Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My background in writing started first as a reader. By sixth grade I was writing stories that my homeroom teacher read to my classmates as a reward for completing assignments. This recognition from teachers continued on as I went to other schools. Likewise, my martial art instruction began around the sixth grade.
Presently I have fifteen books listed on Amazon and I am in the process of listing some with Draft 2 Digital. This is without mentioning a few that our currently out of print, and some that are waiting in the line to be published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Protecting Tao is still unpublished and I am almost done with writing it’s sequel. It is about a librarian who marries a man with a shaded past and is fleeing a secret society that he worked for as a protector of secrets. My wife was my inspiration for this series as she has spent her career working in academic libraries.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not at all like most writers I try and write myself into a corner. After this, I stop to go practice swinging a three-foot long razor blade (Okatana: Samurai sword) until I’m ready to write. That is if I’ve not cut myself or someone else. I often pause to do a bit of martial arts as it keeps me fresh.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Frank Herbert, J. R. R. Tolkien, Richard Bach, JK Rowling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to name a few. But I also like Brad Thor and I’ve been able to practice martial arts with him and he was very encouraging when we spoke of writing. Oh yes, and then there is Tom Clancy, and I love James Clavell and the list goes on.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to Protecting Tao.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am hoping Awesome Gang will be, this is new to me. I also have a new web site, see below.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing even if you don’t rack up bundles in sales it still gives you solace. If you can find others that can relate to you, it might also render them comfort as well. Writing works much like my martial art instruction has done for my students, but with writing I can reach a wider range of people.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“It is said the warrior’s is a twofold way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both ways. Even if a man has no natural ability, he can be a warrior by sticking assiduously to both divisions of the way.” Miyamoto Musashi
What are you reading now?
I just finished reading three books but for the life of me they seem a blur. We just buried my mother-in-law.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A new series maybe a short one as a follow up to my nine book series on the Mystic Dream Walker’s.
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?
“Jonathan Livingston Seagull”, written by Richard Bach
“DUNE”, by Frank Herbert
“Kon-Tiki”, by Thor Heyerdahl as it would serve me well to know how to get off of said desert island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Rand Lawrence Website
Rand Lawrence Amazon Profile
Rand Lawrence’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account