Tell me
a about yourself. What got you started in writing?
I have
always been interested in telling stories. But never felt that I had enough
talent or enough background in english
to write. Until one day I just decided to write something for my children. I
had a great story idea and wanted something for them to have as a legacy. So, I
sat down and wrote my first book for them. After that I knew I could do this
and haven’t looked back since.
How
do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?
I’m up
at 5:30am every work day. If I don’t schedule the time it just never happens.
Having five kids, a full time job and church responsibilities fills my days. So
I get up early and write before everyone is clamoring for my time
How
and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or some other method of getting
your words down?
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What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about
writing?
I love
telling stories. There are hundreds of them rattling around in my head. So many
I don’t think I could ever write all of them. I’m always coming up with new ideas.
Get me talking about one sometime and I just won't shut up about tit. My wife
has learned that it is just better to not ask about them.
My
least favorite part is editing a manuscript when I am done. I really do
struggle with grammar and having to go back and fix that is so hard for me.
How
did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your
book?
I come
up with book ideas in my quiet moments of the day. I’m always looking at
something and trying to figure out how I can tell a story about it. I keep a
notebook by the side of my bed and when I am just waking up I often have new
ideas. I make sure those all go in my notebook.
It
takes me about two months to finish a first draft of a book. After that it is
lots of time and work getting it ready for publishing. I have a few books that
are written and just need final edits.
What
types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?
Anything
and everything I can. From word of mouth to social media to online paid ads. An
author is like a self employed startup CEO, you have to be constantly talking
about and pushing your books to be successful.
What
are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?
I’m
currently finishing up a sci fi space opera under a pen name and the finally
touches on a YA fantasy novel, that I hope to have out in the next few months.
Do you have a
project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
Two
years ago I wrote a unique and thought provoking short story called “The last
hour”. I have wanted to turn that into a full length novel at some point.
What
would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe
he/she has enough talent?
That I
don’t think I have any talent for writing. That some of my critics would agree
with me on that. But writing isn’t about talent. It is about putting your butt
in a chair, your hands on a keyboard and putting it down in a doc. Doing that time
and again is what creates a story. Over
time and with practice it becomes something special. Writing “The End” to a
story is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life and can only be gotten
by doing. So my advice would be to pick a time, put your butt in a chair and
write. You will be surprised at what will come out.
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