SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... EPISODE 48!

And we're back for the 48th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… WOW. 48 of these things. Who woulda thunk it? You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here. It's been quite a while since the last time I did one of these so let's dive right in, shall we?

Q: What was the biggest writing obstacle or setback you overcame in 2019?

Familial obligations.

Q: How successful was your first novel?

Evil Ways did so-so, sales wise when it premiered. However, I consider it very successful in terms of opening doors at other publishers where I started to get paying work. Plus, over the twelve years it's been in print, it's had sales each year.

Q: If your life was a movie, what would be the title?

Running in Quicksand.

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SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... EPISODE 47!

And we're back for the 46th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… WOW. 47 of these things. Who woulda thunk it? You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here. It's been quite a while since the last time I did one of these so let's dive right in, shall we?

Q: "To be a writer you must write everyday." Agree? Disagree? Just Don't Care?

It would be great to write every day. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t. Like any job, you need a day off every once in a while. I try to write every day, but sometimes I am not able to do that. This past week, for example, I wrote very little. This week, I'm writing more.

Q: How was your holiday weekend? Did you stuff yourself with turkey? ;) Did you get some writing done?

The Thanksgiving holiday was okay. I usually use it as a chance to catch up on movies I haven't seen. A little writing was accomplished, though not nearly enough. Family matters kept me occupied.

Q: If you had the choice for your novel to be a commercial success or a literary success which would you prefer?

Commercial. I still have bills to pay and a hankering to eat every now and again.

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SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... EPISODE 46!

And we're back for the 46th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… WOW. 46 of these things. Who woulda thunk it? You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here. It's been quite a while since the last time I did one of these so let's dive right in, shall we?

Q: What inspired you to write your first story/novel?

There was this urge to tell the story and I wanted to see if I could do it.

Q: Why do so many writers care about the small and irrelevant things, [ex] Page count , and font to name a few? Quality not quantity. Writing is a way to express your views, to open and build worlds. If you want a short story to have 2 pages, great! If you want the same story to have 50 pages , awesome! But it shouldn't matter how long it is, how many words it contains. It should be the quality of immersion of the world. Word choices don't truly matter , nor does even word correctness , ( Think of Shakespere , who invented words and slang ), just write. Worry about the small things after you are happy.

I can't speak for all writers, but I work for publishers. Those publishers set the word count based on pages and cost to the reader. If I want to write for publishers, then I have to tell the story within their guidelines.If writing is your hobby and you are doing it for fun, then by all means, do whatever you want. If your goal is to be published and your books distributed for sale, there are guidelines that you have to adhere to if you want to make that goal a reality.

Q: Are you interested in creating characters that reflect your political beliefs? Should you create characters that reflect your political beliefs?

I try to avoid politics because it never ends well. Politics makes even the nicest of people turn into raging assholes, no matter which end of the political spectrum they fall.

That said, I write thrillers, sometimes political thrillers, and when writing about politicians, politics will be discussed. My job is to be as honest as possible. I'm not here to preach or push an agenda. I'm here to entertain.

SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... EPISODE 45!

And we're back for the 45th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… 
You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.
Let's dive right in, shall we?

Q: Why do you write?

The ideas keep coming and I need to get them out. Plus, I love the challenge of crafting a story, getting to know characters, and hopefully entertain readers.

Q: HOWS YOUR YEAR GOING? Are you where you want to be yet? How does next year look? Too early?

It's not been a good year for many reasons, not all of which are writing-related and most of which I won't go into here, but things start to turn around. On the writing side of things, last year has been just okay. I have fallen behind on deadlines due to the things I didn't go into detail on, but I am working on catching up. My output has been less than previous years, but new books do come out. I'm already booking writing gigs for publishers into 2018.

Q: What are your 2018 writing plans/goals?

At least 8 novels/novellas and a graphic novel are on the schedule to write, plus stuff already at the publishers waiting their release. There are other plans in place as well. Hopefully, I can write more comics.

SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... #44!

And we're back for the 44th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… 

You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.

Q: What do you WANT from your writing career?

Why, fame and fortune, of course. Isn't that why we all do this? Okay, seriously, I want to make a decent living as a writer. I'm a long way from that being a reality, but it is a goal I strive toward. I also want my work to reach as wide an audience as possible. I am working on growing my audience daily. It's a process, but I am making it work. On the selfish side, I would like to be known as a New York Times Best Selling Author one day too. I think that would be great and it's one of the goals I aspire to achieve.

Q: CREATORS: inspire the next generation by telling them how you broke into the industry.

One Friday night, after a stressful week at the day job, I emailed every publisher with a website. I had done some stuff on my own and with locals, but I introduced myself to all publishers. I received one reply,which thanked me, but mentioned they were closing shop and wished me well. A year later, that same person was at another publisher and asked to see samples of my writing then asked me to do a try out issue. They liked what I did and I was on the book. When that project ended, I had to break in again and again. Eventually, I got more work. I keep looking for more writing work and sometimes that feels like breaking in again, even after all this time. Keeps me hopping.

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SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... #43!

And we're back for the 43rd installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… I am honored to get questions sent to me as well as share answers to questions from writers groups. Please, keep 'em coming.

You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.

Q: What is your style of writing? fiction, non-fiction , or something else!!!

I write fiction across multiple genres.

Q: tell me about one of your biggest professional disappointments to-date, but also what, if anything, positive that you got get from it.

I've had my share of "this close" stories. I was "this close" to

working on... The last year or so has seen a good deal of disappointments in regard to projects being cancelled or publishers vanishing/going under/not paying/etc. Even though the Edgar Rice Burroughs' At The Earth's Core graphic novel continues to sell well, the Pellucidar graphic novel adaptations were cancelled while we were working on book 2, Ghost Gal went on indefinite hiatus and off sale when our publisher passed away, Pro Se cancelled their Signature Series line, which I am part of with two titles: Freelancer (originally a recurring series of one shots) and Crimson Moon (which was originally intended to be a trilogy), Domino Lady: Threesome was cancelled, the Snow books were stalled at the publisher, anthologies sitting ready, but unpublished for years, a decade in some cases, etc, etc, etc. Each one of those stung, but I know it's part of the business.

The positive takeaway has me focusing on more novel work and original projects. After a struggle, I regained the rights to Snow and am releasing those 

myself through BEN Books. So far that has been a positive, although they could be selling better. The cancellations did open up my schedule, though not in a way I wanted it to happen. Will Ghost Gal come back for a second novel? Hard to say. I hope so. I love the characters.The characters from the Pro Se line are mine so I may try them on my own down the road. The Pellucidar license has gone to another publisher so that project is dead. I am honored to have been part of ERB's legacy, even if for a short time and working with Jamie Chase was a dream collaboration. Domino Lady: Threesome is being repackaged as a trade by Moonstone instead of releasing the issues individually so that is a positive. At least they will be released.

And I keep writing.

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BOBBY NASH AND SEAN TAYLOR BRING A MACHETE TO A BLOG POST!

I joined the Author Round Table discussion called "Forget the Scissors, I Need a Machete!" on Sean Taylor's Bad Girls, Good Guys, and Two-Fisted Action blog this week.

No. Not this Machete.

For this week's writer roundtable, we're going to talk about cutting words -- and not just a word here and there but a significant amount of them. Here's the scenario... You finish your latest novel or novella, but you're WAY over the word count. 

WAY, WAY OVER.

How do you get it back to the side your editor wants?
What are your techniques for serious trimming on your work?

Sean asked and a panel of fantastic authors answered. Give it a read at HERE.

Thanks, Sean. I always have a blast visiting you blog.

Bobby

SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... #42!

Welcome to the 42nd installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… 

You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.

Q: Where do you get your ideas for writing?

Anywhere and everywhere. From real life to ripped from the headlines to I have no idea where that idea came from. I sure do get this question a lot.

Q: Scrivener - yea or nay?

I've never used it.

Q: Are you an early morning writer, or a late night writer? When are you most productive?

It varies. When I had a day job, I was a night writer. When I first started writing full time, I wrote all night and went to bed early in the morning. These days, I start writing around 11 or 12 and write until 6 or 7. I take a break and then most nights pop back into the office to get in a few more hours, especially if I'm on a deadline.

Click to read more...

SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... #41!

And we're back for the 41st installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… 

You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.

Who are you?

Q: The best band/singer you've ever seen live?

The WHO. Tom Petty was a good second.

Q: Is Monday Still the START of Your Work Week? And, if Employed, What Do You Really Do at Your Job?

As a writer, my work week is 7 days. No beginning or end.

They won't back down!

Q: How do you deal with competition in your industry?

I don't really think about it. I don't consider other writers as my competition. I prefer to think of them as peers or co-workers. Sometimes we go after the same gigs and we're all looking for readers, but even then I find the writing community to be a very open and supportive bunch. I don't put other authors down to push or promote my books, for example. That feels unprofessional to me. Oh, sure, there are some who no doubt disagree with me on this (I get disagreements with my thinking a lot, maybe that's why I'm not more successful), but most writers I've met are wonderful. I'm thrilled to be part of this community so

No competition here...

I don't actively compete with other authors.

Q: What do you tell people when they say they want to be an author? Are you encouraging, or discouraging?

Always encouraging, but I don't sugar coat the realities of trying to write for a living.

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SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF… PART 40!

And we're back for the 40th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… That's right! It's the BIG 4-0! I know I’ve said it before, but thank you for the questions. I love answering them so please, keep ‘em coming. Oh, and a Big Ol' Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there, including mine.

You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.

Q: What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

Sadly, none. Unless trips to conventions count. Maybe I should look into taking a trip like that. Could be fun.

Q: What is the first book that made you cry?

To Kill A Mockingbird, I think. Although, I will admit, the movie gets me more than the book.

Q: What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

There are publishers out there who will try to take advantage of authors and ask for fees from the author. That is not how publishing works. The money should flow from the publisher to the author, not the other way around. Same with agents. Money is made when books sell. That goes for writers, publishers, and agents. http://pred-ed.com is a good resource for looking into publishers, agents, etc. They are currently revising their information, but it will give you an idea of praises and complaints against publishers.

SUPER-SIZED SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF… PART 39

After a short hiatus, we are back for a 39th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… I know I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating-- thank you for the continued questions. I love answering them. Please, keep ‘em coming.

You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.

You tell 'em, Calvin!

This first two questions are a good indicator of just how behind I am.

Q: What is your New Year’s writing resolution for 2017?

I'm not really a resolutions guy. I plan, sure, but I do that throughout the year, not just at the beginning of the year. Planning requires the occasional restructuring or course correcting as things like real life or publishing issues get in the way. Believe me, they both happen. 2016 was a year where these type of hiccups happened to me a lot.

You tell 'em, Jean Luc!

If I had to make a New Year's Writing Resolution, I guess it would be to improve time management so I can write more. My 2017 schedule is pretty full, which is great, but if I could improve my writing time that would be beneficial to moving my writing career forward and maybe gets me one step closer to my writing/publishing goals.

Q: It's a NEW YEAR! What would you like to see happen for you as an author in 2017?

Hopefully, I will get one step closer to having "New York Times

Yep. Writing is exactly like this. :)

Bestselling Author" in front of my name. It's a goal.

Q: What motivates you more as a writer? Making sales? Getting great reviews? Getting fan mail? The constant challenge to write something better or extremely unique?

As I'm writing, it's the challenge to tell the best story that I can tell. Once it's out, there is the sales and reviews aspect that I think about while promoting the work. I don't think about the sales as much while writing though.


Click Read More... for the rest of this installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff...

SOMETIMES I GET ASKED STUFF... #38-- SUPER-SIZED HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR!

Welcome back to the 38th installment of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… another jam-packed super-sized edition. In addition to questions from fans and readers, I've also pulled questions from writing groups/blogs/facebook as well to round things out. Thanks for all of the amazing questions. Please, keep ‘em coming. I absolutely love answering them. Yes, even the silly ones from time to time.

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. It was a quiet affair for the Nash family this year, just a small meal with the family. With the holidays right around the corner, I decided to drop all of the gathered questions into one big stocking-stuffer of a Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff… I had to skimp on the photos/art this time around. Just the Q and A this time.

You can check out all of the past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... here.

Bring on the questions... Click Read More... to see them.

BOOK GOODIES INTERVIEWS AUTHOR BOBBY NASH!

I was interviewed by Book Goodies. We talked about authory things.
You can read the full interview here.

Thanks again, Book Goodies.

Bobby

MY BOOK PLACE INTERVIEWS AUTHOR BOBBY NASH!

I was interviewed by My Book Place!

My Book Place talks with award-winning Author Bobby Nash about his writing career, Sherlock Holmes, Domino Lady, creative influences, current projects, promotion, advice for new authors, upcoming releases, and more. Read the full interview here.

Thanks, My Book Place!

Bobby

GOODREADS PRESENTS: AS THE AUTHOR WITH BOBBY NASH

I'm answering reader questions over on Goodreads. 
Got a question, let's here it here.

Bobby

BOBBY NASH RETURNS TO DGEEK'S ASK A WRITER!

I'm back in the Hot Seat this month for DGeek's Ask A Writer. I'll be taking questions all July long so stop by the site and ask away.

Bobby

WRITERS, PIRATES, AND SUPER-HEROES... OH MY!

Jessica Parker Kennedy as Max on Starz's Black Sails.

I had a great Saturday.

I had a wonderful visit with the Athens Writers Association yesterday. We talked for a little more than a couple of hours. They had a lot of great questions, including one or two I hadn’t been asked before, which is always nice. I had planned to take some photos at the event, but I was so into the conversations that I forgot to take any pics. You can learn more about the group here and here.

The Athens Writers Association was a fun group and I wanted to thank Rob White for inviting me out for a visit. Hopefully, we can do it again.

After my visit with AWA, I decided to take the rest of the night off since it was late when I got home. Watched Iron Man 3 and the new Black Sails on Starz. While not my favorite of the Iron Man movies, IM3 is still good super hero fun. Black Sails was pretty good as well. I’ll definitely be back for more. Just a note: Black Sails is definitely not for the kiddies.

Today, it's back to work on Ghost Gal. There are many words to be written.

Happy Sunday!

Bobby