Please welcome Martyn J. Pass to the blog! Martyn is an indie author and though I haven't read any of his books, yet, they sound like something I'd enjoy!!
Martyn J. Pass works as a metal worker in the United Kingdom. He's the father of two children and is the author of over 10 books including 'Project 16', 'The Brink' and 'The Wolf and the Bear'. Apart from adding to the ever growing 'Tales from the Brink' post-apocalyptic series, he's also penned romance, crime and detective fiction.
Author Interview:
Where do your ideas come from?
I'm never quite sure to be honest! As a writer it's important to read A LOT but I also enjoy movies and video games so the well of ideas is constantly being replenished with new images, thoughts and words. I also try to live as varied a life as I can and gather new experiences I can draw upon.
How do you develop your writing ideas?
I try to spend a lot of time thinking and processing an idea once I've had it. That happens a lot when I'm walking the dog and listening to music. Having a well stocked Spotify account is vital to developing my characters and stories.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
I don't. They find me. ALL of my characters seemed to appear out of nowhere, demanding that I tell their story and I'm happy to oblige. Some days I'm really shocked by what one of my characters says or does - it's like they have a life of their own.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was about 14. That's not some cheesy cliche - that's the truth! I used to rewrite movies I'd seen on sides of A4 paper and my first go with a keyboard was on my mum's old typewriter. Been doing it ever since.
What makes you unique as a writer?
I think all writers are unique - they have their own individual perspective on life that no one else has. For me, I'm character driven in every book. I never plot a story, I start with a person or people and go from there. I think that gives my books likability and a connection to the reader that you might not otherwise get with most writers.
Describe your book in 140 characters or less.
The last Englishman meets a former US Ranger who join forces to stop a terrorist attack in post-apocalyptic Britain.
Tell us about the main character(s)
Miller has lived on his own in the ruins of England for most of his life. He was trained by his father to thrive in that environment and work on behalf of the US Government to rescue looters from within the country. This life is turned upside down when former US Ranger Claudia Riley arrives on the scene and needs his help.
Where do you find/come up with your characters names?
Most names usually have a link to someone or something in my life. Other times they're just random.
What writers inspire/d you?
Mark Twain and Cormac MacCarthy. Legends in their own right.
How has your writing career changed since you started?
It got harder! Building a fan base has its price to pay and keeping a series like 'Tales from the Brink' from turning into a disaster has been both exciting and terrifying. People love these books and I don't want to let my readers down!
What does your writing process look like?
It looks like a weird, angry man sat in his chair trying to block out the rest of the world. Everything and everyone around me is put on hold until I've completed the first draft on my tablet.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My quirk is that I tend to put references for friends and family to find in each book.
What are your writing goals for the next year?
To get at least four more books out in 2018. I'm on target for four this year so I'd like to keep the pace going.
What is the most useful tool you use as a writer?
A word processor!!! I don't know how people write books in long hand and ever finish. Bah!
Name the five biggest distractions from your writing.
1) Human beings 2)Work 3)Money problems 4)My phone 5)The internet
What character would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with?
Gandalf from Lord Of The Rings. That would be funny and life changing. If I had to pick one of my own then it'd be Riley. She's a legend.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I get some great emails from my readers and of course I read all my reviews. If they've taken the time to read and write something nice then the least I can do is check it out. When a reader says that they've connected to a character in a big way then I know I've done my job. A lot of people relate well to Alan Harding and his dog Moll. I love that! The whole point of being a story teller is to improve someone else's life if only for the duration of the tale. To have this kind of impact is very special.
I do get the odd one star reader who's just out for blood. Those guys don't get more than a glance from me.
Some Get to know me Questions
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I spend a lot of time outdoors. I hike, camp and play paintball. I also hit the gym a lot and keep trim. Of course, I'm always reading and I fit a few movies in now and again.
What’s the best vacation you ever had?
Wales. Any of the times I've been in Wales. I love the countryside there and a lot of it appears in my books.
What’s your favourite rainy day movie?
Bladerunner. 'Nuff said.
If you could be any age again for a week, which would you choose and why?
I kind of like being 34 right now. I feel like I've hit my prime. Keep me here as long as possible!
If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would it be?
I'd have liked to have seen my mum and dad meet if I'm honest. Knowing how important that moment was to me would make it strange and interesting to witness.
What's you favourite place to read?
In my study in an old leather chair with the sunlight coming in through the window and a faint summer breeze. Bliss.
When you walk into a book store, where do you head first?
The sci-fi section just on the off chance any of my books are there.
If you had a million dollars, what would be the first thing you would buy?
The enormous farm house at the end of my road I've dreamed about for years. It's where I want to retire to write more.
Some of Martyn's books, click the picture to go to Goodreads.
These sound awesome and I can't wait to read them all!! Which one do you think you would read?? Don't forget to enter the giveaway, and keep commenting because winners will be chosen at random from the commentators during May!
