Wednesday, November 26, 2014

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Andean White, author of Winter's Thief


Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

About me, hmmm. I married my high school sweetheart and we will celebrate our 37th anniversary this November. For thirty-five wonderful years, I worked in manufacturing management for some neat organizations making interesting products. I enjoy biking, fishing, travel, woodworking, golf, classic cars, and of course writing.



A couple years before retiring, I wrote a series of travel journals with a humorous under current. Several friends and family suggested I write some stories based on the journals.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

I have a dedicated basement home office, but may move to the breakfast table if a change of scenery is needed—or, to the family room if I work in the evenings. The office has a small sink, refrigerator, microwave, pantry, and a recliner. I have been known to get lost in the office when I am on a roll.

I am a laptop user, my handwriting is horrible at times—I can’t read it, which is why I edit with a tape recorder.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

Fine tuning the text is my favorite part. At this point, the bulk of the work has been completed, and the tweaking process improves the story presentation and imagery.

Finding the right word for a key element of a story can get frustrating. The correct word that infers the right meaning, defines the character, or describes the setting.

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

Winter’s Thief characters are a collage of the interesting people I have met in my life. One character might be the blending of several people with similar traits.

The characters are ordinary people dealing with the trials of living in difficult times, but their trials are of life and death magnitude. They must outsmart the enemy with wits, put aside their fears, and overcome their flaws.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

My first event was a shared booth at a crafts fair—fifteen books in two days was okay for a first event. The second event was a book signing party at our home—thirty-two books in four hours.

Future plans include a booth at FanX in January with expectations of finding many heroic fantasy readers. Also, investigating book signing at medieval, equestrian, or archery events in the west.

Several published authors have advised staying away from the typical bookstore
signing.Currently, in the initial phases of a social media campaign using Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and website—later adding Google+ and LinkedIn.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

Presently not following a schedule for writing as the marketing plan needs attention during the initial phase. But, I am writing in the spaces between marketing demands.At other times I write best in the mornings.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

Saraton Summer, the second book of the trilogy is scheduled to be completed August 2015. The series might turn into four books—one for each season.Winter’s Thief has recently been released.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.



I have a few short stories that I think could be turned into books. But for now, my focus is finding out what happens to Kendrick, Althea, Oscar, and Quentin—the cast of Winter’s Thief.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent? 


Don’t give up! Get your stories in the hands of a professional for evaluation. Let them advise you. The writing world is tough, and like nature only the strong survive. And, you need to be bulletproof, because it’s hard listening to someone squash your pain staking work. It’s hard work but the rewards are fulfilling.

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 Thank you, Andean!

Learn more about Andean and his book at:

Website:  www.AndeanWhite.com
Twitter:    @AndeanWhite

eBook at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O5D6QNS  

Book at Amazon:  










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