Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a long-time book lover currently living in Huntsville, AL. For the past 36 years, I’ve worked for the Department of the Army in several different positions: a statistical clerk in a nerve gas laboratory; a public affairs specialist at a tank depot; and as a writer and editor for PS Magazine, an Army comic book designed to help Soldiers take care of their equipment. I’m coming to the end of my career now and needed something to occupy all that extra time I’ll have. I’ve always wanted to write my own book, but never thought I’d have the patience to do it. Amazingly, I’ve written four books now, all part of an epic fantasy series that’s still ongoing. I released the first three at the same time, in August 2018, so I’ve actually been a published writer for less than a year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Magician’s Loss, Book IV of the Dark Mage Series. It was just released on May 1, 2019. When I started the series, I intended it to be a trilogy, but it took on a life of its own. I’m four books in and I figure it’ll take a minimum of five or six books to finish; at least if my characters don’t decide to throw me a few more curve balls!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if it’s unusual or not, but I’m what’s called a seat-of-the-pants writer. From what I understand, most writers prefer to outline their story first. It makes the process faster and, I suppose, easier. As a “pantser,” I have a vague notion of how the book will end, but I never know for sure what my characters might do from chapter to chapter. It makes them more real to me and provides some of the joy of discovery that I hope my readers enjoy as well.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Growing up, I read every science fiction and fantasy novel I could get my hands on. The library in our small town didn’t have much, but I read and re-read every book they had. I particularly loved Isaac Asimov, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and the books of Edgar Rice Burroughs. In college, my favorite author was Stephen R. Donaldson. I’ve read his Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series multiple times. And, like many, I’m now a Game of Thrones fan. While I enjoy the HBO series, they are nothing compared to George R. R. Martin’s five Song of Ice and Fire novels.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the fifth book in my Dark Mage series, Magician’s War.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Marketing is the hardest part of writing. Whenever I spend time on it, I have this constant, nagging voice in the back of my head that insists I should be writing instead. So far, I’ve used some of the book promotional sites (Awesome Gang, Freebooksy, Book Barbarian, the Fussy Librarian, etc.) with some decent short term results. Eventually, I’ll need to figure out Facebook and Amazon ads, I suppose. But I don’t look forward to it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just that the book you’re writing is all yours. When you share it with others, particularly friends and relatives, they’re going to make suggestions. That’s not necessarily a bad thing and you might actually get some good ideas that way. But no one knows your characters like you do. Only you know how they would react to different situations. So the only person you have to please is yourself. Only if you’re true to yourself and the characters you’ve created will you be happy with the results.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you love. Too many writers try to chase the latest popular trend and do what other authors are doing in an attempt to ride their coattails to success. If you write about what really affects you as a person, your writing will show it.
What are you reading now?
Just finished the second book of Ryan King’s Land of Tomorrow series.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m retiring at the end of this year with 37 years of federal service. So I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with my writing. Hopefully, the additional time will allow me to complete books a little faster.
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 tough one. My first inclination would be George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series. But since it hasn’t been concluded (in novel form, at least), I’d forever wonder how it turned out. So I’d probably take Stephen R. Donaldson’s 1st Thomas Covenant series.
Author Websites and Profiles
D. Bruce Cotton Website
D. Bruce Cotton Amazon Profile
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