Below is my interview with Thomas Brigger author of the novel, Beyond the Higher Ground. Stories allow us to learn about worlds that span beyond our own, some more realistic than others. And in that way, we grow our perspective and understanding of others’ lifestyles, struggles, and triumphs. Brigger’s book not only serves as an entertaining story but also as an eye opener to the opioid crisis in America. Be sure to check out his links, including the link to buy his book.
About the Author
Name/Pen Name: Thomas A. Brigger
Author Links:
Book Title: Beyond the Higher Ground
Genres: General/Historical Fiction
Book Summary
Tasked with an assignment to manage the construction of a prison on a remote Appalachian mountaintop, Tucker Mason sees an opportunity to restart his life past the death of his wife and the recurring demons of his childhood. But strange occurrences at the house that he rented on Bright’s Mountain and the suspicion of drugs being smuggled through the prison construction site create distractions that lead to violence, intrigue, and his own imperilment.
Struggling under the weight of loss and guilt, he encounters a world that he never knew existed in the shadow of the emerging prison. With a unique perspective on the human condition, Beyond the Higher Ground takes its reader through a historical glimpse of Southwestern Virginia to a powerful exposition of the drug crisis that has devastated the region and the abject brutality of those who deliver it.
Book excerpt.
Cameron James Mason. It was just a name, an empyreal fixture somewhere in the universe that somehow had touched him, ever so remotely, like a news report of events in a foreign country. Cameron James Mason. An icon for those who needed one, a secret hope for a woman who could only conceive of home as it had been, good or bad, and the walls that held a family. Two sons—one should not die. Put it aside. Move on. But one death begets another as the home crumbles, and there is the struggle to rebuild, but the fabric is weak and without substance, and there is no ending but the reality, and she resigns in the face of it. Because the home had components and one was gone and then another, she was without the quiet enjoyment of convention. She was weak, and the weak need a basis of convention. Mason watched as the backhoe was set in place, and Cameron James Mason was accepted into the universe with his legacy intact, his mortality signaled by the folding umbrellas as the unknowing masses balanced the loss to the legacy. Here again, another closure. He died in a sea of admiration. She died unknown except by those who held her by circumstance—Mason had stood with his grandparents on a cold November day and walked away, and his mother was interred as she lived, alone.
Review excerpts.
Beyond the Higher Ground by Thomas A. Brigger is listed in the historical fiction genre, but it could just as easily fit into the C/T/M/H category. Utilizing his experience as a builder, the author develops the background of the story. His book is masterfully written, getting the reader’s attention early and holding it until the final surprise at the end. The mystery and suspense are my favorite aspects of the story. Written in the third person narration, the tale follows Tucker through his adversities on Bright’s Mountain. With a well-developed, diverse, and rich cast of characters, the story is fascinating and compelling. The eloquent prose is believable, chilling at times, and kept me spellbound. His excellent descriptions left me with visions of Bright’s Mountain and its inhabitants. PRISALLEN- ONLINE BOOK CLUB
Talking Shop
What do you want readers to take away from your books?
Two things:
There is always hope after adversity.
An awareness of the depth of the opioid crisis in rural America.
Name a fact or detail about your story that readers will never know is there.
Much of the background is based on the author’s first-hand experience
What’s the best review/compliment that you’ve received about your book?
“One of the best books I’ve read this year.” Amazon.com
What is a fun or strange source of inspiration that ended up in your book?
Cecil. He is a combination of several colorful people whom I met in Appalachia.
How long did it take to write your book from the day you got the idea to write it to the day you published it?
I spent almost a year writing it but waited several more years to have it published. The publishing process took eight months.
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learned as you went?
I have always considered myself a writer as I honed the craft writing short stories for most of my adult life. I had no formal training.
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of all time great writers?
William Faulkner
Ernest Hemingway
Herman Melville
John Grisham
What were your expectations for writing and publishing your first book? Have they changed since then?
The first book was written on a part-time basis with no real expectations. I am for more serious about and dedicated to my writing now.
Do you have a writing ritual, odd habits, or superstitions?
Some of my best inspiration comes late at night. It’s not unusual to find me at my desk at 2:00AM.
How well do you handle criticism, either while writing, editing, or reviews? Do you ever use that criticism to change your story?
I take all criticism seriously and consider it when writing. However, most criticism is an opinion and, unless it is consistently recurring, I seldom change my style.
What is the most fun part about writing? The most difficult?
Most fun: Developing characters
Most difficult: Editing
What skills have you acquired or information have you learned from writing?
I am now quite well informed on the depth of the opioid crisis in rural America.
Did you consult with any professionals or people who lived through a particular event to help you craft your story?
No. I almost entirely depended on personal experience.
What is your most stereotypical writer trait? Your least stereotypical?
Most stereotypical: Sensitive, perceptive
Least stereotypical: Business-minded
“What If” Scenarios
If you could have one person that you admire, living or dead, read your book, who would it be?
My sister. She spent a lifetime encouraging me to get published but passed away before this book was released.
If you could be in a writer’s group with up to four famous writers, who would they be?
John Grisham
David Baldacci
John Irving
Delia Owens
A wealthy reader buys 100 copies of your book and tells you to hand them out to anyone you wish. Who do you give them to?
Nursing homes
Your favorite character that you’ve written comes to life for one day. What do you do together for 24 hours?
Cecil and I would drink beer and tell stories.
You’re given $10,000 to spend on marketing for your book. How do you spend it?
Hire Anthony Mora and promote the book in on-line reader’s clubs.
Your book becomes a best seller. What do you do next?
Write another book.
Would you rather own your own book store or your own publishing house, and what would you sell or publish?
A book store specializing in fiction.
What is one thing you would give up writing to have (or to have back)?
I’m not a wishful thinker. Life is as it is. I think I’ll keep writing.
You have the means to hire a full time assistant to help you with your writing. What tasks do you give them to do?
Research and editing.
You have final say over who reads the audio book version of your story. Who do you choose?
Jack DeGolia. He has already done a great job in the audio version of Beyond the Higher Ground.
Your story gets picked up by a streaming service to make into a series. What service would you want it to be, and would you want them to follow your story closely, or would you rather see what directions they take it in?
Netflix. I would love to see where they would take it.
Just For Fun
Your trademark feature.
Khakis and navy-blue polo shirt. My kids call it my uniform.
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
A loving father and husband.
One year of your life you’d like to relive or do over.
It’s all good. No need for do-overs.
One bucket list item you’ve completed and one that’s still on your list.
“Have a book published” is completed.
“Have another book published” is on its way.
A movie or a piece of music that changed your life.
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. It introduced me to classical music at age eight.
Favorite time of/part of your day.
Cocktail hour.
Favorite place you’ve visited/place you want to visit.
Georgetown, Kentucky (you asked)
Food you’d like to win a lifetime supply of.
Cincinnati Skyline Chili
The topic you can’t shut up about and the topic you wish everyone would shut up about.
Politics
Your most unrealistic dream job.
Retirement.
Favorite Halloween costume ever.
An elf. A big, dumb-looking elf.
A talent you have and a talent you wish you had.
I’m an accomplished woodworker.
I wish I could be an artist like my wife.
When time travel is achieved, do you go forward or backward?
Definitely forward.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Beyond the Higher Ground here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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This is a great interview. Reading the summary of the his character building a prison and the occurrences at his temporary house makes me want to read the book. Well done!
Thanks for reading! I hope you check out his book!
What a fun, informative interview – I love learning about authors
Your questions are so great! We love the one with the dream writing group. Thanks for sharing and we wish Thomas Brigger luck with his next novel.
Thanks! I’m always interested to see which authors pop up in that question.