Author Interview with Jeff Horton.

Hello Jeff, please tell us aboutyou, as a writer.
Well, I started writing several years ago, when I was at thepoint in my life that I wanted to reinvent myself. I started putting one wordin front of enough until a novel appeared. I enjoy writing a variety of fiction, ranging from pre andpost-apocalyptic stories, to children's stories and cyber-warfare. The GreatCollapse-Survivors of the Pulse, which came out in 2010, was the first in theSurvivors of the Pulse series, a story about the collapse of civilization whenelectricity is lost across the planet, permanently. The series concludes in TheDark Age-Survivors of the Pulse, which is set five-hundred years in the future,when men once more depend on swords, bows, and arrows to survive. My lastnovel, The Last Prophet, is a fictional story based on the book of Revelationin the Bible, and is written in the first person from the perspective of theprophet.  Your latest books are The Dark Ageand The Last Prophet; perhaps you'd you give us some insight into it in a fewsentences?
The Dark Age and The Last Prophet were released within twoweeks of one another. The Dark Age is a post-apocalyptic novel in whichhumanity struggles to rebuild civilization and break free from five-hundreds ofdarkness. The Last Prophet is a story set at the end of days, when a man namedJohn March, is called to proclaim that the end of the world is at hand, and towarn mankind about the Beast.
How did you come to write thisparticular book?
Although it was the second of my three novels to bepublished, The Dark Age was written first. I've always wondered what wehumanity would do without it's vast and increasingly complex technology. In TheDark Age, not only must humanity live without modern technology, they must livewithout the benefit of thousands of years of ancient technology as well, sinceit was also lost when civilization fell apart during The Great Collapse. In regards to The Last Prophet, I have always wanted towrite a book based on the book of Revelation. There is such rich imagery andfantastic characters that I felt it was worth writing another novel about. Thistime however, I wrote it from the perspective of the prophet, a weak andfallible man who, like the rest of us, is riddled with self-doubt.
Do you have a favouritecharacter from the book? If so, who and why this particular one?
Ihave several characters I really like in each book. My favorite character in The Dark Age would probably be theprotagonist, Ferrell Young, and the antagonist, Kraken. The story would not bequite what it is without either.With The Last Prophet, I'd have to say that oneof myfavorite characters was the wife of John March,Lara. She was always supportive of her husband throughout his journey, anddemonstrates just how strong she is when he dies.
Where can people buy yourbooks?
The Dark Age and The Last Prophet are available from thepublisher, Amazon, and most major bookstores. MyPublisher's website-World Castle PublishingTheDark Age on AmazonTheLast Prophet on Amazon
What qualities does awriter need to be successful?
I think there are three qualities that a writer must possessto be successful; imagination, belief in oneself, and a thick skin. First, anovelist must have an imagination that create a world replete with fictitiousplaces, people, and events. Second, a writer must be confident enough andbelieve in oneself enough to carry them through when naysayers, including thoseclosest to them, try to dissuade them (often with good intentions), frompursuing their dream of a writing career. Lastly, a successful writer must bethick-skinned enough that when their work is slammed by critics (which it willbe), they do not fold and abandon their dream.
What's your working method?
I tend to start with a rough idea of a story. Then, as Iwrite more the plot and the characters begin to develop. Then I start todevelop more of a formal outline that helps build more structure for theremainder of the book.
What's the single biggestmistake made by beginner writers?
I don't honestly know. From my own mistakes, I can say thatI was way too naïve about the challenges around getting published. I was evenmore naïve about the amount of marketing that would be necessary to sell books.Like many others, I'm still waiting to see how successful my efforts will be.
To what extent are grammarand spelling important in writing?
I look like grammar and spelling as necessary evils. Theyhave little to do with developing and telling an exciting story, but you cannotdo so without them. While they do not make a book a bestseller, poor spelling andgrammar certainly can sink one.
How much do you revise yourMS before sending it off?
At first it was nowhere nearly as polished as it should havebeen. Now, I try to get it as polished as I can before sending it in. It's alot easier to make changes before it enters the editing process.
As a writer of Christianfiction, to what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
      I think the genreis far too underappreciated. I believe that human beings seem to have an innateinterest in the supernatural, but I believe that the market has been saturatedwith the Twilights and Harry Potters for the last five to ten years.       Regardless, Ibelieve that if I can write good, quality, entertaining Christian fiction,there is a huge market for it.
Many authors see marketingas a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?
I can certainly understand and appreciate that many authors don'tlike the marketing side and to be honest, I'm not sure we are the mostqualified. Until we achieve some substantial recognition however, it is up tous or the publisher to market the author andthe book.
What sort of displacementactivities keep you from writing?
Myday job. For the time being, I do most of my writing at night and on weekends.
What support, if any, doyou receive from family and friends, writing group, or dedicated professionals?
My family and friends have been very important, particularlywhen I first launched my writing career. I continue to have significant supportfrom both, which I appreciate very much.       
Is presentation of the MSas important as agents and publishers suggest?
Absolutely. As with grammar and spelling, it doesn't makethe book successful, it keep it from getting published.
How long does it take youto write a novel?
That largely depends on how much time I have available toput into it. Typically it takes from six months to a year.
Who or what inspires yourwriting?
God, Life, both…I don't really know for sure. Subject matterthat I am either familiar with or have an interest in is important.
If there's a single aspect ofwriting you find frustrating, what is it?
With me it's the dotting of the "i" and the crossing of the "t" that comes oncethe rough draft is finished that is the most frustrating, that and themarketing.
Is there a particular featureof writing that you really enjoy?
I really enjoy the pure creativity of the writing process.As an author, I get to create a world, populate it with people and places, whatcould be more fun then that?
Do you believe creative writingis a natural gift or an acquired skill?
Both. While people are sometimes born with an innatecreativity, it takes time and practice to develop as an artist.
What are you writing now?
My current project is children's novel, a mixture ofChronicles of Narnia, Pilgrim's Progress, and science-fiction.
Do you have a website orblog where readers can visit?
Yes.I am listing them below.         AuthorJeff Horton's website-            www.hortonlibrary.com         Goodreads-     http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...         Facebook-       http://www.facebook.com/Author.Jeff.H...
Given unlimited resources,where would you do your writing?
Sometimesoutside by the pool, sometimes on a yacht, other times in a quiet study.
Where do you actuallywrite?
  In my living room, believe it or not.