Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Before delving into your question I would like to say thanks for this great opportunity. That said, my name is Michael Coombs and I was born on the Island of Jamaica. I had a wonderful time as a child there. My Aunt, who I grew up with, had a small farm and I spent a lot of time in the trees, at the river or building carts that my friends and I could drive. Actually it was my friends who did most of the building. Of course like any kid on a farm I did chores like tying out the goats, feeding the chickens or helping to plant crops like lettuce or carrots. My aunt supplied some supermarkets in the city with produce. I never thought seriously of writing anything but if you think long and hard you can probably spot little telltale signs of the probability. It likely started when I was quite young – 6 maybe 7. At that time I use to tell stories. These stories where quite elaborate and would usually involve my ‘made up’ weekend with my dad. There were others. I remember one in which I was a swashbuckling pirate. I actually acted that one out. I stopped when I got to primary school. Making up stories was no longer cool or so I thought…no more stories. I am not sure I missed it because at around that time I started reading a lot of kiddy mystery novels – particularly the Hardy Boys. My dad turned me onto the series. I also got involved in the boy scouts and track & field. Maybe I am now coming full circle with this book writing. It certainly was enjoyable.
In answer to the second part of your question this is my first book. I hope there will be many more to follow. It would be nice if at some point I could actually write for a living.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have come a bit late to the writing game so this is my first outing as a writer. It was released several months ago and is titled Sight Unseen. The book loosely falls within the genre of romantic thriller and is about a high-end courier in search of a woman he has never met but just may love. The book was inspired by the love of my life – Jeannie. It’s as though I was placed on this earth to be with that lady. Funny thing, when I started writing She was not in my life. We are now engaged to be married.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In the annals of unusual writing habits this is probably lame but here goes. I have a regular 9 to 5 and I am pretty beat up when I get home. As a result, I go right to bed and will wake up at around 2 or 3am to write for about an hour. At that time there is nothing stirring… not even the birds are awake. I feel as though it’s just me, the keyboard and that all powerful force. It’s a time when all seems possible.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s a good question. I am sure that I have been influenced in some way by just about ever book that I have read; even the bad ones. It’s not a conscious thing but I don’t know that it can be helped. There are a number of books, however, that have left me thinking…Wow I wished I had written that – and these are not necessarily classics. I don’t think I am influenced to be like these authors but it does inspire me to be the best author…the best me I can possibly be.
What are you working on now?
Nothing currently but I have been jotting down ideas for a sequel. It likely will not be released until 2017. I type slowly. I took a typing test once and at my absolute fastest, we are talking with typos here, was only 30 words a minute. That’s like 1.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. In any case, the remainder of this year and quite possibly next will be dedicated to marketing the present book. I have no clue what the third one will be.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am not sure I am qualified to answer that question until I have several books under my belt. So far however, I have found that forums such as this are excellent venues for book promotion. I understand that blog tours are another great avenue. I type far too slowly for that though. For immediate sales I think live signings or talks where you have a dedicated audience is the best way to go.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advise for new authors would be to have faith in your ability and as that very wise man once said “…never, never, never give up.” Good things seem to happen when you least expect it to.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever had was not advice at all. Rather it was a question from a little child as I explained why he could not cross the street by himself. His question was a simple “is that it?” I think it was the total incredulousness in the voice rather than the question itself that touched me. It really brought home for me the power of perspective.
What are you reading now?
Currently I am not reading a thing. Not because I don’t want to but because all my time seem to be taken up with work or the marketing of this book. The days of reading a new book ever month or two are gone for now. That said, I just finished reading a novel called ‘God Carlos’ by Anthony Winkler. My cousin, thanks Heather, turned me on to Mr. Winker a few years ago. She lent me one of his books called ‘Lunatic’. He is really quite good and just happens to be Jamaican.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Another excellent question. I plan to write a sequel to the present novel and have some thoughts on paper. I am really concentrating on marketing the present book, however, so will have little time to develop those thoughts for the next year or two. I had no idea that marketing the book would be some demanding. This is by no means a complaint just an observation. At some point in my career as an author I would love to get more youngsters involved in writing and the younger the better. They have such wonderful imaginations.
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?
I hope that never happens but if it did I would want Cervantes ‘Don Quixote’ to be one of the books. I read it in high school and really want to read it again. I would also want Stieg Larson’s trilogy to be among them. Only 3 ehh? Guess my already over the limit. If this stranding does happen can we order up a laptop with limitless battery life or several realms of paper and a couple pencils?
Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Coombs Website
Michael Coombs Amazon Profile