Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
How do you deal with writer's Block?
Any time that I had trouble with what happens next, (writer's block) I go through my private library of resource material, public library and the internet to research what is going on in my story. and then let my imagination take over.
What's the best thing about being a writer?
The best thing about being a writer is being able to let your mind go and see the disbelief of others as they wonder where and how you can create something what you find so easy to do.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Patience, patience and more patience.
Anyone thinking about publishing a book should examine why they want it published. They are thousands and thousands of writers out there and if you are not in it for the love of it, chances are you will be disappointed. Always remember that a readers time is valuable and very few of them are willing to pick up a book written by either someone that they don't know or a story line that they are not familiar with. That said, if you are writing something that you truly believe in, sometimes it gets noticed.
How did you get inspired to write?
My grade seven teacher started me believing that my mind could travel in directions that very few are capable of going. When she singled out my story and read it in front of the class, it changed the way both her and my classmate looked at the shy, timid weakling that wrote it. Unfortunately, work and family took over and it wasn't until my kids got older that I could rekindle my love of writing.
Where did you get the idea for the Bat Blood series?
It was a mixture. It started when my son asked me if he could get AIDS from a mosquito bite. With the life expectancy outside of a live body being only a few seconds, my mind started to wander towards bats. Added to this was my daughter's love for monsters, vampires and growing wings. It started out as a 'Goosebumps' style novella. After about seventeen rewrites with each one getting darker and darker, Bat Blood: The Devil's Claw turned into a 130,000 word novel that I would not recommend for children nor even squeamish adults. Part two ended up even longer.
What are you currently working on?
Having just finished 'The Gilded Harvest', I am caught between three possible books that I had already started. Bat Blood part three, another book with a cannibal theme, and a book about a serial killer.
Any time that I had trouble with what happens next, (writer's block) I go through my private library of resource material, public library and the internet to research what is going on in my story. and then let my imagination take over.
What's the best thing about being a writer?
The best thing about being a writer is being able to let your mind go and see the disbelief of others as they wonder where and how you can create something what you find so easy to do.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Patience, patience and more patience.
Anyone thinking about publishing a book should examine why they want it published. They are thousands and thousands of writers out there and if you are not in it for the love of it, chances are you will be disappointed. Always remember that a readers time is valuable and very few of them are willing to pick up a book written by either someone that they don't know or a story line that they are not familiar with. That said, if you are writing something that you truly believe in, sometimes it gets noticed.
How did you get inspired to write?
My grade seven teacher started me believing that my mind could travel in directions that very few are capable of going. When she singled out my story and read it in front of the class, it changed the way both her and my classmate looked at the shy, timid weakling that wrote it. Unfortunately, work and family took over and it wasn't until my kids got older that I could rekindle my love of writing.
Where did you get the idea for the Bat Blood series?
It was a mixture. It started when my son asked me if he could get AIDS from a mosquito bite. With the life expectancy outside of a live body being only a few seconds, my mind started to wander towards bats. Added to this was my daughter's love for monsters, vampires and growing wings. It started out as a 'Goosebumps' style novella. After about seventeen rewrites with each one getting darker and darker, Bat Blood: The Devil's Claw turned into a 130,000 word novel that I would not recommend for children nor even squeamish adults. Part two ended up even longer.
What are you currently working on?
Having just finished 'The Gilded Harvest', I am caught between three possible books that I had already started. Bat Blood part three, another book with a cannibal theme, and a book about a serial killer.