Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a husband and father of three who resides in the beautiful environs of Montana. At heart, I’m an outdoorsman, a hobbyist, a technologist and a lover of ice hockey. I’ve been successfully parenting my kids for eighteen years with many more to come. This is my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is Journey to Men: 25 Awesome Missions to Teach Boys Resourcefulness. The idea for this book came from an afternoon drive listening to one of my favorite podcasts. In the story, the narrator had discovered that he had cancer with only 6 months to live. The story continued with the narrator describing everything he planned to do with his remaining time and the things that suddenly mattered little. I found myself very emotional by the end of the podcast and I knew why. I realized that if I was to die tomorrow, I would have left my two boys without fundamental skills I’d intended to pass on. Skills that would help them on their journey to being capable men and productive resourceful members of society. How could I possibly be so busy that I neglected to pass on those important life lessons? Further, I didn’t see a timeline where this would naturally happen.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say anything out of the ordinary, I spend a lot of time in coffee shops around Bozeman. As I have a full-time job and 3 kids I write whenever I can find some time wherever I happen to be. Ideally, I’d be sitting at a desk looking out over a beautiful lake with a glass of Kirk and Sweeney rum next to my laptop but I have no reason to expect that ever to happen.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The inspiration for Journey to Men wasn’t related to anything I’d read. In fact, it was the lack of similar resources that inspired me to write this book. I was definitely influenced by other wonderful books for boys such as the Dangerous Book for Boys and WWII era field manuals.
What are you working on now?
I’m developing some additional resources for Journey to Men fans available on the website and in the future I can see some additional Missions for different aged kids.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning in this space, but my own Facebook friends have been the largest supporters.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to get out there and try and realize it’s a marathon, not a sprint, especially for us indie authors.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” — Henry Ford
What are you reading now?
The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing once I’ve got this one successfully launched.
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?
The Bible
Robopocalypse
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Jurassic Park
Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Van Lierop Website
Paul Van Lierop Amazon Profile