Interview with Tamer Brand

Published 2014-02-19.
What do you read for pleasure?
I typically read Stephen King or Dean Koontz books. I really like suspense/ thriller. The roller coaster ride of the read really keeps me coming back for more. Anything scary I am drawn to. Not spooky but down right creepy. I like the story situations that seem realistic but have that supernatural twist to them.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I have and prefer the Nook by Barnes and Noble. Everyone in my family owns one. If I can't read a book on my Nook I prefer to read on my laptop or home computer.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
With this being my first book, I am still new to marketing. I have honestly just been trying to follow the tips from the Style Guide. I am hoping the techniques I use help to promote my book well. I would love to see my book on the best sellers list. One of my favorite marketing techniques I would say is the pre-order feature. I have planned to have a pre-order party of my closest friends and family and their friends, just to see I we can thrust my book to the best sellers list.
Describe your desk
My desk is at my job during down time. It is clean and free of clutter. There is a notebook always near so that if I have an idea at a time when I am not able to write (type), I can just write it down for later. My desk at home could be my laptop or home computer where both are actually extremely cluttered and probably a little chaotic. Both devices get a lot of family use, from myself and my busy tech savvy family.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Northern Indiana. I feel this influenced my writing in the words that I use. The lingo if you will. In writing my book I came across so many instances of wanting to write the way I talk and found the word usage just to plain old wrong. It was actually kind of funny to discover some of the things we say up here compared to the rest of the states. Example: Up under. I would have no issues and would not have thought it inappropriate to tell someone "you have to look up under the hood." When asking friends and family if that's what they would say, it was always a resounding yes.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing in middle school. I used to write poems for my friends to give to their boyfriends. And then more serious type poems came in high school. Poems where I cared if the flowed, rhymed, or if they were written properly. I had one published once for a contest. I am still very proud of that.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Well, I had a beginning for it already. I wanted readers to get to the know both characters but only so much. I wanted them to be invested in them but not attached to their beginnings because quickly the story takes you down a different path. I wanted the book to grab you and hold you still reading until you are done. I have been told it is a quick read, that was not my aim but if it is a good story short or long I am happy with it. I wanted to give people a modern, yet realistic, but terrifying experience and I think I accomplished that with Welcome Home.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
My own interest. The prodding of others who cared and thought I was good at it. And also just to see if people like my stuff.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Well, just by letting me publish my book here. I already feel successful. They have provided so many great resources and I feel they made the DIY process less crazy so that I could focus on writing.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Telling the story. I like to see or read people's reactions to my stories. I love to read the "Oh my goodness, that was crazy." That makes me feel accomplished. If my aim is to dupe someone I want them to feel all the way duped by the end of my story. If I aim to scare someone I want them to be totally creeped out by the end of my book. The reactions are the best part. The writing is fun too thinking of ways to pull that reaction out of your readers. Its exciting. When I have written something that I know is crazy I get kind of stir crazy waiting for people to tell me what they thought about it. I love giving that WOW factor.
What do your fans mean to you?
Fans mean everything. Fans give the feedback that will help me make my next work better than my first, and my third better than my second and so on. The fans are what keep the story alive. I love my fans and I hope they love my work. And if you love it blog/ tweet/ and facebook about it. Can't wait to hear from some of you.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Welcome Home
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 32,260. Language: American English. Published: March 29, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
This story sheds light and truth on the old saying that, "if you look hard enough, you may just find exactly what you are looking for."