Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve self-published 12 novels to date and five nonfiction books. (See my Amazon author page at amazon.com/author/amazon.com-author-russmoran
I am currently working on two novels. A Climate of Doubt is a science fiction book about a sinister group who tampers with the earth’s climate and plunges the world into a deep freeze and blizzard in the middle of July. It’s in its eighth draft. A Sea in Time is in its first draft. The book is about Captain Harry (from The Maltese Incident) who is now an admiral and time travels back to WWII. I’m also working on a nonfiction book titled The Novel – A Writer’s Guide – Discover the Joy of Writing Fiction. It’s in its ninth draft and will be ready by year-end.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Maltese Incident, a story of a ship that time travels 2 million years into the past (no THAT’S time travel). Seven of my twelve novels are about time travel, and The Maltese Incident will be the thirteenth. It’s a fun genre to engage in because there are so many ways the story can go. It was inspired by my years in the United States Navy, and the book is dedicated to the men and women at sea. I was also inspired by my first novel, The Gray Ship, which was about a modern warship that traveled back to the Civil War. The captain in that book is an Africa American woman who falls in love with a junior officer (time travelers need some love too).
* I usually begin writing in the late morning after I’ve answered emails and phone calls
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
* I write my first draft like a bat on steroids. I subscribe to the notion that “There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting.” (Robert Graves)..
* I go through a minimum of 15 drafts.
* Writer’s Block. I don’t acknowledge its existence, and I just keep writing and the scenes and characters just show up. But there’s a difference between writer’s block and being stuck. Being stuck is when you realize that you haven’t fully developed the story in your mind before you start the book. The way to overcome “being stuck,” is to put the manuscript aside for a couple of weeks and come back to it with a fresh mind.
* I usually begin writing in the late morning after I’ve answered emails and phone calls. I retired as president of my legal 0ublishing company, so I’m a full-time writer.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
* Nelson DeMille’s novels.
* On Writing by Stephen King
* The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
* The novels of Indie author E.M Foner, who writes science fiction with a heavy dose of humor
* The Wool books by Hugh Howey
* The novels by Indie author Estelle Ryan – a gifted writer
What are you working on now?
A Climate of Doubt – On draft eight
The Novel – A Writer’s Guide – Discover the Joy of Writing Fiction
A Sea in Time – I’m just starting to get unstuck. Captain Harry (now an admiral) time travels back to WWII. His loving wife, Meg, joins the Navy and is Harry’s aide.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I start with KDROI, which is how I found you folks.
I’m also restarting my blogging, which I foolishly let sit for a while. It’s called The Write Stuff.
Twitter and Facebook posts.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read books on writing, like Stephen King’s book, On Writing.
Subscribe to the Writer’s Digest video tutorials. Like going for an MFA in front of your computer.
Write every day, without fail.
Keep plugging and don’t give up. Read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It’s all about your resistance, and how to overcome it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stephen King says there are four types of writers: Bad, competent, good, and great. If you’re bad, find something else to do. If you’re great, you have little to do with it; it’s in your genes. But the great idea is that a competent writer, with lots of hard work, can become. a good writer.
What are you reading now?
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m looking to teach a course based on my forthcoming The Novel – A Writer’s Guide – Discover the Joy of Writing Fiction
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Stand by Stephen King
Author Websites and Profiles
Russell Moran Website
Russell Moran Amazon Profile
Russell Moran Author Profile Other Bookseller
Russell Moran’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account