Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Have you ever seen the movie Anger Management? Remember the scene where Jack Nicholson asks Adam Sandler to tell him about himself. Adam Sandler starts listing off a bunch of superficial qualities. He says “No, tell us who you are.” No matter what Adam Sandler says it’s not the right answer. That’s what I think of when I ask myself that question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-GV46SUcWs. Does that say anything about me? Oh… and I just published my first book… so… one.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Thin Line Between Love and Lust: A Poly Romance Novel. People from my past inspired it. I wanted to relive all the wonderful moments I’ve had, and then throw in some of my fantasies and dreams to create a story that speaks from me.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do EVERYTHING ELSE but write and wait for that moment until I can do NOTHING ELSE but write. I don’t eat, I don’t sleep, I’m nourished by coffee and cigarettes. I do nothing but write until the wee hours of the morning until the sun comes up. Then I have to consciously force myself to eat a meal and pass out. Then I wake up and do it all again, having far too much in my mind that needs to come out to sleep any longer than 2 or 3 hours. I repeat this daily until all that inspiration is spent, then I wait for it to happen again. Could last days, could last weeks, could last months, and the wait in between is the same. I know… this all sounds very unhealthy and draining, but it’s the greatest feeling I know in this life when it happens.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
This’ll sound weird but Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. It was the first book I was ever in love with. I read through it so many times I had a good chunk of the poems memorized, even the long ones. It made me value reading and books. They weren’t just things I got from school that equaled homework.
What are you working on now?
I want to help others get their work out. I’m currently going back to school to learn the ins and outs of publishing so I can help others share their writing with the world.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook. Large facebook groups are a gold mine of information.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Breath. Take it one day at a time. I write for the joy of it, so I can’t really give advice on how to do it any other way. Now publishing, that’s a different story. Google is your friend! Research, research, research. Everything you need to know can be found. Don’t rush the process and put your book out as quickly as you figure out it’s as simple as uploading it to CreateSpace or KDP or whatever platform you choose. Read up on what other authors have to say and what they recommend you do before publishing. There are many advantages to planning your release carefully, so don’t rush it and do the research.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Work it cuz you’re worth it.
What are you reading now?
A boring book on Adobe Illustrator. One step at becoming a publisher.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To find great stories out there to publish.
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?
4 books on how to survive alone on a desert island.
I know, I know, I’m missing the point. Okay… Where The Sidewalk Ends, The Joy Luck Club, Dopefiend, and The Toa Te Ching… or… can the Buddhist sutras count as one book?
Author Websites and Profiles
C E Long Amazon Profile
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