Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a quarter-of-a-century old and have been telling stories since I could talk. When I was five, I wrote one down for the first time, and haven’t been able to stop since. I have self-published five books to date, as well as a number of poems and short stories. When not writing I love reading good books of all genres, painting my nails, and doing pretty much anything with family and friends.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Implant, is a time-travel dystopia about a nineteen-year-old boy with leukemia who gets pulled into a future where everyone is controlled by means of a cure-all mdical implant. Naturally, it rests on him to save the world. It was mainly inspired by the idea of a relationship between two men who appear to hate each others’ guts, but deep down are true friends. It was also inspired by thinking about the dangers of giving up complete control of your health to an outside entity.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No writing session is complete without a bout of freewriting to help me plan things out and fill in plot holes. I open a separate document, write out whatever thoughts I have (including “um”s and “I don’t know”s) until I feel like I have a grasp on what direction to go. Most of my writing habits are, however, normal (that is, normal for a writer). Wait, is consuming unhealthy amounts of Jr. Mints normal?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to count, but a few of the top contenders would be Frank Peretti (in particular his books Monster and The Oath), Daniel Schwabauer, and C. S. Lewis (mainly his Chronicles of Narnia series). I grew ingesting Lewis via abridged audiobooks on cassette tape almost daily, I finished my first novel after reading a Peretti book at age eighteen, and Schwabauer’s One Year Adventure Novel course has revolutionized the way I tell stories.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m finishing up the fifth book in my young adult science-fiction series–Firmament: Gestern. I wrote the bulk of it during this last NaNoWriMo and am hoping to put in the last 5000 words or so this month so I can get on to publishing the fourth book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I’m not incredibly good at the whole marketing thing as of yet, but so far the most effective thing I’ve tried has been well-timed sales (Black Friday sales, holiday sales, summer reading sales, etc.) in conjunction with other writers. Those always provide a nice boost, plus, it’s just plain wonderful when authors band together!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My main advice is basically to just do it. So many people talk about and dream of writing, but so few will actually get their behinds in their chairs and do it. Or if they do, they write a few pages and get tired of it (me until I was eighteen). Just write. And when you don’t feel inspired, keep writing. When what you’re turning out is junk, keep writing. Writing is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent fingers-on-keyboard (or pen or pencil, if that’s your thing).
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can edit anything but a blank page.” I don’t remember who said it, but it gives me the little push I need to keep writing by remembering no mater how bad it is, I can always edit it later.
What are you reading now?
Let’s Get Visible by David Gaughran. It’s a marketing book for indie ebook publishers.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Like I said, I am planning to publish the fourth book in my series, Firmament: Reversal Zone, soon. In addition, I am hoping to submit more short stories and poetry to magazines this year. I may also do my own ebook of poetry and essays. We’ll see.
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?
This is a cruel and unusual question! I’m going to assume the Bible doesn’t count, and say Me, Myself, & Bob by Phil Vischer, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott, and The Oath by Frank Peretti. Quite a mishmash. (did I mention I like to read in all genres?)
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