Interview With Author John Gorman
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I had a pretty wild imagination as a child and I loved dinosaurs, King Kong and Godzilla. I tried to scrawl out pictures with crayons and pencils, but they did not come out so good, so I started writing stories. I guess that always stayed with me. I wasn’t an avid reader until college, though. That’s when I knew then I wanted to write stories. I started off writing short stories, but I think the novel was always trying to come out. The stories started to get longer and longer, and then I wrote my first novel, Shades of Luz.
Now I mostly write novels. I’ve penned seven so far. I’m taking a little breather from my semi humorous Nebilon Series. My Orb Of Zorn trilogy is more of the classic epic fantasy adventure.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Heir Apparent. It is the first of trilogy entitled the Orb Of Zorn. It’s an old school epic fantasy adventure with wizards, elves, orcs, and lots of outcasts. I’m a fan of epic fantasy especially Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks, and R.A. Salvatore.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write by hand. Not all the time, of course, but just to break the monotony of looming at a screen all day long.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to name, but I guess I’d have to say J.R.R Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks, Bernard Malamud, and R.A. Salvatore.
What are you working on now?
The second installment of the Orb Of Zorn trilogy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to use Twitter and Instagram. A little bit of Facebook.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. There’s a lot of very talented writers out there and it’s hard to keep up with all the social media and sling and arrows of life. The main thing is to believe in yourself and keep improving on your craft.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To Kill Your Darlings and remove them from your story, but don’t ever throw them away. Put them in a drawer to come back for another time.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a hardboiled crime thriller for a change of pace called Voices by Arnaldur Indridason.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to start writing some short stories again. Maybe one as a prequel for one of novels.
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?
The Hobbit, the collected works of Bernard Malamud, Going Postal, and Critique of Pure Reason.
Author Websites and Profiles
John Gorman Author Profile on Smashwords
John Gorman’s Social Media Links