1. What is your name, where were you born and where do you
live now?
Terry Persun, born in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania (USA). Now, I live in Port Townsend, Washington
2. Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you
want to be?
Yes, but it wasn’t practical,
so I got my degree in science and engineering first, then got my MA in creative
writing. But, I always wrote, whether in college or not.
3. When did you first consider yourself as a
"writer"?
When I first got published by
a reputable publisher back in the 1970s.
4. Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
Yes. But I had already
published a lot of poetry and a few short stories by then.
5. Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
Yes and no. My other job also
involves writing. I write articles, releases, brochures, ads, etc. for my own
public relations firm.
6. What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to
summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
“Cathedral of Dreams” A
dystopian/utopian novel that explores our right to make our own decision,
regardless of what others might think.
7. Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
Booktrope Editions published
my latest two novels.
8. How long does it usually take you to write a book, from
the original idea to finishing writing it?
This is a hard question to
answer. I typically have several ideas running around in my head at any one
time. They surface, then sink back down again, then surface, then sink. I
usually have an idea for anywhere from months to years before I actually feel
as though I have enough information (or impetus) to write it. I take notes, jot
down ideas, etc. But, when I actually start writing, it only takes about 90
days to finish a first draft.
9. Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the
others?
Unfair question alert! In all
honesty, I’d say the one I’m working on is always the most difficult because I
don’t typically know where it’s going to take me.
10.
What can we
expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of
a different genre?
Oh, my. I write in different
genres, so I’m not sure what anyone should expect from me. In the last few
years, I’ve written literary, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, and
historical novels (not to mention short stories and poems). I am about to
finish a trilogy that I started a few years ago. And, I’d like to write another
sci-fi novel using some characters I’ve already written about. We’ll see,
though.
11.
Do you have
plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I’ve just begun book three in
my “Doublesight” series, which isn’t even out yet. (If that gives you any idea
how long it takes to get a book published.)
12.
What genre
would you place your books into?
Different ones, as mentioned
above.
13.
Do you have
a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
I try not to have a favorite
book, but if I had to choose, I really enjoyed writing “Sweet Song”, which is
the only historical novel I’ve written. There’s something about that book that
haunts me, even to this day. It was a very important book for me to write. You
can find it on Amazon, I’m glad to say.
14.
Do you have
a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
You do ask a lot of difficult
questions. At this stage, I think my favorite character might be Neil
Altman…again, from a book that hasn’t been published yet.
15.
How long
have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing since about
the third grade. I think reading is what inspired me to write.
16.
Where do
you get your book plot ideas from?
Magic, or Majik, which ever way
you’d like to look at it.
17.
Do you have
anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release
them?
Absolutely. I think there are
way too many independent authors who are just publishing before anyone with any
sense has read through them. I always have several readers who I can trust to
tell me the God-honest truth about what I’ve done. And if the book isn’t good
enough, I rewrite and rewrite and rewrite.
18.
Do you gift
books to readers to do reviews?
Sometimes.
19.
Do you read
all the reviews of your book/books?
Most of the time.
20.
What was
the toughest/best review you have ever had?
It’s always tough to get a
one-star review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, but when I read what they
didn’t like I’m usually feeling better. Many people will accept a free book for
a review, even if it’s not the type of book they like. The best reviews, I’ll
have to admit, are similar to the worst. They are the five-star reviews. But
sometimes they are from people who are pleasantly surprised. Honestly, the only
reviews that matter are the ones from my “first readers” who can critique my
work with some understanding and clarity. They help me do my best work, no
matter who likes or doesn’t like it in the end.
21.
How do you
come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the
Cover of your books?
I come up with initial titles
(working titles), which sometimes get used and sometimes get changed. I’m
always in agreement with the changes, though. As for cover designs, I’ve been
published by several small, independent publishers. (I have a non-fiction book
about working with them called, “Guidebook for Working with Small Independent
Publishers” published by Pink Fish Press). Typically the publisher will be in
charge of the covers, (often with my input, and sometimes with a freelance
cover designer that I’ve hired). But, with the Booktrope Editions (now, all my
fiction titles are being republished by Booktrope), they have a great cover
designer: Simanson Design (www.simansondesign.com).
In fact, Greg Simanson has re-done all the covers of my novels and I love them.
My particular favorite at the moment is the cover for “Giver of Gifts”. It’s
really cool.
22.
How do you
market/promote your books?
Many ways: news releases to
magazines and newspapers, conferences I teach at, talks I give, email
newsletters, radio and video interviews, blog posts and guest blog posts like
this one, and social media when applicable.
23.
What do you
think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
If any of us knew that answer,
we’d all be rich. The reading public is fickle. We all know that it’s not the
best written book, nor the most original idea that sells millions of copies.
But, if you write the best you can, and you continue to learn the craft, I
believe you have a better chance of selling regularly and not just being part
of a short-term trend. (That’s my hope for serious writers everywhere.)
24.
Have you
ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past
the "block"?
I don’t believe in writer’s
block.
25.
What do you
do to unwind and relax?
I like to take walks, read, go
to museums, talk with other writers, and many other things. We own some horses,
so hanging out with them is very relaxing too. I also like movies and
television if there’s something good on.
26.
Have you
ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have
happened to you?
Sure. But I don’t think I’ll
mention which ones exactly.
27.
Are there
any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like
Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
I think there are hidden
truths in every book, often hidden from the writer as well.
28.
Is there a
certain Author that influenced you in writing?
Don’t know. Maybe. I enjoy
reading Robert Penn Warren, James Salter, Steve Yarbrough, Robert Silverberg,
Roger Zelazny, Jim Harrison, Alice Hoffman, Sharon Shinn, and a lot of other
people. I also read a fair amount of poetry. I believe that writers should read
everything they can and as broadly as possible.
29.
Which
format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
Print books. I still like the
smell and feel of a paperback or hardback. An e-reader just doesn’t have the
same smell to it.
30.
What is
your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
Also a difficult question to
answer. So, at this moment, on this day, I’m going to say James Salter’s “A
Sport and a Pastime”.
31.
Do you
think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to
movie transfer?
Not at all. They are two
different mediums, and should be treated as such. The movie is often so much
different than the book (and should be) that it would be difficult to say which
one transferred best. I will say that there are many movies, where I liked both
it and the book equally.
32.
What are
you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback
or paperback)
I keep several books going at
a time: Fiction: John Ringo’s “Into the Looking Glass” (it’s a lot of fun, so
far); Non-Fiction: Priscilla Long’s “A Writer’s Portable Mentor” (I am always
reading at least one book on the craft of writing and, so far, this is my all
time favorite); and William Stafford’s “The Way It Is” (I love poetry, and I
love Stafford). I’m also going through a few magazines when I get the time:
Discover magazine, Poets & Writers, and the Writers’ Chronicle.
33.
Do you
think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
I don’t know. As long as I’m
alive, I’m going to collect books in the physical sense. Once I’m dead, I’m not
sure I care, but we’ll see.
34.
Do you
think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do
Imaginative writing?
There are so many kids writing
these days that I have to say yes. Hopefully, they will continue to learn the
craft, as well.
35.
Is there a
book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't
finish?
At the moment, I have no
interest in “Twilight” or “Harry Potter”, but that doesn’t mean it’ll stay that
way.
36.
Are there
any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should
we watch out for them?
There are so many new authors,
that it’s hard to say. But, I recommend that every writer read best sellers,
classics, and new authors. Look for unknown authors with small sales, try them
out. Develop your own taste in books. Don’t let the masses select for you.
37.
Is there
anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it
be?
Most writers, myself included,
are never finished with a piece they’ve written. I have just selected to stop
editing and changing things once it’s published. Others may disagree.
38.
What do you
think about book trailers?
So far, I haven’t seen any
that have been creative enough for me to take seriously. Most don’t say much
more than the back cover copy at best. I would rather read the back cover copy.
39.
What piece
of advice would you give to a new writer?
Love the writing, and love the
process. Do your best work, and let only your best work see publication. Anyone
can publish these days, just like anyone can paint a picture and post it
online, can play and sing a song and upload it to the Internet. My advice is to
do it well, learn your craft, be the one who can write.
40.
Do you or
would you ever use a pen name?
I have thought of using a pen
name several times in my career, to differentiate one genre from another. At
this moment I don’t use a pen name, but who knows, I may change my mind
eventually.
Where can readers follow you?
My latest novel, “Cathedral of
Dreams” on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005F7ENVU/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_g351_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0ZTBCYBY7YDQQ0R1D39W&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
My author page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Terry-L-Persun/e/B004NV8Q4Y/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Your blog details: http://terrypersun.blogspot.com/
Your web site: http://www.TerryPersun.com
Your facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Terry-Persun-Author/152566875989
Your Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1219743.Terry_Persun
Your Twitter details: https://twitter.com/#!/tpersun
And any other information you
wish to supply: LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=tab_pro
Thank you Terry, for taking the time to do this great interview!
