How long have you been writing for and how much of that time have you spent writing fiction?
Whew, okay. So, as I stated in the bio, I started writing at fourteen, with the belief I would become an amazing, famous sci-fi author. Then I thought I’d be a forest ranger, and then I was looking at telecommunications, and ended up with a theatre degree, only returning to writing at the age of 41, when a friend convinced me to join NanoWrimo, and I remembered how it felt to create brave new worlds (and such people, in them!).
It was still a good few years of continual pounding out fiction, and even joining a Star Trek RP (and let me tell you, a brain can learn a lot about action and pacing in the RP world) before the writing for fun became writing for publication.
Since first publishing Soldier of Fortune in 2015, I’ve been writing almost constantly, but not quickly, so I’ve also been learning the best ways to both write and disseminate my work, in alignment with my strengths and values.
Yes, it sounds woo woo, but it’s a lot more fun, and productive, to work with one’s own brain than to try and do what “everyone else is doing”.
What’s the average word count for the books you write and how long does it take you to write your average book?
Between 79,000 and (gasp) 120,000 (trying to lower that last count). If you average out the books, it’s about 18 months per. Trying to lower that, as well, now I know more about how my brain works. (Neuroscience, FTW!)
What is your writing routine (Do you have a daily word count goal? Do you write whenever the spirit moves you?)
At present, my routine is I have to write five words of new fiction a day. That is the only requirement. I usually write anywhere from 200 to 1500 per day, as the spirit moves.
I used to do the word count thing, but ended up with an unholy amount of unusable words—this goes back to how different brains work differently—so I stopped counting and now end up with more, better words.
How much do you research for a book before you start writing?
Zero. I do zero research before starting.
What do you find most difficult about writing a book?
Multi-character action sequences!
Which of your books are you most proud of and why?
This will change by the day, but today, I’d say Fortune’s Fool, because of the Romeo & Juliet device that I never intended to include, but just kept popping up in the narrative. Go subconscious!
Which of your books was the most difficult to write and why?
The Libra Gambit, which went on hiatus for over six months—pandemic, death in the family, two authors burned out—it was…rough.
Which self-publishing platform do you like the most and why?
Actually still exploring that. I’m experimenting with the hybrid of serial and ebook publication, and hoping to add podcasts of the serials, to reach a wider audience.
Would you publish with a traditional publisher if they contacted you? Why?
Never say never, but that doesn’t mean automatically say yes.
How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?
I have one unpublished, several unfinished and a few other old ideas floating around—but a lot of those may be repurposed into the urban fantasy series I’m building. I also have three Fortunes and one Zodiac in various stages of development, with a Tale of Fortune (with Kelley McKinnon) closing in on the end of draft one.
Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?
I prefer series, because I’m all about living with the characters, getting to see them grow, change, falter, struggle, and persist.
What’s one character you wish you would have created? What do you find compelling or interesting about this character?
I swear this isn’t a cop-out, but I don’t wish I’d created anyone else’s character, because I know, having a unique brain, I would not have made that character the way I love them. But, I will happily take inspiration from characters I love, and morph them into something new (see Austin Kleon’s “Steal Your Art.”
What book do you wish you would have written? Why?
See above. I have been very much inspired by Terry Pratchett’s Guard novels, but I would never have wished to write them.
Do you find it challenging to write characters of a different gender, race, or culture than you? Do you do any special research for these characters?
I do, and I do.
What does success as a writer look like for you?
The first measure of success as a writer for me is loving the stories I write. The second is building a strong base of happy readers who not only enjoy these particular stories, but engage in conversations about them—I’d love to see a Team Elvis on Discord, or a fanfic of The Known. The third measure is a core of readers who love what I do enough to support it, either financially or by sharing the love far and wide. And the bonus (an author can dream) measure is to see somone going to a con in Gideon Quinn or Mia cosplay, with a puppet Elvis on his/her shoulder.
Writing can be a lonely job. Do you take any special steps to ensure you remain part of the world?
Oddly, it never occurred to me I needed to take those steps until lock-down, because I always had things to do out in the world (two kids=lots of driving/meetings/volunteering). Then 2020 happened, and months into the pandemic I hit total burnout. I now have to schedule “Leave house—talk to a human” times, just because the built-in systems of being a person in the world are gone.
Constantly sitting and writing can be physically debilitating. How do you take care of yourself, physically?
I have a modified HIIT workout, five days a week, walking a few times a week, and use the standing desk for certain tasks. Hoping to return to tai chi classes this year.
Do you read your reviews? How do you deal with bad ones?
I used to, and then I stopped, because while the bad ones can be hurtful, the good ones made me feel too much pressure to deliver a similar experience the next time.
What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?
Fiction: Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett; Non-Fiction; Becca Symes Dear Author series (there are loads more, but those are the top two).
Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?
Nope. I don’t do favorites. Too many greats.
Do you plot your stories in great detail before starting to write, or fly by the seat of your pants?
Hybrid. I’ve tried extreme versions of both and discovered I’m at my best if I tai chi my way through a story. If the flow needs a little framework, I build out a chapter or a plot thread, if it doesn’t, I just keep writing.
Of all the characters in your stories, which is your favourite?
Don’t do favorites.
Have you based any characters on real people? If they found out, how did they respond?
I did a physical representation of a friend’s sons in one, but I got permission, first.
What’s the best thing about being an independent author? The worst?
Best is, I can write what I like, and I get to define my own version of independence. The worst is finding readers while being an introvert with extreme imposter syndrome.
Do you make a living selling your books?
Not at present.
What advice would you give to a new author?
Know your strengths, use them, and define your own version of success, because someone else’s version may not fit in your skin.
