I’ve been tagged in another fake award chain letter thing. Whooo! This time, I was tagged by author Shannon Eichorn (blog and Twitter here) to answer more questions about things you will 100% need to know the next time I am a topic at your local trivia night.
I like answering these things because I am a firm believer in the idea that an author is more than just a writer. For example, Shannon is cool because she is a fellow speculative fiction writer. But Shannon is interesting to me because she is a woman who works for NASA! It is that extra interest that adds to the impetus for me to eagerly await her upcoming novel, Rights of Use.
Hopefully you’ll read something here that makes you interested enough to check out my own Steel Victory.
Do you have any competing passions?
I’m one of those weird writers whose dream is not to be a full-time writer. I’ve spent the last 10 years building a career in medical editing. I fell into the work rather accidentally during graduate school, only to find that I truly enjoy the work. Even though I have no inclinations toward the STEM fields myself, I like feeling like the work I do contributes to the betterment of society and humanity. If I made the NYT bestseller list tomorrow and sold a million books, I wouldn’t have any urge to quit my day job.
What would you say to someone who admires you and your work?
Thanks! Please write a review and tell all your friends!
In all seriousness: I hope it inspires you. Read it because you want to be a writer? Start writing and drop me a line if you have any questions or want some advice. Because you love my crazy world-building? Head to your local gaming store and find an RPG group to start exploring new ones or create your own. Because you have a thing for swords? Find your local dojo and sign up for some classes. The last thing I want is for my work to be the end of the line.
In your opinion, what is something everyone should do once in a lifetime?
Go zip-lining. It’s the closest you’ll get to flying and it’s the most amazing feeling.
What do you get from being an online content provider?
The vague hope that I am entertaining at least a small percent of you. But I figure that as long as I’m entertaining myself half the job is done.
How do you feel about the future?
Personally? Pretty positive. Nationally? A bit nervous, but I won’t get into my politics here. Globally? Climate change is a bitch, kids. Everyone needs to do their part.
Cats or dogs (ie, let me throw you a bone)?
A picture is worth a thousand words. Let me introduce you to my babies:
Dogs are okay. I guess.
Favorite work of fiction?
Right now I’m really digging Legends of Tomorrow. Hits a bunch of my sweet spots: ensemble cast, timey-wimey, and Arthur Darville.
Please tell us about your current projects.
The STEEL EMPIRES saga has eaten my brain!! Steel Magic is currently in layout and awaiting cover art and a release date. Steel Blood is a complete first draft with my beta readers. Steel Time is in the brainstorm/outline stage. And I’m working on rewrites of the second prequel story, “Thicker Than Blood.”
Can you tell us about something special you have planned?
I’m writing short codas to every novel in the STEEL EMPIRES series. The first one, “I’m Not Getting Paid For This,” takes place soon after the events in Steel Victory. The twist is that each story will be from the point of view of one of my secondary characters. I’m not quite sure where they are going to end up yet, but they’ve been a lot of fun to write.
Coffee or tea (or something else)?
Whole-milk vanilla latte or Russian Spice tea with a splash of sugar, depending on my mood/the weather/the alignment of the planets/etc.