Ask the Author: Glen Robins
Answered Questions (7)
Glen Robins
I want to finish Michael Grumley's "Breakthrough" series. I've read the first two, "Breakthrough" and "Leap." I've started "Catapult" and want to also read "Ripple." After that, I want to finish Russell Blake's "Jet" series. I've read the first three and plan to read all twelve. They are quick, fun reads. Next on my list will be Tim Tigner. I've heard good things about his writing from a friend and fellow thriller lover. That and writing my fourth book should keep me plenty busy this summer.
Glen Robins
I first have to identify the reason for it. If it's because I'm too tired, I take a nap. If it's because I lack energy, I go for a hike or a run or walk the dog. If it's because I lack ideas, I read a well-written book by one of my favorite authors. If it's because I lack motivation, I read books about the process of writing or maybe the business of writing. If it's because I don't know where I want the story to go, I just write and let the words come out, knowing I will end up revising. Sometimes that means I will discard a whole day's or week's work and start over. Sometimes that means I'll revisit a chapter a couple dozen times and tweak it each time to make it fit where I want the story and the characters to go.
Glen Robins
Creating an alternate reality. Creating characters that become real to you and, hopefully, your readers. Creating scenes that you know will get your readers involved and make them never want to put your book down. I love writing the types of books I love to read, so watching my thoughts develop into a story is really gratifying.
Glen Robins
My advice for aspiring writers is to build a community of other writers, do a lot of reading across several genres, set aside time regularly to write, and realize that your first draft will be terrible. You'll have to revise, sometimes multiple times, before you get it right. And that's OK. Last thing, before you go to publish, if that is your aim, hire a professional editor. Make sure it's a person you can really work with, who gets where you're trying to go with your writing, your style, your genre, and your constraints.
Glen Robins
Currently, I am working on my third book in the "Off" series, which follows Collin Cook around the world as he tries to avoid being captured by law enforcement or, worse, Pho Nam Penh and his band of terrorists. I plan to call this third installment "Off Guard" and I aim to release it via Amazon in the Spring of 2017.
Glen Robins
I've always enjoyed writing and felt that I do a better job expressing myself through writing than through speaking. I remember one time when I was young, maybe 9 or 10, my mom was mad at me for something, I don't remember what. But I couldn't stand to talk to her about it because I didn't want to see the disappointment in her eyes, so I wrote down my apology and slipped in under her pillow before I left for school. As I prepared to go to bed that night, I found a note from her under my pillow. Thus began my practice of writing things down to work our feelings and troubles and inspiration and other things that I want to explore and share.
Glen Robins
My most recent book, "Off Course," is the sequel to "Off Kilter." It follows Collin Cook, an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey, kicked off by tragedy and grief.
I got the idea for this series about Collin Cook based on a chilling nightmare I experienced. Although it lasted only a brief moment, it sent me into a depression because in that moment I knew that I was alone. I didn't know how or why, but I knew my family would not return.
As catharsis, I began to write down the dream and the feelings I had. As I would run or hike or drive during the weeks that followed, I would think about that dream and rather than worrying that it would come true, I began to think of it as inspiration for a story. That's how Collin Cook came to be.
I got the idea for this series about Collin Cook based on a chilling nightmare I experienced. Although it lasted only a brief moment, it sent me into a depression because in that moment I knew that I was alone. I didn't know how or why, but I knew my family would not return.
As catharsis, I began to write down the dream and the feelings I had. As I would run or hike or drive during the weeks that followed, I would think about that dream and rather than worrying that it would come true, I began to think of it as inspiration for a story. That's how Collin Cook came to be.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more