Monday, November 10, 2008

**INTERVIEW With CHRISTOPHER BYRON**

I am Pleased to bring to Today's Interview, Author Christopher Byron, Author of "PUSH." Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? Chris: I don't think that I did, professionally at least, until I was almost finished with this book. Writing was more a release, or hobby, until my wife read the first few chapters. She said, "I think you have something here." Now, I have a hard time imagining myself not writing. Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Chris: I like to write what comes to mind. I don't see myself saying, "Nah, I won't write this!" "It's not science fiction." But, so far the most fun I have had is writing something that is almost believable, but just into the fantasy realm. Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to write? Chris: My mom was always telling us stories, and making up rhymes and songs as kids. She's been a great support, and now my little sister is writing too. Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? Chris: No, but I will sometimes take snipits of something that really happened to me, or someone I know, and rework it a little. I am thinking of writing a comedy, based on my friend Matt's life. Everything that happens to him is "Rolling in the isle" funny. Geri: Who is your favorite author? Chris: It's cliche', but "All Hail the King!" I really like Robert Crais, and Terry Brooks too. I don't miss anything that they put out. Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life? Chris: Yes! And the ones based on my friends, they know it's them, without telling them. Geri: How many books have you written? Chris: "PUSH" is my first completed book. Geri: Where can your books be purchased? Chris: www.amazon.com www.christopherbyron.net Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published? Chris: Getting the first proof of my completed novel was similar to my kids being born. That might seem melodramatic, but you put all the work and effort into preparing for it, you know it's coming, but it isn't real until it's there. Thankfully, I won't have to change its diapers! Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Chris: I have started working on the next chapter in the lives of those characters, but I have a thriller that is screaming to be told, bouncing around in my head that will have to come first. Can you say, "Ghost Story?" Geri: What are some links to your websites? Chris: www.myspace.com/cirruschris www.christopherbyron.net Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? Chris: Complete and total world domination, of course, or maybe to just enjoy myself, and hopefully entertain someone. Yeah, that would do! Geri: At this point, and time in your life, are you exactly where you want to be? Chris: Up until recently, I really didn't know I was going to have any writing endeavors. So, Yes, this is great! I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Geri: What can help authors reach their dream? Chris: Plain, simple, bullheaded stubbornness. If you've got that, you'll accomplish something! That, and a good story, your there! Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Chris: Sure! Geri: What can prevent it, in your opinion? Chris: I found that writer's block is a pretty name for fear. I realized thatif I was having a hard time writing something, it was because I was afraid of it. Either because I wasn't sure that I'd be able to articulate the image in my mind on to the page adequately, or because I wasn't sure that was going to happen. Most frequently, if I could get passed the fear, the words would flow. Geri: As a child, did you have any favorite books? Chris: As a kid, I liked "Choose your own adventure books, Encyclopedia Brown books, and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." After that, The Shannara Books, and The Tailsman by Steven King, and Peter Straub. Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading alot? Chris: All the time, until I figured out that chicks dug good guitar, more than good readers. Then, I figured out that I could be both. Geri: If you had the opportunity to one day live the life of a famous author, who would it be? Chris: Wow! Ummmm, next question please? Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, self-achievement, after publishing a book. Can you relate to these feelings? Chris: If you mean feelings like, "WOOOOOOOOOO! HAHAHAHA! YIPPEE" while dancing around my living room....Yeah, I can relate! Is that over the top? Geri: How do you balance your current occupation with writing? Chris: Same way as everyone else, I don't sleep! Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Chris: I'll get back with you on this one! Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would change? Chris: Then, I could get some sleep, and write. Geri: As writers, we begin with a manuscript, and end with promotions. What was your most difficult task? Chris: I have spent a long time working in sales, in one form, or another. so I understand promotions on that level. The most difficult task to me is having the patience to make sure everything is right, before hyping it, I tend to get excited. Geri: Some writer's need to listen to music, or focus on the ocean, or flowers while writing. Do you have a particular scenery? Chris: Definetely music. I usually write with Tori Amos playing in the background, with some Dishwalla, Van Halen, and Audioslave mixed in. Oh yeah, don't forget Tchaikovsky, and Orff. Is that eclectric for you? Geri: If you were to write a book in a different genre other than what you've written, what would it be? Chris: Hmmmm, I might go full fledged into a Dragons and Wizards at some point. I'd like to do an old fashioned crime/thriller/whodunnit? But really, I don't plan that far ahead. I just want to keep writing whatever comes out. Hopefully, people will like it! Geri: Thank you so much for your time. It's been a Pleasure, and delightful. Among your plans for writing, please do include comedy, if you can make me laugh the way you did, I already know an Audience would love your entertainment! Wonderful Interview! Chris: Your welcome, thank you!

2 comments:

MJ Allaire said...

Hey Geri and Chris,

GREAT interview! You made me smile Chris when you said that you loved Stephen King's "The Talisman" ... that's one of my favorites from him, too!

Keep those ideas flowing, my friend, and Geri, as always, Thank YOU!!!

Happy holidays, all!

MJ Allaire
YA Fantasy Author

Author Geri Ahearn said...

Hi Mo,
Thank you so much for
visiting us. I agree with
Chris, I'm a big fan of
Stephen King. Happy Holidays
Coming real soon, and as usual,
Geri is Not prepared LOL!