Warren Bull interview with David Alan Binder
Post date: Jun 20, 2017 11:04:53 PM
Warren Bull interview with David Alan Binder
Bio from Amazon: Warren Bull is the award-winning author of the novels ABRAHAM LINCOLN FOR THE DEFENSE, HEARTLAND and DEATH IN THE MOONLIGHT and the short story collections MURDER MANHATTAN STYLE, KILLER EULOGY AND OTHER STORIES and NO HAPPY ENDINGS. He is a lifetime professional member of Sisters in Crime (with no hope of parole) and an active member of Mystery Writers of America. He has published in STRANGE MYSTERIES anthologies (1 through 7) from Whorlteberry Press, BLACK COFFEE, DESTINATION MURDER and WE'VE BEEN TRUMPED anthologies for Dark House Books, Great Mystery and Suspense magazine, Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, Crimeandsuspence.com, Mouth Full of Bullets, The Back Alley, Sniplits.com Untreed Reads, Mysterical-E and a number of anthologies from Dark House Press. He was a psychologist in his "day job" for thirty years.
· Blog
· http://writerswhokill.blogspot.com
· Author page on Readers Legacy:
· https://www.readerslegacy.com/profile/rexbull/
· Website
· https://www.facebook.com/warren.bull2fa
· Goodreads:
· https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1444467.Warren_Bull
1. Where are you currently living?
As I write this I am on the Baltic Sea between Tallinn, Estonia and Gdansk, Poland. My wife and I are on a cruise. We live in Portland, Oregon. When the cruise started my iPhone was as jet lagged as we were. The maps app had us soaring 200 feet above Madrid, Spain while we were in Sweden.
2. What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?
I have learned to take the time needed to put out a work that is as good as I can make it at that time because a book that is not good will act as a drag for your entire career. If people try one book that you have written and that book is bad, they will write you off no matter how well you’ve done since then. Especially with your first book, take the time to get everything you can as error-free as possible.
3. What would you say is your most interesting writing, publishing, editing or illustrating quirk?
I suppose it might be that I hear voices in my head. I was a clinical psychologist for thirty years so I know how that sounds. On the other hand, I welcome the voices. My characters would rather tell their stories without me, but luckily, they haven’t learned how to type.
4. Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher?
I’ve published both ways. I prefer to have a publisher because there is so much work to publishing a book that I’m happy to share it. A publisher is a second pair of eyes to look for mistakes. Also it shows that someone besides the author is willing to put time and effort into bringing the book to the world.
Certainly self-publishing has become a viable option. A number of authors who have been traditionally published choose self-publishing for some of their work. It gives authors control over the entire process. I’ve done it and I will do it again.
The small publisher who put out a number of my books is no longer publishing any works except his own.
5. Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published?
Yes. The secret is that there are no secrets Read, write, re-write, submit, re-write the failed submission, repeat. You can get involved in the local writing community before you get published. Volunteer to help at writing conventions and seminars. Join a critique group that focuses on writing. Support independent bookstores where you might someday have an event. If you write mysteries join Sisters in Crime, Guppies and Mystery Writers of America.
6. How did you or would you suggest acquire an agent? Any tips for new writers on getting one?
If I knew, I might have one. I don’t.
7. Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers (please be specific and informational as possible)?
See the answer to question 5. Start working on your career before you get published. Consider starting with short stories. They are easier to get published. They require less time to write and there are more markets for them. I qualified for active membership in Mystery Writers of America because of my short stories.
8. What was one of the most surprising things you learned with your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating?
I learned that keeping characters happy is important. When they drag their feet and resist is when you try to force them to do things they do not want to do. Give them the chance to tell you what they want to do and listen.
9. How many books have you written?
Abraham Lincoln for the Defense (currently the third edition is out) Abraham Lincoln in Court & Campaign and Heartland are my novels.
My short story collections are Mystery Manhattan Style, Killer Eulogy and Other stories (an e-book) and No Happy Endings (noir)
I have more than a hundred published short stories in anthologies, magazines and e-magazines.
10. Do you have any tricks or tips to help others become a better writer (please be as specific and information as you possibly can)?
One thing that helps me is to read what I’ve written out loud. I catch mistakes that slip by otherwise. My wife, being a good sport, reads what I’ve written before I show it to anyone else. I belong to an excellent critique group. Despite my publications, I never know if what I’ve written in any good until someone else tells me.
11. Do you have any suggestions for providing twists in a good story?
Not really. I think having a twisted mind helps,
12. What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd?
That’s an excellent question that I don’t have an excellent answer for. I take pride in the quality of my writing. I want every book to encourage the reader to look for more of my work. The transition from competent to memorable is difficult.
13. What are some ways in which you promote your work?
I write on the Writers Who Kill blog. I have an author page on Facebook GoRead and Goodreads. I’m on Twitter. I do interviews on writing blogs.
14. What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?
I would have taken more time to get my first book in better shape. I’m now offering the third edition with changes I should have made earlier.
15. What saying or mantra do you live by?
The usual: Do unto, Judge not and My neighbor as myself.