Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Brazilian writer, I do this since I was just a little kid… Now I’m trying to make a tiny bit of money with this job. I have depression because I was diagnosed with panic disorder since I was 3, but it is good because I can find shelter in my books. To be 100% sincere, I’ve tried a lot of jobs, but my condition prevents me from getting a job, so I’m “forced” to do what I love – writing. Its kinda like a good part of having this stuff.
I’ve already finished 6 books, but I write most of them in Portuguese and English, so I’m reaching 10 or 11 books released (in 4 or 5 months). Still, I think I have to improve myself and release books more often…
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last one is a compilation of my first horror texts, it is called “Steps Into Madness: Horror Pack” – yet to be released in Portuguese, but already available in English. I have a lot of stuff that inspires me… From nature itself to authors and artists… Lovecraft will always have a special place in my heart, but I might write stuff inspired on Clive Barker’s movies, or Junji Ito’s mangas… Or even a situation or news… Even a simple bath can bring enough inspiration to write a book…
I mean, something small as an ant, an atom. Nature is way too complex to be contained inside words, and we have our years of life to try to describe it with limited human minds and vocabulary…
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a very unusual person… I don’t do drugs, not even alcohol, but I love mint pastilles and, when I’m writing an action scene, I’ll just chew my pastilles like crazy. I’ll also bite my nails, the skin on the tip of my fingers or lips (If pastilles are not around).
I tend to wake up, write in portuguese until afternoon, exercise and take a bath, come back to translate what I’ve written, so both versions of a book are released – almost – in the same day.
I write listening to anime/gaming music, since it might have no lyrics and I won’t get distracted.
I type a lot using a Bluetooth keyboard connected to my phone, because my PC is older than the oldest one I’ve ever seen, and I can keep it from overheating… And keep myself from overheating, because my country is hot and I can carry my keyboard and phone around.
I’ve also released books with characters/monsters that I’ve seen during dreams (Pale Shadows in the Depths is an example of that).
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lovecraft, Terry Pratchett, Junji Ito, Hajime Isayama, Hideo Kojima, Clive Barker… And many others, also, life itself.
What are you working on now?
On a fantasy/mystery story about humanity living inside an island, and the world around them is completely wild, with beautiful animals and nature manifestation… BUT, during the night there are things that appear outside the last human city… Those beings are tall, thin humanoids that try to invade houses without making too much noise. Easily scared, the invaders seem run until the day they find a new way to enter the city and reveal their savage instincts…
It has some deaths, some violence, but the mystery is the main thing, bringing questions like:
What happened to the rest of humanity? What are these creatures? Why are they doing what they do? Why they only come at night?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be frank, I’m trying awesomegang.com because depression keeps me from having tons of friends to share stuff.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, don’t copy, don’t go with the flow (just browse the number of erotic books being sold and you will know what I mean), don’t be afraid of writing weird stuff, don’t think about money (wish I could follow this advice), try to make your body strong enough to type and do what your mind already stores.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
No one ever knows how things will turn out. So choose for yourself, whichever decision you will regret the least.
What are you reading now?
Shingeki no Kyoujin (manga) – Because I think it is one of the most inspiring stuff I’ve ever seen.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more, publish more and MAYBE, make some money…
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?
A biology encyclopedia, a botanical encyclopedia and some survival guide. I would live happily until my last days!