5 Questions with James A. Moore

I read James A. Moore's novel Harvest Moon a few years back and loved it, especially the feel of it - it reminded me of Halloween and autumns past. Plus it was spooky as hell! Aside from all the novels and short stories he's penned, he's also written for Marvel Comics and White Wolf Games. Much pleased to have James answer my five questions!

1 – What’s your latest book about?

Seven Forges is a sword and sorcery story about the clash of cultures between a vast and stagnant empire and a much smaller and very militant neighboring country. I hope it’s a story with depth and one that works on multiple levels but that’s for the readers to decide, not for me.

2 – Who’s your favorite author and/or what’s your favorite book?

Those are two different beasts for me. My favorite author of all time is Stephen King. There’s no one better at telling a story for me. My favorite novel of all time is A Prayer for Owen Meany. It’s brilliant. Then again, I've never read anything by John Irving that wasn't.

3 – What’s your favorite aspect of writing?

Creating lives and people and getting to know them through the course of a tale. My favorite part of the novel writing process is when the characters surprise me and that happens almost every time.

4 – Any good anecdotes about being a writer?

Lots of them. Here’s one that almost every writer can relate to. Sooner or later every writer gets at least one person who tries something like this: Person: I have a lot of good ideas for stories. Me: That’s great. You should write them. I look forward to reading them someday. Person: Well, I was thinking I could tell the ideas to you. Me: No thanks. I have too many ideas of my own. Person: Well, but if I told you my ideas, you could write them and we could share the profits. Me: Seriously I have way too many ideas of my own. Besides, your ideas are yours. If anyone is going to write those stories it should be you. Person: But I’m not a writer. I don’t have the time. Me: Make the time. Person: I don’t like writing, I just like having ideas. I’m an idea person. Me: I just don’t need to write your stories. I need to write mine. Person: What if I paid you? Me: You’d have to pay a lot. Person: How much? Me: For a novel? (Insert quote here. From there on the conversation normally dies.) Now what’s the funny part? The first time you see a newer author dealing with the exact same conversation.

5 – What was the most helpful writing advice you've ever received?

Write the first draft in a rush. Wait a few weeks and then read it from the beginning. Get out your pen and start making changes.