Interview with Matthew Fortuna
Published 2014-06-05.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I really have no experience with marketing to be honest...
Describe your desk
Erm(ish)... well, it has a piano on it... I guess... I use the Forte from writer learning for all my typing needs so that sort of sits there every once in a while... Some badly formatted pages from various (and quite shameful) stories that I'm kind of embarrassed about. No questions please.... Hmmm... My scriptures, a stick of deodorant, and an awkward looking bonsai all claim space on my desk... That's pretty much it. Everything else is personal. = )
When did you first start writing?
About two years ago. I figured I should try so I made... stressful... efforts until I made the connection that I should just write stuff I enjoy. It got easier after that.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
"Indie Author"... I've never actually thought of myself that way... I just like writing stuff. It's kind of like reading a book except you have more control. Publishing on any legitimate level though is something I'm not interested in doing unless someone approaches me directly... I feel guilty if I push for publication... Which... Well, anyway...
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smrshwrds... has... given me the opportunity to reach readers that I can't find on my own (Says the lazy part of me)... Otherwise I'm waiting for reviews and such to get a better perspective on what I'm doing write (=P) and what I'm doing wrong.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Ermm.... On occasion... Killing off my besties. = ) It's quite interesting to see how other characters would react. Also, just making legitimate antagonists... Which is something I'm working on right now. The Urimine Effect literally has no prominent Antagonist (that one can see on first glance). The only ones who really qualify are the anti assimilation groups but there really isn't much in their involvement in the story other than an occasional *Cough* exploding building or so...
What do your fans mean to you?
*Pretend This question doesn't exist*
What are you working on next?
Some story about some guy who wakes up in some place and wants to go home... *Cheeky grin*
Who are your favorite authors?
Usually the ones who don't make me want to throw up...
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Erghamen=fhg.... My dad...
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Being boring... Mostly... It's actually an interesting skill to learn once you get through the gross parts... As is true with most things...
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I... Have dealings... *Gets up and leaves*
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yeah... It was about some can who was thrown away or something... He was dreaming about becoming strung onto some hippies bead curtain or something at one point... Actually, that's a lie. My first story was about my brother's tiny teddy bear named Snugums.
What is your writing process?
Write... Stare... Write... Stare... Be awkward... Stare................... Write. Which is actually pretty accurate because I never take notes or plan anything out in advance.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Not really... I enjoyed 'The Giver' a whole heck of a lot though.
How do you approach cover design?
Very haphazardly.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
