Our First Author is Martin Reaves. His books can be found
Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/Tq9CjZ
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Smashwords Author page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mott342
You can also find the Author “Martin Reaves” himself at:
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MartinReavesAuthor?ref=hl
Facebook Personal page: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/Mottlee
Blog: http://mott342.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinReaves
Once you get to know him, feel free to drop by, tell him hello, tell him I sent you, and oh, yeah, try his books!
You are all in luck too!!! After reading this interview, you can head over to www.facebook.com/freeebooksgalore and enter our Giveaway.... 1 lucky reader will win a copy of all 3 of Martin Reaves books!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been a voracious reader as far back as I can remember. Stories captivated me. Eventually I realized that writing my own stuff was the ultimate “choose your own adventure.” The realization that I could make up my own stories was (and is) intoxicating. The first thing I clearly remember writing is a horror story titled “The Thing in the Closet.” This would have been third or fourth grade, so I guess I was around nine years old. I actually still have it (thanks to my mom, who throws nothing away, ever)—it is covered in black construction paper and has a crayon-rendered, blood-dripping hand slithering out of a closet. My first published work.How long did it take you to write your book?
First drafts usually take me a few months, depending on the length. My latest WIP rattled around my head for the better part of a year before I ever put down a word. And it is still rattling...or as Stephen King put it: It’s Tommy-knocking around in there. I’m a little afraid of it.
What genre is your book? What made you choose to write in that category?
My first two novels are what I guess one would call suspense, although you could just as easily label them mysteries or thrillers. They seem to me to be more mainstream dramas, with suspenseful elements. They are dark, to be sure. My collection of short fiction is primarily horror. My WIP seems to be leaning heavily toward horror, but it’s tough to say until I sit down and actually write the damned thing.
What was your work schedule like when you were writing?
My schedule varies quite a bit, for a couple reasons: 1) My day job is very demanding and my brain function is subject to whatever madness the day entailed. 2) I absolutely suck at maintaining a schedule. I write catch-as-catch-can, which is a horrible way to write. I am working on it.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Hmmm...well, since no two writers are alike, I am not sure that any writer has a quirk, per se. All our quirks could be more simply labeled Normal Writing Practices. But I guess it’s quirky (or mildly interesting) that I listen to very dark, moody ambient music when I write, no matter the scene or subject matter.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
In general, I have no idea. That said, I think most of my ideas come not so much from my experience as my fears and feelings. The typical story will generally spring from some tiny irritation or dread, and my mind will run with it and start wondering what would happen if that small thing became something much larger and nastier. But that’s only usually…recently (this would be my WIP) I got a tapeworm of an idea from a road sign. A simple sign on the freeway pointing to an off-ramp for a street with a young girl’s name. By the end of this hours-long road trip, that girl’s name had turned into what feels like could be an epic horror trilogy. I have started it but backed off because, as I said, I’m scared. Scared I’ll ruin it, or write it too soon and bruise it…maybe scared some of the ideas running around my brain will take on too much of a life of their own and outrun me...or perhaps start to be a little too true and send what’s left of my mind packing. It’s an odd and exhilarating experience and I can’t wait to see where it all comes out.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have three completed books. Two novels that are not so much prequel/sequels as “companion” books, i.e., they play well together and have recurring characters, but can be read in any order. In this case, the egg came first: Relative Karma, followed by the chicken: Relative Sanity. My latest book is a collection of short, dark tales, Dark Thoughts. My favorite? I guess I’d have to go with Relative Sanity because I think it taught me the most.
Are you currently working on another book? If so, is it part of a series or something different?
Yes and no. New book is in the works. It is not part of anything previous. I don’t have a timeline on this WIP because it just won’t behave. It’s possible I may dive into something else first. I also have a second collection of short fiction on the back-burner entitled (wait for it) Dark Thoughts II.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read. Actually, I like to read when I am writing, which makes it tough to get much done. I also love movies, good TV, and cooking. And long walks on the beach...oh wait, that’s for the personal ad. Scratch that last part.
What does your family think of your writing?
For the most part, they think I am awesome. This makes me very happy. My parents think I use too much profanity.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned about yourself in creating your books?
How much I love doing it (writing books, that is). I feel about the writing craft the same as sports enthusiasts feel about the sport of their choice.
Do you have any suggestions to help others become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Read and write constantly. Read everything you can get your hands on—read the type of stuff you want to write, and also read other types of stories and books. Only by reading millions and millions of words (both good and bad) can you hope to write well and avoid doing what’s already been done. And only by writing constantly, every single day, can you hope to polish your work. Also, read Strunk and White’s Elements of Style. Read Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing. Read Stephen King’s On Writing, and read Lawrence Block’s Telling Lies for Fun and Profit. Read all these and then read them again. Read everything you can find that has to do with writing, both the craft and the writing life. Fall in love with the written word—make it your life’s goal to write the very best you can.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I get quite a bit of feedback on Facebook, and occasionally on Goodreads. They are very nice and quite complimentary...at least to my face.
What do you think makes a good story?
This is pretty subjective, as everyone looks for different things in a story. For me it starts with honest, believable characters. Everything else succeeds or fails based on the author’s ability to make me believe in the people. I don’t have to like them but they have to ring true.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
After wanting to be a cowboy...well, there were many things. I remember wanting to get into The Guinness Book of World Records (my mom still tells the story of the day I got out my gigantic glass of iced tea, my box of Cheez-Its, tuned the TV to my favorite channel and proceeded to stand on one leg for the record. I think I may have lasted 10 or 15 minutes). I also wanted to be an actor (which I have done, small scale), a musician/singer (which I have done professionally), and eventually a writer, which I started practicing around age 9 or 10. I’d still like to act professionally, and plan to star in the movie version of one of my books when that multi-million dollar contract comes waltzing through the door.
Are you self-published or do you have a publisher? If self-published, what made you decide to go that route?
I am self-published. Why? Because the process of obtaining an agent and/or publishing contract became deadening. I tried the traditional route for years--I finally got to the point where writing was no fun because I was too absorbed trying to find someone to buy it. I hope someday this changes and the right people notice my work; for now, I am having more fun than ever, because I am writing for myself, because I love it and it is what I am wired to do.
As of now they (my books) are everywhere, including iTunes (that was a mind-blower).
Thank you to Martin Reaves for an insight into the dark abyss that is an author! Now, below, you will find...... A GIVEAWAY! Enter for your chance to win a copy of each of his books free!!!! Good Luck
Thanks for this awesome giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity. Great interview!
ReplyDeleteSorry - didn't answer the question before. The best book I read in 2012 was Every Day by David Levithan.
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