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

I started writing at the age of 16. Since I spent a long time and graduate school and then launching my career as a historian, I didn’t start writing fiction seriously until about 2015.<\/p>

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>

90,000. It’s hard to answer this question because you have to include all the time thinking and planning and researching. Once I have an outline, I can write a book in a couple of months if life will let me alone.<\/p>

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

Since I work full-time, I have to find the time when I can. I try to work on my fiction everyday.<\/p>

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

I do a lot of character work and plotting before I get serious about writing. I have a process I go through that is quite involved because I want to make sure I have a story that will work before I invest months of my time to working on it. That said, I always leave room for pantsing. Sometimes the best ideas come while you actually writing.<\/p>

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

The final edits.<\/p>

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

That’s a hard one. I really like The Clone Paradox.<\/p>

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

Wall of Glass because it is semi-autobiographical and deals with the difficult problem of discriminations.<\/p>

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

KDP. It’s kindle unlimited system provides half of my income every month and allows me to find new readers.<\/p>

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

It depends on who it was and what they offered. If they offered real marketing support, I might. I earn a lot more per book with KDP than I would get from a traditional press.<\/p>

How many unfinished or unpublished works do you have?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

I have a regular publishing program so I get out at least two books a year. I keep unfinished books sitting around. But I do have several older books that are not ready for publication.<\/p>

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

Series. Stand-alones rarely sell well.<\/p>

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

Probably Grandma Dowdle from The Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck. She is one of the most interesting and funny characters I have ever seen in literature.<\/p>

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>

Sure. But I also think it’s necessary. Our world is diverse, so our books must be diverse. I am a historian so I draw on historical research a lot and I have close friends from many ethnic groups that I draw on to help me get things right.<\/p>

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

People reading my books and managing to say something meaningful in each book I write.<\/p>

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

Not really. I have a professional and personal life that is quite active.<\/p>

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

I exercise every day and I eat a healthy diet.<\/p>

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

Yes. I look to see if they have a valid point. If they do, I fix it. I have found that most negative reviews are just trolls spouting off. You can’t please everyone so there is no point worry about the low reviews.<\/p>

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

J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Paul Curtis, Brandon Sanderson, Richard Peck, Lowis Lowery<\/p>

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

I create a structural outline and then write.<\/p>

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

Bernie LeBaron<\/p>

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

Partly, but you have to be careful doing that. So unless I have their permission, I don’t really do that.<\/p>

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

The ability to write and publish what I find interesting. Marketing.<\/p>

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

No.<\/p>

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

Study the craft and get a ton of positive rejections before you publish.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t