Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been featured here before for my previous novel Dead Reckoning, the first title in the Bequia Mysteries series. But for those new to Awesomegang and my novels, I write mysteries and science fiction. I’m working on a series called the Bequia Mysteries, set in the Grenadines, in the eastern Caribbean. I’ve already completed the first three novels in the series, a trilogy which introduces the characters and setting. I’m currently working on the fourth title in the series, and a non-Bequia mystery. I’ve also completed a science fiction novel which is close to publication, and working on a second. It’s not a series though, I have my hands full with one series already.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book just released is Deadeye, the second tile in the Bequia Mysteries. It was inspired along with the first novel. I wanted something unique and sprawling to introduce the characters, the location, and the series. So I turned the first three titles into a trilogy. But each is capable of standing alone, so readers can enjoy each novel without having to read them in order. The feedback I’ve been receiving from readers so far vindicates the approach I took, and it appears I’ve achieved what I set out to accomplish with the first three titles.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Can’t say I have, but I guess it’s what you mean by unusual.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I cut my teeth reading the old ‘hard boiled’ series by the founders of that genre, Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Ross Macdonald and Mickey Spillane. I loved their style, their use of language, and the fantastic characters they created, Sam Spade, Lew Archer, Mike Hammer. My all favorite character is Travis McGee, created by John D. MacDonald. Those are the authors who triggered my imagination and the urge to write and tell stories.
What are you working on now?
I’m about halfway through the fourth title in the Bequia Mysteries, and outlining a fifth. I’m also working on a non-Bequia mystery, readying my first science fiction novel for publication, and outlining a second science fiction novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do much more now than the first time I was featured here for Dead Reckoning. At that time my website was still under development, I didn’t yet have a blog, and I was new to social media. Now I spend more time on social media sites than I care to, but it is necessary to promote my novels, and rewarding when I connect with my readers. I’ve discovered and joined many terrific sites for promoting my novels, awesomegang being among them. But in terms of a best method strategy, I use the social sites, online communities and promotional sites to steer readers toward my website. That’s where the real action is, and where I get to engage potential readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Know why it is you write. What makes you an author and what do you want to accomplish. Answer those questions first and go from there. Because those answers will determine how you approach your writing as an art, as a hobby, as a business, and as a career.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The one I pay forward. It is to write, and write, and write, everyday. It doesn’t matter what you write, just write. Practice, practice and keep practicing. And the other tip, perhaps as important, is to learn the craft. How to do more than just use words and language, but how to manipulate them. Often what’s going on in one’s imagination doesn’t get translated to the page. And it doesn’t happen by itself or by accident. Doesn’t mean you need to take writing courses or get a degree in creative writing, although those will teach you the craft. But I think one of the best ways to learn the craft is to read, read and read, especially in the genre you enjoy and you want to create in. And while you’re reading pay attention to the language, how words are strung together to create a scene, or produce an emotion, or make you visualize what the author is imagining.
What are you reading now?
Mostly my own writing and materials I need to read for research. I have projects in various stages going back and forth to my editor, and I’m in the initial stages of three new novels. I try to put aside weekends for pleasure reading, but that has to compete with all the other non-writing activities I relegate to the weekend. I just finished ‘His Kidnapper’s Shoes’ by a terrific indie author Maggie James, and her second novel, ‘Sister, Psychopath’ is waiting for me to dig into.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue writing. To develop more stories for the Bequia Mysteries. I want to make it a continuing series, until the characters tell me they’re heading off to do something else with their lives. And I want to develop more Science fiction stories.
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?
My answer hasn’t changed since the last time, so I’ll repeat it here. The specific book titles wouldn’t matter, I’d want to have the sort of books I can read over and over again and still enjoy. The type of books where using them to read, or using them as the only available kindling for a fire, is a tough choice. I’d want to have a mystery, an espionage suspense thriller, a science fiction novel, and perhaps something philosophical.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Smart Website
Michael Smart Amazon Profile
Michael Smart Author Profile on Smashwords
Michael Smart’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Pinterest Account