Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Eleven. I love being expressive, stream-of-conscious-cum-Woolfy/Joycy and the art of free writing. I specifically composed and published my last anthology with constraint of 10-sentences each to force myself to tone down and sort of put a leash, if not a control, on myself.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Bellboy, the Clown and the Ziggurat: And a selection of short stories
I actually printed out 100 sheets akin to classroom style of grade school where I created a box for plot, a title space, 10 underlines, some chosen adjectives and a plot-twist last sentence to literally write by numbers going back to primitive age of naivety and simplicity.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I down ounce of pre-workout stimulant with cannabis and just kill it. But I only write when on mood and not per some ritual or discipline. I am extremely free-versed, stream-of-consciousy as well as Kipling’s Kim/Shakespearean/Dickensian vibe of creating-a’words <– like this one. I usually conceive the idea while driving and if the gears set in and mood is right I pounce on my keyboard. I don’t write without muse and hardly edit. My creation is sparse.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Orwell’s Burmese Days, Shakespeare, Dickens, Joyce, Nabokov, Ginsberg, TS Elliot, Pynchon (slightly), Kipling and yes Dickens. Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo as well as Sherlock Holmes.
Finally, just the act of reading Oxford English Dictionary and wizardry of word play from Eminem or underground rhymeschemers compels me to just gush out and pound on keyboard.
What are you working on now?
Memorizing a book verbatim to have control over what I read so as to blast through an entire library shelf at one sitting.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang and lists upon Googling.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Break all the rules. Write for yourself and yourself ONLY about the books YOU want to read. Nothing is writ in stone. Be your own boss, critic and fan and NEVER COMPROMISE.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I read a list of rejected authors compiled in a blog and most advised on being bold, courageous, and authentic and listen to your gut and voice.
What are you reading now?
Bleak House
What’s next for you as a writer?
I still like to compose my magnum opus something like Bleak House. I also want to memorize the dictionary to have full control and just take it slow rather than overnight succession.
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?
Count of Monte Cristo
Bleak House
Any Kerouac