Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello!
Firstly, I am your typical Australian guy. Born in the 1980’s. My first computer experience was on a ‘Commodore 64’ , I have large feet and I am part of a large ‘Tennis’ playing family. If you can follow all that…. You are doing well
In terms of writing. I’ve written two books. The First book was called ‘Weekend Warriors – A funny side’. Now, while weekend warriors mean many things to other people (ie Dads who ride motorbikes or go on fishing retreats to their favourite lake on the weekend), for me its all about the Army Reserve.
Now don’t roll your eyes just yet……I’m an Australian Army Reservist. And yes, their is a difference! Ive played war games against the American Reservists and let me tell you….When it comes to safely handling weapons of a high calibre nature…..I can see why they need some serious reforms in their 2nd Amendment Bill.
The second book is the sequel to the Weekend Warriors series. I couldn’t help myself with just one book…. When your on a roll you know you have to write a sequel!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book (that is currently with the editors- release date is early april) is called Weekend Warriors 2 – A sequel.
The first of the series talks about me as a young 17 year old not knowing what to do after high school. A young military officer then comes to my school during assembly and talks about the Army Reserve. I sign up and the book pans through the ‘humourous’ stories from my time at Boot Camp to my career progression as an Artillery Operator, and then as a signaller for a Papua New Guinean Platoon in the Solomon Islands (Overseas Deployment)
Anyways, after the first book was completed and received some great feedback from my Reserve peers. I thought, why not write about our Artillery unit? And so I did…..I went to the Military Archives and found out just where our Artillery Unit was created and the battles they faced during world war 2. But it wasn’t just the history I was after! I needed the humourous stories that raised the morale during the heat of war! So I dug a little deeper and found them too! Then I decided to include 70 years of our units ‘funny’ stories into one book. The project took 6 months to complete, but I got there. I should also note that I also included about 30 Cartoons to help highlight some of the stories from within the pages.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I guess you could say that I’m a bit of a simple-simon. I tend to stay away from in depth journals and people’s theiss’s. It’s far better to write your story quickly and no need to include details about ‘the air was refreshingly cool and the night was darker than the heart of Samuel’s unforgiving nature’ (Ughh!!!)
These books are simply targeted to people over the age of 15, and the stories inside and simply ‘funny soft reads’.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As an Australian, I tend to give my preferences to other Australian Writers. People like Mathew Reily (Ice Stations, Area 7, Scarecrow) tend to excite me. I do devil in a bit of Clive Cussler (Black Wind, Sahara), but generally Australian Authors.
What are you working on now?
The third book is actually my first Fiction! ‘Palestine Burning’ should be ready in January 2017.
I am pro-Israel. I understand that may frustrate some of you but that’s where I stand. The book is about a lost scroll written by Paul and Apostle himself that is obtained by the Roman Empire during the Battle of Messada. The scroll was written way beyond its time and the Roman Leadership fear that it may cause another uprising and so order it to be destroyed. But……Its never that easy. …..Fast forward to today and the scroll surfaces in the hands of an Egyptian Muslim, an Israeli Jew and a Christian. The scroll bears meaning on all 3 faiths and the three must work together to get the truth out there…… before someone else does….. Throughout the book it focuses on the relationship between the three and how they put aside their differences to get things done.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
A great question. For me, a simple search in google on ‘how to promote your book’ prompted me to go to youtube.com and find peoples videos that explain where and what to do. That’s how I found out about this site!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Someone once told me that even if your book is nothing flash…..Its something that cannot be taken away from you. You were the one who spent the late nights typing away…. And now its done, dusted and listed on Amazon with your name on it. . . .
And to those who came to you with smug looks on there face and offer words of discouragement ……Well……I think Tay-Tay said it best…..’Haters gonna Hate!’
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Try not to rush into the typing too quickly. . . . If you go at it full steam…After 10K words, you will burn yourself out….and will never finish the book you were meant to write.
Pace yourself. A few hundred words a few days a week and over the space of a year….You will have your masterpiece.
What are you reading now?
Well…..As the Roman Novel gets more into the nitty gritty….I find myself learning the ways of the Roman way of life (100 AD era).
What’s next for you as a writer?
After the Roman Novel. I am going to try my luck with a childrens book that involves my two cute Shetland Sheepdogs ( Mini Lassies for the uneducated)
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?
A full Encyclopedia set….. If there’s trees on that island…. I’m going to need a lot of paper to start fires! No way I’m surviving the cold nights without a warm fire…..Come to think of it….Id like my fish cooked too! And anything else that’s edible for that matter.
Author Websites and Profiles
James Sanderson Website
James Sanderson Amazon Profile