Interview with Julio Carlos

Published 2017-02-24.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My e-reading device of choice is my laptop, although I use the phone to read something before going to bed sometimes.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
So far, I have been using multiple tools for marketing my book, social networks and my personal poetry blog have been helping a little, but I think that goodreads is my main source of marketing.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing when I was 15 years old, 7 years ago, and I wrote daily, for hours. I wrote around 20 pages a day in average. But there where days that I wrote 32-35 pages a day when I was really inspired.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
It has contributed a lot. It's the only page that my book got several downloads in only an hour. I think books here promote themselves.
What are you working on next?
I'm working on the book: Times after it all. The follow up of Love of a Hibiscus.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Reading, researching, and brainstorming. I'm always, literally always listening to music.
What is your writing process?
I make a draft, (of the whole book), and once finished, I leave it for like a month or so, without touching it, and when I decide to publish it, I revise it, re-write it, re-revise it, edit it, and publish it. (This is for the poetry works).
For the novels, (coming soon), I write a chapter, edit it, sketch the following plots according with the main plot of the entire book, and spend 12 straight hours writing a single chapter. Then sleep for like 12 hours, and then repeat until the book is finished.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
The Odd Series and the Frankenstein Series by Dean Koontz. Because they teach me a lot, and it's nerdy and has a lot of philosophy, psychology, science and suspense. Dean Koontz has a mighty hand.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in my home country, but that didn't influence much in my writings. What really did, was the fact that I had a big heart, full of love along with a fast wandering mind that gave me ideas with the speed of lightning, so I had to find a way to calm my heart and my mind at the same time, so... poetry. It came out naturally from me. I just oozed words (that sometimes didn't make much sense, but that was the charm to my poetry those days).
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Nothing much, I just wanted to have the total control of my books and make a living out of them by pure effort.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything. I am nothing without them, and I thank every single reader that read my book. It means a lot to me.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Volvo's.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. It was a poetic biography. Memories of a dead man. It had like 38 chapters. (each chapter around 200 pages)
How do you approach cover design?
Very carefully. I prefer to make my own drawings, edit them and put as covers, but, sometimes I don't have time for that, so I search an Image that is suitable for the book, (avoiding body images) and edit it in a simple way, and it's done.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Lifter
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 1,790. Language: English. Published: January 19, 2021 . Categories: Poetry » American poetry » General, Nonfiction » Psychology » Mental health
Lifter was written to shed a little candle in the dark paths that many live through. To give a soft hug, a kiss, and point to a better direction while cheering them at the same time. It shares lessons learned the hard way in a soft and motivating manner, so broken souls can have the chance to learn them and have a chance to heal, just like I did.
Trash to Cash
Price: $8.99 USD. Words: 7,120. Language: English. Published: December 25, 2020 . Categories: Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Environmental economics, Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Development / sustainable development
“Companies are losing millions producing or buying new materials every month, AND, have lost at least 6.6 Billion USD a year, (18M USD/day, .753M USD /hour) consistently from 1950 to 2015 (65 years) and around years, by not taking advantage of plastic wastes produced around the world.”
Wasted Hearts
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 8,450. Language: English. Published: July 27, 2017 . Categories: Poetry » Themes & motifs » General, Poetry » Themes & motifs » Love
Wasted Hearts is the lovely story of two souls bound together by destiny, a heavenly love, dedication, effort, hope, and of course, indifference.