Interview with Author – G G Collins
Author Bio:
Walking several beats, reporter G G Collins racked up a lot of column inches, a few awards and a writing fellowship at Duke University. She never met a story she didn’t like, although some interviews were challenging, a few obnoxious. But reporting is always exciting, exploring the rooftops of skyscrapers, meeting in clandestine locations, getting an exclusive story, and occasionally being a tad alarmed at someone’s behavior. (Know where the exits are!) It’s all in a day’s work. Of course, there’s the ever present question of how to dress: jacket for the interview with the visiting entertainer or jeans for the aviation hangar story? Forget wardrobe, make sure there are notebooks, recorders and extra batteries.
But there was another side lurking, just waiting to write its way out. This side of her personality is fond of the strange, the frightening, the metaphysical. An avid reader since childhood, she began her reading career with Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.” Later, she couldn’t wait to get home after school and watch “Dark Shadows.” From there, Stephen King was but a small leap.
The day she discovered the Hopi ceremony to call back the dead, she just had to ask the question: What would happen if the wrong spirit came back? “Reluctant Medium” resulted.
Besides writing and reading, Collins enjoys travel, hiking, movies and arts. Most days, she lives above the northern Horse Latitudes.
What inspires you to write?
For years, it was an editor or contacts who would send me looking for a story. For fiction I find inspiration in books. For “Lemurian Medium” (due out in August 2013), I’ve been reading accounts of the lost continent of Lemuria, MesoAmerican ancient history, astral travel. I also enjoy watching TV shows such as “Ancient Aliens,” “Supernatural” and anything on the Devil’s Triangle, the Dragon’s Triangle, Area 51, the list goes on and on.
For my next book, “Atomic Medium,” I’m already beginning to read nonfiction about WWII and time travel. Ideas can come from the most unexpected places.
Tell us about your writing process.
I am not one for outlines, except in the briefest sense. Once the idea is there, I research. Books I read will have many stick notes marking passages. Information from Web sites I’ve printed off are highlighted with notations and questions added. But honestly, I only go back a few times because I soak it up the first time. I know there are many writers who write elaborate character profiles and detailed outlines, but for me, I could have written the book by the time I finished all that. However you prefer to do it doesn’t matter. Writing is as individual as the person creating the story.
My outline is in the form of a single paragraph synopsis and a few notes as to the order I want events to happen and short (a few lines) describing each character. I enjoy writing without a map.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
My characters surprise me all the time. And sometimes a filler character suddenly turns into someone who changes the lives of my protagonist and her friends. I prefer to allow any character suggestions to play out. If it doesn’t work, I can always change it, but it usually does work.
Since there are elements of myself in my lead characters, I understand them best. But those who require research and more imagination can develop ideas of their own.
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep writing. Being a journalist even for a short time at a local paper or magazine can help you develop your research, interviewing and writing skills–all important to the fiction writer too. And deadlines are great for keeping you motivated. If you’re writing fiction, you can set your own deadlines. Then keep them.
If you don’t have those “self” skills such as self-starting and self-motivating; learn them. With no one looking over your shoulder, it’s real tempting to put off until tomorrow.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’ve worked for book publishers and print media. Although I’m sure there are authors who love their publishers, overall the bulk of promotion falls to the writer. I did the math and found the author makes about $2 on a $20 book. I make more than that every time I sell my $2.99 eBook on Amazon. With the knowledge I would be doing the lion’s share of marketing and promoting anyway, I took that path. I love the control over my own success. You will fail from time to time, but just learn from it and go on.
Do use an editor and a formatter so your book looks and reads professionally.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
There are going to be a lot more trees making it to maturity. Digital has arrived. It’s no longer weird. I travel a lot and I see many people reading their Kindles along with me. I don’t think the bricks and mortar publishers are cringing in their boots, but the sea change is well underway.
What do you use?
Professional Editor
What genres do you write?
paranormal/fantasy/mystery; astral travel; time travel
What formats are your books in?
eBook
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link To Author Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15716334-reluctant-medium
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