Interview with Blind Author Publishing
Published 2018-09-02.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I like to write about stuff that touches the strings of my heart and makes it go gooey, sad or happy. Then , I feel like sharing those feeling with the world. I love to open my journals and pen down my thoughts. It is an act of relieving yourself of the things which worry you and letting others know that they aren't alone.
I also think about death. When I die , what would I have done with my life that would make people remember me , A legacy! Writing is my legacy! I want it to be. Whether I succeed in that or not , time will tell. But I like the idea , and hence I am pursuing it! As Steve Jobs , the founder of Apple Computers said , we all long to “put a dent in the world”. I am just slowly denting the world as I go. Seems like a good plan.
I don’t write because I want to be a best-selling author , well , it wouldn’t hurt to be. But that's not the goal. If I am inspired by something and I know a way to do it , why not share it with the world? The world needs more happiness and inspiration. I write also because I read. I love reading inspiring books , be it about travel , life or just autobiographical. It makes me believe that anything can happen. Some authors just touch the string of your heart and make you smile , I merely try to do that! I usually read many books together.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything. It means that someone has actually taken the time to read what I have to say. I got to touch their mind in some way and make them think. It is awe inspiring.
What are you working on next?
My current book is an autobiographical book about my journey with cancer, losing my kidneys and realizing that I have a lot of life to live. It is currently titled, I Want To Live Before I Die.
Who are your favorite authors?
I have many. To name a few would be Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, Steven Konkoly, Shannon Greenland
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Writing and making sure my son gets off to school
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I am blessed with the opportunity to speak to dialysis patients, cancer patients and pretty much anyone who will listen about how to advocate for yourself as a patient and to make sure that you insert yourself into the decision making process of your health care teams. Put me on a soap box on a street corner, a lecture hall with a thousand people, or my favorite - a one-on-one with a dialysis patient contemplating their choices. I am there.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
My fans
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Fifth grade English class. I was told to write a fictional story about anything I wanted in under 500 words, I failed it. Not for context or content but I ended writing over 15000 words. The teacher did enter it into a state writing contest and it earned an honorable mention. She still didn't change my grade though.
What is your writing process?
I sit in front of the computer and just free flow. I am legally blind so I type or sometimes talk to the computer and then listen to it back. Let's just say, I end up doing a lot of editing.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
2010: A Space Odyssey - I wanted to go to Mars.
How do you approach cover design?
I learned PhotoShop so I could have complete control of the design, Makes it even harder when you are legally blind. I have a really big monitor.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
How can you ask an author that? It's like asking a pilot which airplane they prefer. Well maybe not the same but I have so many favorite books that it really is hard to narrow it down to five. Lets just say that I was reading the Hunger Games when Suzanne Collins was giving away the first book for free to drum up readership. As I was reading them, I was thinking to myself; these are going to be made into movies. So I suppose those would be my favorite five books this week.
What do you read for pleasure?
I am a huge scifi nut
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle Paperwhite because it gives me the ability to blow the text up really large
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Social Media
Describe your desk
Cluttered but I cant see it so it doesn't look messy to me
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in South Florida but as an adult I had the privilege of living in 20 countries, 5 US States, 4 Indian Reservations, 4 Aircraft Carriers and # Submarines. This gave me the ability to read and talk to people of all walks of life and from every socioeconomic background. I think it comes out in my writing and in my public speaking.
When did you first start writing?
Fifth Grade
What's the story behind your latest book?
My survival in a world dominated by egocentric medical doctors and a medical system where the patient is not placed at the top of the priority list.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Simon & Schuster wouldn't return my phone calls
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Any avenue that provides an outlet for independent authors to get their work out there contributes to the authors success.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
Over the Ocean and to the Links: A Golfer's Journey
by Blind Author Publishing
The purpose in writing this book was to inspire, and guide, other solitary or small groups of golfers to follow their dreams and experience the unique joy of golf in Scotland. I am just a regular working guy, not wealthy or well to do, just a person who clips store coupons for the local grocery store and simply enjoys the game of golf.
