Author Interview 4 SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR
Liberian Literary Magazine Promoting Liberian Literature , Arts and Culture
Author Interview 4 SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR
RICHARD ALAN
Richard H . Alan Thank you for taking this time with us , we appreciate it . Let us kick off by you telling us a little about youchildhood , education , upbringing etc . Tell us about your early childhood , upbringing , Education .
I am a hippie , biker , rocker , husband , father , and grandfather . My biggest , most enduring interests are in books , an ever-growing DVD and music collections . I am a forever student , which also includes books and DVD or streaming lectures , primarily by the Teaching Company ( http :// bit . ly / 1WX7K0i ) with a plethora of favorite subjects . Due to my disabilities , I walk , but cannot backpack , play volleyball , or do any strenuous activities . Being a post-martial arts enthusiast and survivalist has led me to collect weapons such as historic replicas , guns ( marksmanship ), and fantasy weapons such as spears , swords , and knives , some from popular movies like The Lord of the Rings .
I am a creative writer and author on my third visit to this end . Songs and poetry came at an early age . I continued the song writing from about 1963 to 1992 . I excelled in
creative writing courses . In 1980 , my wife became pregnant and in my excitement , I wrote a children ’ s fantasy adventure . A bad agent and lazy artist ’ s commitments thwarted that and several other children ’ s picture books . In the late 1980s , I turned to screenwriting for The Twilight Zone . They picked up three scrips and scheduled them early in the next season . We were all excited , but the show was cancelled by the TV network .
My music kept me writing and performing , but the highs and lows of these other writing projects depressed me . Then I came out again , hooked up with a vanity press ( bad / ignorant move ) and published the first book in an epic vampire series . I was published , but because I was so green , they published a great story written and edited very poorly .
I began writing short stories for magazines to keep my sanity as I went back to continue and edit ‘ The Rising Series ’. I have six drafts written for the series , but I needed time away . I wrote , prepared , and self-published the short novella , ‘ The Last Train ’ ( http :// bit . ly / 1yz9P69 ). With all the experience I gained , I have put out two short story collections , which includes other authors , ‘ The Eyes of Prometheus ’ ( Amazon Author Page : http :// bit . ly / 13sKmmB ).
I ’ ve actually published four books in this first of a two year respite from ‘ The Rising ’. I plan to do the same this year so my portfolio of books and book covers will not suffer as I yearn for this one difficult series .
Why writing ?
I love painting with the written word , finding a poetic phrasing , and entertaining others . I am permanently disabled , so I am no longer performing my music , lead no bands , or perform for children , which I loved as a sideline . Through it all , writing is fun and rewarding . What follows writing is a lot of work for an indie author , but writing is a great adventure chasing down ideas . It is pure joy .
What books have most influenced your life / career most ?
I was raised on the classics : Edgar Allen Poe , Jules Vern , Edgar Rice Burroughs , Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , H . G . Wells , Zane Grey , Alexandre Dumas , Charles Dickens , Mark Twain , Jack L . Chalker and so many more . Their accumulated works taught me the enjoyment of literature as I traveled delightful journeys and explorations of new ideas , other times , and foreign places .
How do you approach your work ?
My primary interest is in fiction . Fiction is like playing and I love to play . It is also systematic . In that sense , it is working with developing writing skills . Therefore , it is a combination of heart , head , and a free spirit .
What themes do you find yourself continuously exploring in your work ? Real character building , emotion to engage reader ’ s emotions , fantasy , fun , and fear . Tell us a little about your book [ s ] - storyline , characters , themes , inspiration etc .
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