November Author Series

So, last year, erica was lucky enough to stumble upon the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest (and will post more info. on the 2011 contest when she hears it). While there, she met some great, awesome, amazing, incredible, fascinating, remarkable people. Some of them even acknowledge her back!! This month, we will be posting some interviews with these (see above adjectives) authors. Here's our first, who says he's setting the bar low so everyone else can look good. He's cool like that. Our questions are in blue. The interviewee's answers follow.

***drumroll, please***

erica and christy's interview with Mike Wood

Mike self-published his book Alchemy using Amazon's Createspace (then, BookSurge) service and is an all-around wonderful guy who lives in an undisclosed place near where his book is set. Rumor also has it he lived during the '80s, when his book is set. On to the questions:

Tell us about your book. Alchemy is a mish-mash of things, but ultimately it's a coming of age/mystery set on the Cape in the early 80's, so if you liked The DaVinci Code and are old enough to remember "The Goonies," you should enjoy Alchemy. (erica interjects - this explanation is sorely lacking. check out his link at the bottom of the interview)

What's the best thing about writing? Do you mean the physical act of writing? If so, then nothing. I hate it. But if you mean the process, then I guess the end result (praise and attention coupled with the satisfaction that you created something that made someone laugh, cry, or think.)

What's the worst thing about writing? See above, and add to it that it's a lonely and selfish act. How do I deal with that part and keep writing? I limit myself to writing when everything else is done, hence the 15 years it took to finish my book!

What's your favorite food/recipe? Recipe as in something I make? That's easy, as I only make one thing:
French Toast Casserole.
8 eggs
1 cup of milk
1 stick of butter
1 pint of good vanilla ice cream
1 large cinnamon-raisin babka (or 16 oz. loaf of bread)
1 tbsp. of vanilla
3 shakes of salt

Directions:
Cut the bread into cubes and place into a greased 9x13 pan. Melt the ice cream and butter in microwave. Mix eggs, vanilla, milk, ice cream & butter together with salt. Pour over bread and mush it all around until bread is covered. Put in refrigerator overnight.
--Go to sleep!
--The next day…
Place it in a 350° oven about an hour before you want to eat it, cooking for about 45-50 minutes. Allow it to sit for like 10 or 15 minutes after removing from oven before serving. Sprinkle with a little powdered sugar, maybe a little syrup, and eat.

What else do you want our followers to know about you and your journey towards publication? It's a journey I can't make alone. I need followers (get thee to my blog: http://www.mikesshot.blogspot.com/) and leaders (of the cheer variety).

What are your future goals as an author? I'd love to be traditionally published. Self-publishing is great, and I'm actually making money, but I want to feel legitimate. Even with a book out, and all the signings, reading, and appearances I've done, I still say "author" with air quotes.

How did you break it to your family/friends/etc. that you wanted to be an author? I never really told anyone. They found out the same day the 100,000 readers of the Connecticut Post found out when my face appeared on the front page of the paper announcing me as a new columnist. What did they say? They were impressed and supportive. What do they say now? Don't write about me!

What is the planning process like for your novels? Do you outline? Do you jot down notes? Do you get naked and do the novel dance beneath a full moon? None of the above. It's truly spontaneous and free form, more improv than anything. I do imagine scenes while hiking or riding my bike, but do absolutely no real planning. I was surprised as everyone else with the twists and turns my book took.

Who is your writing mentor and why? Or, alternatively, who do you emulate? Not sure I have a mentor (as I'm picturing a Mr. Miyagi type figure) but I do have lots of sounding boards (Hey Gae! What up Megan and Christine?) and they help me wax off from time to time.

If you had a pet elephant, what would his/her name be? How do elephants influence your writing style? How does the movie Dumbo make you feel? Seeing as how I won't let my step-daughter have a kitty, I probably shouldn't even entertain the thought of a pet elephant. As for the Dumbo question, the movie makes me feel like Walt Disney is a douchebag

we love that this interview ends with the word douchebag. So this is where we end. Wasn't it fun? Mike's book is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle form.

click on photo