Kicking my Crit Partner's Butt

One of my crit partners, Andy Thompson said I came to him in a dream the other night and literally beat him over the head with his future published book telling him to WRITE WRITE WRITE! (click on his name- he blogged about it!)  I told him it was my future self coming back from the future to tell him to write more.  I think Michael J Fox was with me too...in the DeLorean. 

Oh wait, wrong dream- okay here we go:

(I so hope he didn't picture me as one of the Sanderson sisters- doesn't his book look awesome though?)

I'm so glad I can have such an impact on my crit partners!  They love me so much that they dream about me beating them to a pulp with their future novels.  I feel so special.  No seriously, I do.  I can't really abuse them in real life, so coming to them in a dream is the next best thing (or from the future). 

I am so grateful I have my crit partners.  Andy and Colene are so encouraging and help me get through this crazy world of writing.  They each bring their own perspective and it's cool to see what they have to say about my work.  We can lament together about our anxieties about the publishing world, and we can relate and feel connected.  I can talk to Hubsies until he's blue in the face about my work and fears about being published, but it's different when you talk to someone going through the same thing.

And I know that they'd extend the same love and courtesy and beat me over the head with my future novel if I needed it.  And boy, do I need it sometimes.

And then, (because everything can be related to Back To The Future), I'll write a book about it, and it'll become a bestseller.

Interview with Aspiring Author Andy Thompson

I'm going to be occasionally posting interviews with aspiring authors on my blog.  I will throw in some published authors here and there as well.

UPDATE: I totally forgot to add...if you are an aspiring author shoot me an email or leave me a comment!  I'd love to interview you!! 

The first interview is with my Critique Partner, Andy Thompson.  He's got all these great ideas for this awesome fantasy world.  He's writing an epic adult novel, and will also write a YA novel set in that world.  I love reading his material, and can't wait for him to finish!

When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
I don't want to be an author, being an author is way too much work.  I just want to be a storyteller who gets paid to tell stories in book form. Even though I have never really wanted to be an author, I started building a fantasy world and a story in high school and I have been working on it ever since.  It was only after my wife's encouragement in the last couple years that I thought seriously about turning it into a book to be published, and only after that did I think that perhaps I could turn it into a career.

What genre do you like to write?
I write what I read, and that is epic sword and sorcery fantasy.  My primary project is an adult series, but I also have a young adult trilogy in the works that is set in the same world.  Eventually I would like to have a children's series set in my world too.

How often do you write?
Not often enough.  Writing is a very difficult labor intensive process for me and so I don't do it as much as I should.  My wife and I bought our first house in April and that took a lot of my time up until about a month ago.  But regardless of the excuse, the fact is that I am out of the habit of writing. My goal has always been to work on my books for a minimum of an hour a day, but I would say that recently (meaning since April) I probably write around 3 hours a week.  I am really trying to get back in the saddle now that summer is over though.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Both, I have worked very hard to build vibrant world and I know the whole story already in my head. But as far as the actual pen to paper is concerned, I allow myself to go where the writing takes me.  Although I will make an outline every once in a while if I am having trouble getting the story to where I need to go.

Where do you write best, and do you listen to music while you write?
I go back and forth between my recliner and my desk.  Currently my desk is covered with paperwork so right now I am writing in my recliner. I always listen to music when I write. I want to give out a mix CD of the songs that inspired me when I give out copies of my book if I get published. I can tell you that the song that most inspires my adult fantasy series is Kiss From A Rose by Seal.  That would definitely be the theme song if my books would someday be made into a movie.

What is on your TBR pile?
Well I am rereading Harry Potter before the movie in November so I am currently in Goblet of Fire.  I am reading the ARC of the first book in Brandon Sanderson's new series, entitled The Way of Kings. I am also starting The Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima, starting with The Demon King.

If Stephanie Meyer and JK Rowling got in a cat fight, who would win?
It would never happen because JK is too classy, but in a fight between their fans, Rowling fans would win.  Hands down.

What is your “day” job?
I work as a Computer Technician for the Springfield Greene County Library

What can you not leave home without? (cell phones are off limits- NO ONE can leave home without one of those)
I am pretty low maintenance.  I carry keys, phone, wallet, wedding ring, and Chap Stick.

Mac or PC?
Depends on what I am doing.  If I want something reliable then Mac, but if I do not want to pay a premium and I like having versatility I would go PC.  For devices I would definitely go Mac.

Favorite dessert?
Éclair Cake

Favorite desert?
The Pillars of Creation (Gold Star for you if you get this reference )

Where is your dream vacation?
Touring the USA, going to every NFL stadium

Finally, link us to your website, blog, fb, twitter and anything else you might like to shamelessly plug for yourself
You can catch me on twitter: @crazywriterblog
At my daily sports blog: http://thecognitivecacophony.blogspot.com/
And at my writing blog: http://writingmyselfcrazy.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the great questions!


Thanks for letting me interview you, Andy!