The face of publishing has changed so much in the past five years that it’s easy to see significant changes coming.
BMH: How do you promote yourself?
TH: I market heavily to police departments so I send promos for agencies to post on their employee bulletin boards. Aside from that, I’m a blogger who offers guest blogs from police officers (goal is to reflect the life behind the badge-normally for writers but for anyone interested) and other writers. I post twice weekly on my blog, Just the Facts, Ma’am. I use social media, mostly Facebook, but also instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
BMH: What would be your ideal vacation spot?
TH: I love Mexico. I think a beach between Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias would be my dream.
BMH: How did you celebrate when your first book was published?
TH: I ate chocolate!
BMH: What is the oddest thing you’ve ever done?
TH: Hmm, take a job on a dare. That was the beginning of my career in law enforcement. Interesting how a comment can change someone’s life, isn’t it?
BMH: What do you do just to cut loose and have some fun?
TH: I get together with my best friend, Jan. She makes me laugh until my sides hurt. She knows me better than anyone (except my hubby) and still puts up with me!
BMH: You’re president of the United States for enough time to only make one executive decision. What is it?
TH: Require everyone to read a book. A book will always give the reader a new way of thinking about something.
BMH: What’s a common and accepted practice for Americans nowadays that you think we’ll look back on with regret?
TH: Being so self-centered. I think service is underrated and left to a few.
BMH: Describe your level of ambition.
TH: Committed to the long-haul of creating worlds for readers to escape.
BMH: Describe a few pet peeves of yours.
TH: Complainers-if you’re unhappy, do something about it. Being late-HATE running late and waiting for others.
BMH: What do you know now that you wished someone had told you ten years ago?
TH: I’m a work in progress–personally and as a writer. Be patient.
BMH: What childhood event shaped or scarred you the most?
TH: Being the child (oldest) of alcoholic parents shaped me in ways that I thank God for every day as well as continually battle. My key is balance.
BMH: What is a typical writing day for like?
TH: Up at 5 to write. Work-out at the gym for an hour, then back to work until I meet my day’s goal.
BMH: Are you an outliner or a seat-of-your-pants writer?
TH: A serious outliner! I even outline my 3 x 5 cards! But seriously, sometimes my characters make me re-write my outline. I try to stay open to where the story takes me.
BMH: Would you rather…
……live without music or live without TV?
TH: Without TV. I don’t watch much but I listen to music a lot.
……be gossiped about or never talked about at all?
TH: Be gossiped about. That means I’m important enough to someone.
BMH: Do you blog? If so, why and what do you usually blog about?
TH: Yes, my blog, Just the Facts, Ma’am, is a forum for law enforcement’s life behind the badge. I get tired of the inaccurate picture writers create of this world. I use cops’ own words to shed a little light on what they face daily. I also write about writing or have a guest blogger about a new book or whatever is interesting.
BMH: Have you ever done a blog book tour? What was that like and would you do it again?
TH: I’ve never done one. I hope to in August and have tapped author Marilyn Meredith to help me. She’s a master!
BMH: Do you enjoy doing promotion?
TH: Two years ago, I would have said no. But today, I’m growing more comfortable with public appearance, readings and so on.
BMH: What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever done to promote your work?
TH: I don’t know how odd it is but last Christmas, I conned a half-dozen other local authors to sell their books at a local and well-attended arts and craft show. It went so well that we are looking into other venues to do more sales like this. I think because I started it, I will be the push behind it. We’ll see how this looks this year.
BMH: Respond to these pairings and tell why you respond the way you do:
a. Series or stand-alone books?
TH: Both, I have plans for both and like to read both.
b. Outlines or find-your-way plotting?
TH: Outliner, because I like to know where I’m going. It’s easier to plant clues, red herrings and plot if I have an idea what will happen.
c. Lots of research or make it all up?
TH: Lots of research. I’m a detail girl. I drive my resource people crazy with questions until I get what I need to write a story.
d. Neat or sloppy?
TH: Neat although my husband would say I’m sloppy. I know where to find what I’m looking for. That saves me time to write.
e. NY or DC?
TH: New York! Love that town. I could spend weeks there soaking up the energy.
f. Carnivore or vegetarian?
TH: Guilty carnivore. Love the taste of some meats, hate others. I could be a vegetarian, I think, if I could live on pasta. Alas, white flour is not in my future.
BMH: How have you grown as a writer?
TH: I write better because I have a fabulous critique group who won’t let me get away with anything mediocre. I’ve learned techniques to write more concisely and with greater precision. I’ve learned to expect what my husband expects of me-good work.
BMH: If you were to go to a deserted island for an extended stay what are three things you would take with you?
TH: My hubby, my laptop, and my cat.
