I think that's a little vague of question, to be honest. But I guess the best answer would be to approach the cover design process with an open mind. You don't always know exactly what you want, or what would look best. There are multiple elements you're trying to convey and hoping that the picture you generate (professionally or otherwise) is not only beautiful and enthralling to view by a potential suporter, but also summarizes the very essence of the content within the book. This was the goal for the "Clouds and Darkness" cover. To capture the (at times dark) cloudy nature of what is deemed right and wrong as pertaining to law, in a universe that doesn't afford its victims the option to decline making character defining decisions; paired with the "storm" that is the main antagonist's (seen on the cover) impending rage, and a fierce war. Overall, I feel that goal was accomplished.

My five favorite books... Well Suzanne Collins' "Hunger Games" series automatically comes to mind. Mostly because of the way she was able to depict a heart-wrenching story, while balancing numerous characters development, tragic romance, and humanity's savage nature. They were such incredibly woven stories, with beauty and a seemingly endless imagination when it came to environments and individuals (creatures or otherwise). Next is a book called "Cryptid Hunters." It was my introductory to YA fiction. The "Maze Runner" was a great story too. Not the series, in my opinion, but the first installment I thought was truly remarkable. Outside of the typical "incurable disease" storyline, I was amazed at the simplicity of this all-powerful, dreadful maze with its intimidating high walls, constant shifting, where monsters lurked. James Dasher(?) depicted a perfect "what would you do if you were in this situation" moment. To live in certainty but fear, or risk death for a chance at freedom. I felt it accurately reflected the condition of the human heart--the desire to be safe, matched by the need to possess one's freedom. The following two installments to the "Maze Runner" series, I admittedly couldn't bear. Between the force-feeding of Thomas importance and his pals reluctance to think for themselves, and a terrible ending where the cure was never acquired; the movie adaption ended better.

Haha... To be honest, I don't have as much time to read novels as I used to have. I primarily read well-written manga, because it's short and still stirs creative juices--especially comedy and conflicted romance. The latter seems prevalent in manga. Plus, there aren't too many top novels that don't have a good romance, so the more material the better. I do have plans to read a couple books that have been on my list for a while now. "Dualed" comes to mind...

I actually don't read ebooks (surprise!). Although I uploaded the novel for ebook, I'm more of an old-fashioned paper-in-hand kind of guy. I don't know... a printed copy makes me feel like I own a remnant piece of a world I can't otherwise come in contact with. If that makes sense?

Book marketing techniques? T-shirts. I started last year having professional sketch artists and digital painters produce the scenes found inside the book. Of course, this takes time and an understanding of what exactly the character written in the story should look like when introducing him/her to the visual world. But that's been one of the best interest start-ups; that and the cover image itself. I'll be starting a website where my readers/fans can get custom made "Clouds and Darkness" gear of Alianna (and soon Jonathan); from mugs and hats to posters. It's in the progress as we speak. Anyone interested can go to my website: www.danielrobinson.net for more information.

Haha... I have no idea what you're talking about.

I grew up in the suburbs, where time seems to move a little slower. It granted me enough time and quietness to work on the novel. Also, the vibrant colors you get to see in the suburbs, you don't always get depending on what city you live in. But at the end of the day, everything everywhere, in every situation, at some point, in some way influences your writing. If you live in a bubble, you'll only be able to depict the few things inside the bubble. That's a no-no.

I first started writing around 14 or 15--that was poetry. I started writing "Clouds and Darkness" somewhere between 17 and 18. I completed it about two years ago, but the publishing process thwarted me a little. I'm 23 now. Book two is in the works, and the poetry collection is being prepped for publication.

The story behind the latest book is the clash between the principles of Justice and Mercy. Social unrest/injustice is a major topic today. But as much as we should want others to pay for heinous crimes, the book reveals that we all have done something wrong. Who then determines the extremity of our punishment? Should wrongs truly be compared, or should the same punishment apply to all parties. If it's the latter, than shouldn't we reconsider crying "off with their head!"? Truth be told, no one wants to pay the price for their misdeeds. Any person would be against something like capital punishment, in case they ever do something similarly terrible. But then at what point does Mercy become a miscarriage of Justice? The extent of this well-known "gray area" is investigated in "Clouds and Darkness".

Motivation... To be honest, it was the communities I stumbled upon that helped convince me. Most indie authors want to do traditional publishing, but traditional publishers take on VERY FEW new writers. Thus, you have to choose whether to try and wait for the day you'll be accepted, or press on with creating your platform/audience and sharing a new world with others willing to support you and embrace your tale. Independent publishing (true self-publishing) offers the latter opportunity; and it is a beautiful, humbling, self-gratifying experience. I am so happy to be a Smashwords author, an independent author, one in a very large pond of many creative thinkers!

Well, I just signed up to Smashwords, so I can't quite answer that yet, haha!