Name Lincoln S. Farish
Age 48
Where are you from
I currently live in Virginia. Born in Boston, and have lived from Maine to Florida on the East Coast of the US
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc
Joined the US Army after High School, after my enlistment was up went to college, Got a commission, went to graduate school, was called back onto active duty multiple times to go to Iraq and Afghanistan, got bored between depolyments, started writing now have a series beginning.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
Book two is back from the editor, will need to do some corrections and changes, but in about 3 months, give or take, it should be ready.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
On this series, I started the first one about ten years ago. I’m not sure if I will ever use it, it’s a kind of Origins story. Once I wrote it I was kinda hooked, I realized there were many, many more stories about Sebastian that needed to get out. I wasn’t in a hurry, and I took my time, hence the slow pace. Since then I finished with my fourth novel in the series. It’s funny I wrote my first book long before I’d ever heard of any of the other authors that write along similar lines. The first time I read Larry Correia, Junior Inquisitor was with my editor. I wish I’d read him earlier, his creation of a useful silver bullet is better than mine.
Why I started writing is because I had this question in my head of, “what would happen if people could suddenly do magic,” and the answers to that question.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I don’t. While I take what I do seriously, I am just starting off. I’m the fry cook of authordom. I will rise to professional only if I work very hard, manage to perfect my craft and am recognized by both the public and my peers as such.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
Part of it was the challenge, there are lots of people who start off to write a book and quit or don’t try offer it to the public. The concept itself is again came by asking myself the question, “What would happen if people suddenly were able to do magic.” Answering that yielded more questions. Where would this ability come from, would it uplift the human spirit, or bring out our worst impulses? Then, if they were bad, who would stop them? If all magic users were good I have a Happiest Elf kids story, which for me would be dull. I could have made witches and warlocks both good and evil, but that’s been done. So I went with evil. From that everything kind of sprang forth. How would someone who is evil and very powerful act? What kinds of spells and energies would they have, how would they get more power, how would they act towards each other and regular people? Everyone who’s evil needs some minions, so what would they have and how would they get them? I ended up with this very dark tale about a group of monks who were waging a guerrilla war on evil made manifest.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
It’s always tough to step outside of yourself and critically examine your own creation. Given those limitations, I’d say that I have a very tight, rapidly paced, action oriented, style. I focus on the conflict where of ideas or actual physical conflict, for that is where I see the best stories come from.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
The main Character, Brother Sebastian, has not finished all of his training, when he is sent to Providence Rhode Island, to look into the disappearance of an Inquisitor. As you can imagine what should have been routine, is not and Sebastian is quickly running for his life, chased by witches and werewolves.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I hope not, I’m trying to entertain not preach.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
Everything. Ha Ha ha. I’ll leave that up to the reader, if they go to Providence they can follow Sebastian’s path through the city, and the weapons and tactics are sound. Yes, for those with a lot of expertise, or expert level knowledge, say of Latin, you can always find some detail to nit-pick, but for your average person, they should be immersed in the story with no issues.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
The military taught me a lot of things, much of which I have used in this book. Others snippets of ideas and concepts come from my own life, or other authors.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
Far to many to list. I read a lot, and a very wide diverse range of books and papers. I take from them ideas, concepts, how things work or do not. Silver as a bane of witches is an old concept, but I first read about it from Robert E Howard’s series Conan when I was in middle school. Reading on managerial theories and practices, is why I decided to keep the government out of the magic business.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Unless it is some giant weighty tome, or I am really short of time I usually read a book a day, so this answer changes almost constantly. At the moment, for fun I am working on CJ Box, I also have a managerial theories book I am re-reading and a couple of books on the Middle East and Terrorism. Next week will probably have completely different answers.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Every book I read has to be able to hold my interest one way or another, so if I’m reading it, there is something that interests me. I used to always finish a book once I started, but now, I’ve grown impatient. If it doesn’t intrigue me, I will put it down and go on to another book.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
Number two (The Soulless Monk) is in the editing process. Number three (The Witch’s Lair) is complete and awaiting editing, and I’m working on number four.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
There have been several different authors who help me get past the initial hurdles, they are thanked in my book.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Only if I am very, very lucky.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
At the moment, probably not. In five years I’ll most likely want to re-write the entire thing.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
As I said, I always saw it as a challenge. One that I finally accepted and ultimately completed.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Tough with out some serious spoilers – But here is a bit from The Soulless Monk (number two) which should be out by summer.
“Runes, splashed onto the walls in human blood, twisted and squirmed, waiting to be activated or to destroy the mind of anyone who stared for too long. The runes glowed with just enough light to see one’s outstretched hand. The decades of energy and blood that had spilled here made the room almost alive, aware. It smelled of fear and pain. It whispered malevolent madness. The dismemberment was just the latest depravity, almost not worth noting.”
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Distractions. Always stopping the flow with distractions.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Far to many to list. I read a lot, and a very wide diverse range of books and papers. I take from them ideas, concepts, how things work or do not. Silver as a bane of witches is an old concept, but I first read about it from Robert E Howard’s series Conan when I was in middle school. Reading on managerial theories and practices, is why I decided to keep the government out of the magic business. No bureaucracy will ever admit that they are incapable of handling a problem. If they did that, people might ask questions like “why are we paying taxes?” Government being in on it in a clandestine way also has problems. You can’t expect there to be a shadowy government organization that are battling the forces of darkness without being exposed.
If a government can’t handle a problem they can work very hard to make sure they turn a blind eye and no one talks about it. So I made it that there was a secret war and both sides were working hard to prevent being noticed, and government ignored the problem.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
Sadly no, but that does give me some ideas.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
My editor, Danielle Fine, with some input from me.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
At first? Ego. Writing is work, and most people are not proficient when they start their first job, they learn mastery over time and if they work at becoming better. It’s hard to admit that this story you spent weeks of work on is flawed. That there are scenes that don’t work, concepts that start off fine but end up taking the reader down a literary rabbit hole, that dialog is stilted, or that there is way to much telling. I had some excellent, but brutal beta readers. When I fixed their concerns I saw what I had was better. Then I hired an editor, again, lots of red. Again, the finished product was much better than the original. Revisions are absolutely necessary, and were, at first, a real blow to the ego. After all I’d been writing papers and short stories for decades, and then to see my creation ripped to shreds? Now I’m much more sanguine, and it’s my slow typing speed that holds me back.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I can make the most amazing typos
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
The dream of writing is that one cranks out a book, it is accepted by joyful masses yearning for the latest novel, and the money flows in is a lie. You have to work, not only on your craft and abilities, but also on finding people to buy and read your book. You will spend as much time if not more marketing your book as you did writing it.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Enjoy my book, tell you friends to get a copy.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
No, probably some kids book like Winnie the Pooh.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Good jokes and or terrible puns make me laugh.
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
It would always be interesting in concept to meet someone from history, but at the same time, the myth of the person is probably way cooler than the actual person. Imagine meeting Ben Franklin only to discover, that besides being brilliant, he was also a drunken, lecherous man in dire need of a dentist, a bath, and a cure for his STDs? Perhaps it is best that one never meets their heros.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
First I want way more than just a headstone – and for the carving maybe something simple and unpretentious like “With out him the world has become a grayer place.”
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
Reading, staying in shape, and the occasional drunken brawl with mimes pretty much keep my schedule full.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I don’t have as much free time as I’d like to watch TV or go to movies, but in general I enjoy a good action flick, The Walking Dead, and well done comedies.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Not a super picky eater. I guess like most Americans I enjoy a good Cheeseburger and fries. Favorite color is green. My musical taste is eclectic and has changed over the years.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
Told outrageous stories to family friends and the occasional medical professional.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
http://farishsfreehold.blogspot.com/ which is updated fairly frequently.
Amazon Page http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-S-Farish/e/B00U0PA794/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1427727300&sr=1-2-ent
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