Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, the first part of this question is always difficult to answer without sounding like I’m standing in front of a sixth grade class on the first day of school, but here it goes… My name is Brandon Charles West and I am an Army veteran and graduate of the College in William and Mary, where I met my beautiful wife (incidentally I also got degrees in Psychology and Government, but I’m more partial to the wife). After leaving the military I became a firefighter and paramedic. I am the author of six books and the Scarlet Hopewell Series is currently in publication with Manor Minor Press.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Scarlet and the Keepers of Light is the first in the Scarlet Hopewell Series and is my latest publication. I’m actually writing the forth book, Scarlet and the Barrier’s Fall, at present (generally speaking, right now I’m actually typing answers to an interview). The series was inspired by two things. The first, a wonderful German Shepard who came into my family’s life and grew into quite a large and intelligent creature. She was an exceptional dog and an even better friend. The second inspirational occurrence was really more of a realization. I had been writing for some time, trying my uninformed best to become a published working author, but more than anything, to develop an audience, when, while reading my eldest daughter the Harry Potter Series something occurred to me. As she watched me read, I realized that in my precious child I had the greatest audience any author good ever hope for. The next day I set to work on a book that I could read to her and her sister.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I’m aware of. I don’t spin around in my chair three times, or set up my desk a particular way, or even have a regular scheduled time in which I write. I’m not a planner or an outliner. I just sit down and let the characters and plot go where my imagination takes me. So far, they have taken me on some pretty incredible adventures.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I mentioned, the Harry Potter Series was pretty influential in that it inspired me to try my hand at young adult fiction. Stephen King, specifically his book “On Writing”, has been a like a mentor of sorts, although he no doubt has no idea he’s been providing me with such a service. “The Count of Monte Cristo” was the book that made me realize I wanted to be an author, and Ernest Hemingway has taught me over the years to remember that sometimes less is more.
What are you working on now?
The forth and final novel in the Scarlet Hopewell Series, Scarlet and the Barrier’s Fall.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is www.brandoncharleswest.com.
As a self promoter I’m not very talented. My most successful promotions have been generated by my publisher, Manor Minor Press.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take joy, not in success, but in the writing itself. Enjoy your characters and the story you’re telling. It’ll keep you going through times of feast and famine.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read a lot. Write a lot. To paraphrase Stephen King.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading “It” by Stephen King. Somehow I had missed this one.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After Scarlet, I’m considering an adult fantasy novel. Quite a few ideas have been bouncing around in my head though, so who knows.
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?
I love these type of questions. As a side note: my cd would by Crash by the Dave Matthews Band; my food, crab legs; and my one clothing idem, a pair of Levis. But this is about books. The Count of Monte Cristo, A Moveable Feast, The Stand, and The Complete Sherlock Homes.
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