Interview With Author unkillbilly Boyles
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Since I retired from a 40 year career in IT, I’ve spent much of my free time writing books. I’m 69 years old, and writing is of primary importance to me–I have four manuscripts in WIP right, one an edgy science fiction work, one a mock horror novel, two are Romantasies. I’ve written six other books, and published four through KDP and Amazon. I write every day except Fridays. Fridays are my cheat days! I cheat on everything, my diet, my exercise, my drinking. My published books are two scifi parodies, and two memoirs, one about my time in treatment for mental illness and substance abuse and the other about the special relationship I had with my mom, especially during the years she suffered from dementia.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “Montezuma’s Revenge” and it is the sequal to another book entitled “Presto’s Destiny”. I was motivated to do a parody of the Romance genre, and Presto was my first effort. It quickly evolved into more of a Romantasy than a straight up Romance novel, and when I got to 85000 words I decided it was time to stop and write a sequel to the first book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wake up every day at 1:30 in the morning, no alarm, no struggle I just roll out of bed and go straight to my desk and start writing. I’ve found that time of day I’m at my most creative, and it’s’ not unusual for me to get 3,000 words written in two hours. It’s also the coolest time of the day, when you live in Phoenix during the summer. (Even though that’s not very cool. The overnight low last night was 98 degrees….)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’d say the biggest influence would be Tom Robbins. I read “Another Roadside Attraction” when it first came out and when I finished, I knew what kind of writer I wanted to be. I also like Christopher Moore, who has an amazing wit, just like Robbins. John Barth and “Giles Goat-Boy” was an early influence. Kurt Vonnegut as well. J. P. Donleavy’s writing is hilarious. And my favorite author of all time, Cormac McCarthy; if you haven’t already, read “Blood Meridian”. McCarthy has an incredible way with words….
What are you working on now?
Right now I’ve to four manuscripts in WIP and I work on all of them depending on what strikes
Do you have any advice for new authors?
“Write every day. No matter what happened the day or night before, get up and bite on the nail.” – Earnest Hemmingway
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Join the military and learn computers.
What are you reading now?
“Cities of the Red Night” by William S. Burroughs
What’s next for you as a writer?
Create a marketing plan for my books.
Find an agent.
Decide on more self publishing or go the traditional route.
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?
“Jitterbug Perfume” by Tom Robbins; “The Fan Man” by William Kotzwinkle; “Yellow Back Radio Broke Down” by Ismael Reed, and “The Painted Bird” by Jerzy Kozinski.
Author Websites and Profiles
unkillbilly Boyles Amazon Profile
unkillbilly Boyles’s Social Media Links
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