Interview with Stephane Daniels
Published 2018-04-04.
What do you read for pleasure?
Classical French, Russian and American literature. My favorite authors are Kafka, Nabokov and, a little closer to home, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Ipad
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Difficult to say. Youtube has been efficient for promoting new books release otherwise Facebook and AMS.
Describe your desk
Very clean no paper. Everything has its own place. A computer with multiple screens, a printer and several of cats coming and going depending of their mood.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in France.I served in the army for fifteen years, where I worked with numerous international agencies specializing in intelligence and the fight against terror. I took part in a number of missions to Africa and the Middle East. I primarily talk about places I know and scenarios, obviously fictional, which I know from experience could easily have been real.
When did you first start writing?
10 years ago but only stated publishing 2 years ago.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Don't know yet as I've just started publishing with Smashwords but I like the platform and several writer's friend are listed too.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Captivating my readers and taking them to the unexpected.
What do your fans mean to you?
It might sound cliche but without fans, a writer does not exist.I love hearing from my readers and I take a full day once a week to reply to all my fan mails.
What are you working on next?
The Red Fortress II
Who are your favorite authors?
Kafka, Nabokov,Gabriel Garcia Marquez,Steinbeck.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Finishing my next book.I write 6 hours a day every day.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Reading, painting, sculpture and Italian opera are a few of my passions. They are not simply a hobby, they are also a true source of inspiration for me.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Scrolling through favorite author's list and recommendation from friends.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes I was 14 and it was a theater piece.
What is your writing process?
Everyday from 0730 till 1330. Everything that comes through my mind. Usually 4000-5000 words.No notes.Second day is for cleanup. third day is for finalization of the chapter and then I start again.When the book goes to proofreading I usually take a 2 weeks break.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Of Mice and Men.I was twelve and I still remember almost every words.I was terrified.
How do you approach cover design?
Pure inspiration.I do some drawings and submit them to my graphic designer.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Of Mice and Men From Steinbeck because its the first 'serious"book I read as a child.
Kafka The trial. Just amazing how the world can be absurd.
Kafka America.The book has never been completed and Kafka never went to the US but still full of emotion and passion
One hundred years of solitude and Love in time of cholera from Gabriel Garcia Marquez.Simply magic and colorful.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I served in the army for fifteen years, where I worked with numerous international agencies specializing in intelligence and the fight against terror. I took part in a number of missions to Africa and the Middle East. I have written the book based on past experience and travels.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
No special motivation.It is a good way for readers to discover new authors and for authors to get noticed by agents or publishing houses.
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