**INTERVIEW with Author Steven Clark Bradley**

It is an honor to Interview Author Steven Clark Bradley. Steven has authored four dramatic thrillers, "NIMROD RISING, PROBABLE CAUSE, STILLBORN, and PATRIOT ACTS." He has been an assistant to a prosecutor, a university instructor, and a freelance journalist. He earned a B.A. in Organizational Management of Human Resources, and a Masters Degree in Liberal Studies. He has worked a number of years in Europe, Asia, and Africa. INTERVIEW Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? Steven: I have always been a storyteller. It seems to have been something I was born with. It was actually my son who challenged to stop writing as a hobby, and start publishing the manuscripts I had written. As a child, I started writing dreams, and ideas. It was all part of the process of learning how to paint a tableau with words. Probably, the hardest thing was learning to get over what I call "the middle of the book syndrome." Perseverance is the one word that best describes the main character trait that all dedicated writers possess. I can attest to that as I developed the characters, setting, atmosphere, and all the million things that go into holding a story together and bringing the new world into the realm of plausible and real. The best way to describe this is in three simple words, "Never give up!" Sometimes, when we find ourselves waiting to quit something, we feel pulled in two directions. Have you ever heard these voices in your head? " There's no use in continuing, or I failed, and I give up!" These feelings are almost always untrue, and are usually caused by depression, fatigue, or lonliness. There are so many other personal things in our lives that cause such feelings of hopelessness. We are also drawn by voices in our heads that tell us not to give up. "Think of all the time you've invested, or think how hard you have worked!" It's that second voice that helped overcome the doubt, and the block, which convinced me that I was a writer! Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Steven: It is such a driving passion to tell stories that could make one pause, and reflect on where we were, and where we are, to gain a better understanding of where we are going. All of my books center on a major theme that typifies the human experience, and tragedy. Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to become a writer? Steven: I am motivated to write by an ideal, the need to put into practice the freedom I possess from God to present the issues of our current day in a brave, realistic, and plausible manner. There are certain writers who have pushed me forward. Thomas Clancy is a great mentor for me. He had a great affect on me, making me realize that freedom is not free! Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? Steven: I consider my books to be hard-hitting stories that may frighten the reader as a result of the realism, and the plausibility of the evil unleashed on an apathetic, and ill-mannered world when faithlessness falls upon the just, and the unjust. Geri: Who is your favorite author? Steven: Francis A. Schaeffer has influenced me the most. He was a highly respected Philosopher. No one else has assisted in the formation of my world view than Francis A. Schaeffer. Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life? Steven: Almost all of my characters are patterned after either great and honorable, and bad, disreputable men and women I have met, and many I have known. I have met a great number of people, and that is a big help in creating my characters. Geri: How many books have you written? Steven: I've had four novels published. Geri: Where can your books be purchased? Steven: www.amazon.com www.booksamillion.com www.powells.com www.borders.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.copperfields.com www.cambridgebooks.com www.fictionwise.com www.mobipocket.com www.net.com www.writewordsinc.com Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published. Steven: The freedom to write freely in a free land is such a wonderful thing. It is something to be cherished until we die for what we believe. I feel that there is nothing greater than writing, and creating something from nothing. Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Steven: I currently have two projects in the making, and three other works started. Geri: What are some links to your websites? Steven: http://stevenbradley.blogspot.com http://twitter.com/StevenBradley http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/StevenClarkBradley http://stevenclarkbradley.u.yuku.com/ Geri: Do you have goals for your future in writing? Steven: I am ever growing, constantly learning, and a very dedicated writer. I drive my goals, they do not drive me. Geri: At this point and time in your life, are you exactly where you want to be? Steven: I am never satisfied with any product that I create. I know that I must go the extra mile to get the story out, and make sure it is where the readers will grasp the overall, and underlying message. I never feel that I have arrived, or am where I want to be! Geri: What are some factors that can help authors to reach their dream of accomplishment? Steven: Winston Churchill said, "The Pessimist sees problems in every opportunity, but the Optimist sees opportunities in every problem." It takes time to make your image in your mind into a world with living, breathing characters that do a multitude of things, and have a multitude of personalities. Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Steven: I do get writer's block, but I know that perseverance is one word that best describes the main character trait that all dedicated writers possess. Geri: What can prevent writer's block? Steven: Never give up! Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? Steven: I loved the "Chronicles of Narnia" as an older teenager, and "Mark Twain." I also loved "Nancy Drew" books. Also, I loved political magazines. Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading a lot? Steven: I was a bit strange as a child. I read through almost all the World Book Encyclopedias in my school library, which gave me my great love for travel, and culture. Also, it gave me ideas for stories, like no one else has written. Geri: If you had the opportunity to live one day the life of a famous author, who would it be? Steven: Vince Flynn. Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, or a sense of achievement after publishing a book. Can you relate to such feelings? Steven: I can say that each novel feels like another one of my literary children was born! Geri: How do you balance your current occupation with your goals for writing? Steven: This is the easiest question to answer, I never sleep! Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Steven: I am a people person, and love the face-to-face! Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, would that change your plans for your writing? Steven: I'd use the money to further my writing, and ensure my stories were read! Geri: We begin with a manuscript, and end in promotions. What was your most difficult task? Steven: The hardest task is getting book stores to believe in you, and getting your story to readers. Geri: Some writers need to listen to music, or look at the ocean, or flowers. Do you have a particular scenery? Steven: I love to listen to movie soundtracks as I write. Geri: If you were to publish a book in a different genre, what would it be? Steven: I want to be broad in my writing, and I can never predict what I will write next, not until the story tells me! Geri: Thank you very much for your time. This interview was quite interesting, and very enjoyable! Steven: Your welcome!