Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and spend most of my time, right now, trying to keep warm during these incredibly cold winter months. The rest of the time, however, I spend cuddled up with my two awesome children and my amazingly patient wife (because, of course, it’s easier to stay warm when cuddling).
Somewhere in-between staying warm and stealing my family’s body heat, I’ve written several books, two of which are currently published, and three more are in different stages of production, intending to be published before the end of May (when it’s finally safe to go outside, as long as you wear several layers).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Agora Files is my most recently published book, and it’s inspired by a whole ton of different things. I found elements that eventually made their way into the overarching story from things as divergent as Star Wars and a series of recurring dreams. In the end, the story is really focused on the human element involved in escaping from capture and doing what needs to be done.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I guess what’s most unusual about my writing habits is that they are incredibly boring. I physically force myself to sit down and write a set number of words per day (the number changes based on what’s going on in my life otherwise at the time, as in, if it’s winter, I generally write more, summer, less). By physically force, I, of course, have to, well, just sit down and try to keep off facebook. Like I said, it’s pretty boring.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve found that I’m alway being influenced by the stories I read, see, or hear. My initial influence may have come from writers like Michael Crichton and Douglas Adams, but I find myself being more and more influenced by filmed stories, attempting to use the common language we’ve learned through film to make my books more palatable for an increasingly non-reader world.
I have a hard time stating any one major influence on my writing, as I try to take something out of every story I hear, no matter where it comes from, as I find that there’s always new ways to tell stories in an incredibly fun way.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on three books at the same time. The one closest to publication is the sequel to my debut novel, The Legend of Buddy Hero, called The Rise of the Fat Mogul. It’s a continuation of the events that occurred in the first novel, in which everyman Buddy Jackson finds out he’s the world’s greatest superhero. In this second book, we explore this world a lot deeper while also engaging with some of the more dark aspects of the universe that we saw in the first book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still pretty new to the whole promoting books concept. I think I’ve found that writing a good book is one of the best ways to get your book promoted, as people will tell their friends if you’ve written a book that’s actually worth it. That’s why I’ve traditionally put my focus into crafting the best books I can, knowing that they have the ability to stand on their own. Although, a little push here and there from sites like this definitely doesn’t hurt.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. That is simply the best thing any author can be told. It’s hard to force yourself to just sit in the chair and type and make up new things. But if you want to actually complete that story, that’s the only thing you need to do. Write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The above advice. I heard it many times when I was initially looking into how best to tell a story in the novel format. I didn’t listen. It took me forever to finish my first draft of my first book simply because I would only write when I felt like it. The book suffered from it as well, because I couldn’t keep my thoughts together with how long it took me to put the book together. It took me a lot longer to get the book to the place it needed to be because of the fact that I just wouldn’t sit down and write. I’m really happy with it now, but it took me a long time to get there.
My second book, the first one in which I actually forced myself to sit down and write, took only 30 days to write the first draft. And that first draft was world’s better than the third or fourth draft of the first book simply because I forced myself to stay in the moment.
What are you reading now?
Odium by Claire C Riley. It’s amazing. Check it out!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Outside of the books I’ve mentioned above, I’m always working on new stories. I’ve got approximately 5 books I hope to have released before the end of this year, so I’m keeping myself busy.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s a hard question, as I rarely repeat read anything. I guess, even though it’s a cliched answer, I’d have to say The Bible as one. I’ve read most of it, but it’s still a book where I don’t think I’ve gotten all the pieces crafted together.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is one of the few books I’ve read multiple times, purely because of Adams’ ability to make language fun, so I’d toss that in there.
And an empty journal (is that allowed?)? I have to write almost daily or else my brain stops working. I’d need a method in which to get all those ideas out…and I fear that a bloody volleyball wouldn’t quite do the trick.
Author Websites and Profiles
Adam Oster Website
Adam Oster Amazon Profile
Adam Oster’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile