Ask the Author: Gary McPherson
Answered Questions (9)
Gary McPherson
Torry's body bed lifted and hit the floor with a thud. He bent over to look underneath, and with a shriek was no more.
Gary McPherson
Although I am a science fiction fan, I would go to Narnia. I love nature and can think of nothing more enjoyable than sitting on a field of heather on a temperate day and talk to the animals.
Gary McPherson
Unfortunately, I did not have a lot of reading time this summer. I spent most of my summer writing "Humor Through The Ages" that is coming out in October. I hope to settle in this fall and spend some time reading while I take a break.
Gary McPherson
"Joshua and the Shadow of Death" is a lot about my life wrapped in a thriller. I was adopted as a baby by amazing parents. Much like Harold, I carried an unknown condition, although mine was later identified as Bechet's Disease. Only twenty-five thousand people in the U.S. have this condition, although it is prevalent in Asia and the middle-east. Due to its rarity, we went to dig up information on my biological parents. We were unable to find any additional background on my biological father. Through genome mapping in the mid-nineties, we discovered he was of middle eastern descent and the source of the carrier markers. I also found out my biological mother had immigrated from Denmark with her family to the U.S.
I took that bit of history and studied up on the known history, and the legend of the Viking berserkers. I then thought an interesting story would be to have two half-brothers who carried a berserker gene, but nobody was able to identify it.
I brought in Joshua to work with the boys. However, most of the series happens much later when they are men. As the story grew I knew I had a series on my hand. At this point, I also realized Joshua needed his own story to help us understand why he was there, and thus, this first book was born.
While each book in the series can stand on its own, I will say any reader will get more out of each book if they read all of them. You will not necessarily have to read them in order, but each book brings greater meaning to the others.
I took that bit of history and studied up on the known history, and the legend of the Viking berserkers. I then thought an interesting story would be to have two half-brothers who carried a berserker gene, but nobody was able to identify it.
I brought in Joshua to work with the boys. However, most of the series happens much later when they are men. As the story grew I knew I had a series on my hand. At this point, I also realized Joshua needed his own story to help us understand why he was there, and thus, this first book was born.
While each book in the series can stand on its own, I will say any reader will get more out of each book if they read all of them. You will not necessarily have to read them in order, but each book brings greater meaning to the others.
Gary McPherson
My honest answer is that I am not sure. To say I see the characters, settings, and storylines playing out in my mind might sound crazy. However, after spending some time with fellow authors this week, I have discovered it is perfectly reasonable.
To keep me listening to those voices I usually write a short story or two during the week and post them on my website. For those stories, I look at photographs with specific themes or settings. I meditate on the picture until the characters, conflict, and resolution finally come into my mind. Many times, the ending will not even pop up until I am 80% into those stories. I find doing this writing on the side helps me improve my novels.
To keep me listening to those voices I usually write a short story or two during the week and post them on my website. For those stories, I look at photographs with specific themes or settings. I meditate on the picture until the characters, conflict, and resolution finally come into my mind. Many times, the ending will not even pop up until I am 80% into those stories. I find doing this writing on the side helps me improve my novels.
Gary McPherson
I am working on the first round of edits for the next book in the series, "Harold and the Angel of Death." I also have part of the third book in draft form. Additionally, I have three more novels I want to write, including a two book series. At some point, I will return to the Berserker series. There is an important character that needs their story told.
As for timelines, I will have Harold's out next year, but I am not committing to a date yet. I would like to have the third book released before the end of next year as well, but we will see where the timelines fall, and how my health keeps up with my stories rolling around in my brain.
As for timelines, I will have Harold's out next year, but I am not committing to a date yet. I would like to have the third book released before the end of next year as well, but we will see where the timelines fall, and how my health keeps up with my stories rolling around in my brain.
Gary McPherson
If you are an aspiring writer I would say develop a thick skin, understand those anxiety attacks do not go away and prepare to work hard and not receive a paycheck for a while.
Before my debut novel, when people would hear I was an aspiring author they would smile, nod, and give me that look that says, "Oh, you don't want to go back to a real job." After the book was announced, and an official release date was posted the expressions were replaced by actuals words that said, "Wow, I always wanted to write, but I could never go through all the work of actually getting a book published." So, hang in there when people give you a smirk, or possibly even roll their eyes. Keep writing, keep learning, keep pressing forward. Some of those doubters may become your first readers.
As to the anxiety attacks. I learned to deal with those from a friend who is a realtor. He wryly told me, "You'll get used to them" He and his wife are very successful in real estate, but he said they still have anxious moments. I would even suggest embracing your feelings in your writing. If you read the back cover of "Joshua and the Shadow of Death" you will be able to pick up some of my moods on the day that piece was written.
Finally, everything comes down to hard work. I have neuropathy in both forearms, inflammatory arthritis throughout my body, and fibromyalgia. As a result, there were days I would work until my fingers curled up and locked. Even muscle relaxers would not release them. I am not suggesting you push yourself to that point. However, fourteen or thirty day work weeks should not surprise you. Also, prepare to burn a lot of midnight oil. The great news is that you are doing something you love. Working hard at something you enjoy is still hard work, but it is better than working hard at something you hate.
Before my debut novel, when people would hear I was an aspiring author they would smile, nod, and give me that look that says, "Oh, you don't want to go back to a real job." After the book was announced, and an official release date was posted the expressions were replaced by actuals words that said, "Wow, I always wanted to write, but I could never go through all the work of actually getting a book published." So, hang in there when people give you a smirk, or possibly even roll their eyes. Keep writing, keep learning, keep pressing forward. Some of those doubters may become your first readers.
As to the anxiety attacks. I learned to deal with those from a friend who is a realtor. He wryly told me, "You'll get used to them" He and his wife are very successful in real estate, but he said they still have anxious moments. I would even suggest embracing your feelings in your writing. If you read the back cover of "Joshua and the Shadow of Death" you will be able to pick up some of my moods on the day that piece was written.
Finally, everything comes down to hard work. I have neuropathy in both forearms, inflammatory arthritis throughout my body, and fibromyalgia. As a result, there were days I would work until my fingers curled up and locked. Even muscle relaxers would not release them. I am not suggesting you push yourself to that point. However, fourteen or thirty day work weeks should not surprise you. Also, prepare to burn a lot of midnight oil. The great news is that you are doing something you love. Working hard at something you enjoy is still hard work, but it is better than working hard at something you hate.
Gary McPherson
I would have to admit that being a writer is a great way to work through some issues. No matter if your works are fiction or non-fiction if you want to create a compelling story you have to be sincere. Sincerity comes when you include pieces of yourself in your stories. You will be amazed at would you can dig up out of your life when you are looking for inspiration.
Secondly is the community. My first career was working as a computer engineer, software developer, and finally a global manager in IT. IT was a very competitive business. People always say that knowledge is power, but I used to joke that in IT knowledge was money. People would only help others up to a certain point in the tech community. It may sound harsh, but when you are jockeying for position and paychecks, you develop that sort of environment.
The writing community is the opposite of that, for the most part. Everyone I have met and worked with has been fantastic when it comes to mentoring and guidance. I have talked with authors, publishers, and publicists that seem eager to help a new writer improve their craft and contribute to the world. How does it get any better than that?
To summarize, writing is great at acting as your therapist and bringing you new friends who want to help you share the voices and people inside you brain. I am not sure it gets any better than that. Oh wait, it can. Selling lots of books so you can pay your rent or mortgage as a writer puts the much-needed cherry on top.
Secondly is the community. My first career was working as a computer engineer, software developer, and finally a global manager in IT. IT was a very competitive business. People always say that knowledge is power, but I used to joke that in IT knowledge was money. People would only help others up to a certain point in the tech community. It may sound harsh, but when you are jockeying for position and paychecks, you develop that sort of environment.
The writing community is the opposite of that, for the most part. Everyone I have met and worked with has been fantastic when it comes to mentoring and guidance. I have talked with authors, publishers, and publicists that seem eager to help a new writer improve their craft and contribute to the world. How does it get any better than that?
To summarize, writing is great at acting as your therapist and bringing you new friends who want to help you share the voices and people inside you brain. I am not sure it gets any better than that. Oh wait, it can. Selling lots of books so you can pay your rent or mortgage as a writer puts the much-needed cherry on top.
Gary McPherson
There are a couple of answers. If I am writing on a novel, I will walk away. Sometimes for a few minutes, but it can be up to a week or two. My personality tends to lean towards anti-procrastination. If you are someone who performs better under a tight timeline, then you may not have the time window to walk away for days.
If a time crunch is upon you, I find taking a few minutes away and reading or watching something that distracts my mind off my work usually does the trick.
I also write short stories on my website. If I am unable to think of a short story and I need one completed in the next day or two I will often times go for a walk or a drive and nature or people watch for inspiration.
If a time crunch is upon you, I find taking a few minutes away and reading or watching something that distracts my mind off my work usually does the trick.
I also write short stories on my website. If I am unable to think of a short story and I need one completed in the next day or two I will often times go for a walk or a drive and nature or people watch for inspiration.
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