When working on a novel, what is your schedule like? How long does it usually take you to finish a full-length book? Do you edit as your write or do you cough up the first draft and leave the polishing for later?

Before starting to write, I’ve already done all the research. In addition, I tell myself the basic story, on tape, as if I were telling it to kids. I type those notes, but only look at them after the first draft is finished, in order to see if I left anything out. So far I never have.

I like to write in the evening, on weekends, and over holidays, when no one is calling or looking for me concerning video production or other business. I write and don’t look at the manuscript until I finish the first draft. A first draft of 25,000 words, on average, takes me two to three weeks at this pace. Often I’m very surprised by some elements of the story as I read it for the first time.

One manuscript, Legend of the White Wolf, was finished in just three days. The reason was because I just couldn’t wait to see how the story would turn out. I don’t work to an outline. Before starting, I already know the beginning, middle, and end. What I don’t know is everything else that’s going to happen.

Before sending the manuscript to an editor, I like to revise it into a third draft. Then I implement their suggestions in a final draft.

With so many books published, how do you promote your work and still have time to write, or vice versa? Do you follow a planned writing/marketing schedule? Any tips you would like to share with other authors?

I’ve completed a total of 35 manuscripts especially for boys 8 – 13. Seven of these are published. A little over a year ago, I stopped writing so I could concentrate on marketing, promotion, and building a platform.

My time is spent in speaking at schools, maintaining my web site and blogs, participating in interviews like this one, and marketing to the various mail and email groups I’ve built over the past few years.

I’m constantly looking for promotional and marketing opportunities on the Internet.

Any upcoming books on the horizon?

Right now I could begin writing any one of 12 additional stories, and it’s difficult not to start, but I take a long view concerning my books and the market. I’m still not very well known, outside the Christian school and homeschool circles. That’s where I’ve spent most of my promotional time. I would love to be writing, and it’s a real discipline not to at this time. When I’m writing, it is one of the most enjoyable things I get to do. As I tell people when I talk about books, writing your manuscript will be the easiest part of what you do. Everything that comes next, from finding an agent or publisher, establishing your platform, promoting your work, speaking, and so on, is truly the hard part of this business.