Interview With Author Mark E. Drotos
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a police detective and have written three paranormal suspense novels. They are about an adjunct paranormal suspense professor who investigates haunted locations with his students. It is a series called Strathmore Paranormal that I continue to write currently.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shadows of Creek Hollow is my latest book. It deals with the main character going into the mountainous woods of western Virginia looking for an abandoned, haunted town. What inspired me was the eeriness of being isolated in modern times in areas of the country, the local history and it continued the story I have been writing. This story was taken from some of my real camping expeditions and fears from being in the woods.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
By far my most unusual writing habit is that I actual have to write with a fountain pen my initial drafts. I have found that this connects me to my writing in a way that directly typing into my laptop does not.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My all-time favorite books are fantasy novels, the most notable being The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. A close second is in the fantasy genre The Dragon Lance Chronicles by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman.
In horror or scary stories, I like the writings of Stephen King of course, Bag of Bones was such a good story! Lesser-known authors I read that deal with more the paranormal and strange. I like mystery not gore.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on book 4 in the Strathmore Paranormal Series entitled “The Curse of McDoon.” It continues the underlying story in the series and takes place at a very old plantation in South Carolina. The main character takes a group of college students on a field investigation at the old mansion that is trying to become a bed & breakfast but is haunted by events from the past.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use X and Instagram.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you know and love to talk about. With each manuscript you will become better. Be you, don’t try to imitate someone else’s style.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Enjoy the moment. I’m not saying not to plan and look towards the future, just that today is happening now! Enjoy each day.
What are you reading now?
Lord of the Rings, again… and a book about a paranormal detective who dosn’t believe in the paranormal. I also listen to a lot of audio books since I commute quite a bit. I don’t think that counts as “reading”, but it does count for immersive imaginative time which reading is. I am listening to J. R. Erickson “Still Falling”, Madeline Miller’s “Circe”, and “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman to name a few.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am wishing to get more exposure for my work which has nothing to do with writing and therefore I am not excited about it. After finishing this series, I will either do a semi-science fiction novel or some “side stories” with some of my characters from Strathmore.
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?
Lord of the Rings, Dragon Lance Chronicles, the Bible
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