Are you a disciplined writer?

Given the creation of this warm and cozy atmosphere (my writing study) that I just described, the subject of discipline was minimized for me since the atmosphere was so inviting. Naturally, the fact that I had 600 pages of nagging itch inside my brain coaxing me to allow those characters to "come out and play" was also a central factor. I did not have to laboriously set aside a specific amount of time or a specific amount of pages or words each day. Instead, I willingly found myself drawn into that world (or as close as I could come) and instead, had to remind myself to take lunch/dinner breaks, much to the amusement of my spouse.

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Many writers quote the famous line "write what you know" as their personal mantra and favorite advise to pass along to others. I would have to tweak this and change its entire meaning. For me, it's not a case of "write what you know" but rather "write what you feel." If your work is truly to be a vibrant, living reflection of your inner passions and thoughts, it must be filled with your feelings, even more than your thoughts. Every one of the characters in WOA is someone (or something) with whom I can identify in some way, even if some of them are not even human! For me, caring about the characters is central and identifying with some aspect of them or their situations is central in the enjoyment of the writing (and hopefully the reading) process.

What type of book promotion seems to work the best for you?

At this point, it is difficult to say, since I am literally sampling many of the various methods simultaneously. It is certainly enjoyable for me to be interviewed or post on blogs since I hope that my own enthusiasm comes through. At the same time, I've been experimenting with book trailers, banner advertisements and even had some fun with some online chats and newsletters.

I've also taken the unusual step of actually offering an e-book of the Winds of Asharra totally free on our website. Naturally, we're hoping that the readers will sample it (it is 600 pages long) and ultimately "upgrade" to the paperback or hardback editions, but for us, it's about sharing this fantasy world and the inspiring story of the main characters. If readers agree, they will determine if it is worth parting with their dollars. Naturally, it's available at the major online channels like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.