Interview with Richard Starkweather
Published 2017-07-25.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I usually search by keyword or title within the sub-genre that I'm looking in.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
No. I imagine I must've been in my early teens when I did.
What is your writing process?
For short stories, I usually come up with a one to two paragraph idea and then run with it until it feels done. For longer stories, I will try to outline and world build as I go to maintain continuity and focus where I'm heading.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The earliest book I remember reading was Madeline L'engle's "A Wrinkle in Time". It helped me love math and science and appreciate science fiction and fantasy.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
"Styxx" by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It was a good book that showed that the enemy you think you have may well not be the monster you claim them to be.
"Damia" by Anne McCaffrey. Probably my favorite book in the Talent series, it was also a great example of a book that spanned a generation yet still felt well paced.
"Lover Mine" by J.R. Ward. John Matthew's story was a long time coming and I loved every minute of it.
"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. A classic and one that made me love my connection to books and writing even more.
"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. A very deep book that, on its surface, I wish I could agree more with. It always makes me think, though.
What do you read for pleasure?
Supernatural romance, mostly. Every once in a while, I'll dip into modern fantasy and sci-fi.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I have a small 7" cheap Android tablet that's not good for much more than eBooks and watching Youtube. It does the job, though.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I haven't really tried marketing my book yet.
Describe your desk
A standard computer desk with a 34" flat screen as my monitor. I have a wireless mouse and keyboard, a spindle of unused CDs for making audio CDs for my car, and a large cup full of lime Koolaid.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up both in central Illinois and in Dallas, Texas. I think the combination of small towns, small cities, and large cities gave me a good opportunity on how to approach situations from differing perspectives.
When did you first start writing?
I first remember writing poetry around the age of thirteen.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The characters had been in my head for a while but needed their own story independent of any other structure or pre-history. It was a chance to play out the characters in a world that was only bound by the limits and history that I made. I ultimately wrote a fictional interview with the male lead, Donatello, as a writing exercise in order to understand the character better. By the time I was done, I felt I needed to tell the whole story.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I've written for various sites for a number of years but I wanted to get my novel out there. Doing so as an indie author seemed to be the most direct route to do so.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
That has yet to be seen if it does.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Hearing people share with me that they enjoyed it and that they want to read more.
What do your fans mean to you?
When I have fans, I'll let you know.
What are you working on next?
A comic script for an erotica web site. New characters, most likely three parts, but I won't know until I get further into it.
Who are your favorite authors?
Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, and Jim Butcher.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The fact that my day job has insurance that helps keep me alive. After that, my friends that make my life interesting and bearable.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Engaging in live action role play, playing Magic: the Gathering, reading books and playing games on my PC.
How do you approach cover design?
I try to find something that fits.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
