Author Quiz: Wally Runnels, author of The In-Ko-Pah Spirit

Wally Runnels is the author of The In-Ko-Pah Spirit, a paranormal novella available for Kindle from Amazon:

US: The In-Ko-Pah Spirit by Wally Runnels on amazon.com

UK: The In-Ko-Pah Spirit by Wally Runnels on amazon.co.uk

The In-Ko-Pah Spirit by Wally Runnels

The In-Ko-Pah Spirit by Wally Runnels

A hired killer is paid to track down a rebellious member of a Mexicali drug cartel. The search takes place in The In-Ko-Pah Mountains, an isolated region on the Mexican/American Border, and leads to a confrontation with a sinister presence.

An introduction from Wally Runnels...

I’m an ex advertising creative and the intuitive process that writing requires is very exciting.

Creation and invention is a big part of the writing process. Logic is needed to balance and suggest to the reader that what they are reading is possible. Even though we all know it isn’t, especially when addressing paranormal events.

The writer must find ways to make a seamless bridge between reality and the supernatural to make a story more frightening.

I get deep into gnarly characters that are interesting to read but not someone you’d invite home to dinner.

If I had to sum up The In-Ko-Pah Spirit, I’d say it was weird, scary and adventurous.

Where did the inspiration for your novella, The In-Ko-Pah Spirit, come from?

I’ve been to the places where the story takes place.

It can be a spooky area, especially at night. The In-Ko-Pah Mountains are on the Mexican/American Border in East San Diego County. Filled with legends, the place is filled with ancient Indian sites and evidence of Spanish explorers has been found. The locale is hard not to write about. The story is based on an incident that happened some years ago.

If The In-Ko-Pah Spirit was made into a movie who would you want to play the main character and why?

Rocky is the main character in the story. He’s a one armed hit man, an ex Marine who has become a professional killer. His character could be played by Johnny Depp, who can be weird and yet sensitive. Plus, if Depp were to act then Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez would direct.

If you could choose someone famous to record your book in audio format, who would you choose as the voice and why?

If it were an audio book I’d have one of the Baldwin brothers be the VO. They have a sly innuendo style of delivery; it’d work for this story.

If you could invite one character from The In-Ko-Pah Spirit to a dinner party, who would it be and why?

Rocky, you could take anywhere. He’s had some college and interested in art, archaeology and politics.

Have you ever killed off a character who you felt particularly attached to?

The girl I had to kill was named, Modesta. She was a big blond prostitute who likes to beat on men. She even killed a few. A babe, really hot, with all the things a guy would ask for. But Rocky has to deal with her.

What do you think stimulates sales the most; positive reviews or advertising?

Reviews are probably the best way to promote a book. It’s more like a word of mouth process, which is the best way to communicate.

What websites would you recommend, both for discovering new books and authors and also for promoting your own work?

I meet a lot of people through Twitter. That’s how we met. Guest blogging takes time, but really helps build a platform and interests people in the work.

I have a digital direct mail but haven’t used it yet, but I know I will.

What is your approach to getting reviews?

This takes time. You have to get someone to read your material and them write something about it. And you wait and hope. I have found people on Twitter who will do that and I have gone to the Reviewers at Amazon. It’s a lengthy process.

Would you rather have great reviews but average sales or great sales but average reviews?

I would rather have moderate sales and great reviews. At least I would know that my writing was appreciated. It would help me focus more on the writing. Marketing takes a lot of time.

Apart from yourself, which other authors would you recommend to readers and why?

I read Cormac McCarthy for scope, Barry Gifford for the dark reality, not that Cormac doesn’t have that, and Elmore Leonard for dialogue. There’s more but these are my favorites. Not to forget Don Winslow.

What sort of audience will The In-Ko-Pah Spirit appeal to?

I’m told that am weird and entertaining and that I do fast moving things. I’m not really sure who likes my stuff; I’m still trying to figure that out. Probably people whom like the paranormal with action adventure.

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