I was tagged by @glorious74 Ā (Sorry it took so long)
What is your new book about?
Michael Ridding is about a small group of friends that are special investigators for the eccentricĀ CEO of a communications company. Using the company'sĀ resources, along with government backing, the CEO has them investigate various mysteries and, on occasion, supernatural events or even cryptids. Although this book is more about an internalĀ problem within the group while they are brought under fire by an outside force, it paves the way for the following books in the series to take place.
My love for the thriller genre inspired it. Reading authors like Clive Cussler, Brad Thor, Matthew Reilly and Michael Crichton helped me find my own voice.
What was the biggest challenge, writing it?
Talking about it publicly. The writing process was not so hard for me. Yeah, rewrites have been tediousĀ as always, but in general the writingĀ never really got to me. There were days when I was first writing that I just never stopped. Over the course of writing the first draft of this book and its sequelĀ (written back-to-back), I found myself writing as many as nine thousand words a day when I generally averaged around six. But talking about it publicly was the hardest part by far. I have never been particularly outgoing or social, so the process of announcing the book, let alone making this blog, has been a rather anxious endeavor. But it has paid off with the supportĀ I have received here, on my Twitter and my Facebook author page. In the end, itās helped me want to see the book through to the end, and that is what I plan to do.
What do you want to achieve with this book?
With this book, I want to get my foot in the door as an author and introduce a cast of characters that have become as close as friends to me.Ā
What do you hope for your book?
I hope people have as much fun reading about the story and characters as I did writing it. There will be issues for some people since it is the first book in a series and not everything is explained, but I feel it stands out nonetheless as an enjoyable read.
Are there any parts of it that have special personal significance to you?
The second half of the novel deals with something very personal. It may not be obvious when it happens, but all I can say is it references something that has shaped me as a person. Again, it won't be obvious until later in the series, but it can be felt in this book.
Do you have a favorite character or one you really enjoyed writing?
The character of Benedict (the CEO of DenCom) was always a ton of fun to write for. He has a lot of great moments in the book, but the first time we see the multi-billionaire in the present day says enough about him: lying in bed at three in the morning, still wearing his clothes and coat, eating a plate of buffalo wings and watching anime.Ā
What do you see as the major themes in your book?
This one is a bit tricky. I suppose I could say that the search for truth and to better ourselves is a factor, but I don't think I should say more than that. Also, everyone has a sense of duty, not just to their job but each other, so I suppose commitment could be considered a theme
What made you set it in__________?
Well, the book takes place all over the globe, from Palm Springs to Denver, Greenland, Iceland, the list goes on. I guess the majority takes place in Palm Springs, as it is where Michael lives. I always loved that town and when I had the chance to write this book, I chose to set it there because I felt it suited the main charactersā styles and complemented them well. Denver, where the CEO is from, was also chosen for this reason.
Did the title come instantly, or did you labor over it?
The titled came simply for me. Michael was the first of his friends to stagger out of the shadows and want to be written, and much like this book, he cleared the way for the rest of the characters to show themselves after several years of dormancy.
To whom have you dedicated the book and why?
I plan to dedicate it to my father who passed away in 2014. He was one of the biggest encouragement factors when it came to learning to read. And when he and my grandfather introduced me to thriller audiobooks during several long car trips, I knew I had found home, even if it wasn't immediate.
Who do you think will enjoy your book?
I hope this book acts as a bridge for some people, combining elements of the modern and old school thriller. My hope is that fans of both will find something to enjoy.
Do you have a special spot for writing at home?
Well, this book was almost entirely written in a lounge at the University ofĀ AkronĀ while I waited for my girlfriend to get out ofĀ class. Recently I did get a small desk at home that I stashed in the corner of a room weāre using for storage, which is where I do most of my editing and writing. I do find myself waking up late at night though and writing short fiction in our dark and creepy living room by candlelight, which is always a special time to me. There is also another room of our relatively old home that I plan to redo and make an office when time and money allow.
Do you like silence or music playing while youāre writing?
Depends on the story. Sometimes I like to listen to ambient, futuristic type music, especially when it comes to my sci-fi stuff. But other than for inspiration, I don't find myself listening to music during my writing that often because I don't think it makes much difference when I write books like Michael. For instance, this book was written to the constant chatter of college students, but when I read it over again I never hear them.
When did you start writing?
Early childhood, mostly comedic stories or comics. Moved into actually dark stuff somewhere around middle school.
Did you always want to become an author?
Its one of the only career paths I see for myself. If I couldn't be an author, I would want to work with animals of all kinds, perhaps as a vet or zookeeper. I also would never shy away from being a desert hermit, but I hear the pay isn't that great...
Tell us a bit about your childhood?
Like most people, I was born. Some time after that I went to school, graduated, and bought a little house in Ohio.
If youāve had other jobs outside of writing, what were they?
I worked for a while packing and shipping boxes for a warehouse. I also did someĀ āinternā work at an aquarium shop, which proved very helpful for research when it came time to write this book.
Describe yourself in three words.
What Sign are you and are you typical of it?
Gemini I think (I have never been much for signs). I hear it means you are talkative, which for the most part I don't feel like I am unless I'm with people I know.
What three things do you dislike?
Making things overly political, discouraging people, and the lack of In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Ohio.
What three things do you like?
Writing, traveling, and I have a proud, deep rooted love for kaiju.
Do you have a family and partner, or are you single?
I have a girlfriend who is a far better writer than I will ever be, and who is tagged below.
I tag @andthentronturnedintogodzillaĀ and whoever else wants to fill this out : )
