Interview With Author Paul Flanagan
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Paul Flanagan. I'm 45yrs old. I work as a professional ghostwriter (I have written numerous single books and book series). I'm a Christian. I'm married and have a daughter along with four dogs (my dogs drive me crazy…or maybe that's my wife…at my age it all blurs together). I began writing books at the age of sixteen. I love to write clean humor. 'Carving Up Riley' is my first clean humor series (after Riley I will write a clean comedy mafia series). I love JESUS and want to make sure my work something a family can sit down and read together (cuts down on the lawsuits, too). I live in North Georgia and I like Marvin the Martian and the Pink Panther.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book series is titled: Riley MacLeod Series: Carving Up Riley (Book 1).
The series will be between 4-6 books at 40K apiece.
My wife and daughter loved the first book in the series. I decided to publish the series for them. They are my greatest fans and that's enough for me. I hope other people can enjoy the series, too.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I'm a panster. I fly with the wind! Imagination can't be put into chapter outlines. When I write I let my imagination take full control and off I go (not to the mental ward by the way).
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a young man I liked Lewis Grizzard and Robert Fulghum. I read a lot of non-fictional books which some may see as odd because I write fictional books. That's one of those strange mysteries in the Twi-Light Zone.
What are you working on now?
When I'm not writing a book for a client I'm working on 'A Riley MacLeod Christmas Carol' Book 4 to the Riley MacLeod series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My wife handles all that for me. She's the social media whiz in the family. I still like my old VCR.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from your heart, not to sell books or become famous. A story must come to life and be able to live. You can't shove a story into a box and expect it to breath and live. If your book sells, great. If not, who cares. You have to write for yourself before you write for anyone. Never deny imagination the chance to soar above the clouds inside of your heart by being conformed to how the world thinks you should write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
'Believe in JESUS'. As a Christian my faith in JESUS is my strength and hope. JESUS allows me to be the writer I am today.
What are you reading now?
Charlie Brown comics
What’s next for you as a writer?
A new clean comedy series that's focused on a silly little mafia wise guy and his wife (they get into loads of trouble).
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 Bible.
Robert Fulghum books
Lewis Grizzard books
Charlie Brown comics
'Five People You Meet In Heaven"
And a pizza cook book
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