*Note: I am still working on responding to all interview questions. I will return to the unfinished questions eventually. If you have any questions you would like for me to include, email them to me at [email protected]
Podcast Interview
A local 8th grade student got in touch with me and asked if I'd be willing to be interviewed for a podcast assignment she had to do for school. Kylee is also interested in writing, and seemed to enjoy the interview at least as much as I did! :) The end result turned out great!
Do you squeeze your toothpaste from the back or the middle?
There's a reason this question is first. Not sure what it is, but... from the back.
There's a reason this question is first. Not sure what it is, but... from the back.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing as a little kid. I would staple sheets of printer paper together, draw some pictures, and the occasional sentence/caption at the bottom of the page. As I got older and read more and more, I thought it would be cool to mix up things from lots of books that I had read. I wanted to write the kind of book that I would enjoy reading--a book perfectly tailored for my entertainment. So I started writing a book to try and accomplish just that. Nowadays, I still try to do the same thing: write the kind of book that I would enjoy reading. It's a great feeling when other people enjoy reading them, too.
I first started writing as a little kid. I would staple sheets of printer paper together, draw some pictures, and the occasional sentence/caption at the bottom of the page. As I got older and read more and more, I thought it would be cool to mix up things from lots of books that I had read. I wanted to write the kind of book that I would enjoy reading--a book perfectly tailored for my entertainment. So I started writing a book to try and accomplish just that. Nowadays, I still try to do the same thing: write the kind of book that I would enjoy reading. It's a great feeling when other people enjoy reading them, too.
What kind of books do you enjoy?
I really like the genre I have entitled "Modern Fiction" or "Modern Fantasy," that is to say, stories that take place on earth at this time with elements of fantasy and fiction woven within. Percy Jackson is a great example of this. Some of my other favorites include Harry Potter, the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins, (strongly recommend this one) Pendragon by DJ Machale, Michael Vey by Richard Paul Evans, The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen, Among the Hidden by Margaret Petersen Haddix, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Peter and the Star Catchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson, anything by John Green, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Redwall by Brian Jaques, most Roald Dahl books, A Series of Unfortunate events by Lemony Snicket, the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, the Hunger Games, Leven Thumps by Obert Skye, and the Spiderwick Chronicles are all some of the books I've enjoyed. You can see most of the books on my bookshelf here. You can also add me on goodreads.
I really like the genre I have entitled "Modern Fiction" or "Modern Fantasy," that is to say, stories that take place on earth at this time with elements of fantasy and fiction woven within. Percy Jackson is a great example of this. Some of my other favorites include Harry Potter, the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins, (strongly recommend this one) Pendragon by DJ Machale, Michael Vey by Richard Paul Evans, The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen, Among the Hidden by Margaret Petersen Haddix, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Peter and the Star Catchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson, anything by John Green, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Redwall by Brian Jaques, most Roald Dahl books, A Series of Unfortunate events by Lemony Snicket, the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, the Hunger Games, Leven Thumps by Obert Skye, and the Spiderwick Chronicles are all some of the books I've enjoyed. You can see most of the books on my bookshelf here. You can also add me on goodreads.
Where do you get ideas for your books?
Truth is: I don't know! I wish I could identify that mystical place from which story ideas stem, but no luck with that so far. But speaking of, that sounds like an interesting book idea. Hang on, let me go write that down.
Okay, back now. I guess ideas come from whatever I'm doing at the time. (Case in point). I like to let my mind wander, asking myself "what if...?" questions, imagining scenarios in which something unusual happens, etc. I get a lot of story detail ideas from watching TV shows & movies, reading other books, or just being out in life.
Truth is: I don't know! I wish I could identify that mystical place from which story ideas stem, but no luck with that so far. But speaking of, that sounds like an interesting book idea. Hang on, let me go write that down.
Okay, back now. I guess ideas come from whatever I'm doing at the time. (Case in point). I like to let my mind wander, asking myself "what if...?" questions, imagining scenarios in which something unusual happens, etc. I get a lot of story detail ideas from watching TV shows & movies, reading other books, or just being out in life.
How do you stay motivated/get over writers' block?
I like to imagine all of the success that whatever book I'm writing at the moment will have. I imagine crowds of people lining up outside of a bookstore waiting to get signed copies of the manuscript I am currently struggling with. Even if this is not realistic, it definitely helps push me to keep going.
As for writers' block, sometimes it helps me to narrow down the possibilities. I think of what wouldn't happen next. Or I think about all the different possible places I could take the story and once I have them all down, I think of another option. Thinking outside of the box is hard.
I like to imagine all of the success that whatever book I'm writing at the moment will have. I imagine crowds of people lining up outside of a bookstore waiting to get signed copies of the manuscript I am currently struggling with. Even if this is not realistic, it definitely helps push me to keep going.
As for writers' block, sometimes it helps me to narrow down the possibilities. I think of what wouldn't happen next. Or I think about all the different possible places I could take the story and once I have them all down, I think of another option. Thinking outside of the box is hard.
What is your favorite genre to write? Why?
I would answer this with the same answer as to what I like to read. The two are unquestionably related. Kind of like "You are what you eat" only more like "You write what you read."
Modern Fantasy is a lot of fun to write because you have control over everything. Every person on earth is at your mercy. Someone can be having a fine and dandy time walking through a city, then you can choose to have a dragon crash into a building in front of them. Or maybe they walk into a building that ends up being an entirely new world. Or maybe this city is all a simulation taking place in the character's mind. I love all the different possibilities.
I would answer this with the same answer as to what I like to read. The two are unquestionably related. Kind of like "You are what you eat" only more like "You write what you read."
Modern Fantasy is a lot of fun to write because you have control over everything. Every person on earth is at your mercy. Someone can be having a fine and dandy time walking through a city, then you can choose to have a dragon crash into a building in front of them. Or maybe they walk into a building that ends up being an entirely new world. Or maybe this city is all a simulation taking place in the character's mind. I love all the different possibilities.
What's a typical writing day for you?
I like to be able to sleep in, work out some, shower, have a great breakfast, then just turn on my computer and write. I then usually write until early afternoon, hopefully having written a few thousand words. Usually, I'll have a late lunch, maybe write some more, and then spend the rest of the day online, reading, and relaxing.
I like to be able to sleep in, work out some, shower, have a great breakfast, then just turn on my computer and write. I then usually write until early afternoon, hopefully having written a few thousand words. Usually, I'll have a late lunch, maybe write some more, and then spend the rest of the day online, reading, and relaxing.
Physical books or eBooks?
eBooks are pretty convenient, and I don't mind reading on my iPad. But overall, I think I read better with physical books. And it isn't just the smell, or the weight in your hands, or the feeling of turning a page, (which I do like!) but being able to physically see your progress and have a bookmark and line a shelf with its beautiful spine is what I like most.
eBooks are pretty convenient, and I don't mind reading on my iPad. But overall, I think I read better with physical books. And it isn't just the smell, or the weight in your hands, or the feeling of turning a page, (which I do like!) but being able to physically see your progress and have a bookmark and line a shelf with its beautiful spine is what I like most.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
As imperfect a guy as he was, Thomas Jefferson is pretty awesome. Talk about a renaissance man. He designed his own home, was the third president of the united states, commissioned Lewis & Clark, wrote the declaration of Independence, and that goes without mentioning the moon landing that occurred under his presidency.
Oh. A little birdie told me the moon landing thing isn't true. Well, in that case, John Green or Suzanne Collins would be cool. Or maybe Leonardo da Vinci. (He might be even more of a renaissance man. Literally so even if not in any other manner)
As imperfect a guy as he was, Thomas Jefferson is pretty awesome. Talk about a renaissance man. He designed his own home, was the third president of the united states, commissioned Lewis & Clark, wrote the declaration of Independence, and that goes without mentioning the moon landing that occurred under his presidency.
Oh. A little birdie told me the moon landing thing isn't true. Well, in that case, John Green or Suzanne Collins would be cool. Or maybe Leonardo da Vinci. (He might be even more of a renaissance man. Literally so even if not in any other manner)
What did you name your yacht?
Um... yacht? I don't have a yacht. [yet]. But if I did, I would name it something sarcastic like "The Unsinkable II" or else something cheesy like "The Dreamer." I'll worry about that once I have one. :)
Um... yacht? I don't have a yacht. [yet]. But if I did, I would name it something sarcastic like "The Unsinkable II" or else something cheesy like "The Dreamer." I'll worry about that once I have one. :)
What is your favorite dessert?
There is an excellent s'mores desert made in a dutch oven that is absolutely phenomenal. Peanut butter spread on top of chocolate oreos is pretty great, too.
There is an excellent s'mores desert made in a dutch oven that is absolutely phenomenal. Peanut butter spread on top of chocolate oreos is pretty great, too.
What authors have you met?
I have had the great fortune of meeting several authors! Brandon Mull, Richard Paul Evans, Obert Skye, and others in my community like Aaron Patterson, Jacob Nordby, and many other awesome guys and gals. At Vidcon 2016, I was able to meet both John and Hank Green in the same glorious five minutes. I gave them a copy of "Lies," and was blown away by their genuine kindness and humility. I look up to both of them so much.
I have had the great fortune of meeting several authors! Brandon Mull, Richard Paul Evans, Obert Skye, and others in my community like Aaron Patterson, Jacob Nordby, and many other awesome guys and gals. At Vidcon 2016, I was able to meet both John and Hank Green in the same glorious five minutes. I gave them a copy of "Lies," and was blown away by their genuine kindness and humility. I look up to both of them so much.
Are there any posts/interviews you've done/been mentioned in before?
Glad you asked! I have quite a few. You're going to have to excuse me as I go find them.
Glad you asked! I have quite a few. You're going to have to excuse me as I go find them.
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