That's right, it's Monday again - final Monday in March - and let's do this thing!
First up today is Nick Mandley. Nick is a writer of many skills, so let's hear right from him!
Star Trek or Star Wars?
Stop trying to reinvent everything. The base material is solid.
DCU or MCU?
Maybe DCU will finally get their shit together under Mr. Gunn, but they got a long way to go to catch up to the MCU.
Firefly – gone too soon or overrated?
At this point both.
Reboots – a great idea or a lack of creativity?
If a reboot is done right, yes.
A book that pleasantly surprised you?
The Host, Unwind, Scythe
Coffee, tea, or cacao?
Coffee, first and foremost, then cacao. Iced tea inbetween.
Favorite hangover recovery recipe?
Haven't had a hangover since the fall of '87.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It's been a long road of self doubt. It wasn't until I discovered Kindle Vella that it started to become a reality.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Gods and spirits from other realms.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Chaotic and inconsistent.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I have a literary style that can be off-putting to the wayward reader. I am an acquired taste.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I finished my first novella almost two years ago.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Mobile games.
Is there a trope you find yourself going back to in multiple works? Or one you avoid?
I have one particular element that links all my stories: a gilded mirror portal. And blood, big into blood magic. I don't do mundane.
What does your family think of your writing?
Impressed but aloof.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I'm big into short stories. I am a minimalist perfectionist at heart.
Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?
This craft is honed over time.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Feedback is rare but positive.
Do you like to create books for adults?
Every time I try to write, it turns down dark paths. I don't write for kids.
What do you think makes a good story? It's a mixed bag of variables.
You need to learn how to juggle with efficiency and flare.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I have wanted to take a vacation that makes stops at places of legend and folklore.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Last one I can remember is The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing is a passion.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Self doubt.
Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
You have to think highly of yourself, but not at the expense of others.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Noises in the background.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
My pen name is derived from my real name.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I do not follow trends.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you building a body of work with connections between each book?
Everything is connected.
Who shot first, Han or Greebo?
Han shot 'Greedo'.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Keep writing.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Anything can be learned, and knowledge is power.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
I'm cheap. Advertising is expensive and not guaranteed.
What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
Stephen King
What did you do with your first advance?
Has not happened... yet.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
Writing love letters to a girlfriend.
What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?
Not a clue. Are magazines still a thing?
What is your preferred format?
Novellas, short stories, episodic fiction, poems, chap books, coloring books...
Are you traditionally or self published? Or both? Do you feel there are advantages to one over the other?
Traditional publishing is daunting.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Too many.
What is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
42, in some realms.
What does literary success look like to you?
Making a decent living.
What’s the best way to market your books?
The eternal question...
What do you have coming next?
Simply, more.
