What Bla Did Next: Author Spotlight with Bruce Blake

Name: Bruce Blake

How long have you been writing?

I began writing in elementary school but I've been writing seriously for about 8 years. One day I'll get good at it!

Who has most influenced or inspired your writing?

Without a doubt, the person who's most inspired me is my wife. She is a performer and does it 100% for the love of what she does. She really helps me remember why I do what I do.

What is your most favourite book and why?

That is a tough question. There are so many books I love for so many different reasons, it's tough to pick one. If I have to throw all of them in a hat and pick just one, I'm going to go with "Speaker for the Dead" by Orson Scott Card. It's sci-fi, but the ideas in it are so original and the story is so character-based, it's not what most people would expect science fiction to be.

What is the worst book you have ever read and why?

I can't say I've ever read a worst book, because if it's no good, I don't finish it. There are dents in my walls where I've thrown books against them in displeasure (a habit I'm trying to break now that I have an eReader).

What are you currently working on?

I am editing the second and third books in my Khirro's Journey epic fantasy trilogy (book 2 will be out in Jan.), continuing work on the first draft of my third Icarus Fell urban fantasy (my NaNoWriMo project), planning a stand alone fantasy that is my next book and researching for some erotica I'm going to write under a pen name (researching erotica? Sounds interesting, doesn't it?).

What is your favourite genre to read and to write?

Speculative fiction. I love sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Most of what I've written so far is various sub-genres of fantasy, but there is always a horror element and I see some sci-fi in my future.

What tips would you give readers when choosing a book?

If it's a physical book, don't just look at the cover and read the blurb. Open it, flip through the pages to see what they look like (too many big blocks of words without a break?), read the first page or two, read some pages in the middle. Same with an eBook...read blurbs and browse reviews, but always take the time to read the sample.

What tip would you give authors when promoting their books?

Don't stop. It's tedious and feels like it's taking you away from what you'd rather be doing, but it is necessary. And have a plan, don't just randomly tweet purchase links, put together an actual marketing plan and stick to it.

Other than writing do you have any other passions/ hobby's or jobs?

My wife and I own a production company together, so we spend a bit of time planning and producing shows in our area, plus we're branching off in other areas. My passion outside of writing is my family.

What's your dream?

Probably not much different than other writers: I want enough best selling books and enough money in the bank that I can write without worry. And I'd like to travel, experience other places and cultures so they can become part of my books.

Tell us something few know about you?

I hate green peas.Even the smell of them cooking makes me feel ill.

If you could write a book with any famous author, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Ray Bradbury.

Do I really need to explain it? The man was brilliant. When you can write a sentence that goes on for a page and a half and the reader doesn't even notice it happened, you're pretty good at what you do. I want me some of that...a truly literary genre writer that didn't turn his back on his genre fans.

Have you any big writing plans for 2013?

Publishes many novels. With where I'm currently at, I think getting four more out will be easy, so I'm going to aim for seven novels published in 2013.

What is the best review of your work you've received to date?

I've had a few really good ones, but my favourite line form a review was for my first Icarus Fell novel, On Unfaithful Wings:

"Not just my favourite Kindle book of the year,

but one of my favourite books ever."

I feel gooshy inside every time I read it (at least once a day).

Is there anything else you would like to share or tell us?

I am so thankful to other writers like yourself as well as my amazing readers. Being a self-published, independent author is a lot more work than just writing a novel and it is the support of others that makes the burden easier to bear.

Other great titles by Bruce Blake include: