Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer and filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland. Film is in my blood. I started making little shorts when I was 11 years of age, and when you’re starting out like that the onus is on you to do pretty much everything, so that’s how I started writing. I’ve always loved telling stories. I’ve written two books, but I’ve only published the most recent one (the first will remain hidden forever), and I’ve already started on the next one.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is called Pass the Night, and it was inspired by a screenplay of the same title that I wrote a few years back. It made the quarterfinals of the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting (AMPAS), but nobody in Hollywood wanted to make it because it was too dark, so I decided to adapt it into a novel…
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I treat it like a proper job, so I try to do it every day (except Saturday and Sunday of course) and I tend to do the creative side early in the morning. The afternoon is good for revision, but I’m always wiped out creatively by then.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, James Lee Burke, Ambrose Bierce, M.R. James, H.P. Lovecraft, Annie Proulx, Michael Chabon…
What are you working on now?
My next novel, Blood Wisdom: A Tale of Mothers & Daughters & Demonic Possession. It’s full on, no holds barred, horror, and it’s also adapted from one of my screenplays.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Trying out websites like Awesomegang… Tweeting. I’m very new to this.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author, so it would be ridiculous to spout advice, but… I have been writing for a long time, so I think the most important thing is to keep at it. Try and write every day. And even if you get discouraged, whether it be from rejections or bad reviews or bad sales, keep going. Write the next one. If you feel like you don’t want to do that then maybe writing isn’t for you. (You know it’s for you when you get all of the above, and you still can’t wait to get started on your next project anyway!)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day.
What are you reading now?
House of the Rising Sun by James Lee Burke. He’s amazing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My next novel…
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?
Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King, Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon, Light of the World by James Lee Burke…
Author Websites and Profiles
Rob Kennedy Amazon Profile
Rob Kennedy’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account