Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To date, I have written seven books, as well as a novella and a short story. I started writing late in life (at age 55), but in 2018 I cranked out six of my seven novels. I am currently working on an epic fantasy book that should be done by the middle of this year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Captain Phenom is my most recent, based on a teen-age boy with cerebral palsy that due unforeseen circumstances finds himself with super-powers that he is slowly learning how to control.
My inspiration starts with my wife, who has cerebral palsy and our discussion about her youth and how she wished she could take on the bullies and put them in their place. Then a little over a year ago my youngest grand daughter was born brain dead. Though a series of miracles she “woke up” and now appears to be almost normal, though they speculate she might also have cerebral palsy. Captain Phenom (initials are CP, like CP for cerebral palsy) is written for her and those like her that my need a super hero of their own to look up to and take them away from their real life issues from time to time.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Is procrastination an unusual writing habit? I have to really push myself sometimes to get words knocked out.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a big fan of Isaac Asimov; one of the few authors I have read very close to everything he’s written. His Foundation and Robots series’ are my all time favorites. I also like Arthur C. Clarke, Ursula K. Le Guin, Andre Norton, and Piers Anthony.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am working on an epic fantasy novel called The Dragons of Neverwind. This will be my first true fantasy novel. It should be finished by the middle of 2019.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment I haven’t used any, and I am hoping Awesome Gang will give my book sales a shot in the arm.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advise it write. Don’t worry if it’s good or not. That’s what proof-reading, and editors are for. Rewrites can only happen if you’ve WRITTEN something. Get that first one knocked out, the rest will seem possible after that.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t worry what anyone else thinks. Write your story your way. You will always have people try to tell you that for one reason or another you need to change your story. DON’T. It’s your story. An editor can suggest how to make it better, but the changes you make are up to you.
What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading Mother Moon by Bob Goddard. I don’t have as much time to spend reading as I would like. The time I would be reading, I would rather be writing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, until that major movie deal for kDira’s World comes though, I guess I will continue to add to my catalog. Ideally, I would like to be able to work full time at home writing, as my wife’s health declines. Being able to stay home and care for her, getting my writing in as I can, would be my ultimate goal.
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?
It would have to be the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov, and maybe an Andre Norton book I hadn’t read yet.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kenneth McClellan Website
Kenneth McClellan Amazon Profile
Kenneth McClellan’s Social Media Links
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