We were very excited to recently chat with accomplished author Teel James Glenn. Mr. Glenn is the author of dozens of published works, and we have had the pleasure of publishing one of his short stories, “Mama-san,” in our previous issue.
Mr. Glenn’s newest novel, Not Born of Woman, just recently hit bookshelves, and we had a great conversation about his career and this novel.
Not Born of Woman can be purchased directly from AMAZON
Thriller Magazine: Thank you for joining us, Mr. Glenn. We’ve had the pleasure of publishing your story “Mama-san” in a previous issue. I really admired that piece because of it’s vivid characterization and your sharp, descriptive writing. What things have influenced your writing style?
Like most writers I have read extensively and obviously those writers contributed to influenced my style — Dashiell Hammet, Peter O’Donnell, Robert E Howard and Mickey Spillane, but also the more stylish writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, EA Poe and for plotting/speed I have to credit Lester Dent.
But more, my background as both a teacher of stage combat and a professional fight choreographer means I had to learn how to put my ideas of action into simple, clear words.
Thriller Magazine: As a writer with such a diverse background in storytelling, stunt work, and acting, how do those experiences influence your writing? Do they help with action scenes or in creating dynamic, vivid characters?
Most definitely. I have long been able to ‘see’ scenes — visualize them completely. I read my work aloud and so the dialogue feels natural. My period researches for a number of plays I have been in served me well is finding the little details that make the story come alive.
Because of my art background I also used to do diagrams of the rooms to keep it clear where everyone is. I also do full portraits of my characters so it is clear to me. After all, if it is not vivid to me, it will not be to my readers.
Thriller Magazine: Not Born of Woman combines elements of urban fantasy and pulp mystery. What inspired you to blend these genres together, and how did you approach weaving them into a cohesive narrative?
My pulp roots make sure I keep the narrative moving, but it was important that the story’s mystery be fairplay so I had to construct it all so that, despite the fantasy elements, a reader could play the game with me.
As to blending the elements, it seemed natural to me once I decided on telling his outsider story, he slipped into the 1939 setting seamlessly. Being aware of the tropes I was able to use them to dig deeper into his story while subverting some of them to keep the reader surprised.
Thriller Magazine: Adam Paradise’s backstory as a “man made of parts” is clearly inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. How do you see Not Born of Woman as an extension or reimagining of Shelley’s original themes and philosophical questions about identity and humanity?
In the original Shelley tale the creature is a poor victim of his creator’s hubris—and while he does horrible things, he has no framework to know they are that—at least at first.
It was his questing to learn, to be better even in that first book—to find meaning—that compelled me to write this book. So I very much followed her lead in his inner searching nature.
Thriller Magazine Your book delves into some deep philosophical questions about the nature of a person, identity, and morality. How did you balance these philosophical themes with the fast-paced action and mystery elements of the novel?
I think of the book as philosophy and fisticuffs—and worked very hard to never let the inner vision of Adam slow the pace. It was important to me that the philosophical musings flow naturally from the situation and always give the reader insight into his world view. His curiosity and empathy allowed me to explore the various ‘outsider’ groups he comes in contact (Like the Romani) with and open mind and accepting heart.
Thriller Magazine: Adam Paradise has been described as a “giant of a man with a kind heart.” How did you develop this combination of brute strength and empathy, and how does this duality affect his interactions with other characters in the novel?
I’m a large man myself who has spent a life in the martial arts and as such have always felt that true strength was gentle and that the powerful have an obligation to use that power for positive purposes and that is very much Adam’s view. It motivates all his interactions-and he is still learning what humanity means and he remembers the cruelty shown him when he was first created—as well as the cruelty of his creator is denying him love. He wants very much not to make anyone feel that way.
I hope to continue to explore all these themes in the rest of the Paradise Investigations series to come…