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Interview with Ronald Zastre

Published 2014-03-28.
What is your writing process?
I think about the story in general, but don't try to write it through, I put my random thoughts down and build and fill in the blanks. This gives me a good base and incouragement. Along the way a lot of good ideas pop up. I tell people interested in giving writing a try, "You don't write a book, you build it."
How do you approach cover design?
I try to start the story with the cover. There are many covers in a book, like there's good titles.
What do you read for pleasure?
I read about anything, except romance and heavy religion. Funny though, one of my books I catagorize as a romantic comedy. It's a friendship forming, no sex.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I Pad
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
That's my current project. The easy part is writing the book
Describe your desk
My bed.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
Fargo ND. I didn't start writing until well after I moved away. But my father was the golf supt for the country club there, and i was able to roam and I guess that's where I got my imagination.
When did you first start writing?
I started with budgets, then business plans and plans, then some tech writing. My first novel I was thirty three.
What's the story behind your latest book?
It's about a friend of mine and her dysfunctional family, a comedy.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Not much in the way of sales yet, but all my books are available, easily.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I'm proud of myself, keeps me happy.
What do your fans mean to you?
Don't have enough fans to really think about it.
What are you working on next?
Marketing
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The Sun coming up.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
No
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Books by This Author

Billy Palmer by
Price: Free! Words: 83,750. Language: English. Published: January 13, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure
Vietnam was a frustrating experience for America. She got herself into a far off war that ate up her young men and woman for no apparent gains or motive. Sick of the carnage, Americans went looking for a scapegoat, and in many cases the same soldiers that were fighting and dying were singled out.
The Searching Soul by
Price: Free! Words: 51,860. Language: English. Published: December 25, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
All living things possess an electromagnetic field, the nervous system. This field operates within the larger electromagnetic field of the planet. The relationship of the two fields is constant and the results are predictable. If one unaltered field, a human, is suddenly released in a weakened field, Earth orbit, what might happen?
Timtown by
Price: Free! Words: 176,130. Language: English. Published: December 22, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
Fifteen year old Tim discovers an abandoned alien base(Timtown). It’s run by an ancient computer that relinquishes all of its powers to Tim who becomes concerned about the danger of the advanced technology falling into the wrong hands and ultimately destroys it.
The Walnuts by
Price: Free! Words: 79,520. Language: English. Published: October 4, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » General
A journalist reluctantly signs a contract to write a story about far away earth. He books passage on a Galactic Transport operated by strange little humanoids far advanced to himself. On the long voyage he perfects his English, but doesn't realize his thoughts are not entirely his. By the time he arrives at earth, his contempt for their haughty attitude is well known aboard their ship.