How long have you been writing for and how much of that time have you spent writing fiction?

Since about 2004 when I started writing for my life coaching practise. From 2006, I began writing fiction, honing the craft until I felt ready to publish a novel in 2017.

What’s the average word count for the books you write and how long does it take you to write your average book?

My word count is all over the place, but most commonly it’s sat around 90000 words, say, a 400 page novel). I’m now planning books that are between 50-75k from now on. CHASING HELL took four months to write, Eventide took 24 years, and the others have been between those extremes.

What is your writing routine (Do you have a daily word count goal? Do you write whenever the spirit moves you?)

No routine. Just do as much as I can when I can. That said, October 26 2022 is the day I make the shift to full time writer. So from there on, it’ll be a minimum of 6 hours a day with my butt in the chair and my fingers making words.

How much do you research for a book before you start writing?

Very little before. Usually, it’s the setting I’m making sure I have straight before committing to the first draft. During the writing, I’m researching what I need to know constantly.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

The polishing. Anyone can write something bad. Most people could manage something mediocre. If I want my work to be something I’m proud of (and I do, and I am), then it takes a LOT of time to polish and rework each book.

Which of your books are you most proud of and why?

I think my space opera is fun and I’ve put a lot of effort into the world building, but it’s actually my zompoc novel DOOMSDAY’S CHILD I’m most proud of. It feels like the plot is relentless, the two main characters are in constant tension and friction, and Elliot feels compelling and credible to me. I’m sad I’ve put the series to bed. But I’m very satisfied with it.

Which of your books was the most difficult to write and why?

All of them in some way (except maybe CHASING HELL which was based in someone else’s universe and story series). Probably I should say the final DOOMSDAY’S novel (RECKONING): the second half of the plot just wouldn’t come together for a couple of years…and I was writing it during 2020-21 when the world felt PRE-apocalyptic, which took the fun out of writing POST-apocalyptic…(Also I think I was struggling to say goodbye to some characters I loved spending time with)

Which self-publishing platform do you like the most and why?

I don’t know that I love any of them, haha, but Amazon has been pretty good to me.

Would you publish with a traditional publisher if they contacted you? Why?

I would and I have. I currently have a fantasy novel with a US publisher in the editing phase. I don’t believe traditional publishing is any reflection on the quality of the book (I mean look at the vast spectrum of books that come out of the giant publishing houses every year, good, bad, edited properly, not edited properly). But there is something exciting about seeing where someone else takes your work. Also, their reach is arguably greater than it is naturally for us tiny little indie authors.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

I have two complete novels sitting in a file because they need a major rewrite to make ’em marketable. Apart from that, sheesh, maybe 30 that I’ve started, maybe more — of those, six or seven are projects I’m intending to complete.

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

Oh, stand-alone hands down. I can’t stand reading series myself, and I find it difficult to plot a series. That said, I have two trilogies out. And my space opera all takes place in the same universe, so while it’s not a series per se, it’s all related… I understand the attraction in series, but I as a reader/viewer I prefer a self-contained story arc with a beginning, middle and end. Then I can move on to another of the same.

What’s one character you wish you would have created? What do you find compelling or interesting about this character?

Mm. Either John Rambo (the real Rambo, created by David Morrell, not Stallone’s silly version)–OR Arkady Renko. Very different characters (Renko is a good guy, Rambo is not …if you haven’t read FIRST BLOOD the novel, you should). But both of them are self-defined, but with an awareness of how their environment has also shaped them. They’re struggling toward independence, and self-determination. (And both characters have smart mouths).

What book do you wish you would have written? Why?

I’m in love with Graham Green’s THE POWER AND THE GLORY. The prose is unbelievably good. And it’s this depressing manhunt with a weirdly uplifting end. I wish I could string words together like Green was capable of (See? That sentence proves I can’t, haha).

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 don’t find that challenging, I find that exciting and through-provoking. This is the author’s vocation: exploring difference, exploring and unpacking the human experience. Even my villains I hope are sensible ones, in that they don’t think they’re villains and they have depth as people (even the aliens). Yes, I do special research, including at times asking sensitivity readers to help me amend my phrasing or my approach to characterisation.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

I think that question’s a two-sided coin. On one side, I’ve already achieved it. I’ve had those five-star reviews where I think, “Yes! They understood what I was trying to achieve!”. I’ve had a complete stranger pass by my book stall at a convention, pick up my book and say “I read this book. It’s awesome.” I’ve had a father thank me for writing books that were good for his son’s mental health. I could be satisfied with all of that. On the other I haven’t achieved another marker of success yet, and that’s fully supporting myself from my writing income. But things are on the up in that regard and I believe we’ll get there. Being able to move across to full time writing is me leveling up in that regard.

Writing can be a lonely job. Do you take any special steps to ensure you remain part of the world?

TBH, I’m pretty happy with my own company. In another life, I might have been a religious hermit, haha. As much as I hate social media, it does serve as a small connection to others. And I have a small group of close friends I see regularly, including a writing group who often come together just to catch up rather than work on anything. But yes, it’s important to stay connected in some way, and to give something back to the world.

Constantly sitting and writing can be physically debilitating. How do you take care of yourself, physically?

Oof. Next question.

Do you read your reviews? How do you deal with bad ones?

I do from time to time. With the bad ones, I do not respond; nothing to gain by doing that.

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

I’ll interpret the term ‘inspiring’ broadly. BIRD BY BIRD, Anne Lamott. GILEAD, Marilyn Robinson. THE STREET LAWYER, John Grisham. WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, Donald Maas. I AM LEGEND, Richard Matheson. THE SPEED OF DARK, Elizabeth Moon. MAGICIAN, Raymond Feist. THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES, Gary Chapman. THE FIFTH DISCIPLINE, Peter M Senge. And (this’ll make someone laugh) ROGET’S THESAURUS (which made me fall in love with words as a young man).

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

To me, that’s like asking did you ever see a sunset that was better than all the others. So many spectacular books out there. So many spectacular authors.

Do you plot your stories in great detail before starting to write, or fly by the seat of your pants?

Plot. Enough to get started. Then keep plotting as I write.

Of all the characters in your stories, which is your favourite?

Elliot from DOOMSDAY’S CHILD. He’s a relatable, honorable ***hole. Ana Jogianto from ENVOYS comes a close second…probably for the same reason now I think about it.

Have you based any characters on real people? If they found out, how did they respond?

No. Occasionally, a background character in a scene is based on someone I saw on a train or in a shop or on the street, but I prefer inventing characters completely.

What’s the best thing about being an independent author? The worst?

Best: freedom and the mental challenge of running a publishing business. Worst: running a publishing business. 🙂

Do you make a living selling your books?

Almost (at time of writing). We’re heading in that direction.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Write a lot. Then go back, choose some of it, and make that better. And better. Don’t rush into publishing dross.