The Author Interview featuring Richard Dee

Welcome to the Author Interview. This time, it features the lovely Richard Dee, author of Freefall.

If you’re an author who’d like to take part in the series, email me: debbie@myrandommusings.co.uk

Now over to Richard:

1 Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself

Hello, I’m Richard Dee, I’m a retired Master Mariner and ex Thames river pilot, living in Brixham, down in sunny Devon. I’ve been self-published for five years.

2 Tell us a little bit about your books

I write Sci-fi and Steampunk adventures, both in series and in stand-alone stories.

I also have an amateur detective series; featuring the wonderful Andorra Pett. She’s a cross between Agatha Raisin and Miss Marple, in space.

Altogether I’ve published eight novels, two books of short stories and had a piece in the 1066 Turned Upside Down collection of historical fiction, concerning the Battle of Hastings. My contribution was a time travel story connected to the events of the battle itself. I think that it fits nicely into the collection. It seemed to please readers, who might not have been expecting it.

3 Where do you find your inspiration for your books?

In things that happened during my forty years at sea, in conversations I overhear in coffee shops and also from my dreams. My dreams are so involved with my creative process that I’ve actually written a psychological thriller involving one man’s dream experiences. Simply put, my protagonist cannot decide if his dreams or his waking life are reality. It’s in the final stages of production.

4 What, for you, is the best thing about being a writer?

I don’t have to work in the cold and the rain; I can drink as much coffee as I like.

5 And the worst?

It can be a very solitary life, which is where social media and writers’ groups come in.

6 If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

I’d love to be able to see the end of my novels before I get to them. I’m unable to plot, I just write and leave it up to the characters to decide what happens. That might sound weird to you, you should try it from this side.

7 Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to write their first book?

Just WRITE IT. Don’t worry about anything else, just get words down on paper.  You can always edit them later. Until you’ve committed words to paper you don’t have a novel, just an idea.

And it’s very important to get your work properly edited. Spell check alone is NOT enough. To begin with, you shouldn’t be too concerned about what people say about your work, remember that not everyone likes everything.

Trust in your voice, writing is like exercising, the more you do it, the better it gets.

8 Tell us one random fact about you

I bake sourdough bread, using a five-year-old sourdough starter

9 Who is your favourite author?

It’s difficult to choose one; Isaac Asimov, so ahead of his time.

10 And your favourite book(s)?

The Foundation series.

11 What book are you reading right now?

I’ve just finished Defiance by P.J. Reed, the first part of a high fantasy series called The Torcian Chronicles. Next up is a book I’m reading with my blogger hat on, called Absolute Darkness by Tina O’Haiely. The review will be published as part of a blog tour in early June.

12 Where is your favourite place to write?

Anywhere I can, either by keyboard or notebook. I bought a keyboard that plugs into my phone after getting a flash of inspiration while I was out. I ended up typing a short story on my phone using my thumb. Never again!

13 Do you prefer to write in silence or do you have a writing soundtrack?

Usually some 1970’s heavy rock. Although I like all sorts of music, that particular style comes from my teenage years and brings back so many memories.

14 What can we expect from you next?

The dream story should be out in October, unless I have a better idea. I have several stories on the go at once, either sequels or new work. I never know which of my works in progress will finish first.

15 Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I’ve had so much help and encouragement from the online author and blogger community in the last five years. I’m trying to repay it by offering guest posts on my website to Indie Authors who are struggling to get exposure. If that’s you and you’d like to appear in front of my audience, saying whatever (within reason) you want, please get in touch with me for more details.

16 Where can we find you? (Links to your Amazon page and social media)

My website is at richarddeescifi.co.uk. Head over there to see what I get up to, click the FREE STUFF tab or the PORTFOLIO tab to get all the details about my work and pick up a free novel or short story.

I’m on Facebook at RichardDeeAuthor  and Twitter at Richard Dee Sci-Fi