Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
In the fourth grade, I wrote down the vague goal of becoming a “writer and an artist” when I grew up. On a journey that led from philosopher to graphic designer to stay at home parent and even a stint as an Investigative Specialist with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, I finally got around to that “writing” part which I now pursue full time.
I live in Denton, Texas where I write beside my unnervingly quiet dog, my history-obsessed son and my extremely patient wife. I volunteer my time to community issues and I’m currently the scoutmaster for my son’s Boy Scout troop. I’m a regular at the North Branch Writer’s Critique Group and I’ve taken creative writing courses through Stanford University’s continuing studies program and workshops at local cons.
I hold a black belt in Tae Kwon Do which was marginally more useful in a former life not making my living from behind a desk. I enjoy the outdoors and when I’m not leading my scouts on virtual campouts in Minecraft, I’m making them haul their gear across any number of state parks in the North Texas area.
My first book, Crimson Son will be released on June 14th, 2014. I have published stories in numerous venues both online and print.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book, Crimson Son, is a superhero novel that isn’t entirely about superheroes.
The novel deals with complex issues of family and heroism all wrapped in a non-traditional superhero story. This book was deeply inspired by my own experiences as a father and the strains a demanding career can place on a family.
I was also driven to write a “superhero” story where it was okay to not be super – okay to be imperfect, physically weak, or unable to solve every problem on your own. Spencer, the book’s main character, learns that real heroes are the ones with something to lose. The blurb:
Nineteen-year-old Spencer is the son of the Crimson Mask, the world’s most powerful Augment. But Spencer’s only superpowers are a quick wit and his ability to constantly be mistaken for a “kid”. Since witnessing his mother’s abduction two years ago, he’s been confined to his father’s arctic bunker. Now, he’s wasting away in the “Icehole”, waiting for his father to defeat the Black Beetle and rescue his mother.
With nothing but a multi-tool and a boatload of emotional trauma, Spencer leaves the bunker behind seeking to uncover his mother’s fate and confront his absentee father. As he stumbles through a nest of conspiracy and top secret facilities, gathering together a team of everyday people and cast-off augments, Spencer soon discovers that the Black Beetle isn’t his only enemy, nor his worst.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a pantser, which means minimal to no plotting (not that I write without pants, though I will not argue that definition). Often, I start with a prompt, put my fingers on the keys and see what happens. For a novel, I usually have a general overview of the world and a broad idea of the direction I want to see the plot head, but the details all get hammered out on the fly. Often, this leads to interesting discoveries and I rethink the entire direction. It’s very liberating. And maddening.
I manage to pull this off almost entirely thanks to a roleplaying hobby that predates my professional writing by a few decades. I was always the guy selected to be the gamemaster because I could pull off a cohesive plot line while reacting to player decisions on the fly. Writing is in many ways easier because I’m the only one with input into the story!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Like most writers, I was an early bloomer when it came to reading skills. My mom really encouraged this because as a child she made reading to myself and my twin sister a priority. We repaid her by asking her to stop reading to us so we could devour books faster. (Precocious and callously practical then – now I’m just a smartass.)
I recall many of those early readers, from Seuss to the poetry of Silverstein. But the first real chapter book I ever read that left a lasting impression was C.S. Lewis’ The Magician’s Nephew. I was so entranced by his style, imagery and even the British spelling of things, it sunk deep into my subconscious.
I didn’t realize how deeply that story affected me until I started this full time writing journey and sat down to re-read that book. I’m not an overly emotional person, but I was nearly moved to tears when I read the description of the Wood Between the Worlds after so many years. When the children surface and you realize that they came from a single pool and the wood is filled with more and more pools and the possibilities are endless. He created a place where every writer stops before picking a pool and jumping in head first. (Note: This was prior to reading Grossman’s “Magicians” which will also make you cry about the portal realm but for very different reasons.)
What are you working on now?
A fantasy novel. It’s epic fantasy but like Collateral Damage the story focuses on an unlikely hero at the center of the maelstrom. The book does have a quest of sorts and other typical elements of fantasy but the real story explores the nature of identity.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll tell you when I find it. Honest. I’m very new to this process and am learning so much everyday. At the moment, I’m still in search of that magic formula. Right now, the best thing seems to be not just one site, but visiting a new resource everyday and giving it a shot. I’m pretty open about my adventures and misadventures in the world of writing and publishing and you can read about it at my website: http://russlinton.com/category/writing-blog/
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My biggest piece of advice would be – work hard. If you ever find yourself not working hard at this, you’re doing it wrong.
As a self-published author, these are the best and worst of times to be a writer. Too many people are rushing the process and getting their book out there as soon as they possibly can. If you want this to be a career and you want to succeed, you HAVE to take the time to do things correctly. You have to work hard.
Critique partners, beta readers, editors – someone other than a relative needs to check your work. You will also need to pay someone to do these things. You have to treat writing like a business and if you produce a professional product, more likely than not, people will come back for more.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write.
What are you reading now?
Currently, I’m reading “The Golem and Jinni” by Helene Wecker. So far, I’m enjoying the book and it is pretty closely aligned with my own style. The tale follows two unwitting immigrants to New York, both of which have their own incredibly unique background. As the title suggests, one is a Golem, the other a Jinn. They both go about trying to have normal lives while recognizing they are indeed inextricably tied to the extraordinary which constantly pulls at their inner selves.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My upcoming fantasy novel, working title “First Song”, should be out mid 2015 and I hope to have a few more short stories published between now and then. Until then, my writer side is battling my underdeveloped marketing side and trying to get the word out about “Crimson Son”.
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?
I’d take a portable solar charger and my Kindle. When and if either device died, only then would I then seek to escape said island.
Author Websites and Profiles
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