Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m American, but I live in the UK. I’m a IT Manager by trade and work daily with computers.
I’ve written ten books, both fiction and non-fiction. Most of the non-fiction is around my main area of interests which are learning new languages and self-development. My fiction tends to run towards the action, thriller or swords and sorcery books. I like a lot of action and intrigue in the books I read.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Africian Extrication, which is book one of the “Les Retraités” series. It is a a series about a man who has retired from the French Foreign Legion. The “Les Retraités” is a semi-secret society over 150 years old. The men who have retired from the legion, ex-legionaries, who have formed an elite secret society, a society who’s only membership requirement is your certificate of honneur et fidélité.
I was inspired to write it after reading about the Legion and interviews with ex-members of the regiment.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It probably isn’t that unusual, but I almost always use the Pomodoro technique to write. This is when you set an egg-timer for a fixed amount of time and try to write as much as you can in that time. I find it helps me to focus and the constant ticking of the timer really motivates me to go faster.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a kid I found a book series called “The Destroyer” originally by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir. I really liked the action and the humour in the books. Most of the other books I read were in the Fantasy or Science Fiction genre.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on way to much stuff! I’m just getting my reviews back for the second book in the “Les Retraités” series from my beta-readers, and my editor. That should be published in November. I’m outlining the third book in the series, while writing a separate stand-alone thriller set in Singapore. At the same time I’m also writing one other stand-alone fantasy book, and outlining other books in two fantasy series I have written. I’m also sporadically writing a historical fiction novel about the first Afghan war.
Now you see why I have to use the Pomodoro technique!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really haven’t found a best way. I normally post my books out to Facebook or Twitter and some advertisements on Amazon. I really need to get better at marketing, but I’m so busy writing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
For writing, I highly recommend the Pomodoro technique to keep yourself focused, and if you’re going to be prolific, then you really need to outline first. It will save you a lot of going back and editing later. If you do go off-piste of the outline, it is easier to rewrite an outline than a novel. Trust me, I have been there.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Well repeating some advice I heard a long time ago. Get your author profile picture taken when you’re young. If like me you’ve failed that already, then try to get a good professional one taken.
Read a lot. repeat.
What are you reading now?
I’m rereading Stephen Kings, Dark Tower in French and I’m also reading “Les rois maudits – Tome 1” which is about the French Monarchy in medieval times. Is a historical fiction book which rumour has it influenced George Martin before he wrote the Game of Thrones.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Write, write, write and try to learn some marketing. Because I have three open ended series on the go at the moment and a couple of stand alone books as well I doubt I’ll do anything else for the next 12 months except write.
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?
Robinson Crusoe, because he is stranded too.
The Stand by Stephen King
The first 3 Dune books by Frank Herbert
Author Websites and Profiles
Rick Dearman Amazon Profile
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