Welcome to my stop on the ‘Coming Soon’ blog hop–the perfect place to find out what’s next on my agenda, and to find out a little bit more about my writing. Maybe this is the first time you’ve even heard about me. If that’s the case, then this ‘blog hop’ is doing its job–introducing interested readers to new writers.
Before I go any further, I want to thank my fellow writer, Christian Larsen, for inviting me to answer the following questions about my current projects, the writing process, etc. Be looking for his novel, Losing Touch, coming very soon and changing your life while ruining you for all writers of lesser work.
1.What are you working on right now? I’m editing THE GREAT INTERRUPTION. It is the story of a young girl that watches everyone slowly vanish and then after thirteen years, slowly return.
2.How does this differ from other works in its genre? I like to think of it as a new take on the apocalypse. I’m working with an illustrator now on the concept of using pictures to tell more of the story beyond the text.
3.What experiences have influenced you? I was a teacher. I am a father. Family plays a big role with characters in my stories as they struggle.
4.Why do you write what you do? I have some health issues. One of my sons had some health concerns that took me out of work and had me staying home. At one point, I asked myself what I wanted. Beyond trying to be a good husband and a good father, I decided I wanted to write every story I could get out of me while I still had breath.
5.How does your writing process work? I get the kernel of an idea and I nail that down in my mind. I build the characters and figure out who they are, what they are made of, what they want, where they are flawed, and where they are going. Then, I build the story as I write and let these creations carry the action in logical/natural directions even if it is off script and away from outline. Zombie stories aren’t about zombies; they are about characters being stripped down to their ugly, rotten souls until they either have deal with ugly truth or try to run away from it. Ghost stories aren’t about ghosts; they are about secrets and unfinished business. Monsters don’t get their own story; they are connected to the other characters in a way that inspires fear in the reader and drives the characters in their struggles.
6.What is the hardest part about writing? Being as bold as I can be with the writing. Trying to get better sometimes makes me try to be safe. I need to stay as risky as I was when I was writing before I needed to make money from it.
7.What would you like to try as a writer that you haven’t yet? I’ve begun to experiment with bizarro. It took me a long time to wrap my mind around a style that does not allow itself to be defined. I’ve started writing “furry” stories for a particular set of calls. What I want to write is a style I haven’t discovered yet.
8.Who are the authors you most admire? Stephen King is still excellent at what he does. I think his position is earned. Jay Lake and Armand Rosamilia inspire me with their drive to produce work. Chris Larsen’s work always makes me wish I had written it first and that I want to destroy him. I haven’t ruled that out yet. Max Booth III is tenacious and driven on a number of fronts. He impresses me, but don’t tell him that. He’s hard to live with already.
9.Who are new authors to watch out for? Derek Deremer is producing a YA dystopian series that has my attention. Eli Wilde is writing a series that begins with one of the best, most disturbing novels I’ve ever read. I want to destroy him also.
10.What scares you? My son being sick and not being able to help. I’m afraid of failing at being an author and having to go back to a job that destroys my spirit. Any food that has anal leakage as a side effect.
I know I’ve messed up this last part about the forward links. I had a couple folks fall through, so I’ll get the names up here soon to avoid breaking the chain and bringing down curses on my family name.
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