What is your favorite writing and reading genre?
At the moment I tend to prefer writing Military Science Fiction, but in general I enjoy any action oriented genre and have been known to bounce around a lot. When it comes to reading, well for the most part, same answer. Fleet action scifi is always fun, but any fast paced genre will do. My semi-guilty pleasure and 'comfort' material is actually fanfiction, however.
Where and how did you get your idea for your books?
I've always had stories forming in my head, from early childhood. It's not so much that I get ideas for my books as the ideas get me.
If a movie or TV show would be created for your books, which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead roles for your books?
That's a tough one. Honestly I don't have any specific casting choices for most of my works, but if I were to cast the lead Heroine of my Silver Wings series, the shortlist would start with Michelle Rodriguez. Beyond that I don't often visualize characters like that, so I couldn't say for most of them.
When did you decide to become a writer?
I've known that I would be a writer since I was 13 or so, it was never really a question even before I'd finished my first novel.
How did you get your book published? How long did it take for you to get it published?
I started as a Fanfiction writers a couple decades ago now, but my first foray into 'Professional' work was 6 years ago, I believe, with the novel "Thermals". I published it as an Indie author and made a few of Amazon's top seller lists, but none of the big ones. It was my second attempt, Odyssey One, that established me as a full time 'Pro' author and eventually landed me my first publishing contract.
Do you ever get writer's Block? If so, which book did you get the worst while writing? I think everyone gets writer's block at some point, and it would be easier to point to a book that didn't have some sort of block than to single out the one that was the worst. If I had to say what book(s) had the worst writer's block, I'd have to answer with the titles of books I haven't finished yet. The worst block is the one you've not, yet, managed to break down.
What is the average time for you to write a book?
That depends pretty wildly, but in actual work time... about 5 weeks. Those 5 weeks can be spread out over several months, or even years, depending on different factors. I try to have several novels on the go at any one time, just so I can move to one that is flowing better when I slow down on another.
For your own reading, do you prefer kindle or paperback books?
I've been reading mostly electronic since long before Kindle came out. I lived in an area where access to english books was a luxury, so as soon as I acquired an internet account, the first thing I did was go hunting reading material. Things like Project Gutenberg saved my sanity through many long hours.
How are the covers made for your books?
I've walked the gamut when it comes to cover creation. I've done my own, from art to typesetting to everything else, I've paid small fortunes to professionals to do it for me, and I've even had publishers handle all that without me having to do more than give the final ok and some occasional guidance. That last option is by far my favorite.
What advice would you give writer wannabes and future/young authors?
Write what you want to read. Don't try to figure out what's hot, just write what you want to read. With over Three billion people on the internet now, the challenge isn't writing that perfect novel anymore, the challenge now is just finding the audience that you're going to connect with. When you do, you'll know that you're home.
What do you do during your free time, how do you relax?
These days I actually work on cosplay and propmaking as my relaxation, as well as reading fanfiction.
