What kind of books/stories do you write?
I think they are all action-adventure but thrown in with fantasy, sci-fi, and horror.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Really hard to say, but I’ve been writing my own stories since I was a kid and just figured I would always write books once I got older.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
That’s a very hard one. But the original Conan tales by Robert E. Howard are the ones that made say to myself, this is what I need to be doing.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I’m friends with lots of great people, more than I can possibly name here, but Dave Butler has been a remarkable inspiration for creative productivity and a can do attitude, Larry Correia tells it like it is, Jason King because he has faith in me, and so many more. I have to give credit to Carter Reid for introducing me to “My People” though, because before I knew Carter I felt very alone in the local creative world. All of them make me want to UP my game, so that’s good because it makes you grow and try harder. I’ve always got to be innovating and pushing myself beyond the comfort zone.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
It helps when you find a community, but on top of that, I had to finally ditch “Hope” as a marketing strategy and start learning what it takes to push books online. 95% of all my book sales are online, so I had to research and school myself on how to maximize that. And its something I’m still doing, still experimenting with. As the world changes, we have to change with it. I can’t say enough about utilizing Amazon Marketing Services – but you have to have things lined up just right. It is a science.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I’m often still researching while in the middle of the book and then even in the edits, I’ll be adding in things and tweaking it. So for me at least its an ongoing process. I usually have a pretty grasp on what I’m doinhg and where I’m going, but if something I find out “fits” I’ll find a place for it to heighten the story.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
I love this quote from Nick Cole, “Write the junk that you want to read.” I 100% agree with that, you have to love what you do.
Links:
My blog, www.kingdavidjwest.com
I think they are all action-adventure but thrown in with fantasy, sci-fi, and horror.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Really hard to say, but I’ve been writing my own stories since I was a kid and just figured I would always write books once I got older.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
That’s a very hard one. But the original Conan tales by Robert E. Howard are the ones that made say to myself, this is what I need to be doing.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I’m friends with lots of great people, more than I can possibly name here, but Dave Butler has been a remarkable inspiration for creative productivity and a can do attitude, Larry Correia tells it like it is, Jason King because he has faith in me, and so many more. I have to give credit to Carter Reid for introducing me to “My People” though, because before I knew Carter I felt very alone in the local creative world. All of them make me want to UP my game, so that’s good because it makes you grow and try harder. I’ve always got to be innovating and pushing myself beyond the comfort zone.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
It helps when you find a community, but on top of that, I had to finally ditch “Hope” as a marketing strategy and start learning what it takes to push books online. 95% of all my book sales are online, so I had to research and school myself on how to maximize that. And its something I’m still doing, still experimenting with. As the world changes, we have to change with it. I can’t say enough about utilizing Amazon Marketing Services – but you have to have things lined up just right. It is a science.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I’m often still researching while in the middle of the book and then even in the edits, I’ll be adding in things and tweaking it. So for me at least its an ongoing process. I usually have a pretty grasp on what I’m doinhg and where I’m going, but if something I find out “fits” I’ll find a place for it to heighten the story.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
I love this quote from Nick Cole, “Write the junk that you want to read.” I 100% agree with that, you have to love what you do.
Links:
My blog, www.kingdavidjwest.com
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