Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a 43 year old truck driver. I’ve been writing stories in one form or another since 3rd grade and in the last couple years started publishing on all the usual suspect sites. I currently have two novels and a short story collection published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is Nine Months Abroad, a coming of age story set in Germany in 1982. I’m an army brat and lived with my family in — surprise, surprise!! — Germany in 1982. That experience is the inspiration behind the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I HAVE to write to music, usually related in some way to the material. For example, Nine Months Abroad takes place in 1982 so I listened to Billboard Top 100 lists from 1981-1983. During the writing of the sequel, Glory Days [which takes place in 1988], I listened to hard rock and metal from the mid-80s. I’ve tried to write music-free, but it just doesn’t work for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, first and foremost. Particularly IT and The Body. I love the way he writes kids.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two projects at the moment: 1 – Class of ’89, the sequel to Glory Days; 2 – an urban fantasy/superheroish book under a pen name.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment, it’s pretty much all Twitter and Facebook. I’ve just now started getting into actual promotion sites.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1000 words a day wins the race.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Heinlein’s Rules. Learn them, love them.
What are you reading now?
Endi Webb’s Chains of Destiny (book two of the Pax Humana series). Darned good space opera.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Launching my UF pen name. And then finishing and publishing Class of ’89.
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?
Stephen King’s IT
The Lord of the Rings (it’s one book, sue me)
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
Author Websites and Profiles
Patrick Szabo Website