The Author Interviews, Round 2, #4: Assaph Mehr

I'm thrilled to haveAssaph Mehron my journal for the second time this year. He's the author of Murder In Absentia, and dropped by to give me some more info about his writing and reading habits.Where do you get your ideas from?Everywhere! While the particular mystery of Murder In Absentia has been brewing in mind for a while, I’ve gotten ideas from: research, reading random stuff, twitter conversations, music videos… They end up as either short stories, or notes for a future full length novel. Ideas are never the problem.Why do you write?Because I enjoy reading. I adore historical detectives, and I love fantasy. I wanted to write the perfect story for me – a blending of an historical fantasy hardboiled detective. Once I started, I found that I just enjoy it so much, that I don’t want to stop. The ideas keep flowing, and it’s great to explore all those stories.What do you find most appealing about your chosen genre?My genre is historical fantasy – the blending of real historical situations with fantastical elements. I like the speculative aspects of it – how the twist of fantasy will change history. There is a lot of research into my chosen time period (ancient Rome) which I adore, as well as fantasy world-building which is a great exercise in imagination.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?I ignore all feedback. Seriously. Not a single publisher nor any book reviewer has yet cracked the secret of literary success, despite what they like to pretend. I simply ignore them all. It's just their own preference and tastes.When you have about twenty separate reviews, then you can read them and see if there are any common themes that you feel you should address. Then, and only then, you should really consider doing something about it.What do you find difficult about writing?Finding the time! I’ve written my first full novel in four months. But since then we’ve been joined by a baby boy, moved houses, and my work has ramped up. So after all my worldly duties are done, I don’t have a lot of time to write. I therefore write whenever I can – on train rides to work, on lunchbreaks and late at night.Do you ever outsource your work?I’ve always maintained that you should play for your strengths but pay for everything else. There are some things I can do myself (book layout and marketing material, for example), but the two most important things that should be done by other professionals are editing and cover design.What is your opinion on indie vs traditional publishing?I care less about the publisher than about the writer. Traditional publishers are no longer the gateway to literary quality (Snookie’s memoirs from Jersey Shore come to mind), but indie publishing has some dodgy deals too. I just read the first chapter of the book, which will tell me if I’m going to like it or not.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.Get an idea. Note it down. Sit and write it (this is the part that takes a lot perseverance). Get distracted by research, but go back to writing. Try not to get distracted online (not proud of my success rate here). Keep on writing till it’s done. Let it simmer for a bit, then go back and edit. Repeat. Then involve beta readers and critics I trust. If it’s a short I’d then publish it on my blog. If it’s a novel it will go at that point to a professional editor and cover design.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Write! Just keep writing. Write as much as you can, as often as you can – be it a lot or only in limited spare time. But write! Nothing else matters quite as much. After you’ve completed something, give it breathing space, then edit, then publish. But you can’t get there if you don’t write.If you could go back in time 12 months, what would you advise yourself?I was a bit quick to publish the first novel. Learned my lesson, and will do it better the next time. Nothing was a major mistake that I couldn’t fix, nor was anything crippling me from finishing my work.I also had an insight into Assaph's reading habits.Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?Great books definitely, but there are plenty of good books that are read, enjoyed and moved on from. A good book will be one that you enjoy. A great book will be one that gives you a “book hangover”, where you can’t get your head out of.What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Highlight those you would consider. Are any of the below more important to you than others?Cover / Title / Author / Price / Description / Publisher / Sample Chapter / ReviewsGenre and recommendations. I know what I like to read, and already have a to-read list longer than my life expectancy. So I try to focus on books I feel I will enjoy more (depending on mood). If a book disappoints me, I quietly move on to the next one.Who is your favourite author and why?So many! On the historical detectives side: Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and Boris Akunin. On fantasy, probably Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. In terms of classic all-time favourites, I’d say Roger Zelazny, Barry Hughart and Ursula K. Le Guin.Do you shop for indie books online? If not, why?I certainly do.What would it take for you to leave a review on Amazon/ Goodreads?Having enjoyed the book. I’m of the opinion that if you don’t have anything nice to say, it’s better to keep silent. That said, in my reviews I try to cover what a reader should expect from the book. This is, after all, the purpose of the review.After downloading book one for free/ 99p or 99c on Amazon, do you ever return and pay more for book two? If not, why?If I liked the first one, I would keep on reading the series or the author. If it was mediocre, I might not.Do you ever visit an author's website and if so, why?Sometimes, to check out what else they have written, or any particular news and events they have.What would it take for you to sign up to a mailing list?REALLY liking the author. I follow author news, and my reading pace is not that quick. I’ll only sign up – and stay signed up – if the mailing list gives me value beyond mere repeated spam.Do you ever enter giveaways and/ or order signed copies?Occasionally. I normally buy a book outright when I want to read it. If there’s a giveaway for a book I know I intend to read, I will sign up. I have a few cherished signed copies of special books from special authors.What would it take for you to recommend a book to a friend?Having enjoyed the book, and believing that it would match my friend’s tastes.Thanks for this second interview, Assaph. If anyone would like to check out the first interview, pleaseclick here. Of course, please visit the author's website to offer further support.