Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My day job is as a chiropractic physician. I served in the U.S. Navy in nuclear submarines and submarine communications from 1968 to 1972. I served again in the active reserves from 1978 to 1980. I joined the all volunteer U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol, in 1998 and have served as a ground team leader and communications specialist. I was the commanding officer of two squadrons and as a group commander of five squadrons. I continue to volunteer as a mission pilot with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
I have many hobbies, hunting, fishing, writing computer programs, flying, reading, and more, but my latest is writing science fiction novels. I wrote and published my first book, Survive! Marooned on Planet Tau Ceti g, in May 2014. I just finished my manuscript for a sequel, Survive! First Alien Contact, which is at the publisher and going through the editorial edit at this time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of the series is Survive! The sequel to my first book, Survive! First Alien Contact, should be available in print and ebook by the end of November 2015.
From time I wrote my first science fiction story at 13, I’ve always wanted to become an author, and (finally – I’m now 66,) took the first steps in January 2013. I wrote the basic story in 28 days, but it took me a year to edit and polish the story. Taking the time to do it correctly won me the Editor’s Choice Award from my publisher, and 5 star ratings from the U.S. Review of Books and the Manhattan Book Review.
I’ve always been a fan of sci-fi. I loved the original Star Trek series and followed all the spin off’s, Star Trek Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager until they went off the air. Of course, the Star Wars, ET, and other sci-fi/fantasy movies gave me additional inspiration. A quote from my first book, “Dare to dream the impossible for someday the impossible will become the new reality,” plays well in our daily lives. If it weren’t for the imagination of writers where would scientists get their inspiration to create the fantastic tools we use in our daily lives today? I like to think that I can now participate in the creation of new ideas for scientists to ponder.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If you mean that by staying up to the wee hours of the morning to write is unusual, then that would be it. Until I retire from my day job, writing will continue to be a hobby, but it is very satisfying to see my efforts rewarded by the positive reviews of my readers.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read several books a month. There are too many authors and titles to list, but by reading well written books I have gained a style of my own that flows well and expresses exactly what I want the reader to visualize.
What are you working on now?
I just finished the sequel to my first book and am taking a short break, but will begin the third book of the series soon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Using professional reviewers and promoting the books on their websites. I’ve submitted my first book to several contests, but the results are months away. Exposure is the key. Book signings are a great way to meet people and talk about my book, and if they purchase I always ask them to post a review on their favorite book store website such as Barnes and Nobel, Amazon, Good Reads, etc. Social media can be huge if you have a following. Also having a website and blog.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time to do it right. I’ve seen recommendations that say to just get the book in circulation to make your money quickly. I disagree with that philosophy. If a book is well written it will sell, and your readers will ask for more from you. Now that doesn’t mean to take years to complete your project, but if you can write even 500 words a day, or complete a chapter or scene when you sit behind your computer, you’ll have your first draft finished before you know it.
Put the manuscript away for a few weeks, then re-read it. When you have the tale fresh in your mind it’s easy for your brain to skip over the mistakes because you know what the story is supposed to say. You will be amazed at how many corrections you’ll need to make.
Then have someone who is well versed in English check your sentence structure for wrong words that got by the spell check on your word processor (and you!) missing or inappropriate comma usage, long sentences, etc. Also, Try not to use the same noun, verb, adverb, adjective more than once in a paragraph.
This is my own pet peeve, but have a satisfying ending to your story. There are many ways to suggest to the reader that there will be a sequel if that’s your plan. Unless you are a prolific writer and can churn out quality books within a month, don’t leave your reader hanging and waiting for your next book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Have the characters tell the story through dialogue. Many beginning writers tell the story through narrative which is good for background information, but can be boring to the reader if used too frequently. The story becomes alive when people tell the tale.
What are you reading now?
The last book in the series, I Am Number Four, by Pitacus Lore
What’s next for you as a writer?
Starting book three of Survive! Alien Conquest. In book two, I left an opening at the end for a continuation of the story.
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?
Mine. I actually enjoy reading the stories again. That is not to say there aren’t many other good books out there, but re-reading my own gives me additional ideas on where I can take my characters in the next chapter of their fictional lives.
Author Websites and Profiles
Charles Graham Website
Charles Graham Amazon Profile
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