Cortez Law III

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I was born in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. I won't tell you how long ago that was! But I spent most of my formative years in Northeastern Ohio in the Portage County seat of Ravenna. I graduated from Ravenna with college prep courses and enrolled at Kent State University six miles down the road. I earned a B.A. in Telecommunications, which was TV/Radio production. While I concentrated on that, the writing bug hit me with the screenwriting course I took in my next-to-last semester. Well, I never stopped writing after that through all the employment stops. For about a decade, I tried to crack Hollywood. My craft improved, so I contacted LA agents via query letters and cold-calling. I submitted scripts. I schmoozed those agents to give me shots at submitting scripts for Halle Berry and Michael Biehn. Their careers took off, so a writer had an opportunity with them, but the scripts weren't good enough. Then I changed mediums to write 'The Great American Novel' quest. We're talking about the early nineties. That time was outstanding for an African American author. Now, the New Jack Swing was in full effect with the black film renaissance, but the publishing industry found out, thanks to Terry McMillan, that black folks read! Say what? That whole black literary boom did just that, BOOM! Again, it takes time to develop your craft. Now we're talking a 200, 300, or 400+ page book compared to a 100–120-page screenplay. I wrote, studied books on writing, and read many novels. It remains a continuous learning process.

When and why did you start writing books?

I was always creative as a child through drawings and mock football games with plastic soldiers and animals. The writing began with a sportswriter position in a junior high school newspaper. But in college, I took a copywriting class and had to create a couple of commercials for real-life small businesses as part of the course. Later in college, I took a screenwriting class, and that was it. From that point on, whether for film, TV, or books, I continue to write today. My TV is on for background noise, though I’ve rewritten books with jazz instrumentals doing their thing, too.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

In college, for my copywriting class, I had to write ad copy for several local businesses. The following semester, I took a scriptwriting class and had to turn in a ninety-page script for the final grade. Also, I acted in my college cable system improvisational show, Something, Anything. I wrote a few skits for it and acted a little, too. From that experience, my passion for writing exploded. All I needed was a quiet place with a typewriter, writing paper, and some liquid paper! I didn't need to rely on others to produce a manuscript. That did it, and I haven't stopped since.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

My latest Black Phoenix, a mystery that traverses decades. Also, Threat Nexus, which got my adrenaline pumping with its narrative drive.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

Probably Black Phoenix for the depth of the plot and tying the story threads together. But I'd add Cold Lick, too. Trying to breathe life into an illiterate character whose plight was sad, hilarious, and dangerous.

Who is your favourite author and book?

I don't know that I have a favorite. I've read multiple books by Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Walter Mosley, Ted Dekker. More crime fiction than anything else.

What book are you reading right now?

Should Have Thought Twice, a psychological thriller by Tanisha Stewart.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

I can get it from prayer and quiet time, global events, headlines, news stories. Just about anywhere really.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Watching sporting events, TV, and movies. Exercise, reading, fishing, time spent with family.

Do you have any new books in the works?

My latest release, Black Phoenix, has been out for three months. I have other projects in the preliminary stages for release in the next couple of years.