What's New with Scott F. Smith

• What inspired you to start writing?

My father, Cotton Smith. By profession, he was an advertising creative director, a brilliant writer. I always wanted to do that. In fact, my parents used to laugh that, as a kid, I might have paid more attention to the TV ads than the cartoons I watched. My professional career was completely based around writing—ads, promotions, releases. I also shifted into scripts for radio and TV spots, videos, documentaries, and TV shows. It wasn’t until 2020, when my retirement and Covid quarantine hit at the same time, that I decided to try and finish Dad’s Western series (the Corrigan Brothers). So, a writer all my life, but a novelist for only about six years.

• As the Corrigan Brothers series has continued, how have you honored your father's writing?

There was only one Cotton Smith. He was a unique individual, as am I. Our interests in history, movies, and books were similar, but how we write and interpret things is very different. He had a distinctive style—one I could never naturally recreate, so I don’t even try. My aim has been to create my own path, using a slightly different perspective while maintaining the atmosphere Dad created. It’s an interesting line to navigate.

At the time of his sudden passing in 2015, Corrigan Brothers Books 1 and 2 (“Ride Away” and “Kill Town”) were just coming out. At that point, I had no thought of picking up his mantle. As I mentioned, it took the unique “opportunity” of Covid quarantine to give me the idea and inspiration to see what I could do.

Once I decided I would finish the Corrigan series, actually finding what Dad had in mind for his series proved nearly impossible. Most of his ideas were in his head and rode away when he did. His agent shared with me brief synopses of the six Corrigan books he had pitched to his publisher. Although his Books 1 and 2 were already out in the world, I soon realized I preferred a different journey for brothers Blue, Holt and Deed than the one he foresaw. So, new tales and adventures—ones that I believed in—were created.

• How have you adapted the series to your own writing?

Honoring his legacy while establishing my own voice was key. I created new characters, like Holt’s Ranger partner, Orion Higbee, and Holt’s love interest, Laudie Kate Hart. A couple of important characters met their end. [No spoilers, I won’t say who, but some famous writer did say to “kill your darlings,” right?] I also gave more development and life to current characters like gunfighter-turned-lawman James Hannah and Corrigan wives Bina and Atlee. I’ve tried to add more character depth to each of the brothers, especially Holt. The Corrigans aren’t white-hatted, perfect choir boys. They’re human, with emotions and frailties like everyone has.

Dad never had much cursing in his stories and I liked that, so there isn’t much saltiness to my dialogue either. I suppose I’m funnier than he was, so I’m letting more humor creep in.

• What was the most challenging part of writing your latest Corrigan Brothers adventure, “Play for Blood?” Do you have a favorite Corrigan book?

The most challenging part of “Play for Blood” was writing my villain, Calista Theriot. She is alluring and beautiful, but she is so much more than décolletage and charm. She’s brilliant. She’s independent. She’s wicked as all get-out. I did not want to be a guy writing a female stereotype. She had to have true feminine genius and finesse. For that, my wife—a wonderful writer in her own right—helped me keep Calista from being a cliché. She might be my favorite character thus far.

All the Corrigan adventures are my favorite. I guess my favorite part was realizing that, even though Dad only foresaw a six-book adventure, there are more Corrigan tales I wish to tell. I have fresh adventures in mind. Blue, Holt, and Deed will still be the centerpiece, but I want to feature their badass wives as well.

• If “Play for Blood” were made into a movie, which actors would you want to star in it?

A young Christian Kane would have been perfect to play any of the three Corrigan brothers. Likewise, a young Jennifer Connelly would have made a wonderful Calista.

Seriously, if someone wanted to make a movie of “Play for Blood” or a whole series about the Corrigans, I wouldn’t be picky; I’d be thrilled. I’d only ask that I at least get to be an extra, even a bad guy. [Pssst, casting directors…I can ride and shoot.]

• What book are you currently reading?

Last month, my book club read “Between Two Fires” by Christopher Buehlman (excellent!), and this month we’re reading Phil Knight’s memoir, “Shoe Dog.” I’ve got two others on deck: “Angel Down” by Daniel Kraus (an injured angel is discovered on a WWI battlefield) and Jeff Shaara’s latest, “The Old Lion,” about Teddy Roosevelt.

• What does a typical writing day look like for you?

Rarely typical. I’m more disciplined than I used to be, but it’s an area in which I need to improve. The writing depends upon what’s been brewing in my head. I’ll go in spurts when I’m writing every day, sometimes from morning until deep into the night. Other days, it may not be an imaginative day, but I’ll try to get something accomplished, research or outline jotting. Other days… the golf course or Jeopardy reruns it is!

• What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Read and write.

First, read. Lots. Whatever floats your boat. Discover history, read about it. Be sure to read the news, several sources. Find a favorite author, binge his/her works. For me, even before I segued into writing novels, I read everything by people like Robert Ludlum, Tony Hillerman, Jeff Shaara, Ken Follett, Tolkien, and Rowling (that was after reading all the L’Amours as a youth).

Next, get used to the idea of writing—keep a journal, write letters, try to describe a dream, jot down favorite memories, or just sit and try to crank out that book that’s been lodged in your head. Just get used to the idea of writing and do it.

Did I mention reading? 

• What’s next on the horizon for Scott F. Smith?

In addition to more adventures from the Corrigan Brothers, I am working on a completely new series with fellow Wolfpack author, Nicholas Osborn. This is new territory for both of us, not only writing as a team but also the timing of the story—1912 Texas as it changed from a frontier society into a rapidly modernizing economy. That’s all you get for now. No spoilers, just hang on to your hat. It’s going to be awesome.

Ride along with Scott F. Smith and the Corrigan brothers and grab your next Western read today!