Here is my interview with Drew Avera

Name  Drew Avera (pronounced Avery)

Age  32, but the clocks ticking lol

Where are you from

I grew up in Mississippi and once lived in a town boasting a population under 300.

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc  

Like I said before, I grew up in Mississippi and I joined the Navy when I was seventeen. I now live in Virginia with my wife and kids. I’ve done enough college to obtain an Associates Degree. I should probably go back lol.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

Right now I’m gearing up for the release of the second book in The Dead Planet Series. Verity drops on May 15, 2015 and you can order your copy for only 99 cents here: http://www.amazon.com/Verity-Dead-Planet-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00WA9SSOO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430171207&sr=1-1&keywords=drew+avera+verity

 

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

That is kind of a long answer, but here we go. When I was sixteen I bought “The Incredible Hulk: What Savage Beast” by Peter David. It was a novel based on The Hulk comics. I loved comic books and hated books, so this was a pretty big step for me. Anyways, I read the book and loved it. That was when the thought of one day writing a book first entered my mind.

Fast-forward to my 30th birthday and I laid everything out. What did I have to show for my 30 years on planet Earth? Was I a rock star like I wanted to be as a kid? Nope. Was I a comic book artist? No. Did I ever write a book? Uh uh. I was pretty let down by the fact I hadn’t succeeded at any of my teenager goals. So, I decided to do something about it.

That’s when I started my writing journey and I love it!

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I read a quote on Facebook where the punch line is you don’t become a writer, you just are a writer. I guess the hyper-active imagination meant something as a kid, but I first started writing poetry as a kid and moved on to songs when I was 15. I’ve always had the outlet so to speak.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

My first published book was inspired by the need to have a fresh idea for National Novel Writing Month 2012. I was toiling away at a fantasy novel which was going no where. I was thinking about giving up, but decided to try one more time by doing NaNoWriMo. I’m glad I did, now I have over a dozen published books and stories with more on the way!!

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

I enjoy first person point of view and writing as a conflicted anti-hero.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The Dead Planet Series starts off on Mars which is the Red Planet and the government is trying to kill the people who live there. It was just a play on words which stuck.

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I write about fear in different forms. I’m afraid of corrupt governments and the concept of there not being a God, or maybe there is which is also kind of scary. Faith and knowledge don’t always jive, but at the end of the day I want there to be a pinch of hope for a better tomorrow. There is an underlying theme of redemption in most of my work. I don’t preach from a religious standpoint, but I hope there is more to life than the hurt and I put that into my characters.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?

It’s based on a future true story with not a chance of ever really happening unless it actually does happen and then I’ll be wrong… Seriously, my books have realistic characters living in fantasy worlds. The relationships and the conflicting emotions are the only foothold in reality. The rest is just a canvas on which to tell the story.

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Some experiences in my own life feed the emotion behind some scenes. I’ve killed a few characters after having a bad day at work sometimes…

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

I mentioned “What Savage Beast” before, but that was just the beginning. I’ve read a lot of books in various genres. As far as a mentor goes, authors like Hugh Howey, Michael Bunker, Rebecca Cantrell and others have taken the time to answer questions for me about the business. I love being part of a community of writers. I have more friends than I ever imagined I would before and we are all crazy if you think about it. What kind of person makes stuff up all day and tries to convince you to buy it when they’re done lol?

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I just finished Foundation by Isaac Asimov today. I wanted to read some classic science fiction. I might read some David Weber later.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Brian Dorsey wrote a book called Gateway. Go get it right meow!

Fiona: What are your current projects?

I’m writing a kid’s scifi book called The Scavengers. I’m planning on shopping it around for an agent to get it traditionally published. It was inspired by my kids.

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

The online community of authors I met on Facebook and the NaNoWriMo forum. That’s how I met Hugh Howey.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

God I hope so 🙂

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Yes, I would’ve written it sooner instead of waiting two years. I have severe ADD I think.

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Yes, reading “What Savage Beast” and a crap load of comic books.

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Time management and self-motivation has grown significantly more challenging lately. It will get better soon…I hope.

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

My tastes change often, but I find a lot of books inspiring for different reasons. I can’t really single anyone out.

Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Just on the internet lol.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

I did. I hated the CreateSpace covers I originally had so I figured out how to make my own. I create my covers on my iPhone.

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Finishing it before inspiration drags me to another story. That and time.

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned that I use the word “that” far too much. Gotta edit “that” out lol.

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Yes, if you want to write a book the only thing holding you back is you. Your job, family, friends, television shows, etc, are not excuses to not pursue your dream. Nothing happens without sacrifice if it’s worth obtaining. You can’t reach the stars with your feet planted on the ground. Just do it and know you had it in you all along.

Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you to everyone who has supported my journey so far! I appreciate the reviews and the shares on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Keep it up and I’ll keep writing as fast as I can.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Tom Sawyer I think…

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I’m a guy so farts and stuff make me laugh lol.

Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?

Grandparents I never got to meet before.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?

“The casket is empty, I staged my own death so I could finish this damn book,” Drew Avera

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?

I play guitar and sometimes I draw.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

Daredevil on Netflix, Gotham, Arrow, The Flash, The Big Bang Theory, anything Marvel or DC lol

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

Steak, pecan pie.

Gray.

I like bands like Metallica, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Alter Bridge.

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

Rock star!

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

www.drewavera.wordpress.com  sign up for my newsletter and get a couple of free books!

Amazon Page  http://www.amazon.com/Drew-Avera/e/B00C2QAV2W/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1430173630&sr=1-2-ent