Equilibrium by MK Schultz

9/11/2021

Multi-volume author, MK Schultz introduces us to his latest in his science fiction series, “Equilibrium”:
Experience Kassius Kanex like never before in the epic conclusion.

In anticipation of the arrival of an evil that could rob Kassius Kanex of his power, he must go off-grid, in search of the only hope there is to defeat it.

With the help of his larger-than-life, best friend Rock, the engineers, his faithful pod keepers, a secret-keeping crow and a time-travel-enabling octopus, Kassius Kanex must expand his organization to levels even he did not dream to be possible.

Can the world survive the evil long enough for Kassius to find the only thing powerful enough to stop it? The whole of humanity depends on one thing: EQUILIBRIUM.

This has been an interesting and exciting journey in this series! The plots and subplots weave around each other quite well. Some of the events depicting the incarnate evil are somewhat horrific and bloody. Be warned.
This style of writing reminds me of the golden age of science fiction and brings back fond memories of some great stories.
The ending was very shocking also. I enjoyed the story a lot.
The ending leaves room for the series to continue, I hope it does.

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Equilibrium-Kassius-Kanex-Book-3-ebook
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/equilibrium-mk-schultz
https://www.iuniverse.com/-equilibrium
https://www.goodreads.com/-equilibrium

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Makemali
https://www.mkschultz.com
https://www.instagram.com/mkschultzauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/MK_Schultz

I reviewed the first book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kassius-kanex-by-mk-schultz
I reviewed the second book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-fishing-trip-kassius-kanex-book-2-by-m-k-schultz

Tags: science fiction, action, adventure, time travel, suspense, dystopian

Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

63 Comments

MK Schultz link

9/13/2021 10:45:32 am

First of all, let me start off by saying that is great working with you again Mark.

When I first started writing book one, I was in need of a proofreader. The whole Kassius Kanex universe is filled with the idea that there are no coincidences and so when I found a proofreader on Twitter with the same name as me, I felt compelled to get in touch.

Three books later, it still amazes me how this and so many other strange so-called coincidences have occurred since I first began invoking my muse.

Kassius would surely attribute it to destiny. But on a serious note, thank you so much for editing my books and helping me on my writing journey.

Your review of my new book Equilibrium is very flattering. Thank you Mark!

Mark

9/13/2021 11:01:11 am

You are welcome. It has been a pleasure to partner with you polishing your books. I am one lucky proofreader, I enjoy reading and proofreading so many different books. Your books were no exception. I enjoyed the story a lot. The gruesome parts were a little gory, but necessary to the story as you explained to me.
First questions, actually we are picking up where we left off in the interview for your second book, "The Fishing Trip".
Did you have pieces of the story that were removed from this book? If, so why did you remove them?
Do you have any other passions or creative outlets to pursue if you didn't write?

MK Schultz link

9/13/2021 11:36:47 am

Right you are Mark, the gruesome parts are not for everyone. I have always warned readers to buckle up before reading my books, but something a bit more protective than a seatbelt is needed before entering the unchartered waters of Equilibrium.

All three of my books remained for the most part intact with no significant removals during editing. This is perhaps one of the advantages to being an indie author. You don't have to compromise. Only minor tweaks were made to fix plot holes and spelling and grammar mistakes. Small details were added where a little more elaboration felt needed or to compliment another scene. This was tricky, because I tried to make the universe of all three books as uniform as possible.

I have other hobbies like BBQing, boating, fishing, music and movies but when writing entered my life in a new way about five years ago now, it showed itself to me as a behemoth that would be the only thing powerful enough to finally plug the creative void that I felt in my life. The other things were just hobbies. Deep thinking about the concept of this, led to the plot and character named Kassius Kanex.

Mark

9/13/2021 11:55:12 am

Many writers are not as lucky as you. Sometimes an editor will recommend removing a character or two, because they dilute the action.
I love barbeque also and boating is fun. Since moving to Florida, I no longer have a barbeque. I hope my son-in-law gets one when they get into their townhome. I have never had a boat. In Oregon, my neighbor across the street proved the saying that BOAT means Bust Out Another Thousand, many times over.
New questions.
Is there a cause you are passionate about?
Have you any favorite literary journals?

MK Schultz link

9/13/2021 12:26:49 pm

You are right about boats. Having an old one helps a little with the cost problem. No matter the boat, there is something so serene in being out in the water.

Yikes Mark, as far as your last two questions, I am afraid I you may have to hold the the boring card to my face. The only literary journal I recall reading, is Reader's Digest. I used to enjoy reading the articles in the countless volumes that were at various cottages we visited. They were fun to read on rainy cottage days. That and wildlife and fishing magazines I guess. I thought about researching some journals to submit my writing to, but my focus has solely been on my novels over the past five years.

As for your other question regarding a cause that I am passionate about, I don't really have one now, but perhaps in my older years, I will acquire one.

Mark

9/13/2021 12:56:58 pm

Nothing wrong with boring, Mark. We are all at different places in our journey.
My mother read a lot. She read Reader's Digest and subscribed to their condensed books club. I some of both.
New questions.
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
What type of scenes do you find hard to write and why?

MK Schultz link

9/13/2021 02:12:21 pm

In my adolescent years, I loved Dr. Seuss for its imaginative and humorous qualities. In my teens, I enjoyed classics like Golding's Lord of the Flies, Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea and Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby for the literary genius, although I was unaware to it at that time. I also took quite a liking to The Bible, particularly the book of Revelation for its mysteriousness and amazing use of authority brought to life through the use of incredible imagery.

Your second question is an easy one. The hardest scenes to write for me are the beginning ones. The start of the book and the start of chapters that step away from the main story only to return to supplement their relevance. After I make it past the beginning scenes, the muse takes over and then I just sit back and go along for the ride.

Mark

9/13/2021 04:29:14 pm

Interesting books you recall. I remember reading Lord of the Flies and it scared me. I was bullied a lot in junior high and high school in the very small town I grew up in. I felt like I was almost living the LOTF quite a few times.
Other than required reading I was reading science fiction almost exclusively. Until I was given a set of The Lord of The Rings. I read the set three times before graduating from high school. That was my introduction to fantasy and became my second favorite genre.
New questions.
What did your family say when you announced your desire to be a writer?
What do they think now?

MK Schultz link

9/13/2021 06:34:51 pm

I am sorry that you were bullied a lot. I was fortunate to only experience a small amount of bullying, probably due to my larger frame. It helped to keep bullies second guessing in their picking me to mess with I assume. One time however, a bully snatched my Walkman and headphones from me in the hall in seventh grade. I recall feeling so angry that I wanted to explode and although I didn't know how to deal with it at first, I quickly decided to mouth off defiantly. I looked at the bully as he walked away with my Walkman and said, "Go ahead, keep it. It's not mine anyways, it's my sister's boyfriend's. He will get it back." I even threw in a name for added effect. The bully then chose to catch up to me after a few minutes, to give it back to me, with his crew watching closely. I found this fascinating.

My family learned slowly of my writing, beginning five years ago. It is only now with the release of my third book, that they now take me seriously. After five years, I feel that they know fully that this is not just a passing phase. They are excited for me now and it feels amazing. My son and daughter are not avid readers and so with the release of my first book in audiobook format, it has opened it up for them to experience and I am so excited to share it with them. It is a journey that isn't easily explained or comprehended in a short amount of time, I have learned.

Mark

9/13/2021 06:53:39 pm

I was the second smallest kid in my class. I was an easy target.
That was a good way to deal with that bully.
Congratulations on your kids reading the audiobook. Maybe they will crack a print or electronic book next.
On the other hand, I know adults who struggle a lot with reading, they can 'read' only an audiobook because their reading issues are severe.
New questions.
Do your friends and family members buy your books?
How do you maintain the excitement for yourself? Your excitement will impact others around you.

MK Schultz link

9/14/2021 11:35:54 am

I do have a small group of friends and family who support me by buying my books. It is a great feeling to receive their support. Reviews on the other hand are much more difficult to come by. It's tough because you don't want to pester people.

At times, my level of excitement feels like it reaches the point of nuclear fission, while other times, it is much much lower. All in all, I manage to keep my excitement levels pretty high I think. I think it's because I really do believe in my writing and I love doing it. I truly believe that if I like it, there has to be others that do as well.

It think it's tough with family and friends because they don't want to hurt your feelings but they probably get a little tired of hearing about it, since it is such a high focus for me. The best reward, I think, is receiving positive feedback from someone who doesn't know me. I hope that this will happen more in the future. This is one of my goals for sure.

Mark

9/14/2021 12:15:55 pm

You have good family and friends. Some expect to get the book for free.
Maybe you can do more in-person events in the near future, your energy will translate well and it will help you gain more fans.
New questions.
What area of your writing has the greatest need for improvement at this time?
Is there a non-writing skill you would like to have that might help you as an author?

MK Schultz link

9/14/2021 04:31:19 pm

I am hoping to do more in person events in the future. My first book signing was on Feb.29th, 2020, just prior to covid shut downs. Just recently, four book stores have been accepting my books for display in their stores. Details can be found on my website and there is more to come, so stay tuned.

I still need to work on many areas of my writing. It is exciting for me to see the progress I have made so far, but I know it will be a life-long journey and I think that is part of the fun of it.

A good non-writing skill to have I think is to read voraciously. I would like to work on this more in the future.

Mark

9/14/2021 07:33:11 pm

Congratulations on the placements of your books. With lock downs being loosened the opportunities for local promotions will increase.
You might also seek placing your books in places where people congregate such as gift stores, restaurants, hotels to name only a few. You might need a countertop display for their convenience. Don't hesitate to use the 'local author' card at any time. It also might be wise to have a box of your books in your trunk.
You might also look into local radio stations, community cable access and colleges with broadcasting courses or clubs. There are many ways to promote a book locally.
It's important to read in your genre and outside as well. You never know when you will discover a nugget that will help you.
New questions.
On average, how long does it take you to write a book?
When do you think your next book will be published?

MK Schultz link

9/14/2021 06:21:01 pm

Those are fantastic suggestions, all of which have been on hold for some time now due to covid. But now that things are getting a little closer to normal, the potential is much greater.

I think I can comfortably write a book in 9 to 12 months if I stick to a fairly consistent schedule, which I have been doing for a while now. That's with a full time job and a 2.5 hour total commute time each day. If I could write full time, I could do so much more. I believe it will happen one day Mark. The dream is true!

I am targeting the release of my next book for 2022. I am super pumped about it. It will be a new stand alone story in a different genre and I am already well into writing it.

Mark

9/14/2021 06:30:11 pm

I should have been more clear with that question. Is that a first draft you are talking about or from start to published?
With your schedule that is amazing production, regardless!
That is very exciting! Can you tell me what genre your next book will be in?

MK Schultz link

9/14/2021 06:44:02 pm

To further clarify, I think I can comfortably write the first draft of a novel in 9 to 12 months. I wrote Equilibrium in 10 months and it is my longest book to date, sitting at 104,000 words.

The genre of my next book? Ok Mark, here it is for the first time ever. Are you ready?

The genre of my next book is...to be announced at a later date. At this time, I cannot say more than that. Sorry Mark. I can't piss off my muse. LOL.

Mark

9/14/2021 07:40:35 pm

That is one powerful muse you have! It has you wrapped around it's tentacle or maybe it's the other way around. LOL.
Let me guess the next genre. It will be a reverse-harem rom-com set in Niagara Falls, with shape-shifters.
I still think that is good production. More than 100,000 words in a year or less. Thanks for clarifying.
New questions.
What will you do differently with this next book, in terms of publishing, if anything?
Have you ever developed a fondness or attachment to one of your characters?

MK Schultz link

9/14/2021 09:06:30 pm

I think you hit upon another service you could provide to authors here Mark. Meet the Wordrefiner AKA The Plot Kick Starter. "A reverse-harem rom-com set in Niagara Falls, with shape-shifter?" Brilliant. LOL.

My muse is freaken powerful. He was with me my whole life, just waiting for me to season to his desired taste. I am the boss though, but as all good bosses know, you must keep your employees happy so that they can produce. Produce he does!

I have huge plans for my next book. Although I love being a self published author, I feel as though I cannot continue to fund it as the costs are kind of spiraling out of control. That is why, for my next book, I hope to take my writing journey to the next level by finding a literary agent who can help me get published traditionally. I may regret it, but the decision is financially based. Not to get rich, although that would be a welcomed bonus, but instead to just finance this dream. Even breaking even would be leaps and bounds ahead of where I am currently at. That is what I am striving for. But if I do not achieve it, I will continue to write books for the rest of my life and go broke doing it if necessary.

To answer your last question, I love all of my characters. It may be strange for some to hear, but they have brought me more joy than most real people have in my real life. For those who have read the Kassius Kanex Trilogy, they will know that the characters are plentiful. Over 100!

Mark

9/15/2021 09:02:19 am

I must be right! You didn't say I was wrong. So, a new website called the Plot Psychic might be in order. ;-)
You have discovered the wall that so many authors find. Selling enough books to break even on publishing costs, mush less make any profit. As you said, like so many authors before you, that you will keep writing regardless.
Getting an agent and a traditional publishing contract is extremely hard to do. Some authors spend a year or longer sending out query letters. Meanwhile, your book is going nowhere.
The Traditional Publishing Industry has been going through severe Amazon pains. The TPI has shrunk so much there are only 4 or 5 big publishers left. Their profit margins have shrunk so much that they can't afford to take chances on unknown authors. Though, having a series under your belt is a plus, unless you have sold thousands of copies of your books they are not likely to give you a second glance. Some publishers won't even look unless you have a mailing list numbering in the thousands also.
If you get an agent there is still no guarantee of being published. Agents don't get paid until you sign a contract, so they are under the same pressure to perform in order to survive.
That sounds bleak, I know, but nearly everyday, an author gets an agent or a contract.
There is another way, a way that leaves you in control of your book and your destiny. With the TPI you lose control, you sign a contract that gives the publisher control of your book. They may change the cover, ask you to rewrite the story, even delay publishing for a year or longer, all to give them the best chance at making a profit from your book.
Crowdfunding has been popular for a number of years with game makers, graphic novelists and other creative types. Here is a blog about an extreme example of success. Copy and paste time: https://kriswrites.com/2020/07/22/business-musings-the-kickstarted-game-changer-part-two/
Crowdfunding is work, make no mistake about that. I recommend that you find an interesting project or two and support them to learn more.
New questions.
Have you ever killed off a character unwillingly because it fit the plot?
With sequels, how do you handle the wishes of readers compared to your original ideas?

MK Schultz link

9/15/2021 11:05:01 am

LOL to your first sentence.

Crowdfunding sounds interesting. I will definitely check out the link you provided. I hear you about the difficulty of cracking into the TPI. I will still give it a shot, but I won't let it control my destiny. Thank you.

Killing off characters unwillingly because it fit the plot? I suppose you could say I have done that from time to time (or often) in all three of my books (no spoilers lol).

For my sequels, I never really had to deal with many wishes from readers because my fan base is still very small. My muse was all I had ever had to please and he's a handful.

Mark

9/15/2021 11:46:06 am

Glad you enjoyed my joke.
Your fan base will grow. It depends a lot on your efforts, though. I know that your free time is non-existent with your work and commute schedule. Many authors want to write every second they can. I don't blame them at all, I want to read every second possible also. However, there is far more to the business of writing besides writing.
Promotion and marketing is the never-ending story. It's more like an ultra-marathon than a sprint. That is why I recommend spending some time to create a marketing plan and then schedule an hour or two every week or two purposely to reach those goals. It has to be a long-range plan to be effective.
New questions.
I know music is important to you. Do you use music or some other stimulus to cultivate a feeling within that will help you write certain types of scenes?
How do you deal with a difficult section in a WIP? Have you ever read that section out loud to sort out the difficulty?

MK Schultz link

9/15/2021 12:20:17 pm

I agree with your thoughts on promotion and marketing. It is super time consuming, but slow and steady with consistency is key. I enjoy marketing, especially when it produces interest or results.

I enjoy rock music mostly, but I listen to classical or cinematic orchestra pieces, like movie sound tracks occasionally, to change things up a bit. My favourite band is Iron Maiden. Their music is super mysterious and cryptic. It is filled with poetry and energy, and I always have it on low in the background when I write. It is habit now and really gets me motivated and pumped up when I write. When I get deep into the zone of an important scene, I literally feel rushes of wave-like energy come over me in the form of chills and even tears. When this happens, I know I am producing good writing.

In Equilibrium, there is an evil character that I felt the need to take to the next level. For those scenes, I put on the evil music of Merciful Fate. The lead signer, King Diamond is a pretty sadistic looking character complete with demonic face paint. The character in Equilibrium that needed this injection of evil inspiration is Dade. He is super bad and I wanted it to ring clear as such to the reader. Not a dude you would want to have a beer with, just saying. (Rock would be though. Or the Engineers and Kassius, lol).

I often read difficult sections of a WIP aloud. It really helps to shine a light on what needs to be fixed. I usually only do this during the editing phase. Now that my books are getting made into audiobooks, it is very interesting to discover how some scenes work better than others in spoken form.

Mark

9/15/2021 01:14:43 pm

Speaking of marketing, I noticed you haven't set up your author page on Amazon, it appears. That is a missed opportunity for free promotion. I have seen some authors link their blogs and their website to the author page.
Music is very powerful as you well describe. Chills and tears I certainly believe.
I think Dade is one of the evilest mofos I have read in recent memory. he gave me chills many times.
I would love to have Rock-crafted brew with Rock. I enjoy micro-brews a lot.
Audiobooks are a great way to expand your series. So many people all over the world choose audiobooks for consuming printed material.
New questions.
What is the process you are going through to find a narrator?
Are there any secrets people are bound to find when they read your books?

MK Schultz link

9/15/2021 03:22:51 pm

I had no idea about the Amazon Author Page. I just set one up now. Thanks!

To have my book made into an audiobook, I signed up with Amazon ACX. After creating and posting a short audition script, I started receiving auditions from interested approved narrators within a week. I found a stellar narrator for my first book and have signed on with him to Narrate my second book as well, which is currently in production.

There are many secrets revealed in the Kassius Kanex trilogy and many that remain hidden.

Mark

9/15/2021 03:51:43 pm

I am glad you got that freebie. You should check other platforms where your book is selling for a similar opportunity.
Congratulations on taking those steps! This will be beneficial in the long run.
New questions.
Have you ever tried getting your books placed in a library? Here is another copy-and-paste link for more info: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/06/12/book-marketing-how-to-get-your-book-into-libraries
Is there a particular type of scene that is harder to write than the others?

MK Schultz link

9/15/2021 04:02:21 pm

I have just gotten my books into some bookstores and have yet to contact libraries but I do plan to. I will check out the link you provided. Thank you.

Some scenes come easier than others. It depends on a lot of factors that are hard to put my finger on. Perhaps my muse knows. Narration scenes come easiest for me I think. I quite like narration and enjoy using omniscient narration.

Mark

9/15/2021 04:51:51 pm

That type of narration is very popular. Many authors, in all genres use it.
First-person, limited point of view must be the hardest, because it is not utilized nearly as much in many different genres.
New questions.
Is there any particular time of the day that ideas usually hit you?
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books, audiobooks or physical books?

MK Schultz link

9/15/2021 07:03:58 pm

Ideas come to me at different times. During my commutes to work, I sometimes get hit. When that happens, I either take a hands free voice note with my phone or I pull over and enter it manually. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night from a dream and feel compelled to record it. Finally, most times ideas come during my writing sessions and this is from the muse. Come to think of it, maybe that bastard is in my car and my dreams as well. LOL.

For my own reading, I usually prefer a physical book, although an audiobook can be an incredible way to consume a story, depending on the narrator. I haven't done very much reading in e-book format, other than reading on-line, which I do a lot of, but not novels.

Mark

9/15/2021 07:09:41 pm

The muse can drop a great idea at anytime, it seems. I know one author who swears her muse lives in a different time zone because she gets a download almost every night at 2:30 in the morning. She keeps a pad and pen on her nightstand.
I know another author who complained that her muse invaded her showers all the time. I suggested she get a Space pen and a pad of waterproof paper.
I think you have an extra rider in your car, maybe you can use the carpool lane. ;-)
New questions.
How do you convince readers to write a book review?
What are your thoughts on bad book reviews?

MK Schultz link

9/15/2021 08:33:50 pm

LOL, all of what you said is gold!

Convincing readers to write a book review is about as successful I think, as stopping a random stranger on the street and asking to pull one of their teeth would be. I have the pliers and everything. I joke but reviews are really a very much harder thing to get than what I ever could have imagined. I have given away free audiobook and ebook codes to people who expressed interest and forget the possibility of them dropping a review as a form of thanks, some of them didn't even redeem the codes! I have also given away many physical books and have not even received any feedback let alone posted reviews.

I had a couple of bad book reviews. I was fine with the first one because the person simply stated that this is not the book for them and I get that. My books are kind of edgy and not everyone wants that. I believe that some do and I hope to find them. A second review I got was of my audio book for Kassius Kanex. It wasn't all bad and after some pleasant email exchanges with the reviewer, I respected her opinions and feedback and she really appreciated my respect for her thoughts as well. I told her that I would work hard to win her over with my other books and I hope she will give them a try.

Mark

9/16/2021 06:42:04 am

Reviews are difficult to get, no doubt about that. It is too easy to read a great book and jump to the next one without a thought about leaving a review.
In the past, I have told authors to appreciate a bad review because it proves that all the good reviews were not written by their mom and her cats.
You handled the poor reviews well. Some authors get into a fight about a bad review and everyone loses with that. As a reader, I shy away from a book if I see that kind of exchange between an author and a reviewer.
Then, there are the trolls, the reviewers who seem to like posting bad reviews simply for the fun of it. Who knows what motivates them. Some of the time they don't even bother reading the book. My advice is to ignore a troll. Don't answer them, it feeds their ego.
New questions.
What marketing strategy, if any, has had an immediate impact on your daily sales?
Have you thought about doing a book trailer?

MK Schultz link

9/16/2021 08:31:50 am

To date, I haven't experienced significant results from any marketing I have tried. I have tried a lot and I will keep on trying because I just know there are readers out there who would like my books but simply don't yet know they exist.

I had a book trailer done which I posted on social media leading up to the release date of Equilibrium.

Mark

9/16/2021 10:01:00 am

Yes, don't give up. There are readers who will love your stories. They just haven't met you and your books yet.
New questions.
What other platforms are your books available on besides the four I listed above, in my review? Going wide is important to sales.
How do you relax when you're not writing?
What is your favorite motivational phrase that keeps you going?

MK Schultz link

9/16/2021 10:19:59 am

According to the publisher of my books, iUniverse, my books are listed on over 2,500 online retailers. Do you believe this to be true? I have it in writing from them.

When I am not writing, I enjoy cooking and watching a good movie.

My favourite motivational phrase is, "The dream is true," taken from a song by Iron Maiden. Although this phrase is super short, it contains a powerful message and I take it to heart. I truly believe that my writing career will grow to a level that will afford me to do it full time one day. This is what I am endlessly striving for. I often feel like I can see myself a little in the future, looking back at me when I used to struggle. This future self says these words to me. "The dream is true."

Mark

9/16/2021 11:02:32 am

That is certainly going wide! 2,500 websites is a big number!
I bet you like outdoor cooking a lot also. Kassius certainly did.
The dream is true, I like that.
New questions.
What famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet? A famous author?
Is there a favorite novel that you wish your name was on?

MK Schultz link

9/16/2021 11:18:00 am

Yes Mark, Kassius and I definitely share the love of outdoor cooking, among other things.

A few weeks ago, I had a family visit at my house and the question posed was what three famous people living or dead would you like to have over for dinner. I chose an actor a singer and a writer/director. Bruce Campbell, Bruce Dickenson and Quentin Terantino.

I wouldn't want to take credit for someone else's work, but reaching the status of Stephen King would be pretty sweet, only with my work, not his.

Mark

9/16/2021 12:53:13 pm

That would be a fun evening with those famous people.
Achieving King's level of fame with your own books is every writer's dream. Good answer. It was a bit of a trick question.
New questions.
Do you start a writing project using a typewriter, pen & paper or PC?
Now that in-person classes are resuming, have you ever thought about speaking to a college or high school writing class?

MK Schultz link

9/16/2021 02:10:23 pm

I wrote my first book in Google Docs on my phone with a wireless keyboard. I did this for flexibility purposes. I found it satisfying to be able to have access to my writing at all times. In the early stages of writing book one, I recall being at work or in a meeting and just opening up my book in docs to assure myself that it existed and that it would grow into something special one day. Others would assume, no doubt, that I was just checking emails or texts. I wasn't.

For my second book, I transitioned to a laptop computer but still used the same wireless keyboard. I also began claiming my writing room in my house during this time.

I wrote most of Equilibrium on a large projector screen in my now established writing room in the basement on the same wireless keyboard. The room is slowly evolving into quite the kick-ass space. Under my desk on the floor, I have a lamp for my muse so he knows when I am working. Adorning the walls, desk, table and shelves are books, posters and all kinds of memorabilia. The ambiance is excellent. In the summer months, I started to move around again to other rooms on the laptop again and occasionally outdoors by the pool hooked up to a larger screen TV.

I also have a brainstorming notebook that I do notes and sketches by hand in sometimes. I use google sheets and docs quite a bit as well.

I haven't really thought about speaking engagements of any kind yet. Maybe down the road after I have a few more books under my belt. For now, I look forward to just getting my books out there. I would be thrilled to engage with fans of my books. That would be really cool.

Mark

9/16/2021 02:54:20 pm

That is quite the setup you have.
I use a wireless keyboard with my laptop. Your man cave/writing room sounds like it is full of inspiration, plenty of room for your muse.
I wanted the smaller footprint of my HP but I also wanted to have the numeric keypad and directional buttons on the side.
I have been thinking of getting a second monitor, I use a clipboard utility that I have hundreds of tweets and commonly used comments for proofreading stored on it.
I love the idea of the brainstorming book. That is so practical.
With three published books you are already the envy of millions who haven't published one book yet.
New questions.
Have you thought about contacting a book club and offering your book to them and to speak to them?
What are your thoughts about mentoring beginning writers?

MK Schultz link

9/16/2021 03:14:05 pm

My wireless keyboard has a separate numeric key pad and I also use a wireless mouse. At my work, I have two monitors and it is very useful for multi-tasking. I would like to get a multiple monitor setup at home eventually. The cool part about a laptop is you can hook it up to any tv or monitor with HMDI and then you can tell it to not turn off when you close the lid. That way you don't have to be distracted by the small screen and you can then sit back and work from your large screen TV or projector on the couch if you want, with your wireless keyboard on your lap.

Connecting with a book club would be super awesome. A local radio show host in my area spoke about a book club he belonged to once. I reached out to him, but he did not respond. Maybe there is a local or online book club I can tap into. Great idea Mark.

I am not sure I have enough experience for mentoring yet, but I suppose I would have a lot to offer to someone just starting out. I would welcome the opportunity.

Mark

9/16/2021 04:18:22 pm

I quit using a mouse years ago. I was concerned about carpal tunnel. I have been using a trackball for a long time. All the manipulation is done with fingers, no hand or arm movements. I need just enough room for the device to sit and I am good to go.
You should reach out to the radio host again. If you start beating the bushes I bet you will find a few in your area.
New questions.
Have you ever done any beta reading for another author?
Have you ever felt like giving up or taking an extended break from writing?

MK Schultz link

9/16/2021 08:05:52 pm

I never considered using a trackball before. Interesting.

I don't know how I would make the time to beta read but I should. I have a couple of friends who are writers and it would be fun to help them out.

Since I started writing seriously five years ago, I have never considered taking a break from it. Unless you count marketing. I do stop writing to focus more time on marketing from time to time.

Mark

9/17/2021 09:07:16 am

I do enjoy the trackball a lot more than a mouse. I also find it easier than the built-in trackpad on my laptop. I now have two trackballs, one remains in my laptop bag along with a small voltage protector and a spare power cord. So My setup can remain on my desk, I simply drop the laptop in my bag and go mobile.
I think beta reading for other writers is good way to improve your own skills, fresh eyes are so important.
New questions.
What books do you think every author should read, and why?
Do you write poetry?

MK Schultz link

9/17/2021 09:31:20 am

I love efficiency!

I would recommend every writing read Stephen King's, "On Writing" and Elizabeth Gilbert's, "Big Magic". Also, Steven Pressfield's, "The War of Art" and Austin Kleon's, "Steal Like an Artist". These four books have greatly inspired me, all in different ways.

I wrote a poem once for my wife, 20 years ago. It is still framed in our room. I don't know why I didn't discover writing novels earlier in life. Looking back, I did write things and in hindsight, I remember feeling rewarded in doing so. I suppose my muse was asleep in those days. He is up now.

Mark

9/17/2021 10:56:31 am

Those sound like good books. Many years ago I read the Art of War, I don't recall who translated it. But not the same thing, I imagine.
Many writers also write poetry, for a number of reasons not the least of which is it is refreshing and accesses a different part of the brain.
New questions.
Is there a genre you have secretly wanted to try your hand at, but haven’t?
Have you ever gone on an organized writer's retreat? What benefitted you the most from that time?

MK Schultz link

9/17/2021 11:45:13 am

The War of Art is great for any artist to read. It is super motivational.

My books already contain many genres. I would argue that sci-fi is not the dominant genre of The Kassius Kanex Trilogy. There's also a good amount of comedy, drama, thriller-suspense, mystery, horror and even a touch of romance sprinkled in here and there. I suppose that leaves fantasy but I don't really have a desire to write in that genre. There's probably others that I am not thinking of as well.

I haven't been to any writing functions yet, but hopefully I will be able to in the future. Part of my desire to be a full time writer is to be able to focus more time and energy on all aspects of the craft.

Mark Schultz

9/17/2021 12:33:30 pm

With all of those separate elements included I still think of your series as primarily science fiction, funny in some spots and scary in others.
I am attending a live event tomorrow. A comic con in Daytona Beach, Florida. The first live event in at least two years.
There are virtual classes held and courses can be ordered from many different providers.
New questions.
Are you a plot-driven writer or a character-driven writer?
What are the easiest parts of writing for you besides narration?

MK Schultz link

9/17/2021 03:42:04 pm

Short answer. I think I am a both a plot and character-driven writer.

I used to struggle with dialogue, but sometimes if the scene is set just right, I can get a pretty good flow going now I feel.

Mark

9/17/2021 04:31:23 pm

I was guessing you would say character driven. There I go again, thinking in an either/or box.
Dialogue can make a large difference in a book. I am including the dialogue tags and action beats when I use the term dialogue. So much of the story can be moved forward with these devices. Info dumps can be avoided this way also. Give just enough information to keep the flow smooth and and the pace moving appropriately.
Being in the zone is a wonderful feeling, no doubt about that.
New questions.
Do you have a website or a blog? What is the link? Who did you build it with and why did you choose them?
What is your favorite scene in this book?

MK Schultz link

9/19/2021 11:20:53 am

My website is https://www.mkschultz.com/
My blog is at https://mkschultzauthor.blogspot.com/

I built my website with Google Sites and my blog with Blogger. My domain is provided by Rebel and a friend of mine showed me how to link my Google site to it. I can't afford to pay a webmaster so this way I can have control of the site in a user-friendly platform and still have my domain name link to it.

It is difficult for me to pick my favorite scene in Equilibrium because I really am quite fond of many. I like the funeral scene (no spoilers). I also like the climax battle scene between good and evil. But then there are all the Pod Keeper scenes too. Like I said, it is really tough for me to pick one.

Mark

9/19/2021 12:07:50 pm

We did our websites differently, I started with a free website with Weebly. I bought my Domain soon as I could. I also upgraded my account to get Weebly out off the URL.
New questions.
If you could meet one of your characters in real life what would you do for 3 or 4 hours?
Is it hard to think of names when you are writing?

MK Schultz link

9/19/2021 12:38:25 pm

If I could meet Kassius Kanex, I would ask him to take me on some jumps to the future and also the past. It would be a blast to go back to the 80s to experience that again. If I could hang out with my character Rock Wayfinder, I would just want to go to his bar and drink beer with him and talk.

When I need a new name for a character, if it is a minor character, I don't overthink it and usually just pick a name on the fly. For the Engineers and the Fishermen, the names where simple by design. Others vary in complexity to fit one of the themes of the story (simple yet complex). For my new book, I spent hours selecting the name of the main character.

Mark

9/19/2021 02:38:29 pm

I would enjoy hanging out with Rock. His brews sound wonderful. I do like a good craft beer. I would like to learn more of his backstory.
Like many other authors character names can be very important. There are websites devoted to the most popular names in different decades, periods and countries.
New questions.
What is the process you go through to come up with a title for your books?
Has your writing today changed much from your first book?

MK Schultz link

9/19/2021 03:03:59 pm

There is a short back story of Rock in The Fishing Trip, explaining how he got inducted into The Organization. He beer is legendary and it is fitting that it is the official beer of The Organization. I had a lot of fun writing this character.

The titles of my first three books came quickly to me. I always start with a story title first because I don't like having a file called unnamed. The title for my fourth book took me the longest to come up with, but I am quite pleased with it now.

My writing style is still similar I think, to when I began, but I do feel that the quality of my writing has significantly improved in all areas over the years. I am happy with my progress on this journey.

Mark

9/19/2021 03:58:20 pm

Rock is a fun character, no doubt.
I think your writing is improving also.
New questions.
Where do you find inspiration for your books?
What are your earliest memories of writing, how far back does that go for you?

MK Schultz link

9/19/2021 04:31:43 pm

For my first book, the inspiration was drawn from my life. Then I added one part exaggeration and two parts sci-fi and voila!

I remember enjoying reading a series of books about a dog in grade two called, "Mr. Mugs". My earliest realization of the power of words was in kindergarten circle time when I was introduced to nursery rhymes. I also remember strong feelings of interest during the telling of fables in my early school years.

In general, just piecing a sentence together, brings me enjoyment. When I look back at my life now, I realize that it always has but I just didn't recognize it or know what to do with it. Like my main character Kassius, there was something inside of me my whole life, just waiting for the right time to bust out. For me, nothing compares to the feeling of writing your own story. It is exhilarating.

Mark

9/19/2021 05:32:07 pm

That's a great line. Though I thought I saw vodka in the first read. The print is pretty small on my phone.
Mr. Mugs sounds very cute. I don't think I met him in the second grade.
A well-crafted sentence is a pleasure to write and to read. They are almost always the result of hard work.
New questions.
Have you had any experience with plagiarism and how did you deal with it?
Have you gone on any literary virtual blog tours?

MK Schultz link

9/19/2021 06:27:47 pm

When I first completed the manuscript for Kassius Kanex, I queried over 80 publishers and literary agents to no avail. After all of this, my best friend showed me a TV series on Netflix called The OA that he had watched, which he was convinced had been stolen from my book. The strange thing was, it had a large octopus in it that seemed to be capable of some of what my Aquarius was. My friend claimed that it was stolen from me but there will be no way for me to ever be certain of this for sure. It did seem weird though, when he showed me a scene from it that was made after my book queries. It got me thinking and wondering for sure. Did someone reject my query and then steal my character?

I don't know anything about literary virtual blog tours. Do tell.

Mark

9/20/2021 09:26:06 am

Stealing an idea like that is very hard to prove. But it is rather disturbing, I would be unsettled and full of questions also.
Some authors have had their entire book stolen. They learned of the theft from a reader who was unhappy about something. The reader mentioned the site where they bought the book and it was a pirate site, not authorized to sell the book. Others just searched for where their book was being sold.

A blog tour is organized by a promoter. That person lines up a number of bloggers to post about a book and the author drops into the blog in one way or another. For some it's as simple as responding to a set of questions by email that the blogger transcribes into the blog. Others do a video chat. All of the bloggers create a lot of buzz about the book and the author in a short period of time.

Last questions.
How much editing and proofreading do you do of your books, before sending it out to beta readers?
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

MK Schultz link

9/20/2021 12:23:34 pm

So far my process has been the following:
1. Complete the manuscript.
2. Run through and try to correct spelling mistakes and anything else that I can.
3. Run through it again and fix any plot holes, grammar and sentences that need sprucing up. At this stage I also add sentences here and there if I feel further information is needed for clarity.
4. I send to my publisher and they provide me with feedback in the form of a detailed report. I go through their report and make revisions as needed.
5. I now get at least one beta reader to read and provide feedback and I make more revisions as needed.
6. Finally, I do one more read through and fix all I can and then I send to the wordrefiner to polish.

Taping into the emotions of characters is imperative because it can bring humanity to them. Then, hopefully, you will win over the reader to become invested in the characters and to genuinely care about what happens to them.

Mark

9/20/2021 12:47:28 pm

After all of those steps you are pretty well ready to publish.
Well said about the emotions. If readers don't relate to or care about the characters they will find something else to read.
I want to thank you for being a great guest again. I always enjoy talking books with you in this space.
Until next time, keep on writing.

MK Schultz link

9/20/2021 03:13:13 pm

Likewise Mark. I always appreciate and value your input and insight. It has been fun as always. Until next time to be sure. I look forward to working with you again. Until then, cheers and take care.
MK Schultz

Equilibrium by MK Schultz

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