Author Interview - Ernie Lindsey

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?

A)  I hate that it comes down to the money, but it has to be said.  Earning a living doing what I love, without having to go back to cube life, is my ultimate success.

It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?

A)  Right now I primarily use a site called BookBub to spread the word, along with a combination of various ebook sites, social media, Goodreads giveaways, and ARCs.  Beyond that, I cross my fingers!

Tell us about your new book? What’s it about and why did you write it?

A)  HARMLESS is something of an unconventional love story, mixed with a humorous murder-mystery.  I’ve had a lot of readers tell me that they laughed out loud numerous times while reading it.  It’s about an eccentric (and delusional) used car salesman who’s in love with the girl next door.  She just happens to be the woman of his dreams, even though she doesn’t know it, and when she turns up dead, all signs point to Steve.  With this novel, I set a challenge for myself…I wanted to see if I could create a character that was creepy and unlikable, and eventually have the reader rooting for him by the end.  According to my feedback so far, it worked!

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?

A)  That’s a tough call.  So many amazing choices.  I’d have to go with Ernest Hemingway, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Hawking, and Gillian Flynn.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?

A)  The usual artistic endeavors of others: movies, television, and books.  You never know when you’re going to stumble across something that blows you away.  Right now, I’m absolutely fascinated by the character development of Walter White in Breaking Bad.

Do you have any tips on how writers can relax?

A)  That’s an easy one.  Don’t read your negative reviews!  Write for the people who enjoy your work and are kind enough to provide constructive criticism without feeling the need to tear you down.

How often do you write? And when do you write?

A)  Four days a week, all day if I can manage it.  Wednesday, Friday, and then the weekends, but they’re usually my lighter days, if 2,000 words can be considered “light.”

Do you have an organized process or tips for writing well? Do you have a writing schedule?

A)  When I’m involved in a novel, I’m about as unorganized as they come.  The story gets away from me, I have random sticky notes all over the place, and I have no idea where the plot is going.  However, the one thing that keeps me on track, especially when I’m stuck, is going for a run.  I almost always find the answer when my brain is focusing on something else.

Sometimes it’s so hard to keep at it – What keeps you going?

A)  Three things: providing for my family, the need to make the next book better than the last, and if I don’t keep going, it’s back to technical writing.

Have you met any people in the industry who have really helped you?

A)  I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned it to him or not, but Hugh Howey’s success with Wool inspired me to finish a novel that had been collecting dust for about a decade.  So really, he’s to blame (or thank).  Also, I’ve gotten a lot of great advice from fellow authors Jennifer Minar-Jaynes, Ed Robertson, and Dalya Moon.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

A)  If I’ve allowed someone to escape into a different world for a few hours, and gotten some small measure of enjoyment from it, then I’ve done my job.

What’s your favorite meal?

A)  This is totally the Southern boy coming out here, but I could live on Biscuits and Gravy.  Since I’ve moved out west, I’ve been searching for something comparable to the down-home cooking of my Virginia roots, but it’s not quite the same.

What color represents your personality the most?

A)  Blue, I suppose.  Cool, calm, and soothing.  Sometimes.  Maybe.

What movie do you love to watch?

A)  I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched The Princess Bride, and it still holds the same level of magic each time.  Same goes for The Neverending Story, too.

How do you feel about social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter? Are they a good thing?

A)  I think it was Ricky Gervais that said Twitter was “the great equalizer.”  While that may be true, I haven’t necessarily mastered it yet, and part of me tends to think that it’s simply a lot of noise.  On the other hand, I think Facebook is great for developing personal relationships with your audience.

From the *USA TODAY and Amazon Bestselling Author* of SARA’S GAME…this is HARMLESS, an unconventional love story, a murder mystery, and a laugh out loud, funny novel.

***

There’s someone for everyone…even Steve.

Steve Pendragon is an eccentric (and sometimes delusional) used car salesman in love with Kerry, the quiet, secretive girl next door–only she doesn’t know it. When the would-be love of his life turns up dead, all signs point to Steve.

Once the detectives hit a dead end in their investigation and he becomes the prime suspect, Steve is left with only a reluctant police officer and a crooked private investigator to help him prove his innocence. Could a kindhearted homeless woman and a cryptic note in Kerry’s diary provide the key to the mystery?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Mystery/Suspense

Rating – PG13

More details about the author

Connect with Ernie Lindsey on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.ernielindsey.com/