Interview with Mark Aaron Quick
Published 2016-03-13.
What are you working on next?
I'm working on my first published novel. I'm very excited about this new project!
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans are awesome. My first book "Wisdom for Today's Decisions" was read over 100 times by one man from the San Diego area. He told me he used the book as a daily devotional by reading a chapter a day out of it for nearly 10 years. That book has 31 chapters, so he read through the book about 12 times each year. I have never been more flattered. When he told me that I was inspired to continue writing even more!
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I wanted to gain more control over my product. For me, the message of my nonfiction books is important and I wanted to be able to price them affordably. Getting my "message" out is more important to me than making a lot of money (although that doesn't mean I wouldn't mind having a larger platform!).
Being an independent author allows me to control the book from content, to cover design, to pricing and marketing.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
If I'm not at work as a counselor and if I'm not writing, then I'm either playing chess, practicing guitar, reading, or doing something fun with my wife.We are involved in a lot of church activities. I generally perform in a band (playing guitar) between 1 to 3 times a month. My wife and I enjoy movies, road trips, boat rides, and eating out a lot. I also like doing puzzles like sudoku and crossword puzzles.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing poems and short stories in elementary school. I've always loved reading, and early on in elementary school I dreamed of becoming a writer.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I thrive on helping people. I am a high school counselor, and I love helping kids progress toward their dreams. That feeling carries over into my writing as well.
What is your writing process?
I get ideas ALL the time. I jot ideas down and attempt to place them into some sort of category. Then I take the ideas that are most exciting to me on a personal basis OR ideas that I believe can be helpful to others and make a true impact in someone's life. These are generally the types of things I like to develop more deeply.
Now that I am moving into fiction I try to develop characters that are interesting and open to change and plots that revolve around important decisions or problem solving.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Seeing people changed by things such as joy, and love, and truth and justice. To entertain people AND help them to see new perspectives is something I believe great writers do.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smash words has allowed me to develop a broader base and to have flexibility in both publishing and distribution.
Mark Coker has been inspirational!
What do you read for pleasure?
I still read an "old fashioned" newspaper, just about everyday.
As a writer, I ALWAYS have something in the works that I have written and I read and re-read and edit nearly every day.
I also read a fiction book every night before I go to sleep.
As a discipline, I read a portion of the Bible everyday and I also read a Christian apologetic book or philosophy or Christian living type of book as a means of challenging me to personal growth.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
Keep Your Shorts On!
by Mark Aaron Quick
• An award-winning scientist has a major life secret about to become exposed to public knowledge.
• A down-on-his-luck country singer experiences a breakthrough that is about to change his entire life.
• A missionary to Uganda trying to save the lives of orphan children ends up facing a firing squad.
• A reporter trying to find a worthwhile human-interest story gets more than he bargained for.
You Can Be A More Creative Christian
by Mark Aaron Quick
You Can Be A More Creative Christian helps readers explore how to use their personal gifting in ways that can touch others and bring glory to God. Award-winning author Mark Aaron Quick helps readers develop a broad palette of creativity. Topics include imagination, skill development, the power of symbols, and examining how rest and leisure impact creativity.
Love Deeply, Think Deeply, Live Dangerously
by Mark Aaron Quick
Love Deeply, Think Deeply, Live Dangerously is the new book by award-winning author Mark Aaron Quick. 13 compelling topics reveal how attitudes and perceptions influence “life” choices. Readers discover how God’s Word sheds light on which priorities, beliefs, and values are safe to hold versus which ones are spiritually dangerous. If you change the way you think, you can change how you love.