The Bug Boys By Stewart Hoffman

12/20/2018

Multi-volume author, Stewart Hoffman, introduces us to the first volume in his MG series The Bug Boys:
Who would have thought that eating a peanut butter sandwich and an apple would change your life? Let alone get you mixed up with an old alien research project, and transform you into the superheroes your village never needed.
For two young South Yorkshire lads, Alex Adams and Ian Harris, it was a geeky comic book dream come true, but it wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be in the real world. They discover there are many layers between good and evil, and with great power, comes an embarrassing amount of gas!

This wildly funny and wonderful story has a deceptive appearance. The colorful cover is full of insects! The Title is The Bug Boys! It made me think it was going to be about bugs, like a field guide for kids. So not true! Believe me about this.
This is a middle-grade story about two pre-teen boys in a small town in England sitting atop a coal mine. How they are tormented by a local bully and what they do about it. Actually, there is a much larger cast of characters and they are all drawn out for us in a marvelous fashion. The author has captured the boys’ point of view so well, in this tale and every other character, human or not, with surprising depth. I love the scene-setting and the action is vivid! The dialogue leaves nothing to be desired and descriptions are quite rich. The information about insects and how they communicate is quite good also.
This is an exciting story full of splendorous flatulation, captivating POVs, fantastic adventures! I award The Bug Boys 4.9 stars!

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Bug-Boys-Stewart-Hoffman-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40215418-the-bug-boys
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bug-Boys-Stewart-Hoffman-ebook
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/stewartfhoffman
http://www.talkiegazette.com/books
https://www.facebook.com/StewartFHoffman
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15583189.Stewart_Hoffman

Tags: science fiction, sci-fi, MG, insects, entomology
I have reviewed the second book in this series, here is the link: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-bug-boys-vs-professor-blake-blackhart-by-stewart-hoffman
Copyright © 2018 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

57 Comments

Stewart link

12/22/2018 12:11:19 am

“Splendorous flatulation,” I love it! I think that’s going to be the name of my next band.

Thank you for the kind review. The Bug Boys had been sitting in my head for ten years before I finally decided to put fingers on keys and start writing. I was at the movie theater back in 2006, watching Superman Returns. I pondered, if I were to create superheroes what would their powers be? I wanted it to be unique, and so I came up the concept in the book. The alien connection came later after I started writing.

The village of Rossolington is based on a real Yorkshire village called, Rossington. It’s where I grew up. For my first book, I wanted to keep close to places and people I understood well. I wanted to write a fun science fiction book for middle-grade readers that adults could pick up and enjoy too.

Mark

12/22/2018 12:43:32 am

That would make a good name for a band!
That is a great story about the inspiration for your book. You did well.
First question.
Tell us a little about yourself.

12/22/2018 09:16:20 am

Well, as you know, I grew up in the UK, but now I reside in sunny Southern California. I’m a web developer by day, storyteller by night. Authors who inspire me are Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, John Scalzi, and Harry Harrison. I watch a lot of movies (I shoot for 52 new films a year), which I review for my blog.

I read a lot (24 books a year on average) and usually gravitate towards science fiction more than any other genre. When I set out to be a writer, it started as a ‘bucket list’ item. I wanted to write a book and publish it. Job done. Moving on. But I enjoyed the process so much, and the people I met in my critique group, that I decided to keep going. So, the sequel to the Bug Boys came next, and now I’m working on an afterlife ‘dramedy,’ which is my first attempt at a book solely for adult readers. A third Bug Boys book is also planned.

12/22/2018 11:19:34 am

That is a lot of movies! All for the sake of a blog, you must really suffer! ;-) You read quite a bit also.
Like you, I am big fan of sci-fi, followed ever so closely by fantasy. But anymore, I am a fan of good writing. If I enjoy the story, I count it as a win. I have found I enjoy just about every genre.
New questions.
What brought you almost halfway around the world from England to SoCal?
What does a web developer do?
What else is on your bucket list?

12/22/2018 01:41:29 pm

My father got a job opportunity in the US, and since he was born in America, he was able to transport his family with him, and they would be able to get Green cards and work here legally. I figured, ‘why not?’ It’s not every day you get an opportunity like that, so after I finished art school in the UK, I came over. Nineteen years later, I’m still here.

A web developer/designer writes code that your browser converts into web pages. I work for a popular dance clothing e-commerce company, and every day I maintain and add new features to our websites.

As for my ‘bucket list.’ I want to be a full-time writer. I can dream…

12/22/2018 02:15:11 pm

Great story! From art school to web developer! On the surface, those two things might seem to be opposites. In my mind they are closely linked because both require a lot of creativity. I bet your art school education is very useful for you in web design.
New questions.
Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?
Who designed the cover of your book?
What do the elements on the cover represent?

Rhani D'Chae

12/30/2018 05:48:48 pm

Hi, Stewart. I noticed earlier that you're a movie buff. I am too. Movies often give me great inspiration for books, so watching is kind of a two-for. Lol
I don't read much Sci-Fi, although I do enjoy Asimov. I have great respect for people who write in that genre because...I can't. Lol

12/30/2018 08:20:04 pm

Thanks, Rhani. Yeah, big time movie fan. I try to watch at least 52 new movies a year and review them on my blog. I think it helps my writing to analyze other peoples stories, whether they’re on film or in a book.

12/22/2018 03:27:49 pm

I chose this genre. I knew this project was going to be a challenge for me, so I wanted to keep this story in my wheelhouse (or, in my lane), as it were. Many of the characters are based on live people. My two young heroes are exaggerations of my personality. One is the dreamer and idea guy, the other a little more conservative and likes to take notes.

I designed the cover. The colors represent the chemical communication of the aliens as it reacts to their atmosphere, and the hexagonal layout suggests a beehive and the design of the alien homeworld.

12/22/2018 05:32:17 pm

Maybe that's why your characters come across so real. You captured pieces that lend wonderful texture to your story.
I like the cover, I didn't think about the colors representing the communication, very nice. I love how it all ties together.
Have you ever eaten a live bug? Did you know there is a company that sells flour made from crickets? It's supposed to be very high in nutrition.
More questions.
Have you ever used other acquaintances as the basis for a character, to the point they have recognized themselves in your book?
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?

12/22/2018 07:29:49 pm

It’s funny, there are a couple of guys in the UK who are promoting insects as an alternative food, and they call themselves The Bug Boys. I found this out after I had finished my book and I was looking to secure a Facebook community page for the series. I did manage to claim TheBugBoys.com domain, however, which now forwards to my blog.

The parents in The Bug Boys are a little like my mother and father, but I was pretty open about it with my family before I started the project. Otherwise, no, I haven’t tried using acquaintances like that.

I love my critique group. I would not be able to do this without them. They keep me motivated! I think it’s important to set a pace you can maintain. So, every two weeks I meet with my group and I try to produce at least five or six pages for them to review. I also like to read a little before I write. It helps me get into the right frame of mind.

12/22/2018 07:54:16 pm

That is pretty interesting. Good job grabbing that domain name. They will have to take a .net or something else like that.
Do you think they would have recognized themselves in the book, if you hadn't talked about it?
A good critique group is worth so much! Are they all writers?
More questions.
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

12/23/2018 11:45:52 am

Yes, my critique group are all talented writers, and can be super critical, which really helps!

How does my book compare to a traditionally published book? Interesting question. I guess I would leave that determination up to the people reading and reviewing my work. Based on the reviews I have gotten from strangers, I think this compares well to a traditionally published book. If it were bad, someone would have let me know by now!

I published my book through iUniverse, and I would rate them 2.5/5 for their performance. The quality of the final paperback and eBook was excellent. On the other hand, the incessant pushing of their marketing services was a pain to deal with throughout the entire process. Their ad packages were incredibly expensive, and I thought to myself if they were any good and worked, why would I pay for it since they also take a cut from each book sale? I won’t be using iUniverse again.

There’s also a lot of book promotion ‘services’ out there making big promises, which ultimately turn out to be big wastes of money. I wrote a progress report about the first two years promoting The Bug Boys. It’s on my blog, and in it, I detail everything I tried and whether it worked or not.

12/23/2018 02:16:28 pm

That is interesting about iUniverse. It sounds like you learned a lot in that experience. Who is going to be your next publisher?
You are not the first author to mention that a lot of promotion services don't live up to their promises. I ran across one that guaranteed a certain number of downloads on Amazon. I found that hard to believe. I will be looking at your blog.
New questions.
Now that your book is published, is there anything about it you would like to change?
Is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?
Now that your book is published, is there anything about it you would like to change?

12/23/2018 05:48:55 pm

I think the only thing I would change is chapter two. I tried to be clever and did the chapter from the point of view of the plastic soldiers to foreshadow Alex’s solution at the end of the book. It was, I feel, a little ambiguous and if I ever rewrite it, I’ll switch the POV to Alex’s.

I think it’s important for an author to understand their characters completely, to know them inside and out. That’s why I used myself and members of my family as reference points.

The next time I self-publish, I think I’m going to use Amazon’s author services.

12/23/2018 10:13:29 pm

A lot of author use Amazon for a variety of reasons. Even though they are the big dog now, they have their limitations. Some authors have said it's very hard to break into other markets with Amazon.
New questions.
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
Are you a plotter, a pantster, or a hybrid?

12/23/2018 11:15:57 pm

I use Microsoft Word to write my stories, mainly because it has a better grammar checker that Open Office. I recently purchased Grammarly too, which has helped me catch errors Word misses. I also use Natural Reader and have my computer read back what I wrote.

I am a plotter. All my stories start with a two-page synopsis; then I write up a rough chapter by chapter guide to the entire story. I print this plan out and tape it to the wall by my laptop. Every two weeks, I write a chapter, get it critiqued, make some changes, then move on to the next chapter. All my books so far have ended up being around 48,000 words. The first two Bug Boys books each took a year to write. My latest project for adult readers has taken about a year and a half. Yesterday, I planned Bug Boys 3. I’ll start writing that in January.

12/23/2018 11:29:46 pm

A lot of authors use MS Word. There seem to be a number that are using Scrivener. I have heard it has a bit of a learning curve.
Grammarly is interesting, I tried it for a short while, but it missed a lot of stuff I was catching, so I decided not to use it. It works okay, as long as you don't put all your faith into it.
Thank you for sharing your writing process. I find it interesting how every writer works a little bit different from other writers. It sounds like you are a linear writer, you write in a straight line, from start to finish. There is a guest post on my website about writing in a non-linear fashion. I found it quite interesting. If nothing else it could be a good way to beat writer's block.
Having two different projects going seems like another good way to beat writer's block. If you get stuck on one, you can work on the other.
New questions.
Do you have defined space for writing at home, or are you a coffee-shop writer?
Do you listen to music or have the TV on when writing, or do you need quiet?
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?

12/24/2018 09:54:13 am

Yes, you have to be careful with Grammarly. It’s not going to replace the need for a copy editor or a proofreader, but it does catch more than MS Word alone, and it occasionally makes suggestions that are valid.

I sit at my desk at home to write. No television or music allowed!

Action, dialogue, humor. I find them all equally challenging and equally fun to write.

12/31/2018 11:43:36 pm

I am a hybrid, but not by choice. I WANT to be, I TRY to be a plotter, but my characters always do whatever they want, so I have to jump into pantster mode. Lol Best laid plans and so on.

1/1/2019 02:52:30 pm

Thanks for sharing, Rhani, I have heard more than one author talk about being a hybrid. I think it's perfectly okay to jump back and forth between pantsing and plotting! The important thing is writing the book. I like your writing! So, keep doing what you are doing!

12/24/2018 10:17:23 am

The real fun is in the creating. We are creative creatures, by nature. That can extend to all areas of life.
Every author has to find the perfect environment. When I am proofreading I need quiet also. When I am reading a book for a review or pleasure I don't require complete silence. I can have music playing or listen to the radio in the background.
New questions.
How long does the research process take before you start to write a book or do you do the research as you write the book?
How much time passes from when you get the idea to write your book, to actually starting the book and finishing the first draft?
How many drafts do you go through to have a ready-to-publish manuscript?

12/24/2018 11:17:18 am

I have yet to write anything that needed a lot of research. So, as and when I need to, I research as I go.

For The Bug Boys, I sat on that idea for ten years before writing anything! The plans for the sequel started to form while I wrote the first book and I got to work on that right away. Both books are around 48,000 words, and they both took a year to complete.

Since I review each chapter with four other writers, the first draft is pretty good. I go through three drafts before I let beta readers read anything. Then a fourth draft after they report back. Then it goes to my copy editor, and the fifth draft is created.

One key difference in the process between book one and book two was, I hired a British proofreader for book two. With the first book, I figured between my critique group, the read-throughs, the beta readers, and the copy edit; I had found all the errors—I was very wrong. I went through two rounds of updates and spent $600 to get it fixed. It’s still not perfect, but at least it’s comparable a lot of published material out there. I find errors in traditionally published work all the time.

12/24/2018 11:37:57 am

That is a pretty thorough process. Hiring the British proofreader is a good idea. Did you know you can set MS Word for many different styles of English, including British English, African English, and more?
You are correct, almost every book published has spelling errors. I read a book every week and it has been over a year since I have found a book without spelling errors.
New questions.
Going back in time, did you do any kind of creative writing, even back in grade school?
How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?
Do you have questions you ask your beta readers or just accept whatever their feedback is?

12/24/2018 12:56:04 pm

When I first came to America, I had notions of being a screenwriter and wrote a couple of really bad scripts! At school, creative writing was one of my favorite subjects.

I wasn’t much of a reader as a child, but when I turned twenty, a friend suggested I read Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I was hooked and became a huge fan of Pratchett’s Discworld fantasy novels. This led to books by Douglas Adams and John Scalzi. I’ve been a steady reader ever since.

I didn’t ask my beta readers questions for the first two Bug Boys books. For my most recent project, I have asked questions, because I’m dealing with complex subjects and I need to know if what I’m trying to say in the book is being communicated properly.

12/24/2018 01:16:35 pm

Do you still have those scripts? There might be a gold nugget in there somewhere.
I hope the beta readers are giving you good feedback. Is your big project sci-fi or another genre? Can you tell me anything about it?
More questions.
What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your latest book?
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

12/24/2018 02:02:30 pm

Actually, one of those old scripts became the starting point for my latest novel. It’s a speculative fiction piece dealing with the rehabilitation of an alcoholic, after his death.

The biggest lesson I learned after publishing my first book was not to think of beta readers as proofreaders, and to have my manuscript looked at again after the copy edit stage.

I also learned NOT to use the iUniverse publishing platform again. And that I should have given traditional publishing a go before going indie. With this latest project of mine, I’m going to try and go the traditional route first. Then if (more likely when) that fails, publish through Amazon Kindle Direct.

12/24/2018 04:46:28 pm

How did I know that? Very nice, an old piece has provided the inspiration for a new project!
I think it would be a fairly rare beta reader that could function as a proofreader also.
Traditional publishing is in a lot of turmoil. I wish you well in pursuing that course of action. It seems to me with the apple cart turned over by the 800 lb. gorilla, may publishers are scrambling to survive. Are you thinking of one of the big names or a smaller publisher familiar with your genre?
New questions.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?
What are common traps for beginning writers?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?

12/24/2018 10:20:30 pm

I’m going to research and find around twenty agents who are looking for speculative fiction, and see if they’re interested in my project. If someone does want to work with me, I’d love to see a publisher like Tor take on my book.

I can’t recall a single killer piece of advice I’ve gotten from another writer. Just lots of pointers mainly about the technical side of things.

I think some new writers don’t set a pace they can maintain and don’t know how to process criticism. I’ve lost count of how many people came and went from our critique group because we didn’t immediately love everything they had written.

I can’t imagine having a massive ego is all that helpful to a writer. Someone like that wouldn’t be open to constructive criticism of their work.

12/25/2018 12:53:36 am

I do have a short list of agents on my twitter home page, you might find that useful.
I have met a few new writers with unrealistic expectations.
I think a strong ego is necessary to keep a commitment. A writer, or any other passionate creative has to hold the world full of critics at a certain distance away, just to maintain their focus. Listening to criticism is important also, like everything else in life a balance must be found.
New questions.
Can you describe your ideal reader? Who is the core audience you are seeking to find?
Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?
What is the biggest obstacle you face in writing?

12/26/2018 11:49:51 am

I'll check out that list of agents, thanks.

For The Bug Boys series, I was hoping to entertain middle-grade readers. To that end, I have been writing to schools to see if they’d let me donate copies of my book. Some take me up on this; others don’t. I have a list of libraries and schools that have taken a book, on my blog.

There are no significant obstacles, other than lulls in my enthusiasm for writing. So, I write when I’m in the mood, and set a nice slow pace for my projects I can maintain. I don’t think I could ever take part in the NaNoWriMo!

12/26/2018 12:09:56 pm

Donating your book is a good idea. Are you asking schools and libraries only in your area of southern California or are you also checking in the namesake town in England?
NaNoWriMo does take a certain dedication and enthusiasm to accomplish that feat. It has to be a good feeling as well as a good exercise in writing. I see people on Twitter engaging in writing sprints for 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Some people thrive on that kind of deadline pressure.
New questions.
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?
Do you struggle with writer's block and how do you overcome it?
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?

12/26/2018 05:23:41 pm

I don’t get writer’s block. I just can’t sit down at my computer and force myself to write. A certain amount of planning has to be done before I put fingers to keys.

I can see why some writers use a pseudonym. They might find the idea of putting themselves out there intimidating, and so may like to hold something back. Others might not like how their name looks on a book cover! I have a friend who writes romance, and her real surname sounds a little like ‘horrible,’ so she uses a pseudonym.

12/26/2018 05:41:39 pm

You are one of the fortunate few, So many writers complain about writer's block.

I have heard a number of different reasons for using a pen name, not liking how your name looks on a cover is a new one. It does make a lot of sense, because the cover is probably the second thing that leads a person to buy a book.
New question.
If you branch out into a different genre, will you use a different pen name, why or why not?
Are there any writing styles or genres that you disliked at first but soon came to like?
Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?

12/26/2018 08:21:22 pm

I thought about using a pen name for the project I’m working on now. Because my first two books were middle-grade science fiction, and this project is adult speculative fiction. Ultimately, I’ve decided to keep using my full name. It wouldn’t feel right to me to adopt a pen name.

I think reading and watching films help you become a better storyteller. I watch a lot of movies and take the time to review them for my blog. That I feel, helps me identify what made a particular story work and I can apply that knowledge to my writing.

12/26/2018 08:34:03 pm

I think the pen name decision is one every author has to consider at one time or another.
I think movies are an interesting point of view in literature. Making a film is hampered by the constraints of transmitting information without using printed words, they are forced to focus on dialog, action and scene-setting to convey a message. I think some of their techniques can offer insights for writers.
New questions.
Do you think that a writer needs to read books, why or why not?
What type of book is your favorite guilty pleasure to read for fun?

12/27/2018 12:56:48 am

I would say it was essential for a writer to read. How else are you going to learn anything and grow as an author?

I mainly stick to science fiction and fantasy books. I love just about everything written by Terry Pratchett, even his middle-grade books. John Scalzi is another author I can rely on for a quality read.

12/27/2018 11:19:27 am

I agree, reading is important to learn what is good and bad about writing.
New questions.
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?
What was a hurdle you faced in writing this book and how did you overcome it?

12/27/2018 07:01:56 pm

Hurdle? More like hurdles. When I started this book, I thought I knew something about writing. Next thing I know people are throwing terms at me like “head hopping,” and “third-person omniscient,” so yeah, there was a learning curve to be sure.

I read Turtles All the Way Down by John Green this year. That’s taught me a lot about getting into a character’s head to express complex emotions. I used some of those techniques in my latest project which is told in the first-person.

12/27/2018 07:11:19 pm

There is a lot of jargon specific to writing and more for publishing. Not to mention that grammar is so convoluted and only two out of three editors can agree on one thing much of the time. This is a learning curve that never really ends, I think.
Now, I am excited, I love first person POV when it's done right. There are multiple ways of preventing head hopping too. One author devoted alternating chapters to the two POVs, most of the chapters were consecutive, a couple of important chapters were concurrent. It was a great read!
New questions.
Would you agree or disagree with the statement: suffering is a requirement to be a good writer, and why?
Do you ever brainstorm with non-writers and if so, is it effective?
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?

12/28/2018 10:16:55 am

I’ve talked about my projects with non-writers, and it has been useful. Aren’t we all storytellers though?

Tough question. I’ve tried so many services, and maybe a couple of them have lived up to the hype. Certainly, appearing on websites like yours helps build awareness. If I look at this from the perspective of ‘time is money’ then the best time I’ve invested is with my critique group.

12/28/2018 11:28:54 am

You make a good point with the “Time is money“ idea. However, I was thinking more along the lines of a writers retreat, a weekend conference, or maybe an online course you took.
New questions.
What are your favorite reference books for grammar and writing?
Do you subscribe to any magazines, newsletters, blogs or podcasts that enhance your writing career?

12/28/2018 04:10:21 pm

Oh, I see. I was thinking about attending the Southern California Writer’s Conference in San Diego in 2019. But now I don’t want to spend the money. They have another conference near the end of the year in Irvine, which is closer and won’t require a hotel room.

I have the Oxford Essential Guide to Writing, but I hardly ever use it. As for magazines, I subscribe to the Writer’s Digest. I entered The Bug Boys for their 2016 eBook competition and got an honorable mention in the genre fiction category. Won $50 worth of books and some nice comments from the judges, which was nice.

12/28/2018 05:09:27 pm

Congratulations on that honorable mention. That is very nice. I’m sure you made good use of that $50 credit also.
New questions.
Have you ever created a throwaway character that wound up having a major role in the story?
Why do most authors write in 3rd person POV instead of first and second POV?

12/28/2018 06:58:58 pm

I have a couple of bit part characters in the first book, that I’m bringing back in the third Bug Boys book. Mrs. Pratchett and Darren’s sister, Jane, will have big parts to play in the trilogy concluding adventure!

As for POV, it depends on the project, I guess. Third person suited a book like the Bug Boys. First person suits a project more focused on a single character. My current project is first person because I wanted to explore how this character feels and evolves throughout the story. I don’t think I could have done that as effectively in the third person.

12/28/2018 07:12:04 pm

BB3 sounds like it will be fun.
That makes sense, changing the POV for a project. I know I enjoy a story more when it's written in first person. The intimacy can be quite amazing, and my imagination can fill in a lot.
New questions.
Do you think you were born to write or did you have to learn the craft?
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
What is the easiest part of writing a book in general?

12/29/2018 01:19:16 pm

I’m not sure I was born to write, but I have consistently returned to it over the years. I’m a creative person, be that with a paint brush, camera, or a word processor.

The most annoying part of the writing process for me is the mechanics: Grammar and spelling. And keeping all the rules straight in my head! That’s why I’m thankful I can write my stories, and then hand it over to copy editors and proofreaders who are more qualified in that department.

12/29/2018 03:17:21 pm

I think we are all born with a creative instinct. As children we explore the idea of creativity without even thinking about it. We do it for fun, for the sake of being creative all by itself. Hopefully, our parents encouraged the creative impulse.
The mechanics of writing are so irksome to most of us. All the rules wouldn't be half bad if there weren't so many exceptions to the rules. I am beginning to think most of the rules are only suggestions and can be ignored for the sake of the story. As long it's intentional rather than accidental. I know I am swimming upstream on this one.
New questions.
Many authors labor intensively over the first paragraph, page, and chapter. How many times did you rewrite the first page, first chapter?
How do you celebrate when you publish a book?
What did you buy with your first royalty check?

12/29/2018 11:08:53 pm

I don’t sweat the first line, paragraph, or page. But usually, it takes a couple of attempts to get something good happening.

I didn’t really celebrate. When I got my first book in the mail from the publisher, I had that “moment” all authors have, seeing their creation in the flesh for the first time. That was special—a sense of accomplishment.

I haven’t made a lot of money doing this so far. My first payment was a little over $100, and I spent it on more marketing efforts.

12/29/2018 11:41:52 pm

I have heard many author talk about how important the first paragraph, first page and first chapter is. The prevailing wisdom seems to be if you can't hook the reader by that time you probably won't keep them. For myself, it's the blurb that gets me into the book, then I have a lot of patience to see how the story develops.
Getting that first book in the mail had to be oh so special! A culmination of work and time, such a peak moment.
While not nearly as much fun as a nice dinner out, investing the profit right back into the business is probably a wise idea.
New questions.
What was the earliest experience that made you realize that you could influence and change lives with the power of writing?
Do you have a hidden message in your writings for a particular person or group?
What is the message, moral, or takeaway that you hope people will get from reading your book? Is there more than one?

12/30/2018 11:40:23 am

I like to have a few things ready before I write a book — a premise, characters, plot, and theme. The theme in the first Bug Boys story is not to judge a book by its cover. The robots are tiny, but they have great power, and the village bully isn’t all he appears to be. The second Bug Boys looks at what it means to be a hero, and that heroes occasionally fail. The third book will have an environmental message and talks about accepting change.

12/30/2018 12:52:40 pm

Not judging a book by its cover is a good one. It is so true that things are frequently not what they seem.
A hero that fails, that is an interesting morning I am looking forward to seeing that soon.
What is the biggest myth about writing that would help aspiring authors?
How do you balance the demands on your time as a writer with personal relationships?
Do you have any problems when writing about characters of the opposite sex, why or why not?

12/31/2018 08:47:38 am

I’m not attached at the moment, so I don’t have a problem finding time to write. I also only aim to write five to seven pages every two weeks, so it’s not like I need a lot of time for my projects anyway.

I don’t think I have a problem writing characters of the opposite sex, but then again, I’ve never tried to write a romance novel (safe to say I never will either) or tackle a story from a female POV. I’m toying with an idea for a young adult novel that might have a female protagonist, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m sure when I get around to that project, the ladies in my critique group will flag any issues they find with my main character.

12/31/2018 09:35:57 pm

That sounds like realistic amount of writing. Is that first draft or does it include editing?
I bet your critique group will help you keep it real. How many people in your group? How did you find them? How long has the group existed?
Last questions.
What area of your writing has the greatest need for improvement at this time?
What area of your writing has the greatest need for improvement at this time?
What is the biggest myth about writing that would help aspiring authors?

1/1/2019 11:27:49 am

Biggest myth? That reaching a big audience for your book is easy. For self-published authors, I’d say, keep your expectations in check in regards to sales. Unless you already have a huge following, it’s hard to market and advertise your books especially if you don’t have a lot of money to throw into your ad campaigns.

1/1/2019 01:46:15 pm

I have heard from more than one author that publishers expect an author to have a large social media presence and a hefty mailing list. That's something that takes a great deal of work to achieve.
Thank you, Stewart, I have enjoyed our time discussing your book. I look forward to chatting again in the future when we discuss the next book in the series, "The Bug Boys vs Professor Blake Blackhart".
I know I will enjoy that book.

1/1/2019 02:27:17 pm

Once again, thanks for the kind review. I hope you enjoy the sequel. Happy New Year!

The Bug Boys By Stewart Hoffman

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