How long have you been writing for and how much of that time have you spent writing fiction?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

8 years <\/p>\n\n

What’s the average word count for the books you write and how long does it take you to write your average book?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

55k words. Generally 5 months to write a book<\/p>\n\n

What is your writing routine (Do you have a daily word count goal? Do you write whenever the spirit moves you?)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I write approx. 1-1.5k words a day when I’m in the writing phase, after I’ve figured out the plot.<\/p>\n\n

How much do you research for a book before you start writing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I’m always researching, always interested in new technologies.<\/p>\n\n

What do you find most difficult about writing a book?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Feeling that what I’m writing is complete crap. But I think every writer feels this at some time.<\/p>\n\n

Which of your books are you most proud of and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

My first book REACTION, not because it’s a great book but because I actually finished it and it set me up to write other, arguably better, books.<\/p>\n\n

Which of your books was the most difficult to write and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Had to be the first, because it’s unknown territory.<\/p>\n\n

Which self-publishing platform do you like the most and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Amazon, simply because it’s by far the biggest.<\/p>\n\n

Would you publish with a traditional publisher if they contacted you? Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Have had offers, not taken anyone up on them yet. But I wouldn’t rule it out.<\/p>\n\n

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

None, I always finish.<\/p>\n\n

Do you prefer creating stand-alone books or series?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A series, but have done stand-alones and will probably write more.<\/p>\n\n

What’s one character you wish you would have created? What do you find compelling or interesting about this character?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Hmmmm… not sure I have one.<\/p>\n\n

What book do you wish you would have written? Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Dune, but I suspect most science fiction authors would like to have written that one.<\/p>\n\n

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?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Not really, in fact, I particularly like writing female characters. I also have a soft spot for androids and AIs.<\/p>\n\n

What does success as a writer look like for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

What I see in the mirror in the morning. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n

Writing can be a lonely job. Do you take any special steps to ensure you remain part of the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Lots of social contacts both on and offline.<\/p>\n\n

Constantly sitting and writing can be physically debilitating. How do you take care of yourself, physically?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Walking, cycling, building.<\/p>\n\n

Do you read your reviews? How do you deal with bad ones?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Only when a new book comes out and then just the first few. After that I generally ignore them – good or bad.<\/p>\n\n

What books have you read that were particularly inspiring?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

That’s a huge question, probably a whole podcast in itself. But off the top of my head: Dune, Seveneves, Altered Carbon, Neuromancer, Cloud Atlas, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay… to mention a few.<\/p>\n\n

Do you have a favourite author? A favourite book?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

My favorite book of all time has to be Cloud Atlas.<\/p>\n\n

Do you plot your stories in great detail before starting to write, or fly by the seat of your pants?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I have a general plot, not very detailed.<\/p>\n\n

Of all the characters in your stories, which is your favourite?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Gizmo<\/p>\n\n

Have you based any characters on real people? If they found out, how did they respond?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

No<\/p>\n\n

What\u2019s the best thing about being an independent author? The worst?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The complete control and the potential to earn a good income. But you have to be a self-starter.<\/p>\n\n

Do you make a living selling your books?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Yes<\/p>\n\n

What advice would you give to a new author?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Write. Then write some more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t