About William:
Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed writing fiction, and have had many novels in the works always. For work, I have written many technical manuals and technical evaluations. Now that I am at retirement age, I am enjoying completing the novels I started. So far, I have published one completed novel, Angels' Eyes, and have published another novel as a preview to my next work in the series, "Angels' Heart." My style for writing fiction is much different. You will enjoy how I intertwine several themes and bring them together in the ending.
Ravi: What’s your favorite short story?
William: “Eve’s Diary,” by Mark Twain. I recited this with a girl in a college Oral Reading class. She did great on playing the part of Eve. I quote a part of this in my book, “Angels’ Eyes.” A chapter is based on this real-life experience. After the recitation, the girl and I… well, you’ll have to read the book.
Ravi: The Best piece of writing advice?
William: Set an appointment to spend at least an hour or two everyday writing.
Ravi: Where do you write?
William: Wherever I can. At work, at my desk at home, in the car at a parking lot. I use my phone’s voice recognition to jot notes down for my book ideas.
Ravi: Where do you get your ideas?
William: Real-life experiences – mine and others, News, History, Online Research. One time I met a Code talker from the Vietnam era online. I was able to use the information he gave me for a chapter in “Angels’ Heart: Preview.”
Ravi: Does writing energize or exhaust you?
William: Both. Once I start writing, I may at times get inspired and write a whole chapter or two in an hour. Other times, it gets exhausting.
Ravi: How long on average does it take you to write a book?
William: On Average, a year or two. “Angels’ Eyes” took me 5 years. “Angels’ Heart: Preview” took 2 months.
Ravi: If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
William: Saved what I did write at that time. Write about daily experiences. They can be later incorporated into your book.
Ravi: What is your favorite childhood book?
William: Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. It was written as an adventure, but one thing it taught me was that people were an adventure too.
Ravi: What are your favorite literary journals?
William: Harper’s Magazine and The New Yorker.
Ravi: What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
William: Donuts… maybe.
Ravi: What was your hardest scene to write?
William: The hardest thing I’ve ever had to write about was an abuse situation I experienced as a child. This is a real situation that many people experience. It is important to understand that as a victim, there is recovery and enjoyment in life too. It is also important to expose those who abuse others.
Ravi: Do you Google yourself?
William: Yes. This is a good idea to do from time to time to see how your book advertising is doing.
Ravi: Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
William: My Books are full of “Easter Eggs.” A few people have found a few of them, Many are yet to be discovered.
Ravi: Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
William: Yes. I copy and screenshots the good reviews. They help in advertising my books.
Ravi: Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
William: No.
Ravi: What did you edit out of this book?
William: Parts for future books in a series to continue “Angels’ Eyes.” For instance, what I put in “Angels’ Heart: Preview.”
Most
Ravi: How many hours a day do you write?
William: 1-2 hours.
Ravi: How long were you a part-time writer before you became a full-time one?
William: I am still a part-time writer. My writing still does not completely support me. So far – 52 years.
Ravi: What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
William: Mostly Historical. My books typically go through a span of time, so I may need to do some research for the setting of some of the chapters.
Ravi: What’s the best way to market your books?
William: In person. It is a good idea to pound away on Twitter and Facebook somewhat, but you are more likely to sell something face to face.
Ravi: How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
William: At least 6 books are in the works one way or another.
Ravi: How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
William: I fine-tuned my typing and paragraph formatting. I also learned how to take notes as I thought of new ideas and material for future books.
Ravi: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
William: Save everything you ever wrote. Make copies of letters you wrote and save those too.
Ravi: What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
William: These Authors on Twitter help encourage me as a writer and provide a good example:
They write really great novels too!
Ravi: Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
William: ORIGINAL! Why write a typical novel? Deliver a message, point of view, or a new fantasy world.
Ravi: What advice do you have for writers?
William: Don’t worry about being inspired. Keep a schedule for writing and the inspiration will come to you.
Ravi: What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?
William: I would recommend:
Poets & Writers
The Writer’s Chronicle
Writer’s Digest
The Writer
Ravi: Tell me about your recent book to our Ravi Reads Blog Readers?
William: Angels' Eyes - A pre-requisite to reading this book should be to first read “The Naked Society” by Vance Packard, which was published in 1964. The state of our society was in fact much worse than Vance Packard portrayed, and in every way, should be more appropriately described as “The Torn Society.” Even five years before the publication of Vance Packard’s book, a turn in the way that people in our society were treated deviated from normal respect of human rights into the proliferation of a philosophy to make humans available for the exploitation of other humans, namely the so-called “upper crust” of society. The tools for achieving this would be modern technology. Our society cannot have peace because it is in conflict with itself, torn by tyranny from within. It is our society, The American Society, The Torn Society. To come to grips with this, the people and leaders of this society need to see what they have become. Fortunately, the angels in heaven saw that the demise of the human race would transpire if The Torn Society would be allowed to run its course. So they sent something to correct that course – their eyes.
Thanks to William for agreeing to this interview! If you know of an author who’d like to be featured in an interview (or you are an author who would like to be featured), feel free to email me at the address on my contact page.
Comments