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

I’ve been writing about twelve years with my first book published ten years ago.

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

Average word count is between 50-80K words. It typically take 2-6 weeks for the first draft.

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

My biggest write routine is just to write something every day. I journal every day, and make an effort to spend at least twenty minutes writing fiction and twenty minutes non fiction. If I can’t for some reason, I’ll try to write at least a few words.

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

Not much. That usually just comes up when I need to confirm something or I’m in the editing process. I have a broad background and education, so usually I have enough to go on to get started, but may need to review something more technical if it arrises.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

That changes from book to book. Sometimes it’s the idea, other times it’s sitting down to write, other times it’s editing. It’s situational.

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

All of them. Every book is something to be proud of.

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

The first book took the longest from start to finish, but when I decided to finish, it took three weeks. The other book was book five in the Everville series. I’m still sitting on the first draft after seven years. Mainly because I pivoted to nonfiction and also really wanted to start my sci-fi series.

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

Amazon. The Kindle Unlimited platform allows for greater reach.

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

It depends on the terms. I’ve had an agent in the past and transferred my Everville series to White Glove on Amazon for a short time while they ran the program. Recently, I just fulfilled a three book audiobook contract with Podium Audio for Seven Rules of Time Travel.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

I have a space opera that’s partially written, and I’m in the process of writing book four in the Seven Rules of Time Travel Series. I’m also sitting on book five in the Everville Series, but I don’t have any plans to revisit that at the moment.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

For me, it’s just publishing the next book. If I can make a profit or break out a little more into the mainstream and reach more people, all the better. The main thing is that I keep going.

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

I’m almost always with my wife, so I’m never really alone. I get out and travel, and interact.

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

I get enough sleep. I exercise. I travel. I journal. I apply gratitude to everything in my life.

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

Yes. Every negative review is a read because it means enough people read the book to leave a negative review. It means you’re on the right track. If reviews are constructive, I glean what I can, but often it’s just a person’s mindset or other times they are not in my target demographic.

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

The Gap and the Gain.

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

Impossible to answer. I have so many.

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

A mix of both.

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

Impossible to answer.

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

I think all authors use real life to influence their characters, but I can’t say there was a particular person in real life I used as a character.

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

I’m a hybrid author and control my digital rights, but I do have an audiobook contract with Podium Audio. I think creative control and higher margins per sale is the best thing. The worst thing is you have to arrange things on your own to get the work out there.

Do you make a living selling your books?

I make a profit, but I also work.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Keep going. Give yourself permission to write badly. Seek a mentor, whether live or digital who’s accomplished what you hope to.

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.

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

I wrote my first novel when I was 25, then have been writing constantly ever since (with the occasional break to move country, have kids etc).

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

They’re getting longer! The last one was 90,000 words, but my current work is 85,000 at the end of the second act, so I think it may be up to 110,000 when complete. The books take me at least a year to write due to the intensive research that goes into them and my determination to make the prose as lean and strong as possible.

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

It changes as I get more experienced. I used to set a word target, but found most of that got cut during editing, so now I concentrate on the quality of the work first, then word count. I try and write for 2 hours a day, which typically produces 1,500 edited words.

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

Between 6 months to a year of daily research before I start. I used to be an architect and illustrator, so design and draw everything in my books from clothing to skyscrapers. Yeah, takes a long (too long?) time!

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

My plots are intricate with lots of twists, so keeping the books to a usable word count always presents a challenge.

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

I’m happy with all of them, though the conclusion to the ‘Alice Yu’ trilogy (“The Genesis Engine”) was a joy to write as it tied together plot strands I’d first outlined five years ago.

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

Always the current one!

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

I’ve used them all, and they all have good and bad aspects. Amazon has the most reach and reward, but is the most monopolistic and uses that leverage …

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

Yes, mainly to get away from the indie world’s obsession with quantity over quality.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

Three unpublished novels (from when I was learning to write) and the two books I’m currently working on: a sci-fi novel called “Agent Zero” which is up to 85k and going great, and “Assh*le” a fiction work about a crooked architect working in New York. Wonder where I got that idea!

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

Either, though a series allows the world building to really grow over time.

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

Harry Potter for the obvious reason!

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

Neuromancer. William Gibson is (in my opinion) the greatest living author. Amazing ideas combined with superb writing.

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 think these things are easier in sci-fi to some extent, as you can change the race / culture dynamics to suit, but as an old white man I try to avoid such issues. My current protagonist, Alice Yu, is a black / asian American cop working in New York, but in the post-ai world I’ve built race is not the issue it is today.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

Being able to do this full time. anything else is a bonus.

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

I meet up with friends for a drink at least once a week. Otherwise my family (two kids) keeps me very occupied.

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

Standing desk and at least one hour of cardio a day (bike in the summer, elliptical in the winter)

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

Yes, I find it hard not to, though I wish I could. Fortunately after 20 years as an architect working on very public buildings I’ve gotten a thick skin!

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

All of William Gibson’s work. Genius.

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

I think Virtual Light is Gibson’s best work, and I also love ‘Salem’s Lot’ by Stephen King. Gave me nightmares!

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

I used to be a discovery writer, but as my plots grew more complicated I now plot them out in great detail. The “Agent Zero” outline was 30,000 words….

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

Great question! I try not to get too attached as things usually go badly for them, but I do love Alice Yu’s bullet-proof jacket. It has an inbuilt AI which is NOT happy to be stuck in clothing while its friends are doing far more glamorous things

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

Yes, the main character in “Assh*le” is based on a real person, but for legal reasons I can’t say whom at this point.

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

You have compete control over everything you do / the relentless obsession with output and sales numbers over quality.

Do you make a living selling your books?

I’m raising a family in NY, which is incredibly expensive thing to do. I make a living I could live on, but its not enough for all the family costs and outgoings etc.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Put your 10,000 hours in before you publish anything!

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

I’ve been writing for 12 years, all of that time spent writing fiction with some breaks to write nonfiction.

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

I’m a “short” writer in that my books tend to be punchy with shorter sentences. So, my average novel hits anywhere from 60 to 90-thousand words. It takes me about two months minimum to write a book. If I wasn’t so easily distracted, I bet I could write a book in 4-6 weeks, no problem.

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

I write full-time which means I need to treat writing as a job (it just happens to be a job I absolutely love). My alarm goes off at 5 am every morning, though my dog tends to wake me up somewhere between 4 and 5 am to go outside. I take care of administrative stuff first (e.g., email, social media & discord check-ins), then I have the rest of the day to plan/write/edit. I use a spreadsheet to track deadlines (whether contractual or a personal goal), and it auto-calculates how many words I need to hit per day to reach deadline. That helps keep me on track.

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

I spend a full week planning out the high-level story arc, major plot points, major settings and props, and (most importantly) the character bios. I try have my characters feel three-dimensional before I start writing chapter one.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

Starting a new book. Chapter One is always the slowest chapter in the book.

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

Shoot–they’re all my darlings! If I had to pick personal favorites, I could narrow it down to three: 100 Days in Deadland because it was the first book I self-published and wrote exactly how I wanted to write a book rather than what a publisher wanted (plus, zombies are a blast to write). Bounty Hunter because it’s a wild mashup of science fiction, post-apocalyptic, and western, and was too much fun to write. And Space Junk because it was a science fiction story that’s been percolating in my brain for years, and I really wanted to do it write, and I feel (hope) like I did.

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

My very first novel, Knightfall, because I was clueless. I wanted to be a writer, and I just started writing without any regard to knowing what it really took to write a novel. Because of that, it took my over a year to finish, and I can’t tell you how many times I rewrote chapter one, which, ironically, my editor cut, anyway!

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

Amazon KDP since most of my self-published books are exclusive to Amazon right now. It has everything I need. But if/when I publish wide, both Kobo and Barnes and Noble have cleaner, more user-friendly interfaces. For audio, I used ACX my early years because that was the only self-publishing platform in town. But Findaway Voices is hands-down, my favorite audio platform for self-publishing. Their site is so user-friendly, anyone could use it without feeling intimidated.

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

I’m a hybrid author, so I both self-publish and traditionally publish. That approach gives me a more stable income and helps my books reach more readers. So yeah, I absolutely will publish with a traditional publisher if they contacted me AND offered a solid contract.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

Right now, I have 1 unpublished thriller that I need to decide what to do with, 6 unfinished novels, and a handful of unpublished/unfinished short stories. When I write a novel, I tend to focus on that novel, but a scene will often come to mind that fits a different book/genre, so I’ll switch gears and jot it down so I don’t lose it.

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

I prefer standalone, but the market demands series, so I’m writing series write now. One of these days, I’m going to write a hearty standalone and to hell with the market.

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

Murderbot (by Martha Wells) is a fantastic android character who’s more human than most of us. I felt like Wells knock it out of the park with a nontraditional hero.

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

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry is one of my all-time favorite novels. Joe Ledger is a fun, classic hero with plenty of layers hidden below his tough guy exterior. He and his team take on some really crazy, bizarre cases, and as a reader, it seems like there’s no way Joe can survive, but somehow he does and saves the day.

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?

It depends. I try to treat every character first and foremost as an individual human being and their unique trait or demographic second. With that said, I do research whenever possible. Throttle (hero of the Flight of the Javelin series) is a paraplegic, so I needed to do some research on how that impacted her life. I had it easy in that this is a science fiction, so I could have some handy tools to assist her, but she still had challenges that a non-paraplegic doesn’t face.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

This answer changes based on where I’m at in my career. For the first ten years, I was constantly moving the carrot: success was to get published, success was make 10k ebook sales (or 100k sales), success would be to write full-time, and so on. Being able to quit the day job was the biggest measure to me, but honestly, now I see success as simple as finishing a book that I’m proud to call mine.

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

I’m a hardcore introvert, so I can handle the alone time better than most. But I’m also human, and I’m on several Discord “writing group” servers along with a weekly Zoom call with some writer buddies. I also do conferences to connect with kindred spirits and meet friends for writing retreats. These things refill my well and keep me connected.

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

My dog saves the day here! First thing we do is start the day with a 3+ mile walk. Then, throughout the day, she lets me know if I’ve been sitting (i.e. ignoring her) for too long. There are writers who are a lot more fit than me, but I feel like I do a decent job at keeping myself from being too sedentary.

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

I read reviews right after a book launches… usually for the first 3 days or so to get a feel for how the book is resonating with readers. I’ll also read a review for anyone who sends me a message with a link to the review they posted on one of my books. Otherwise, I try to ignore reviews–they’re meant for readers and customers, and not for me. I think a lot of authors take reviews personally, like the reviewers are judging the author rather than the book. But I see it that if a reader bought my book and took the time to post a review, they have the right to say anything they want about that product. The bad reviews really don’t bother me, but sometimes I find them entertaining!

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

Neil Gaiman’s View From the Cheap Seats. I’m a huge Gaiman fan in general, and getting a glimpse into how his life experiences shaped his writing career was both insightful and inspiring.

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

My favorites change based on my mood and season. But for the past couple of years, Sam Sisavath’s books have been on my auto buy list. I love his approach to post-apocalyptic fiction. He aces the character development (Keo’s a personal favorite).

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

I plot my stories in “decent” detail before writing. I usually have a ~2-page outline of plot points, which is enough for me to get started. As I write, I then bullet-point key plot points/scenes/actions that take place in each chapter. I try to work ahead some, but I’ve learned I can’t outline all my chapters before writing because my characters will take control and change the storyline on me.

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

Captain Jack Hale (Space Junk). He’s a classic, larger-than-life (anti)hero, but he has a lot of depth and a ton of faults. But he’ll always do the right thing, no matter the cost to him or even to his crew. Yeah, he struggles with his humanity sometimes.

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

Aside from an anthology project that required real-life characters (Tom Hardy), I’ve never fully based a character on a single person. I’ve used real people’s names, sure. But I mix and match character traits to create new characters. I don’t think I could write a genre story with someone I know in real life stuck in there. It’d be too jarring to the voices in my head.

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

The best: The freedom to write and publish anything I want. The worst: The freedom to write and publish anything I want, regardless if there’s a market for it.

Do you make a living selling your books?

Yep! And I’m super excited that I get to do something I live for a living.

What advice would you give to a new author?

If you love writing, keep writing, no matter what. Don’t let life smother what your heart needs. Write that first story. Then write the next. It doesn’t matter if that first hits #1 on the charts or misses the charts entirely. Every story is a new opportunity to find your personal definition of success.

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

Wrote the first draft of Maids of Misfortune, the first book in my historical mystery series in over 30 years ago, but started publishing my work 13 years ago.

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

80,000 for the science fiction, 120,000 for my historical mysteries, although I write a number of novellas and short stories.

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

When I have shifted from research to writing, 1000 words a day is my goal.

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

For the historical mysteries, 2-3 months worth of research. For the science fiction, I do this as I go along. Since my science fiction is more character driven, more of this time is taken up with world building.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

I really enjoy all aspects of writing, even the editing.

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

I tend to like the most recent, otherwise I don’t have a favorite.

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

One of my historical mysteries because the topic unexpectedly turned out to be very relevant to a distressing contemporary controversy.

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

While I don’t find any of them difficult, I really do appreciate Draft2Digital’s constant upgrading of the tools it makes available to authors.

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

No, I did do one translation with an Amazon imprint early on, but I wouldn’t even do that again. I know that I get more satisfaction and probably a lot more revenue as an independent author.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

Only one, and that is one I am co-writing with my daughter and intend on finishing when we both have time.

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

Series

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

Frankly, I love my own characters too much to compare them to others!

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

I’m just worried I won’t have time to get all my own stories written, don’t have any desire to write anyone else’s books.

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 see this as a positive challenge, particularly for the historical work. However, this means that even for those characters who are most like myself, I need to do research to ensure I am being historically accurate. As a professional historian, I am used to considering how attitudes towards economic status, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc shape people’s attitudes and behavior. As a result doing research about specific characters in a certain place and time (an Irish servant or a Chinese merchant in late 19th century San Francisco) is always part of my preparation. For the science fiction work, I have a good deal more leeway, but I also have the past to guide me in world-building. Since I am not dealing with alien civilizations, and I am dealing with near-future science fiction, it is not much of a stretch to extrapolate the behavior of humans from their past.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

Having my books read and enjoyed, which, in turn, has translated to a healthy addition to my retirement income.

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

I do a daily post (on facebook and substack) which keeps me connected to fans, I also have a wide author community that I am in contact with through facebook. Since Covid, I also speak daily on the phone with friends and family.

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

I walk for an hour daily.

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

I spent more time looking at them early on to figure out what I was getting right and where I could improve. Now, I tend to just look at the reviews coming out when I first publish a work. I never respond to a bad review, and over time it’s become clear that the main problem is that my books simply are not what certain readers enjoy. As I develop a fan base for my series, these tend to happen less often, readers tend to only go on and buy subsequent books if they enjoyed the first.

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

Way too many to list. I believe that I am inspired by every book I read.

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

Currently, In science fiction, I love the books of C. J. Cherryh and William Gibson. In mysteries, the series by Deborah Crombie.

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

I do tend to plot my stories ahead of time, but I notice that as I have gained confidence in myself as a writer, these outlines are less detailed and more flexible.

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

Not surprisingly, my main protagonist, Annie, in my mystery series, and Mei Lin, the protagonist in my science fiction series are my favorites.

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

In my historical mysteries, I do have a few real historical figures have walk-on roles, but they are long dead.

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

The best thing is the control I have over everything–the text, the titles, the cover, where the books are sold, at what price. There is no worst. I love being an independent author.

Do you make a living selling your books?

If I was young and just starting out, I believe I am making enough so that I could probably support myself, or only need a part time job. Since I am retired, my income is a nice addition to my retirement income.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Write the stories you want to read, learn as much as you can about both the craft of writing and the business of marketing your books, and be patient and enjoy the journey.

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

I have been writing novels for 16 years. I have a Ph.D. in anthropology, which means I wrote non-fiction for decades before that.

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

80,000 words; it takes me roughly six-eight months to write a book, from the first sentence of the first chapter to publication.

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

My goal is to write 1000 words a day. I write every morning if I can, and struggle to take vacations

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

How much research I do really depends on which series I’m writing. I tend to begin with an idea–a scene, or a moment in time–and then starting crafting the story around it. I think as I write–and I think by writing–so I tend to do my research on the fly, as needed for the particular moment in the story.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

Editing, probably. I love what I call ‘writing new’, and sometimes when that main process is over, I get bogged down in editing draft after draft, searching for perfection.

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

Oh gosh, I think all of my books are special in their own way. Some books were easy to write, and I love them for that. And some books were painful to write, and I am proud of myself for finishing them in a way that people can’t tell the difference. I think Crouchback, the first book in my Welsh Guard Mysteries is the one I’m currently most ‘proud’ of, because I wrote it as my mother was dying of cancer, so there’s so much of me in it. But I am also proud of books where I did something I didn’t know I could do. That includes the last three books in the After Cilmeri series. And when it comes down to it, I have to be proud of the first book I ever wrote to completion, Footsteps in Time.

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

(see above )

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

I love Kobo. They are such great people and you can actually talk to them. They appear to actually care! D2D, the distributor, does too.

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

They would have to offer me a lot of money. Like a lot. I’ve sold over a million novels on my own. It would be hard to give up my autonomy for that level of bureaucracy.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

I have one book, my actual first novel, which was bad in the way I think a lot of first novels are bad. It lies in the recesses of my laptop, never to see the light of day. I have dozens of possible novels, from as few as 500 words to 20,000–ideas that just didn’t work.

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

Series, for sure. That’s partially because it is so difficult to have a career as an indie author without writing series.

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

My favorite book of all time is Dune (just the first book, the later books in the series don’t exist for me). So that would be Paul.

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

My second favorite book is Sherwood, by Parke Godwin. It’s out of print, but just by far the best Robin Hood book ever written. It’s magic.

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’m an anthropologist, so I consider it my job to effectively take medieval Wales and translate that world for a modern audience. So … some characters are more challenging to write than others, but it isn’t because of their gender, race, or culture.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

Having people read my books and love them.

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

My husband quit his job in 2014 to work with me, so I am not alone all day. My youngest son is heading to college in the fall, so that means we’ll be more alone–and of course the pandemic made that all the harder. I have a writer community online that I connect with often, and I live in a small town, so I have a wide community of people I can talk to in person. It’s necessary!

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

My husband and I walk every day, usually between 4 and 6 miles. Ten years ago, I had sciatica really badly and bought a standing desk and a very expensive drafting chair, so I can change position often, standing or sitting, plus I try not to sit for too long in general.

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

I swear I am not going to read my reviews, and sometimes I go down that rabbit hole. It’s bad for me, so I try not to. Because you really can’t deal with the bad ones except to think that they say more about the person who wrote it than your book.

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

(see above!) But as far as writer books go, I think Stephen King’s “On Writing” is excellent.

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

(see above!)

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

I don’t plot a lot. It’s usually good to know the ending before I start, but I often change it too as I go along. I started out as a total pantster, shifted to plotting more, and now I am back to pantsing it. I guess the answer is, “it depends”. But really, the joy for me comes in discovery, which happens while writing. Plotting out every detail in a lengthy outline is boring for me, so I feel like it would make it boring for the reader too.

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

Bleh. I have no idea. I love my heroes and heroines. I love some of my antagonists too. Sometimes the ones I love the most are the ones who play both sides against the middle. Humphrey de Bohun is one. He is 16 years old in Daughter of Time, trying to do the right thing. By Prince of Time, he is a grown, man, mercenary and borderline evil; and the next ten books could be viewed as having a sub-theme of “The Redemption of Humphrey de Bohun”.

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

I write about plenty of real people. They all happen to be dead. Writing in the past has its advantages! As to modeling a character on a real person, I take what I know and who I know, but not directly usually. The exception would be if it is a minor character who plays a small role–and then only if the portrayal is complimentary.

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

The best thing is the ability to do your own thing, as you see fit, on your own schedule. It’s also the worst because sometimes you don’t know enough, or make mistakes, or work too much because it’s all on you.

Do you make a living selling your books?

Yes

What advice would you give to a new author?

Don’t publish your first book. Even if you do, don’t be afraid to edit it, again and again, as you learn more. At the very least, write three books before you publish the first one because you will learn so much–the learning curve initially is very steep.

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

I published my first book in October 2013.

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

About 80,000. About 5 weeks to write the first draft. I usually take about a month to plan it.

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

Monday – Friday. I aim for 15,000 words a week or 8 – 10 chapters.

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

It depends. My previous book, Infinity – First Colony Book 13 required a lot of research about the planet and star system they were exploring.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

Determining which writing process works for you and navigating through advice that doesn’t work for you.

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

I’m proud of all my books, even the early ones, because writing them all helped me improve my craft.

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

Usually the most recent one, but if I had to pin it down I’d say Sanctuary – First Colony Book 4. I was dealing with tinnitus and they had me on steroids, which was hard. This was after going through getting laid off of work and making a serious push to write full-time. Writing during the pandemic was a challenge as well.

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

Amazon because it’s easiest to reach readers there. My goal is to earn a comfortable living doing this and you just don’t hear about authors having breakout successes on the other platforms.

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

It depends, but probably not. I’d consider working with one of Amazon Imprints because they know how to market a book.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

Nothing unpublished. I do have an earlier fantasy series thats unfinished. 2017 was a transitional year for me, and it meant having to make tough choices about what writing projects get my attention. I’m happy to expand on this.

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

Series. Series. Series.

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

Nothing comes to mind. I put a lot of effort in my characters and I’ve written a lot of them.

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

I’ve written the pet writing project or story that was in my brain for years and years. I enjoy what I write, so I haven’t come across this yet.

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?

Not really anymore challenging than writing any other characters. We all have different motivations and backgrounds that drive us. I apply the same thinking to my characters. I have done research into specific psychological conditions because they influence how a character behaves. Soldiers with PTSD for example.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

Earning a comfortable living from the royalties I make from my book. This means paying my bills, saving for the future and retirement, and being able to pursue my interests and hobbies.

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

Great question. Yes. I have a few writer friends that I interact with and meet up with in person when possible. I also try to attend at least one author centric event a year. This year I’ll be going to 20Books conference in November. Other conferences I’ve been to are NINC.

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

Get up once an hour to walk around for a movement break (About 10 minutes). Exercise and using a sauna.

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

Yes. I don’t like the bad reviews I don’t pay that much attention to the bad ones. I don’t put my effort into pleasing the minority of readers. Actual poor reviews are just that my books weren’t a good fit for that particular reader. I’ve written enough books and had enough validation to be confident in my storytelling capabilities.

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

I thought The Martian was pretty inspiring. It was just fun and compelling.

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

Lots of them. Jim Butcher, Skin Game is a current favorite of mine.

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

The slider for this is about 60% in the plotter. I’m happy to speak about my writing process. I haven’t met a writer who doesn’t like to talk about writing

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

Connor Gates

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

Nope.

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

I like being my own boss. I like control of the creative process. Writing stories is my favorite part of this whole process. The worst is not being able to do more. I’ve worked to clearly define goals so I can feel like I’ve accomplished something for the day. Not everything is about wordcounts, especially in the plotting stage.

Do you make a living selling your books?

Yes.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Finish. Give yourself permission to write it poorly. Not everything has to be perfect to finish writing the story.

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

I started writing fiction as a kid. Of course, most of that early work was garbage. I took a break after college with real world concerns pressing in. I wrote lots of nonfiction in those years, for work mainly, along with the occasional short story. Then, along about 2013 I started working on a book I had been thinking about for years. This became Redwood: Servant of the State. Amazon had opened up KDP by that time, and it seemed natural to just self-publish it as an e-book. That came out in 2014, and I started working on two sequels, having in mind a trilogy. Along about 2016, Amazon introduced Kindle Scout, pitched as a competition for indie manuscripts. I wrote The Empathic Detective, about a futuristic policeman in Austin, Texas with psychic abilities, specifically for Kindle Scout. The editors liked it and sent an advance. I finished the Redwood Trilogy, wrote a sequel to The Empathic Detective which was also picked up as a Kindle Scout title, and I just kept going from there.

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

For space operas, the word count usually hovers around 50,000 words a book, with one book a month released. That’s when all cylinders are firing and nothing else is on the front burner. While this may seem short, they usually end up in 10 book boxsets of half a million words or so. Those boxsets take anywhere from 10 to 14 months to complete, depending on how fast the books are finished.

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

When focused on cranking out the shorter novels, I try to do four chapters a day over ten days. It hardly ever happens over ten days straight, but usually I can work those ten days into a month. I write better in the morning, while I’m fresh. But life is not always considerate in that regard, and I end up writing at all hours whenever I can fit it in.

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

I keep my eyes open for interesting tidbits and factoids, as well as ongoing research, at all times. If I find something interesting, I’ll make a note and may incorporate it into a story somehow. Sometimes when discussing an invention or process that does not (yet) exist, I can point back to experiments in our time that paved the way. In this regard, I think paying attention to the news is very helpful. I read the Wall Street Journal daily and pay attention to the Saturday Book Review section, keeping an eye on the latest nonfiction coming out.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

Editing, for me, is not as enjoyable as writing the first draft.

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

I would have to say those books in the Milky Way Universe. Pirates of the Milky Way started as a web serial on Royal Road and other sites. I learned a lot over the year it took to write the series, and received a surprising amount of support from readers who enjoyed the ride along with me. When I took it off the free sites and placed it in KU, it found a new set of fans. I’ve since completed a sequel series, Agents of the Planetary Republic, and I’m about halfway through a third one, Star League Assassins.

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

I had the most trouble completing my urban fantasy series, The Fae Killers Compendium. Looking back, I think the plot was too convoluted. It just bogged me down thinking it through. I had originally planned for it to be a five-book series, and necked it down to four just to finish it. It has never sold well, and I have not dipped my toe back into urban fantasy waters ever since.

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

KIndle Unlimited is God’s gift to authors. The subscription model is well-liked by readers, and Amazon pays out to authors for every page read. Exclusivity simplifies advertising and other expenses, and the whole system is geared to let writers write and worry less about dealing with multiple platforms.

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

I am a hybrid author in that Kindle Digital Press has the rights for my two Scout books. Some may dispute that Apub titles are “traditional,” but Amazon does have several imprints, even if they’re not considered part of the American Big Five/Four. I would certainly entertain offers if contacted, but from my understanding larger publishers are not usually interested in indie titles, in most cases. I’m very happy with the royalty share Amazon offers indies, and the KU payouts. That’s hard for a trad publisher to beat. But, never say never.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

I don’t know. I’m not too worried about them, because most of them are unfinished for a reason. And of course, we’re talking stuff that goes back to grade school.

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

For me, series sell better.

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

I’ve always enjoyed the interactions between Kirk, Spock and Bones as portrayed by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. Character interactions really make a story, whether it’s set in space or in a desert or anywhere else.

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

Books don’t become books until they’re finished. Ironically, an author can’t improve until finishing a book. I wish I had finished more books sooner, but I’m catching up as fast as I can.

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?

We live in a multi-ethnic world so my futuristic fiction is typically multi-ethnic as well. Fiction can take on societal challenges, but my books are more about telling a story than trying to change society for the better. There are novels out there that address societal issues through the lens of gender and race, and they are written by authors better suited to address those subtexts. I’m just trying to tell a story.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

I feel very successful at this level, and I appreciate the income. Of course, more is better. But everyone has a tendency in this business (and others) to compare themselves with others. Rather than get caught up in that, I’m working on finishing my next book. I think if you obsess over how much the other person is doing compared to you, you’ll never be happy.

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

I remain active in writers’ groups. Mostly as a lurker, but occasionally I’ll contribute a comment or two.

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

I’m active on the ranch, and I try to get in some extra walking every day. Two miles a day is my goal. Sometimes I don’t meet it, sometimes I exceed it. Walking also helps get the creative juices flowing.

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

Entrepreneurs and authors are similar. It takes a lot of work to get a business off the ground. It takes a lot of work to finish a book. Just as authors face negative reviews, entrepreneurs face criticism for their ideas. Fred Smith famously earned a C on his college paper at Yale outlining the idea for FedEx. Years ago, I read that successful entrepreneurs take negative remarks and turn them into fuel for growth. In other words, rather than letting the wind go out of their sails with negative criticism, they use it as energy to develop their business. In the same way, I think authors have to take what they can from negative reviews. I do try to read all mine, although some older books might get a review here or there that I don’t notice for a while. A few negative reviews might have some honest criticism, and that helps my growth as an author. If one is just vicious, I smile and say a prayer for the hateful soul who left it.

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?

I have to give a nod to Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer. It’s worth its weight in gold for how to write a story. Jack Bickham and others in the Oklahoma Professional Writing Program deserve a shout out as well. I can happily point to them for books that will inspire writers, even as an Aggie (from Texas A&M).

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

I’m a big fan of Robert Heinlein. Books in which his Lazarus Long and Friday characters appeared are phenomenal.

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

I have a basic outline that serves as a tree and branches. While writing, I fill it out.

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

I greatly enjoyed writing about Granny in Pirates of the Milky Way.

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

Not really. In a way, as an author I think we’re always keeping an eye out for characteristics, phrases and attributes in the people around us. That gets used or reshaped in dialogue and other story elements. But there’s not really one character I can point to who is completely reminiscent of a real life person. At the same time, there are some with elements from real life persons, such as Granny mentioned above. She has a personality similar to my maternal grandmother’s.

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

No contracts surely ranks up there as one of the best. You are not beholden to a publisher if you want to re-issue a book, or do something else with it. Marketing probably ranks as one of the worst, but then trad authors have to deal with marketing too, or a lack thereof.

Do you make a living selling your books?

Yes, although I have other sources of income as well.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Finish your book. Just finishing your first and going through the process of getting it out there will teach far more than any course ever will.

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

I started writing fiction when I was 12 years old and bored with the Hardy Boys, but it took twenty years and my wife’s encouragement to get me to start submitting my work for publication.

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

In my Spirits of the Earth trilogy, each book is about 120K. In the Captain Quasar trilogy, they’re closer to 80K. BackTracker is my longest novel at 150K. I can draft a book in about three months, but then it takes another three months to polish it up and make it readable.

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

I aim for 1K a day when I’m drafting a new project. When I”m revising and editing, I’m happy to get through 5-10 pages a day.

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

I usually research as I go. If I don’t know something or want to know more about something, I look it up while I’m writing.

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?

Giving myself the freedom to make mistakes. I’m a recovering perfectionist.

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

BackTracker — with all the time travel and alternate realities, it was a challenge to keep everything straight. But now I can look at it like a finished 10,000 piece puzzle and smile.

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

BackTracker — all the time-jumping and parallel worlds made it tough to maintain a coherent plot, but somehow I managed.

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

KDP is the easiest and has a nice-looking interface, but I also make my books widely available via Draft2Digital, which is clunkier.

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

I still submit my work to small presses. Aethon Books has published two of my trilogies (Spirits of the Earth & Captain Quasar), and Montag Press is publishing the Interdimensionals trilogy I’m currently working on. Traditional publishers do a better job of marketing my stuff than I can, since I’m unwilling to spend anything on ads and such.

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?

20 short stories I’m in the process of submitting to various publications, and a couple novels I plan to self-publish: a GrimFarce and a sequel to Vic Boyo, Doofus Detective. Then there are four sequels in my Dome City Investigations series that I haven’t started yet. And a sequel to BackTracker at some point. Maybe a Coyote Cal novel someday. I might be forgetting something…

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?

Series — once I know the characters, I usually like them enough to get them into some more trouble.

What does success as a writer look like for you?

I’d like to say making a living at it, but I read somewhere that on average, most professional writers make only $10K a year. So, not enough to live on. For me, success means starting a project, finishing that project, and being proud enough of the final product to either have a small press publish it or publish it myself.

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

Teaching helps. Working with middle-school kids, their parents, and my coworkers gives me a daily dose of reality. It balances out the fantasy that dominates my free time.

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

I try to exercise 45 minutes a day. We have a treadmill and some free weights in the basement. I like to mountain bike and kayak — getting out in God’s creation. Shoveling the driveway is good exercise during the winter.

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

I try not to. If you believe the good ones, then you have to believe the bad ones. So, I figure my books are somewhere in between. But 4 stars always make me happy.

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis is one of my favorites. The Princess Bride by William Goldman is another. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card rounds out my top three.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Write a lot. Remember that a messy first draft is always better than a head full of ideas. At least you have something to work with. Revise, revise, revise, edit, edit, edit. Get your work in front of people, and learn from the feedback. Never give up, never surrender!

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.