BookHuntersBlog.com

Brandon Ford: At a very young age, when I approached writing as more of a hobby, I just dove right in. I just wrote the stories the way I saw them in my head. As I matured and became very focused, determined, and serious about my craft, I knew how important it was to continue to learn. I’ve read countless books on the subject and took everything I possibly could out of school. But, writing, as an art, is more of a trial and error thing. Personally, I think I’ve gotten better by continuing to write and learning as I went. I think that’s really the best way to go. Don’t get me wrong, a serious writer can definitely learn a lot from educating themselves, but I think the only way to be a better writer is just to write and to keep writing.

BHB: What do you think about the future of books with all the new technology coming out (like Kindle and foldable screens)?

BF: Oh, I don’t really think about that kind of thing very often. I know that today’s technology is absolutely insane and things will continue to grow and change, but I like to stay focused on seeing my work published the old fashioned way. That’s definitely the way I prefer to embrace literature. And, let’s face it, signing a computer screen could never compare to signing the title page of your very own printed book.

BHB: How difficult was the publishing process for you?

BF: Incredibly. Getting Crystal Bay published was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. It took years of rejection and hundreds of submissions before I was able to land an editor that was confident enough in my work. But getting a novel out there really doesn’t make things easier in the long run. I mean, I just got a short story rejected the other day. No matter what, I’m sure there will be hurdles to jump.

BHB: How much of your own promotion do you do?

BF: All of it. Arctic Wolf Publishing is a very small press. Their venture has only just begun. As a matter of fact, Crystal Bay was the very first book released. So, since they’re still trying to make a name for themselves (much like myself), there really isn’t any money for an extensive promotional campaign. I’ve been shipping out my own review copies, contacting websites and forum moderators, and promoting the hell out of the book every way I know how. It’s definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be, but at the end of the day, it’s worth it because I know I’m slowly creating awareness of the book and of myself.

BHB: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

BF: If writing is something you know in your heart you’re meant to do, then you just have to go for it. Write as much as you can. Build a portfolio. And if seeing your book out there is a goal you finally make for yourself, never stop submitting until you make that happen. When I was 18 and I decided that I wanted to be a writer, I gave myself that very goal. I decided then and there that I wanted to have a novel out by the time I turned 30 and here I am. I accomplished that goal four years shy of my 30th birthday. I must say, I did have doubts that this day would come, but knowing that it has and knowing that all of my hard work really did amount to something, it’s the most rewarding feeling in the world.

BHB: What are your future plans?

BF: Just to keep on writing. I hope to put out at least one novel a year. My second should be released in early 2009. Aside from that, who knows? Writing a screenplay is something I’ve thought about for a long time, but I think that’s not going to be for a while. I have way too many projects already lined up.

BHB: How do you juggle writing with the rest of your life?

BF: I really don’t find it that difficult. I always try to make a point to write every single day, no matter how busy or tired I may find myself. I wouldn’t say the craft has really interfered at all. If it did, then I’d be looking at it from a work perspective, rather than seeing it as doing something I love.

BHB: Do you have any methods or rituals to your writing?

BF: Well, as for methods, I prefer to write my first drafts longhand because it’s a lot easier to revise and edit that way. Most of the major changes take place when I’m typing up the manuscript. I also prefer to write late at night because that’s when it’s most quiet and I definitely need silence to concentrate. Lastly, I have a very special charm a close friend gave to me that I keep by me whenever I’m writing. It inspires me.

BHB: How do you find inspiration?

BF: By constantly keeping my ears open to everything around me. I absorb everything I see, hear, and read because you never know where the big ideas will come from. I also keep a small notebook with me at all times in case I’m struck with an idea.

BHB: Was there one certain event or happening that made you want to write a book?

BF: Just reading the masters of the craft growing up. Their words inspired me to generate my own fiction.

BHB: What made you decide to branch out into fiction?

BF: Fiction is all I’ve ever written. I find anything else to be a great challenge. When I’m making up a story as it goes along, I find the words flow easily. When I’m writing about myself or a real event in my life, I’m constantly stopping and re-reading every sentence to make sure it sounds good. I don’t see myself ever penning my memoirs.

BHB: What do you do against writer’s block?

BF: I usually work on more than one piece at a time, so if I’m blocked with one of them, I just move on to another. If that doesn’t help, I’ll pop in some soothing music (movie scores definitely get my creative juices flowing at times), or relax with a hot cup of coffee.

BHB: Do you use an outline when writing? Do you stay linear or do you skip in time?

BF: Any outlining I do usually takes place in my head. I almost always know where exactly I want the story to go, but since I don’t necessarily go in with a plan that’s set in stone, there’s room to deviate.

BHB: How difficult was it to get an agent?

BF: I actually don’t have one of those yet.

BHB: How important is a good website and do you utilize blogging?

BF: A good website is definitely an important self-promotion tool. You can let your readers know what projects you’re currently working on, when they can expect them, and anything else they might be interested in knowing. I do utilize blogging, but I don’t post them as often as I probably should. But, whenever there’s an interesting bit of information to post, you’d better believe I’ll put it up right away.

BHB: What do you prefer and why: Mass-market paperback or hard cover for your debut novel?

BF: Well, my first novel is a trade paperback. If I had my druthers, I’d definitely love to see one of my novels hardbound. But the actual formatting of the book is irrelevant to me. I’m more than happy with the way things turned out. I mean, I have an actual novel out there. Not many writers can say that these days, especially with how incredibly difficult it is to get your foot in the door.

BHB: What are the most difficult and rewarding aspects of being a published writer?

BF: As of now, the most difficult thing is to continue to self-promote. But, like I said, it’s still definitely worth it. The most rewarding thing is to read comments from people who have finished the book and enjoyed it. The reviews from my readers almost always bring a smile to my face and that definitely inspires me to create more.

BHB: Do you have any movie influences?

BF: Oh God, yes. I was a child of the ‘80s and I grew up on the countless slasher movies of the decade. Genre films like The Slumber Party Massacre, Sleepaway Camp, April Fool’s Day, Night of the Demons, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and a slew of others have always been one of my biggest influences. Growing up, I used to watch them religiously and they’d always inspire me.

BHB: What made you decide to choose this kind of story?

BF: Well, at the time, I knew that I wanted to be a novelist. Unfortunately, all I had under my belt was a slew of novellas. So, I knew the only way I’d see myself with a book is to actually sit down and write one. The main character in Crystal Bay deals with a lot of the same things I did when penning the manuscript. His side of the story was a breeze to write because there’s a lot of me in this character.

BHB: Is your story a metaphor or social commentary in disguise?

BF: No, not really. I didn’t write the manuscript with any hidden meanings. Like everything I do, I just wrote it as I saw it in my head.

BHB: How do you know when something is scary?

BF: When it makes your heart pound, your pulse race, and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t look away.

Thank you for this interview and best of luck in with your career!

Brandon Ford Profile

Crystal Bay Review

Crystal Bay on Amazon