MICAH STODDARD
- GUEST AUTHOR -
G'day folks,
Today, I interview a very talented person who just happens to be an author.
Welcome, Micah ...
1.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT
YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.
My name is M. J.
Stoddard, I am happily married to my wife, son and two cats, we live in central
Pennsylvania, USA. At my current job, I am a warehouse associate for a truck
part supply company, I also am the co-founder and sensei of a rising martial
arts school; which was founded nearly two years ago. I am the author of the
sci-fi/fantasy novel ‘The Twilight Legacies: The Sixth Eye Special Edition’;
which was released last September and is the first in a six book series.
When I was rewriting
and editing the Special Edition, I realised how daunting it was and how much I
should have expanded upon in certain chapters, capturing the reader and pulling
them into the TL universe. When I poured through the notes, even other
Works-In-Progress that had any connection with the TL universe and incorporated
the elements accordingly and it transformed the novel into something else entirely.
The prologue of TL: The Sixth Eye was changed entirely and became more fluid in
the process from the original edition.
2.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU
BECOME A WRITER?
I was in my freshman year of HS, I read so much
back then. I would read three-or-four-hundred page novels in weeks and was a
bit of a nerd when it came to research, especially in the field of astronomy
and aeronautical design. I had a big comic book collection, Batman, X-Men,
Green Lantern and I was also a bit of a Trekky. I had to write a Christmas
themed short story for English class and being the procrastinator I waited till
the very last moment. I didn’t have a clue what I was going to write about, so
I asked my mom(English Major that she was), she helped me brainstorm. So then,
I sat down behind my old Epson computer and started typing. The words seemed to
flow easily from my finger tips and out came ‘Christmas Time’. This story was
set in the near future, about an Air Force pilot piloting an experimental
time-traveling craft into the distant past, where he witnessed the birth of
Jesus. The pilot had to stave off some time-traveling rivals before returning
to his craft and going home. Looking back, the theme was more or less a “Doctor
Who” meets “Stargate: SG-1”. Nevertheless, the following year I just started to
write down ideas for stories and by my junior year, I began my first official
WIP; which over many years of rewrites, title changes and character depth. This
WIP became THE TWILIGHT LEGACIES: THE SIXTH EYE SPECIAL EDITION.
3.
WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO YOU DO FOR A
MANUSCRIPT? DO YOU PLAN EVERYTHING FIRST OR JUST SHOOT FROM THE HIP?
I write any ideas; whether it be for a chapter
scene, sketches, alien languages, star systems or starship designs for my works-in-progress
in notebooks and I have several now. I am shoot-from-hip writer, I do little
planning if any, adjusting the scenes in the chapters so dynamics flow more
easily.
4.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST
ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
I love creating new stories, I have started
four other books in various genre; ranging from adventure to paranormal
sci-fi—equivalent to the X-Files or Fringe.
5.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST
THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
I
would say the hardest thing about being a writer is having to work a full- time job and when I am constantly
brewing ideas for my books the job can, at
times be less than stimulating.
6.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST
WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
My greatest writing achievement is the Special Edition of
the The Twilight Legacies: The Sixth Eye
because of the two-and-a-half years I invested not only editing the manuscript, but also expounding on the underlying
theme of the particular genre.
7.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING
ON AT THE MOMENT?
I am
working on a few stories. Primarily, Book Two in The Twilight Legacies Saga, entitled Crimson
Vortex. I also am working on Gemini Continuum:
Empire of the Gods and Shadowbane Chronicles; former title Legends of the Kah’Rai.
8.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I would say I am inspired by many ideas,
events—mostly from my own experiences.
9.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU
WRITE?
I write sci-fi/fantasy, adventure and paranormal.
10.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS
FOR NEW WRITERS?
For
the aspiring writers:
-Read
lots of books
-Get
lots of notebooks.
-Start
brainstorming ideas. Especially if you are still trying to figure out what to
write about.
-Sketch
out characters, worlds, dialect/languages, etc. That goes for any genre of
fiction.
-Research
what you do not know. Take time to study, or ask someone who does know.
-When
you’ve completed your manuscript(s) have someone else read them. It always helps to get a second pair of
eyes to peruse over your work and not necessarily
for grammar and punctuation. You want your story to flow from one chapter to the other. If you have an
awkward break in a scene during the transition from the conclusion of the last
chapter, find a “bridge” to connect.
Remember, it’s all about continuity.
11.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM
WRITER’S BLOCK?
On occasion, I suffer from Writer’s Block, indicative
of stress. Spending time with family,
away from the laptop or I find working out helps with the creativity and since I lift weighs and study Karate, I reset my focus and let things go.
12.
DO YOU HAVE A
PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?
My
writing schedule is basically whenever I am able to, most of the time at night before I go to bed and in the
morning before I go off to work. On occasion,
I am able to devote an entire day to hashing out a couple of chapters or finishing starship schematics for a
series.
13.
DO YOU HAVE A
FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
My favourite place to write is on the couch, I
have my notebooks beside me and I am ready to go. Most of the time I am at my
desk, tucked away in the dining room.
14.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST
JOY IN WRITING?
I love
seeing the worlds, universes and most especially, the characters I’m creating come to life, that is my greatest
joy.
15.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE
AUTHOR AND WHY?
All
time favourite author is Frank Herbert because I loved the inter- relational dynamics intertwined with
the mystery and action of his stories.
16.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST
COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?
-“Brilliant”
This was a review I received on Amazon for my
novel, sometimes the best reviews are the ones with the least amount of words.
17.
WHAT WAS THE WORST
COMMENT FROM A READER?
The
logo design embedded in the starship schematics was hard to read.
18.
WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES
INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
Absolutely. I find having to articulate events
that happened in my own life therapeutic and it helps me in understanding who I
am as a person.
19.
OTHER THAN WRITING,
WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
I am
an avid martial artist and an instructor/co-founder of a local martial arts
school Bastress Stoddard Hogosha Samurai Karate Jutsu. I’ve studied various styles, including Isshinryu,
Taekwondo and Hupkwando.
20.
DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK
/ BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
The professional editing done when I had sent
the original edition of The Twilight Legacies: The Sixth Eye to the said
publisher. Their service was below par and was a disappointment overall.
Fortunately, having family that were English majors taught me how to self-edit
and become more self-reliant.
21.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT
DAY.
My perfect day starts off with a large mug of coffee,
some breakfast and working out. Then
spending time with my family, that is until I delve into my writing for at
least couple hours. Taking breaks in between writing-spells.
22.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS
FOR THE FUTURE?
My plans for the future is to be self-employed as an
author and entrepreneur.
23.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON BOOK TRAILERS? DO THEY SELL
BOOKS?
I’m not opposed to book trailers, I think
depending on the genre and the artwork have the potential to sell more books.
I, personally would like see a book trailer done for my book, however,
resources are finite.
24.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN
ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?
The protagonist Blain Ross in THE TWILIGHT
LEGACIES: THE SIXTH EYE was based off
of myself. I used my experience as a martial artist, marksman, self-taught knife expert, strategist, engineer, his
connection to the supernatural and the distant past. I also incorporated my
love of flight into Blain Ross since he is a skilled pilot.
25.
DOES THE PUBLISHING
INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?
Yes, the publishing industry frustrates me and the
fact that it’s highly competitive
when there are artists like myself who have an original sci- fi/fantasy masterpiece complete with
illustrations. A universe that has so many
facets, it would be the equivalent of Frank Herbert’s DUNE. It can be discouraging at times.
26.
DID YOU EVER THINK OF
QUITTING?
No, I never thought of quitting because I would never
give up on a dream— No matter how crazy
it seems.
27.
WHAT WAS YOUR
FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?
That’s a difficult question, since I am working
on multiple manuscripts, but the manuscript that really stands out that I am
thrilled when my fingers start flying over the keyboard is CRIMSON VORTEX. This
would be the second instalment of THE TWILIGHT LEGACIES SAGA. The manuscript
that comes in second would either be GEMINI CONTINUUM: EMPIRE OF THE GODS or
SHADOWBANE CHRONCLES: PROPHECY.
28. HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A
WRITER.
Success as a writer is
not based on the royalties received in any given period, but rather the
readers/fans that truly appreciate your work and spread the word, make
recommendations, etc.
29. WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM
YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?
That a universe created
is more than the sum of events that characters spring from, but it is usually
the works that have been cultivated over time that really are set apart from
the mainstream genre. After having read my novels, they should feel
amazed—minds blown at the depth and learn something about themselves.
“The
calling of an author is more than just to entertain, but also to share ones
experiences with the world.”-M. J. Stoddard.
30. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR BOOKS
MADE INTO MOVIES? EVER WRITTEN A SCREENPLAY?
Absolutely, I would love to have
my books made into movies and I’ve dabble in writing screenplays. I was in the
process of writing a screenplay adaptation
for The Twilight Legacies: The Sixth Eye, when I realised the potential with
each chapter and adding more to the plot and the sub-plots; which in turn
became the Special Edition a couple years down the road.
31. HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING
A BOOK COVER?
I put in lot of thought into the
book cover design, I utilise several programs like Bryce 7, Blender, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and
Frontstruct.com.
32. WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
My ultimate dream is to
not have to work a mediocre 9-5 job that is less then stimulating and become of
full-time author, finishing up the multiple series that I have in store for my
readers, as well as the stand-alone stories that I have waiting to be
completed.
33. WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING
YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?
When
I was first “self-published” I was unprepared for the marketing aspect and how involved I needed to be
to get my book, brand, etc out there. I
tapped into social media quickly enough, but it still took time. Looking back,
I’m glad I took the time and learn, experience goes a long way.
34. ARE YOUR BOOKS SELF-PUBLISHED?
Yes,
my books are self-published. After having a horrible experience with a vanity
publisher; for instance, I discovered when I did a general search on Google,
that my book was pirated. I contacted the website immediately and demanded they
remove my title from their selection. The website admin failed to respond, so I
decided then that I needed to cancel the contract with said vanity publisher
and go completely independent. I haven’t looked back since that day.
35. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN FIVE WORDS.
Headstrong
pain-in-the-butt.
36. WHAT PISSES YOU OFF MOST?
That’s
a good question… I’d say going to work, during an early morning writing spree,
when the ideas and the prose easily flow. It’s frustrating when you
have to be at work in fifteen minutes, when your trying to finish a chapter, or working on a new chapter
heading or starship design.
37. WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE LAST BOOK
YOU READ? GOOD ONE?
Orson
Scott Card’s Ender’s Game and yes, I quite enjoyed the book.
38. WHAT WOULD BE THE VERY LAST SENTENCE YOU’D
WRITE?
That depends on which
story I’m writing.
39. WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU HAPPIER THAN YOU ARE NOW?
CARE TO SHARE?
I would love to be able
to teach Creative Writing at a high school, being able to inspire the teenagers
in a class room and to be able to help them cultivate their ideas as they learn
the art of word-smithing and the journey of understanding more about themselves
and the human condition in the process.
40. ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
I just want to thank you Clancy
for the interview, for the opportunity of being
a guest author on your blog and for your many subscribers.
Clancy's comment: You're welcome, Micah. All the best for your writing pursuits.
I'm ...
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