Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was first published in 1991, which allowed me to escape the corporate world and Dallas, TX, and move west with my love and lady (and now wife) to Lake Tahoe, where the beauty of nature, hiking and snow skiing help inspire me. I love writing in the fantasy and horror genre, preferring to call the latter supernatural thrillers. I grew up reading superhero comics and spy thrillers, so both influence my novels. I also write for young adults and the young-at-heart. I’ve had published or published twelve novels, starting with Dawn of the Vampire and The Vampire’s Kiss, followed by California Ghosting and Wizard Sword. My young adult novels include: The Magic Bicycle, Chasing Time, The Vampire Hunters, Jules and the Runt Dragon Dragon Pawns and Impatient Fire and lastly, Prey of the Spirit Bear.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dawn of the Vampire Revived. I wanted to improve it for its 25th anniversary. There are people living in the story’s setting, Bristol, who want an e or print copy. The original was published in 1991 and went out of print in 2001. It was inspired by time spent on the lake, the history of the dam and cemetery ridge, and vampire stories. It was my first novel, and although it was the best I could do at the time, I wished it was put together better. Finally, the rights returned to me. I first set out to correct errors and add the real names of places. Then, I wanted to improve the interconnectivity of the story: John’s death, Aunt Jada, and the history of South Holston Dam. Knowing most of my readers lived in or were connected to Bristol, I felt I should highlight more of God’s Country. I wanted to add more humor and diving, as well as strengthen the female characters. I modernized DOTV, too. At that time, I was also working on the screenplay, which led to the decision to revise or eliminate some of the characters. The most common complaint about the story was introducing too many protagonists to start. I wanted fireworks, not head scratching questions of who is that? To improve the writing flow, I told the tale from one POV, Troy’s. That removed some of the choppiness. Having lived out west now for nearly 30 years, I learned wildfires come with droughts and changed the atmosphere.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My habits have changed over the years. First with being married, then with having a child. I don’t write as often so I have to stay more focused. I do a lot of mental outlining when I meditative walk or hike.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by a far ranging group of books, from Joseph Campbell’s Power of Myth to Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes, many writers at Marvel comics, Roger Zelazney’s Amber series, Michael Moorcock’s Elric series, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman Dragonlance series, Dean Koontz’s Lightning, Stephen King’s Dark Tower series.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel to Dawn of the Vampire Revived, and a comic called SnowJob. You can find it on my Facebook site or snowjobcomic@blogspot.com
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Visiting schools was once the best method and attending librarian conferences. Currently, my Facebook site is the best place to interact with me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keeping writing relentlessly. You second and third books will be better than your first. Attend conferences about writing. Read books about writing by authors you like, say World of Wonder by David Gerrould or Writing SF and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Go to writers conferences and attend the meetings. I also love visiting schools, but it can be a challenge. Offer to give presentations if they have a young authors event.
What are you reading now?
Rick Riordan’s Trials of Apollo, The Burning Maze. Jim Butcher’s Brief Cases. Too many graphic novels to list, from Avengers to x-Men.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning more about Photoshop to help with covers, comics, drawings and promoting. Traveling to promote Dawn of the Vampire Revived. WIP is the sequel to DOTVR.
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?
They would need to be compendiums because I like series. At least one of the hardcover Calvin and Hobbes compendiums, Illusions by Richard Bach, Power of Myth by Campbell, and at least one blank book to take notes, write or draw in, even if it’s a sketch book.
Author Websites and Profiles
William Hill Website
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