Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I envy the authors in my local writer’s organization, the Northwest Independent Writers’ Association (NIWA), who are able to turn out two or three novels a year. My first draft of the Universe novel took a few months, then I labored over a year on rewrites in my Atlanta writers’ group. I wrote for over four years on the Talisman novel, obviously very slowly. Is it any better than one written much faster? Probably not. Anyway, it received a lot of TLC so I hope you like it.
I’m retired from a career in computer systems and living in Portland, Oregon and working on my third novel, which will be in the same universe as my first.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Lesser Talisman was inspired by my writer’s group in Atlanta, who all agreed that my talent and interest was in writing “hard” science fiction and I obviously couldn’t write a fantasy novel. So I did.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
What is usual? I write on my computer using Scrivener. I follow the precepts of Dean Wesley Smith in “Writing into the Dark” in that I only have a general idea of where the story is going as I write — I don’t outline.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been reading science fiction since I was twelve, so it’s difficult to say. Everyone…
What are you working on now?
A sequel to my first novel, tentatively titled “An Emergent Universe,”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Alas, I don’t have one.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write.
What are you reading now?
“Away with the Fairies” by Kerry Greenwood, an Australian murder mystery. Yes, I read other things than my genre as a writer.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the novel I’m working on.
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?
With nothing else to do, I would read three or four novels in a week, do I would take “survival” tomes.
Author Websites and Profiles
James (Jim) Gillaspy Website
James (Jim) Gillaspy Amazon Profile
James (Jim) Gillaspy Author Profile on Smashwords