Books(in140) & Other Things

This week’s 140 interview is with self-published debut novelist, William Aicher. William’s first book, The Trouble with Being God, a philosophical thriller about journalist and alcoholic Steven Carvelle, who begins to question the nature of everything from religion to the relationship with his girlfriend once a series of murders impacts his life.

William is a self-proclaimed internet rock star and Wisconsin native. You can find him online at his blog or follow him on Twitter @kaliphonia.

Are you ready for this? 1 DM per answer. Tell me about your book THE TROUBLE WITH BEING GOD.

A thriller that attempts to buck some genre rules, with a focus more on the events and their effects than a search for whodunit

What inspired you to take such a unique approach to the thriller genre?

I believe that in times of extreme duress peoples’ true characters show. Also I wanted to write a fun read, with a subtle point

So was it fun? What was the best part about writing this book?

It was absolute fun, but also a learning experience. I don’t depend on writing for my paycheck, so I got to experiment a bit.

This is your first book. Why did you decide to tackle writing a novel?

I actually started the book almost eight years ago. I had always wanted to write a novel, and basically decided to just do it.

That’s awesome! So, according to your website, you have a second on the way! What’s that one about?

next is different: cyberpunk futurism dealing w/ questions of self, plus nature vs. tech. Brave New World meets Philip K. Dick

Wow. Where did this idea come from?

combo of 3 short story ideas: The Grabbing Hands, Delete, and Plasticity (inspired by The Faint’s song “The Geeks Were Right”)

You sound like a pretty creative guy. What’s the biggest challenge you face as a writer?

the biggest challenge I face is trying to get myself to write. Between my job, family & relaxation time, it’s hard to find time.

What does your writing schedule look like then?

I honestly don’t have a schedule as I do my best writing when I’m ready to write. When inspiration hits & stars align, I write.

What are the benefits, as a writer, to using social media like twitter?

It is important for me to have direct two-way, transparent communication between me and my readers. Social media lets me do so.

That’s a very smart attitude for an author to have. Have you found there to be any drawbacks to being so active online?

Absolutely no drawbacks. Then again, I live and breathe the Internet.

You self-published your first novel. Why did you go that publishing route?

I’ve been working in music publishing for almost 10 years now, so I know the basics. Fun experiment, plus make my own rules.

What is the biggest challenge when it comes to self-publishing?

Biggest drawback is you are ultimately the one responsible for every bit of marketing and promotion. Its also a huge benefit.

What advice would you give to someone looking to self-publish?

Take the creation process seriously and don’t try to do everything yourself. Even if you self-publish, you need others to help.

I think that’s it! Anything else you want to add? Thanks so much for agreeing to this!

Nothing else to add here!

The Trouble with Being God is available through Amazon.

This week’s 140 Interview is with “authorboy” Brendan Halpin. Brendan is the author of seven different books, including Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Donorboy and more.

When Brendan’s not writing, he’s teaching full-time or chasing after his three kids and his dog at their family home in Boston. He took some time out of his busy schedule to Twitter back and forth with me about his latest project, I Can See Clearly Now.

Be sure to read Brendan’s blog and to follow him on Twitter @bhalpin.

Ready for this? 1 DM per answer! Tell me about your latest book, I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW. Amazon says it will be available next week!

Sure! Sex, drugs, and educational cartoons in 1972. 4 songwriters, 1 mentor w/ulterior motives, unlimited weed in a tv network basement.

What inspired you to write this book?

Talking at my hs reunion about mentors w/mixed motives & watching schoolhouse rock w/my kids & noticing same personnel on many songs.

What was the biggest challenge you faced writing this book?

Overcoming my own doubts about writing a book with no grief or death in it.

So you’re other books are filled with grief and death? What other ways did this new one differ from your previous work?

I prefer “informed by” to “filled with”. This book also has 5 main characters, and none of them are very much like me.

I like “informed by” better too! Can you describe Levon, Peter, Sarah, Julie and Pamela? You can use 1 DM per character.

Levon: funk bass player, African-American engineering student afraid to tell his parents he wants to be a musician.

Sarah: too chicken for open-mike nights, nailed the audition for Pop Goes The Classroom. Talented & insecure.

Peter: Dylan wannabe from the midwest on his last chance to be a musician.

Julie: advertising jingle writer, wealthy WASP black sheep.

Pamela: folk singer still coasting on 5-year-old hit, mentoring songwriters but has ulterior motives.

Thanks! That was great! Since none of them are much like you, where did the inspiration/idea for these diverse characters come from?

I have no idea. None of them really resemble people I know, either. I guess they’re assembled out of parts of me & others.

As an author, you’re very active online, connecting with fans and using social media. Why?

1.) it’s fun for me. 2.)publishing’s a mess, no $ to promote mid- or bottom-list guys like me, so I gotta do what I can myself.

Are there any drawbacks to being so active online?

Only that online social networking stuff could eat as much of my life as I let it.

Are you working on anything new at the moment?

2 YA books on the way, 1 solo, 1 written w/ Emily Franklin. Writing 1st drafts of 3 YA books, 2 with Emily, 1 with Trish Cook.

Wow, you’re a busy guy! What’s our writing/work schedule like?

I teach full time and write whenever I can steal an hour or two–like while sitting at kids’ soccer practices.

When you’re not teaching full time, writing or at kids’ soccer practices, what do you like to do?

Cook vegetarian food, walk the dog, spend time with my wife & kids, watch horror movies, read, sleep.

I think that’s it! Is there anything else you want to add?

I guess that’s it! Thanks!

I Can See Clearly Now is now available through Amazon.