Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
During 2015, I have published five (5) books so far. Two science fiction novels (in my own language, Swedish), a “How to”-book on writing, publishing and marketing books, my solo adventure game book Fantasy Dungeon and a re-print of a graphic novel.
I have also written a fantasy novel (Lisana: Dragon’s Den) and a photo book about a local church tower (over 300 years old!).
I don’t know exactly how many books I have written – but the above are published work. I might have written 20, 30 – maybe even a hundred books. Does movie scripts count – then I’m way over 100. 🙂
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is the solo adventure/interactive fiction Fantasy Dungeon. It is the first in a series called Random Solo Adventure, which is a solo game system I’ve created. I wanted to do something that is fun, entertaining – but also simple and quick, and has a nice re-play value.
My inspiration of course comes from the 1982 Fighting Fantasy game book The Warlock of Firetop Mountain. I got that as a Christmas gift about 30 years ago – and now I finally published my first, own, solo game book. It meant a lot to me to recieve that gift, and I remember playing it for weeks, months!
I still own that book. I have the original one I recieved 30 years ago – and a “backup” I bought on eBay a few years back, plus a few others.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure if they’re “unusual”, but I usually sit down and write when I’ve read something from someone else, or in the news. Anything can spark my imagination and to get my brain to stop spinning around these crazy ideas, I sit down and write it up.
Sometimes those ideas are just pages that are saved, and then never used. But sometimes another idea pops up, and then I mix it with something I wrote before.
I love to write at night, but I can write any time.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
1984 (George Orwell), game books by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone but actually mostly comics and movies. I take great inspiration from films like ROBOCOP (1987) and MAD MAX (1979), but also from graphic novels as HATE! (Peter Bagge) and the Hernandez’ LOVE & ROCKETS.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on four books:
The second Random Solo Adventure – this time Post Apocalypse, and the third in the Swedish science fiction series ATOMKRIG 1981 (“Nuclear War 1981”) and also an English language science fiction novel, currently called NUKED! (That title might change though.)
The fourth book is first in a Swedish fantasy/monster series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use a Twitter a lot. I like the flow, and I like the fans. I like how casual it is, but at the same time business like. And I like how nice the people I follow and follow me, are. It’s a nice community.
Since I also write in Swedish I have a few Swedish sites I visit as well, but my own website, PenguinComics.com, is by far my most important tool.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes – don’t stop writing!
It doesn’t matter if you think what you’re writing sucks, or if it’s filled with typos or if you don’t know the exact, proper word. Just WRITE IT!
You can change everything later, find the right words and spelling later. Don’t worry about it!
Most new writers are too scared to do something wrong. I’ll let you in on a secret: there’s nothing that’s wrong. If you want it to be like that – then it should be like that.
That said, try to make it as perfect as possible. That’s difficult when it comes to self-publishing, but it does help. You have an enormous pile of tutorials and people who can and will help you on the ‘net – just ask. Or google.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That everyone is 12 years old. I think it was Akiva Goldsman who said that. It means that when you’re scared, maybe because you think you’re not good enough, or everyone looks down on you – remember that everyone else are scared too. Find your confidence – everyone has it. You just have to search for it a little…
What are you reading now?
Currently I’m mostly reading news, since so much stuff are happening. But I’m also trying to dig in on some older game books.
I really enjoy the 80’s game books and even rule books for role playing games. Illustrations are cool, the texts are graphic and descriptive. It was just another era. Cool stuff!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Pushing myself harder to make better books, and keep doing more books in my series. I hope to get more acquainted with my fans so I know what they want – and don’t want.
I also want to go more interactive, try to turn more of my books and comics into apps and interactive PDF-files.
Also, of course, I want to explore the graphic novel business a bit more, but I need to complete a screenplay first, so all else will have to wait.
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?
Probably Art Spiegelman’s MAUS, Orwell’s 1984, Let Us C by Yashavant Kanetkar and a notebook. 😉
Author Websites and Profiles
J. Pingo Lindstrom Website
J. Pingo Lindstrom Amazon Profile
J. Pingo Lindstrom’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account