The Fishing Trip: Kassius Kanex, Book 2 By MK Schultz

5/16/2020

Multi-volume author, MK Schultz introduces us to the second volume in his Kassius Kanex series:
The lives of five fishermen are forever altered when they embark on a fishing trip together. The trip brings forth an evil that beckons them to the fulfillment of their destinies. When an evil cult attempts to use the fishermen to their own means, a powerful time traveler comes to the rescue, but only after they are first led through a trial of great suffering and despair.

The first book, Kassius Kanex, was a pretty wild ride with a secret organization that was set up to protect the world and bring justice to evil doers when the regular channels failed.
This book delves deeply into the origins of The Organization and the ability of the leader to travel through time and teleport things also. It’s hard to not give any spoilers, but I am trying.
This is an interesting book on many levels, it feels like it came out of the golden age of science fiction, it is focused on men and masculinity. Women are not ignored by any stretch of the imagination. Women are treated with respect and honor.
The story has a lot of action and some of the dialogue is very funny. Scene setting is done well without going overboard. The characters are well developed and easy to follow.
Some of the plot twists are surprising and a lot of fun.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this story and its uniqueness. I award “The Fishing Trip: Kassius Kanex, Book 2” five stars!

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Fishing-Trip-Kassius-Kanex-Book-ebook
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-fishing-trip-mk-schultz
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-fishing-trip
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Makemali
https://www.mkschultz.com

I reviewed the first book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kassius-kanex-by-mk-schultz
I reviewed the third book here: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/equilibrium

Tags: science fiction, action, adventure, time travel, suspense
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

85 Comments

MK Schultz link

5/17/2020 02:32:25 pm

Hello Mark! Thank you for giving my new book, "The Fishing Trip" such a great review. I appreciate it very much. It is my hope that others will enjoy and become invested in the world and characters of the Kassius Kanex universe which I am so very proud of.

Mark

5/17/2020 02:55:01 pm

I am glad you liked my review, I really liked your book.
First question.
Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

MK Schultz link

5/17/2020 04:46:50 pm

I live with my wife, in a house in the woods, in the outer fringe of Canada's capital city, Ottawa. I have a 17 year old son and a 20 year old daughter. I love to cook, especially barbecuing, which I do all year (even in our cold Canadian winters). I love stories and devour most in the median of feature film. I read when I can, but my true passion is to write. Second only to my family, my writing is the most rewarding and passionate thing in my life. I discovered my passion for writing in my early 40's (although evidence of my love for it was sprinkled all throughout my life, hidden from me it would seem). Now 48, I am starting to write my third book. Readers who enjoy my writing can count on more to come, as I feel as though I have only just begun a journey I was destined to go on.

Mark

5/17/2020 05:08:22 pm

How close is Ottawa to the 45th parallel? Ottawa is almost in the United States. That must be a beautiful area you live in. I grew up on small farms most of my life, the last one was a 35-acre, non-working farm, but we had a glorious vegetable garden, including at least half an acre in corn alone.
Film is a great way to tell a story and it is easy to consume. the only downfall for me is that the story playing in my head is usually better, when I am reading a book.
I think you would agree with me, it's never too late to start writing. There are many authors who started much later than you.
New questions.
Is your third book a continuation of the Kassius Kanex story?
Are you a full-time or part-time writer?
What kind of work do you do? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.
Does your work, or past work if you are retired, have any influence on your writing?

MK Schultz link

5/17/2020 05:33:58 pm

The closest US border crossing to Ottawa is about a one hour drive at Ogdensburg NY/Prescott ON. I live on a beautiful two acre lot that abuts a large wooded area. It is very peaceful.

I love movies, but it is not cliche to state that the book is always better.

I think writing takes a certain perspective that may be best achieved by seasoned humans, although I am sure there are exceptions. There always is.

My third book will complete the trilogy of the Kassius Kanex story. After that, my plan is to venture into new stories.

I am a part time writer. I work full time for a small municipality which I commute to, about 75 minutes from my home. (It would be closer for me to drive to the US.)

Every part of my life has influence on my writing. Work does for sure. I have always been a deep thinker and I have a large collection of thoughts that need to be expressed. Stay tuned.

Mark

5/17/2020 05:45:43 pm

It takes me a little over 5 hours to drive to Vancouver, B. C. Over half the time is just getting to Seattle.
That is a long commute you have. Do you listen to audio books or the radio?
More questions.
What inspired you to write this book?
Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?
Your writing style is slightly unconventional. Is that something you can explain?

MK Schultz link

5/17/2020 05:57:39 pm

It would take me 46 hours to drive to Vancouver, B.C. Crazy eh?

During my commute, I listen to news, music and audio books. It is most enjoyable when I have an audio book on. I listened to a bunch of Stephen King books in the past year that I quite enjoyed.

My inspiration for writing this book is to keep my new found passion which I discovered in writing the first, alive. The genre chose me. I am writing what I would like to read.

If one finds my writing style unconventional, I would take that as a compliment. I have no formal training in the craft, however, I do not think that matters. At least I hope it doesn't. For me to further elaborate, I would need you to expand on what you mean by unconventional.

Mark

5/17/2020 06:24:40 pm

Writing what they want to read is how a lot of writers get started. It's a good way to begin, I think.
If you recall from my review, your books remind me of the golden age of sci-fi. There is very little written in that style that I have come across in a long time. I was probably eleven or twelve when I discovered science fiction, may be younger. I read so many different authors back then, I couldn't get enough. Asimov, Poul, Herbert, and many others.
My parents never questioned my appetite for flashlight batteries. They probably knew I was reading in bed.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.
What do the elements on the cover represent?
Was it hard to come up with the title? What was the process?

MK Schultz link

5/17/2020 08:45:04 pm

Your comments on my writing reminding you of the golden age of sci-fi is probably a product of my love for the 80's. So many cool things came out in that decade. It was my favorite period and I look back on it with great fondness. I think I try to capture the way I felt back then along with new experiences since, to form my own art which I hope people will discover and come to enjoy - maybe even cherish! Now that would be something that would truly thrill me.

The cover of my book was a difficult process. My publisher has a graphic designer that discussed at length with me, what I wanted to present as the cover to my new book. I selected many images and themes and through a very in depth analysis, three proto-type designs were presented to me. From those three designs, I mixed and matched my favorite elements of each to end up with the cover that became The Fishing Trip. I wanted the cover to have flashy colour to command attention. I wanted it to be edgy and somewhat dark to represent the dark themes of violence and action depicted in the book. The fishing rod forms the letter i in two words and I like how it looks. The background image is a depiction of the site that the five fishermen from the story camp at. I feel it has a bit of an 80's horror look to it and this appealed to me. The book is edgy and there are themes of horror contained within it and I feel the cover depicts this well.

The title, was the first thing I wrote, just like my first book. It was just clear to me from the start with both. The difficult part was how to make it clear to the reader that this second book is a part of a series. I chose to add the subtitle Kassius Kanex, Book 2 to make this clear from the get go. I feel it is a fresh story that could be read without having read the first, but readers would get much more from it by reading my first book ahead of this one. Either way, I always like to say that readers need to buckle up for the ride. I do not think it will be what anyone will expect and that is the joy I gain from sharing it with the world.

Mark

5/17/2020 11:10:41 pm

I like the thoughtful process you went through with the cover. The old adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" is only partly true. The cover is the second opportunity to grab the reader's attention, after the title; maybe it's first. The reader has to stop and look before they buy. The fishing pole reinforces the idea of the content of a major portion of the book. I think the cover works well overall.
The title is a winner also, representing such a common and innocuous activity enjoyed by people around the world.
New questions.
Were the character names difficult to develop? How did you choose them?
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

MK Schultz link

5/18/2020 09:27:06 am

The Fishing Trip contains both returning characters and several new ones as well. There is method to my madness in selecting names for my characters. I like selecting names quite a lot. For the five fishermen, I wanted them all to have easy and fairly common names. For one of them, Maximillian, I wanted to infuse a bit of sophistication in him and yet still retain simplicity. I believe I achieved both through the shortened version of his name - Max. Like my first book, I continued the theme of contrasting the simple with the complex. You have five seemingly ordinary men achieving extraordinary things. And then there's my favorite name, returning character Kassius Kanex. His name speaks volumes and I hope the reader will enjoy his return in this volume of the series. If you would like to know about any of the other characters in the book, or anything else contained in it, please feel free to ask. There are many characters, some of more importance than others.

I have not entered any writing contests to date. As for awards, your amazing review of my book is the greatest prize I have achieved thus far.

Mark

5/18/2020 09:57:23 am

Names in and of themselves speak to us in a number of ways. They can relate to nationality at times, status also. They also give hints about the era the person was named from and grew up in. Then there is the meaning and character of the people in book the author reveals also.
Many authors go to websites that display the most popular baby names for each year.
New questions.
I noticed that you didn’t put your book in Kindle Unlimited. Why is that?
Have you ever gone through the query process, seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers or did you go straight to indie publishing or self-publishing, and why?

MK Schultz link

5/18/2020 10:21:11 am

I will ask my Publisher about Kindle Unlimited. I never thought of it before, but that would make it easier for readers I suppose.

After completing my first book, Kassius Kanex, I searched for a publisher and/or literary agent for about a year. I queried about 80 of them with zero success. Then I discovered a company that offers supported self publishing. I chose this route because I think it is almost as hard to win a lottery as it is to break into the tightly guarded world of publishers and literary agents. I am hoping that my work will catch the attention of people and this was the only way I was able to get it out to the world, so I jumped on it. It has been a great experience so far and I have no regrets with self publishing thus far.

Mark

5/18/2020 11:50:55 am

Kindle Unlimited has some restrictions, your publisher will know, most likely.
We have Amazon to thank for it being so hard to get traditionally published. Since anyone can publish a book with Amazon, the publishing world has been turned upside down. There has been a tremendous amount of shrinkage in the industry. The traditional publishers have lost so much of their profit margin, they are very reluctant to take chances on unknown authors.
Many publishers won't look at an author unless they have a mailing list several thousand deep. That represents sales that are almost guaranteed. A publisher needs to sell a certain amount of books in order to make a profit and stay in business.
Many authors that publish with a hybrid publisher or self publish don't make a profit on their book for a long time, and when you add in marketing expenses the threshold of profitability stretches off into the distance. A long term view must be used in this business. Books are the way an author chooses to build their brand. The author is the brand, the books are just products to extend the brand.
New questions.
Do you think independent publishers can produce a book as good as mainstream publishers?
What are the three most important considerations for an independent author to be certain of when using an independent or hybrid publisher?
Is using Twitter and other social media part of your marketing strategy?

MK Schultz link

5/18/2020 12:33:10 pm

I do believe that independently published books can be as good or better than mainstream. I believe in my story and I think it has a lot to offer that would be difficult to find anywhere else. Independent authors need to be cautious as there are a lot of scams out there. I also believe that you have to take a chance. You may not know with 100 percent certainty that it will all go according to plan, but you shouldn't let that stop you in my opinion. My recommendation it to refine your book thoroughly before releasing it. I polished The Fishing Trip to the highest level I could and then I hired the Wordrefiner to take it to the next level. I am very excited with the final product.

Marketing is key. Without it, no one will know your book exists in the ocean of books that are out there. I still have a long way to go, but I am chipping away at it in my spare time. Its tough when you have a full time job, but you find a way. You have to. I use Twitter for marketing. Twitter has also been useful in connecting with other authors to learn from. I also have a website. I did one book signing at my local book store and this was perhaps the most effective marketing I have experienced to date. I look forward to doing more book signings when the world gets back to some kind of normal again. Through book signings, you can build a mailing list which is much more effective than Twitter. In addition to all of this, I hope my interview with you will reach new readers that will discover the world of Kassius Kanex and his secret organization. The Fishing Trip is more than meets the eye and readers will be surprised where it will take them.

Mark

5/18/2020 12:50:23 pm

I enjoyed working with you on this book!
You are right, putting out the cleanest book possible is important to solidify a reputation as a good writer. It's also important to make a plan and to be flexible when something goes wrong. That happens a lot.
Marketing is critical, as you said, there is an ocean of books. In fact, a million books are now being published every year on Amazon. It does take a lot of work to get your books noticed. Unlike writing, when you can write 'the end' that doesn't exist in promoting books. That seems so overwhelming to authors. Another factor is that an author has to take off the creative hat and put the 'this-is-my-business' hat on. I recommend to authors to set aside at least one hour every week or two of writing time to work on marketing their books. There are so many different ways to do promote a book. I have some great blogs about that in my Guest Blogs and many links to scroll through on the Highly Regarded Blogs page.
New questions.
When you decided to indie-publish how did you pick a publisher?
Is your publisher doing anything to market your book?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

MK Schultz link

5/18/2020 01:32:54 pm

I came across my publisher on the web. I contacted them and they kept in touch with me for quite some time before I finally decided to go with them. A friend of mine coincidentally (or maybe not) had a book about their process and as soon as I read it, I decided to go for it. For the most part, it has been a good experience and they have delivered what they promised.

My publisher offers a large variety of marketing options and if I had the money, I would utilize them more. Unlike traditional publishing, with a supported self publishing service, the author has to front the bill. Instead, my plan is to utilize my stubborn relentless personality to keep chipping away at my marketing strategies.

Pushy sales leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Unrealistic promises of investing in a marketing promotion that gives false hope is something I have been exposed to in more than one occasion since I published my first book. It doesn't bother me too much though, because you are in control and you just have to be realistic and say no. They go away when you do that.

Mark

5/18/2020 02:07:17 pm

I am glad to hear you have had a good experience with iUniverse. So many authors report bad experiences when working with supported self-publishing, also known as hybrid publishing.
It sounds like iUniverse offers their services on an ala carte basis, instead of fixed packages. Is that correct?
Nobody like a pushy salesman. No doubt.
If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is; like so much else in life.
New questions.
Have you thought about doing an audio book?
Who would you pick to do the audio book?
Audio books are exploding worldwide.

MK Schultz link

5/18/2020 02:24:13 pm

With iUniverse, you do have to select a publishing package but they do deliver on all that is contained within the package you sign up for. After that, you could continue to infinity with ala carte items if you so desired and if you have the cash.

I would love to do an audio book but I put it on hold for now because my publisher charges too much. They use professional voice actors and sound effects. I can't afford that. Do you know of a different, less expensive indie way to publish an audio book? I have access to a sound studio and I would love to do the audio book for both of my books. I would like to be the reader along with friends and family for some of the other characters. I think we would have a blast doing it. I haven't heard your voice yet Mark, but it would be amazing for you to do the voice of Orion. With me as Kass, it would be like life imitating art.

Mark

5/19/2020 09:41:38 am

There are different ways to make an audio book. Joanna Penn of the Creative Penn, has written a number of excellent blogs about audio books including how to make your own on the cheap. If you do a search on my website for "audio" you will find many of those links.
Making an audio version of your book would be interesting. I don't do nearly as well in front of a microphone as a live audience. Reading the story aloud might work okay.
New questions.
Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Do you ever read a book more than once? If so, which one?

MK Schultz link

5/19/2020 11:24:39 am

I will look into your site for blogs. Thanks.

I enjoy 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 beauty and descriptive language they possess. I also enjoy works by G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I like Frederick Forsyth and I also quite enjoy and strongly identify with Stephen King.

I have listened to the audio book version of Stephen King's "On Writing" and Elizabeth Gilbert's, "Big Magic" more than once. Both are fascinating, must reads for any aspiring writer I think.

Mark

5/19/2020 11:42:45 am

You are hitting some big titles and names there. I read Golding's book in high school, along with Animal Farm, 1984 and Brave New World. All three of those books were amazing and disturbing in their own ways.
C. S. Lewis is one of my all time favorite authors, along with Tolkien. Did you know that Lewis wrote a sci-fi trilogy? I think the first book was Out of the Silent Planet. The protagonist was patterned after his close friend, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. I read that series twice, I think, while I was in college.
New questions.
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?
Have you ever done NaNoWriMo?

MK Schultz link

5/19/2020 12:25:13 pm

I still haven't read Out of the Silent Planet, but I want to.

When I write, it feels like something very powerful is happening behind the scenes. Call it my muse, or perhaps destiny. It could be spiritual in that I am being fed what I was designed to do. Whatever it is, it is a powerful force. When I am writing and get on a role where the words cannot be typed fast enough to keep up with the arrival of them in my mind, I sometimes get chills. I have also been brought to tears. Then there is the feeling I get when I have completed a writing session. It is such a sense of accomplishment and the word count feels like a dollar count that I have just deposited into the bank. Writing gives me a sense of accomplishment, to a degree I have not experienced before except perhaps from the birth of my children.

It is important for a writer to tap into the emotions of the characters because, that is what makes a good story. The reader must care about and become invested in the characters in order to want to continue to be a part of the world they are being introduced to.

I have never participated in NaNoWriMo. I don't think I could commit to such a thing unless I was off work for one month. As for schedule, I keep my self on track with realistic, but consistent writing goals in a spreadsheet I developed and tailored for myself. The spreadsheet keeps me on target, records character names and traits and also summarizes each chapter for easy reference and back checking. Upon completion of a writing session, I update the word count. I also, leave some crib notes for myself to continue on with when I start the next session. This is a very effective strategy for myself in that it allows me to hit the ground running to maximize my time. I rarely sit at the keyboard and stare at the screen not knowing what to write next. I do love my little spread sheet. It is a living document that really helps me a lot.

Mark

5/19/2020 01:46:15 pm

I love how you feel so energized when you are writing and slip into the zone! That feeling of accomplishment is closely related to operating in your destiny. It's a wonderful feeling.
I don't know what kind of word goals you set for yourself normally, but in NaNoWriMo the 50k word goal is less than 3,000 words a day for the month. A lot of people do quite a bit of prep including outlining the chapters, some even outline each scene. Some writers also develop character sheets for the main characters to help them get inside of the characters' heads.
Your spreadsheet sounds like a wonderful tool. You are not the first writer to build something like that. Some authors have gone a step further and made their spreadsheet for sale so other authors can use it to their advantage.
New questions.
Are you an under-writer or an over-writer? When the first draft is done, do you need to add more to flesh it out or do you have to cut material because there is too much?
Are you talking about sentences, paragraphs or a chapter that didn't survive the final cut?

MK Schultz link

5/19/2020 02:44:32 pm

That would be amazing to pump out 50K in one month. I suspect that that rate of writing could be beneficial for staying on point too. I don't write a lot in any given sitting. It varies anywhere from 400 words to 1200 usually. Sometimes I do two sessions in one day so that could yield as much as 2400 words. Between sessions, I am always thinking about how I will proceed. I sometimes have to make some quick notes in the middle of the night, or through voice to text on my long commutes to work. For me, a huge part of my writing depends on the thinking in between sessions. I think a lot!

My writing falls more on the under-writer side of the scale. I like to get to the point. My first two books grew by about 5000 words during the editing phase. I added more dialogue and detail to some scenes that needed it. I do quite like dramatic scenes so I tend to try to draw them out a bit for the enjoyment of hanging onto something before the grand reveal as long as possible. I love that ta-da feeling of the grand reveal. I feel pumped just thinking about it.

Mark

5/19/2020 03:19:36 pm

50 k is a stretch, no doubt. However, advance planning can make a difference if you can do that.
I understand about thinking about the book all the time, so many authors report doing exactly that.
I heard a great trick from one author, they would always stop writing in the middle of a chapter, even if they knew the end. They reported this helped them a great deal because by the time they reached the end they knew where the next chapter would go.
I think most authors are over-writers, they wind up taking material out, especially after the first draft or the second.
A good dramatic scene needs to be completly described for full effect.
New questions.
Do you prefer dialogue tags or action beats in your books?
What do you do to flesh out the characters for your stories?
Do you base your characters on people you know or have met, or is it easier to just invent them completely?

MK Schultz link

5/19/2020 03:44:42 pm

I use dialogue tags and action beats. I like both but if I had to choose, I think action beats is the most fun of the two. I suppose I use action beats as one way to add dimension to a character.

My characters are chosen and catalogued on my spreadsheet. I usually have a good idea from their first introduction, who they are and what they are all about, but this evolves too for me as the story progresses. By the end, I have a better idea of who they are and I may need to modify here and there in the editing phase to suit. The five fishermen in "The Fishing Trip" have a lot in common and yet also a lot of differences. I had fun orchestrating their chemistry during their many discussions and interactions throughout the course of the book.

My characters are a mosaic of people I know, people I have met, people I have not met and also me. I have so many different kinds of thoughts that I can often draw on my them and then just amplify them to spruce up the character I wish to present. The human mind is complex and lends itself well to do this I feel. People think they know someone, but you really only know what a person displays of them self. Know one knows the inner thoughts and workings of a person. It's very complex I think. For my first two books, I have really enjoyed creating characters. There are quite a number of them so far.

Mark

5/19/2020 05:30:53 pm

I think action beats are better also. They eliminate the 'saids' and can be used to move the story along better.
I am not surprised that your characters develop as the story goes, that seems to be common for many authors. Sometimes the characters go off in an unplanned direction.
May of those discussions were pretty funny. I laughed aloud many times.
Making the characters up like that seems like a good idea to me. They can become as individual as necessary. That makes me wonder if it would be easier or harder to write about identical twins.
We only show others what we want them to see. That is true for everyone.
New questions.
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?

MK Schultz link

5/19/2020 06:09:10 pm

For me, the protagonist is much more fun to write. In both my books, he is Kassius Kanex, a seemingly simple man who is far from simple as it turns out. There is much more meat I could elaborate on here but I try to refrain from spoilers. The antagonists in "The Fishing Trip" are plenty, although one does stand above them all. But again, I digress; no spoilers.

I hate how my protagonist has facilitated unspeakable evil, although it couldn't have been that unspeakable since I wrote a detailed account of what he did.

As for my protagonists, I love Kassius Kanex, but my five fishermen hold a special place in my heart. I have a fondness for all of them and as the story progressed, I began to feel as though they were real flesh and blood humans. I hope readers too, will come to be fond of Max, Calvin, Will, Sherman, and John.

My writing room contains a projector which displays the words I write, very large on the screen on the wall in front of me. On the floor under my table is a light for my muse. I also have transformed this room into a show room for my books, and other writing items. I have a large framed poster of the cover proto type of my first book along with a framed $8.20 cheque, my first royalty payment from the publisher. Surrounded by these and many other things, I write in short sessions of 400 to 1200 words and I usually have heavy metal music playing low in the background on a blue tooth speaker.

Mark

5/19/2020 07:33:46 pm

In the first book, Kassius seemed like a simple man who enjoyed the simple pleasure of family and life. I agree, no spoilers.
Some authors love writing about the protagonist, others the antagonist. Something I heard quite some time ago is that every well-written antagonist is the hero in his own story. Most are not evil for the sake of evil, their needs dictate their actions; all justified in their mind. Your primary antagonist did not disappoint.
That is an interesting setup. Projecting your screen onto the wall is a good idea. When I am proofreading, I need silence mostly. Sometimes I listen to our daughter's YouTube videos, she has a channel devoted to food and healthy living. Her three daughters are frequently in the videos and I enjoy hearing their voices in my background.
New questions.
Do you write in a straight line or do you write whatever the muse provides for you at a given moment?
Which is more important to a story pace or flow? How do you control it?

MK Schultz link

5/19/2020 08:31:34 pm

That must be very gratifying to listen to your grand children and daughter like that. Very heart warming, Mark.

I am a linear person. I like doing things from point A to Z. I write the title first and then I just start. My muse is super powerful and seemingly guides me the rest of the way. It really is quite astonishing and magical. Elizabeth Gilbert's, "Big Magic" describes the magic excellently and I highly recommend every aspiring writer to read her book. When I write, I do not have the entire plot planned. I have a general premise, and I just go with it and the story evolves, develops and morphs into a life of its own.

I like to keep the pace in my stories moving fast. I don't want to bore the reader, but I do enjoy distracting them with unusual dialogue and strange observations, only to catch them off guard with the over the top scenes that follow in my books. Flow is equally important I think. I strive to keep the story moving through a series of events that take the reader from beginning to end. Sounds obvious, but its tricky to pull off I think.

Sometimes I question the ideology of no spoilers. Maybe this only applies to books and movies that are already guaranteed to achieve a massive audience. I wonder if new writers should use spoilers to jump start more interest in their writing. What do you think? People love to go into a story unknowingly only to be met with surprise, but perhaps new writers can't enjoy that luxury. Not sure. I could certainly unload a bucket of spoilers for both of my books, but my instinct seems to guard them like my first born. Maybe it's the muse that is to blame, holding some sort of protective force-field of protection against the spilling of spoilers?

Mark

5/19/2020 10:17:14 pm

I know the feeling quite well of wanting everything in order and sequence. I am the same. For people like you and me, if writer's block strikes, writing a different scene can be helpful to get past the block. There is one thing I think I would do differently, If I were a writer, I would write the ending first, with a target firmly in place I feel like I could do a better job of building the story. I got that idea from Rick Hall, one of my guest bloggers. He wrote an interesting post called non-linear writing.
The Big Magic book sounds very interesting. I might have to get that.
You certainly keep the pace moving, I don't recall being bored once. Dialogue is a great way to do that, as long as it is relevant and moves the story forward. The plot twists certainly keep it interesting and hard to put down.
You are the first to make a comment about not giving spoilers away. My wife always wants to know how a story or movie ends before watching it. She doesn't handle tension well. She goes to the end or asks me if I know, I tell her if I do.
I, on the other hand, like to consume a story as it was written. I do not like nor do I give spoilers.
You as the author have the right and privilege to put whatever you want in the blurb. You will put what you think has the best chance of getting a person to buy and read your book. That might make an interesting survey or blog post.
New questions.
Did your writing process change much from your early writing to your current book or did it stay the same?
Now that your book is published, is there anything about it you would like to change?

MK Schultz link

5/20/2020 08:22:50 am

I learned a lot during the process of writing, editing and publishing my first book. I feel like I have progressed much and I know that I still have a long way to go, but I am really enjoying the ride. My second book builds on the first and I feel that my writing has improved and I hope to continue on a path of improvement, moving forward. Despite this, I wouldn't go back and change anything. Each book is a record of where I was at that given period in my life. For my third book, I hope to build on all that I have learned so far.

Mark

5/20/2020 11:06:38 am

Each book will show improvement over the previous book.
Writing reminds me of the game of golf and a quote from a movie, Legend of Bagger Vance, I think. "Golf is a game you can never win, you can only hope to get better" or something like that.
There are so many factors involved in crafting a good story and some of them are competing against each other. No two writers every write the same story, even with the same plot and setting.
I have no doubt that your next book will be better.
New questions.
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?
What else are you writing these days? Are you writing anything for yourself or only for readers?

MK Schultz link

5/20/2020 12:13:01 pm

My book was completed prior to the onset of the global pandemic, so it posed no influence in that regard. It is ironic however that the character of John in my book is an epidemiologist. Life will no doubt never be the same again for us. The lives of the five fishermen in my book are also changed forever, albeit not by a pandemic. These are strange times to say the least. I am sure my next book will be influenced in some way by the effects of change that are the new reality for us.

I hope readers will be struck by the relationship and strong bond of friendship that is shared by five fishermen who embark on a fishing trip that changes their lives forever. My first book contained themes of family and work life, while this book covers friendship, specifically among men. Although, this is the main theme, there are also other relationships such as father figure - son, and various other family dynamics as well. A returning element in this book is the most treasured love of a father for his daughter and the power it unleashes. I hope readers will enjoy the wild ride that my books will take them on. I always recommend to buckle up before reading.

I hope to start my third book soon. So far, I have only begun the thought process. Every Friday morning, I post a short piece on my Twitter feed that is connected to the universe of my books and finishes with a welcome to the weekend. "Cheers to the freaken weekend baby". It is a small thing, but it keeps me in the writers' mindset until I am ready to take the full plunge into the writing of my third book. Like it did after my first book, I am predicting that upon the completion of the week long interview with The Wordrefiner, I will once again be left with a feeling of emptiness that will cause a spark to re-ignite my fire to begin a new story.

Mark

5/20/2020 02:19:22 pm

I had forgotten about John's occupation. That is funny.
The relationship of the five is one of the things that stood out in my mind. So many stories feature a protagonist that tends to be a loner. I really enoyed the relationship that developed for the five.
Though you may not have put any words down on literal or virtual paper, your fans will be glad to know that another book is in the offing and the story of Kassius Kanex will continue.
Occasionally, I don't have an interview, I feel a bit of the same loss as well.
New questions.
Do you have a classical author or poet, you admire?
What popular modern authors have influenced you?
Why an octopus?

MK Schultz link

5/20/2020 03:05:38 pm

For classical, I like the language of Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, and I have always been fascinated with the Bible.

As far as popular, I have always admired Stephen King from since I was young. I like his tense thrillers with elements of horror, violence and the paranormal.

Why an octopus you ask? Ok, Spoiler Alert...but I will try to keep it as a tamed down spoiler. There is much to talk about with respect to this particular topic, but here is a few tid bits. An octopus is an amazing creature. Just as Kassius Kanex is unique among the unique, so to is the creature named Aquarius that complements his abilities. In the real world, octopuses in general are highly intelligent, but the extent of their intelligence and learning capability are not well defined. This particular octopus is revealed in my books as unique among its species, with an unmeasurable force of attraction to one person who is also unique among theirs. When joined together, the seemingly impossible becomes reality. It is the Force of Destiny that makes this possible. Spoiler spoiler spoiler!

Mark

5/20/2020 04:33:16 pm

The Bard was an amazing writer. He had a remarkable talent for turning a phrase into something marvelous. Many of our common phrases come from his pen, and many of his phrases are lifted right out of the Bible, as I recall, well over 100.
The octopus is a fascinating creature from the ocean, and they do seem to very intelligent. Their ability to blend into the surrounding is astounding and it can change so fast. Aquarius role in the books is important. Enough said about that. I suspect we have not seen the limit of his powers yet.
New questions.
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
How do you keep track of all the characters and events in your books?
Are you a plotter, a pantster, or a hybrid?

MK Schultz link

5/20/2020 05:53:56 pm

I use Google Docs to write. I love the feeling of safety and I love how I can have access to my WIP from any device anywhere. My publisher takes it from there and does the rest. They send me a proof to sign off on once they are done formatting my finished manuscript into book format. I get to choose the size, layout, font, paper colour, images, and layout to my heart's content. I like how I have complete control of what my book will be down to the last comma. Traditional publishing sells more books no doubt, but I cringe to think about how much they take over from the author.

I keep track of all the characters and events in my books on a custom tailored spreadsheet that I have fine tuned over the last four years. It is a perfect fit for the way my brain works and it serves me well.

I am not a detailed plotter. I have a rough idea of my story but that changes as I go. My muse has other plans for my stories as I have learned. I like how even I don't know the story that I am writing. It is thrilling, and one of the things that I have learned to love about writing.

Mark

5/20/2020 07:09:38 pm

A number of authors use that, mostly for the reasons you mentioned. However, according to my interviews, more use MS Word. It all works out in the end.
You would lose so much control with a traditional publisher, sometimes they wait up to a year to publish a book. That has to be frustrating for the author that worked so hard on their masterpiece.
Your spreadsheet sounds like a product used by some authors called Scrivener, it has many of the same features as you do in your spread sheet. I have been told it has a steep learning curve, but those that conquer it rave on about how much they love it.
For you and other pantsters writing is an ultimate adventure. Letting the muse and characters guide the story sounds like a lot of fun.
New questions.
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?
Of the five senses which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?
Have you ever participated in theater in some way, acted, behind the scenes or written a play?

MK Schultz link

5/20/2020 08:20:57 pm

Without a doubt narration is the easiest to write for me. Action is second and dialogue is the most difficult to effectively portray, however when it is done convincingly, I believe it can be very powerful and effective. I feel like my dialogue writing skills have improved dramatically for my second book. I knew this to be one of my weaker skills, so I have tried to better it. I am content with the direction that my writing is going. I hope to continue to surpass old boundaries by improving steadily.

For me the easiest of the five senses to write is vision, however writing about how memories, experiences and certain situations evoke emotion in a person is something I delve quite a bit into, in both of my books.

I have no theatre experience, acting or otherwise, but I do think that my books are ideal to be brought out of the pages and into the realm of a different medians like film or TV.

Mark

5/20/2020 10:28:48 pm

I think narration comes easy for most writers, we are all born listening to stories and eventually telling them. It's part of our human experience. However, it does take some skill to be able to limit the amount of narration and use action and dialogue to move the story forward. Too much narration can be boring.
Memories, good and bad, can be triggered by so many different things, seeing a profile that reminds you of a long-lost love, A song can cause old memories to arise and smells can be a very powerful trigger for strong memories.
Your books might also make good graphic novels. There are so many ways to consume a story.
New questions.
What kind of marketing are you doing or planning on doing for your book?
Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your book?
Do you have a newsletter you send out to fans? Why or why not?

MK Schultz link

5/21/2020 09:52:17 am

I purchased a pricey marketing package from my publisher for my first book. It was in the form of an advertisement being run on BookBub and Goodreads for 3 months listing the E-Book format of my book for 99cents. It produced zero sales. Because of the price I paid, I am extremely gun shy now when it comes to investing money in marketing. I have a full time job, so I feel like I have time to market my book, but it is difficult to stay positive at times. Twitter has helped me sell a couple of books, but I am still hoping to find other, more effective ways to attract a larger audience for my books. It is a work in progress in my spare time. It is difficult, because I would prefer to spend the time writing more, but such is the dilemma for many; most I would suspect.

I have a website and my own domain, which I am hoping will help. I also have done one book signing at a local book store. This was the most success I have had so far as I sold 5 books and left 5 books for the store to display on their shelves. The store has been closed for months though, and who knows how a bookstore will ever be able to open in the new realities we face. At my book signing, I had a sign up sheet for a mailing list which collected 10 names. I think book signings are a very effective way to market and so far the most effective I have found.

The Wordrefiner is a great low risk marketing campaign that was more effective than the high priced marketing package I purchased from my publisher. At a fraction of the cost, it produced equal or greater numbers in exposure.

I do not have a newsletter or blog. I hope to build on my website content and perhaps I will expand to include one in the future. My dream would be to be able to be a writer full time. It would be so fun to be able to focus 100% of my working life on writing and marketing. Such is the dream.

Mark

5/21/2020 11:34:04 am

I mention in almost every interview, marketing is the hardest nut for writers to crack. I am sorry to hear that three months of marketing a discount price had no results. I am realistic about how difficult it is to sell books, I never promise sales or increased sales, only exposure. One client sold two books from my week of promoting his book, he had sold one the week before, he tweeted that his sales doubled because of my promotion. I asked him not to tweet that.
Your experience holding a book signing reflects that personal contact is very important. In a bigger event such as a book festival you would have even better results, most likely. The personal touch can be expanded and leveraged with a newsletter. Many blogs have been written about that topic also. I recommend that an author should subscribe to multiple newsletters and see how successful authors are doing it. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Thanks for the compliment.
The best time for a new author to start a newsletter is a year before the first book is published, the second best time is now. Sorry, I don't recall who said that. It rings with veracity to me. It's one part of a multi-prong marketing plan. In truth, there are so many ways to promote a book. Devoting an hour or two of writing time, every week or two, will pay dividends in the long run.
New questions.
Music figures prominently in your books. Why is that?
How long did it take you to choose the music referenced in the book?
Do you have a favorite song?

MK Schultz link

5/21/2020 12:28:15 pm

I have always been a fan of rock music, particularly heavy metal. When the day beats you down or when your work week has sucked what feels to be a huge percentage of your very soul from you, driving your motivation downwards and causing you to question where you will find the new energy to continue in a rat race that you don't belong in, you need to develop a mechanism for stress relief. For me, I try to recharge myself mentally on the weekends by immersing myself in the things that I really want to be doing. Being around my house and family, barbecuing, household chores, watching movies and TV, reading, enjoying some tasty cold beverages, and...yes, listening to the shredding sound of electric guitar, drums, bass and kick ass vocals.

It was writing that truly saved me though, through the realization that I had finally found my passion. During the writing of my first book, I went through a tough patch, and the music of Iron Maiden really motivated my and helped me to keep a positive attitude. In this period, Kassius Kanex was born and in my book, his music of choice is heavy metal.

In "The Fishing Trip", I continued with the theme and chose Iron Maiden as the music of choice that the five fishermen would listen to periodically whether it be on the way to the camp site, or during the trip itself. It serves as a homage to the band that is for me, but I hope someone else will connect with this along with other themes touched upon in my book. I mean to provoke thought in my readers and I am hoping some will be drawn to what I have done here. A friend of mine feels that even if my books don't make it to best seller, they could make it to cult following status.

I quote Iron Maiden lyrics in my books and also on my Twitter account from time to time. "The dream is true" and "But now it seems, I'm just a stranger to myself And all the things I sometimes do, it isn't me but someone else" are two quotes I am quite fond of. The lyrics to "Alexander the Great" is used by some high school history teachers I have read.

I don't have a favourite song, but a some Iron Maiden songs near the top of my list would be "Wasted Years", "The Trooper", "Hallowed Be They Name", "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner", "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son", "Remember Tomorrow", "Caught Somewher in Time", "The Evil That Men Do", and "If Eternity Should Fail". It should be noted that I do listen to other bands and music genres as well. I enjoy a good classical ride too sometimes.

Mark

5/21/2020 01:10:06 pm

Music is a powerful influence in so many ways. I don't think it can be overestimated for the most part.
I was in middle school when the Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. I think we still had a B&W TV. I was amazed by their music, it was so fresh. They were on their way up.
I understand why you find so much solace and encouragement from the music. I love how you wove your favorite music throughout your books. I read a book where the author had a playlist for each chapter, another author had a playlist for the major characters. Still another had the characters conduct a long distance relationship only with music, they sent each other a song by mail reflecting their feelings.
There are so many ways to make music vital in a story.
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 long did it take you to write the first draft of The Fishing Trip?

MK Schultz link

5/21/2020 03:07:48 pm

For both of my books, I researched on the fly when I approached a scene where I needed to. When I got to the part about the helicopter and pilot, I had to try and verse myself in the lingo and terminology of it all. I did extensive research on cults to try to bring more substance to the Brothers 12. A friend of mine who is a High school Physics and Chemistry teacher helped me with some of the science lingo. I also researched the stages a body goes through after death for a scene in The Death Chapters.

The first draft of The Fishing Trip took me nine months, although I think I could comfortable have wrote it in six months. If I could write full time, I bet I could have done it in 3 months or less. It all depends on frequency and consistency and commitment and how much time one has outside of other obligations.

Mark

5/21/2020 04:23:30 pm

Sometimes the research is so much fun. Other times it can be a like chasing a rabbit down a hole. It seems to never end. You did well, bringing just enough information in to keep the story moving forward.
I am going to guess that you have not flown in a helicopter. I have had one heli ride in my life.
My dad is a part owner of two planes and had a long career in civil and military aviation. His brother built a small plane by himself.
Getting the first draft done in nine months is pretty good. You are right, it all depends upon how much time is allotted to the task.
New questions.
A lot of new authors struggle with finding beta readers. Because, after the first draft is done, fresh eyes and feedback become very important.
Do you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out a lot of wrinkles before publishing? If you didn’t, why?
If you did, how did you find them?

MK Schultz link

5/21/2020 06:06:16 pm

My parents and sister read "The Fishing Trip" manuscript first. My sister had a lot of great feedback which helped. My publisher also gave me some feedback which also helped. My best friend Dan, to whom the book is dedicated, helped me immensely to get it to the stage it was at when I acquired the services of The Wordrefiner. The Wordrefiner, you, took this book to a new level that makes me very proud. For my next book, I will try to push my limits even more. I have been exposed to and have learned so much over the course of writing, publishing and marketing my first two books and I hope my books will continue to improve.

Mark

5/21/2020 07:06:57 pm

Let me suggest you get a few more beta readers, your family can serve nicely as alpha readers. On my Twitter home page, I have lists, one of those lists is for beta readers. Check their requirements carefully before approaching them. The more eyes you can get on your book, the better.
I enjoyed working on your book and am pleased that you found my comments useful.
I am certain your next book will be even better.
New questions.
At what stage in your writing process do you bring in the readers?
Do you give them an e-version like a PDF or a hard copy you printed?
What kind of questions did you ask them to get the feedback you wanted or do you let them provide feedback without particular questions?

MK Schultz link

5/21/2020 08:02:24 pm

When I am writing my book, I do not speak of it with anyone. It only exists for me during this stage. When my first manuscript is completed, I re-read it and run through the first edit myself, correcting gaping plot holes, errors and inconsistencies wherever I can find them. Then and only then, I start sharing with people close to me. For my parents, I print out a hard copy version. I like seeing it come into the world physically too, so this is admittedly partly for me as well. My sister gets a pdf. My friend Dan got a shared google doc which he helped me run through the book in its entirety, much like you did. Then your final polish brought it to next level. I want to build on this for the third.

Because my first feedback is from family and friends, I suspect they are easy on me. I am sure it is biased. I find your comments useful and I think I will seek out an unbiased beta reader for my third book. I will carefully review your list.

Mark

5/21/2020 09:19:49 pm

Your process sounds similar to that of many other authors. Perhaps one of the big differences is that many authors try to have four, six or more beta readers. Then they use an editor or maybe some editing software such as Grammarly or ProWritingAid. Some use both of those options. Then after they work through those issues and any further rewriting the manuscript goes to a proofreader, although not everyone uses a proofreader.
Some authors utilize any number of tricks to aid in self-editing, including reading the manuscript aloud, printing it out in a different and colored font, reading it backwards, one paragraph at a time. There are many ways to beat the blindness that our brains impose on us.
You might be right, your family could easily not be brutally honest with you. Hopefully, by using so many different family members you can get the overall accurate picture you need.
I do hope you get several new beta readers, you may even be able to trade that chore with other authors.
New questions.
Do you belong to any writing groups, virtual or otherwise?
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?

MK Schultz link

5/22/2020 08:28:47 am

I don't belong to any writing groups. I have two friends that are writers, so I talk to them about writing. Twitter is useful to connect with other writers and be somewhat immersed in the writing culture. I find it beneficial and motivating.

When I look back I can see that signs of my love for writing. I recall sitting down and writing down the lyrics to songs. I recall enjoying writing stories in my English classes all throughout school. I enjoyed reading literary works that were assigned like "Lord of the Flies", "The Great Gatsby", and various Shakespeare works.

I have written a poem or two in my past. I contributed to a church newsletter a number of times. I enjoy the complexity and simpleness that are both contained in the Bible. I have always found it to be interesting.

I remember enjoying reading a series of books in grade 2 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. But nothing compares to the feeling of writing your own story. It is exhilarating.

Mark

5/22/2020 10:40:47 am

Having two writing friends is pretty good. Even better if you three are reading and critiquing each other's work. I think writers as critique partners are a valuable asset for an author. They provide a different angle on writing than a beta reader. Hopefully, the critique partners can explain why a passage is great or not great, where as the beta reader may not be able to recognize what is wrong at a certain point.
All the way back to kindergarten, that is very cool. Rhyming is a lot of fun and I think it helps get children excited about words and reading. Rhyming books for children might be one of the most difficult types of writing, children are merciless if they don't like it.
A well-crafted phrase can be exhilarating!
Some of the writing in the Bible is very profound, even without trying, the descriptions of the people and their motivations are so honest.
New 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?

MK Schultz link

5/22/2020 03:00:27 pm

In publishing my second book, I feel more confidence and less confidence simultaneously. More confident, because I proved to myself that I really could do it again and that the first time was not an anomaly. Less confident, because I hope I can do it a third time, but even better.

Prior to writing my first book, I can't name anything that I wish I had already known. Since then, I have learned a lot and expect to learn much more, but I am enjoying the journey of progression as a writer. Had I known all I know now and then some, where would the fun in that be?

Mark

5/22/2020 04:24:55 pm

That's how life is, isn't it? The first time we attempt something it's really hard, the next time it is a little bit easier. We become more skilled.
Good news! There is a lot more to learn! I knew that would make you happy.
Your books are going to get better as you keep writing and your skill improves.
New questions.
Do you have a hero, real or fictional?
Do you write notes by hand or on the computer?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?

MK Schultz link

5/23/2020 09:16:43 am

My real life hero is my Dad. His name is Kenneth. The K in his name is the K in my name and it is also both K's in my character in my books, Kassius Kanex. He is a natural artist who was given a gift from God. For most of my life, although I had dreamed of it, I never believed I had inherited any of this gift that he had been given, until the writing of my first book. It was then that I discovered that the gift given to him, that enabled him to create amazing works of art for his entire life has been passed on to me to create my stories. My dad's birthday is today and he is 81 now. He is truly amazing and he is also my hero.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of night with an idea. I usually will record it in Google Notes on my phone. In the car on my long commutes, I sometimes dictate through voice to text. I also make notes in my spreadsheet and a Google Doc I keep during the process of writing. I do have a notebook but I use it much less than the other digital means I described above

The most valuable advise from writers that I have received are from five sources that I can think of off of the top of my head. They are, Stephen King's "On Writing", Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic", Austin Kleon's "Steal Like an Artist", Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art", and "Get Published!" by Susan Driscoll and Diane Gedymin."

Mark

5/23/2020 09:41:45 am

Very nice about your father. Thanks for sharing about his creativity and how it transferred to you in a different form.
The fine arts are amazing to me. I love watercolors and sketching. I did a fair amount of sketching in high school and have great respect for that.
It's almost funny at times how a message from our muse comes at the oddest times. I know one author that hears from her muse regularly at about 2:30 a.m. She keeps pad and pen beside her bed; and wishes her muse was in a time zone that was closer. Another author hears her muse when she is in the shower. I suggested she get a waterproof pad of paper and a Space pen. The pen can write in water and at any angle.
Dictating voice notes is a good use of the technology. I use that feature myself sometimes.
Thanks for sharing that list of books. I am almost halfway through King's book.
New questions.
What are common traps for beginning writers?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?
Can you describe the demographic of your ideal reader?
Who is the person most likely to buy your book?

MK Schultz link

5/23/2020 01:54:45 pm

I think there are many traps out there that beginning writers can fall prey to if they are not careful. Being over confident or not confident enough about your writing is one of them. Finding that sweet spot right in the middle is a good place to be I think.

I think it is ok to have a strong ego. I think it can be beneficial in the marketing phase. You have to be ok with shameless self promotion. You have to communicate confident messages that your books are the freaken bomb.

I hope my books will appeal to a wide demographic consisting of adult men and women. My books are definitely not for kids.

Perhaps middle aged men would be the most likely reader for my books. But I hope my books will have wider appeal than that. Any one who has had a job they didn't like or has an interest for unpredictable plots will enjoy my first book especially. I think people who enjoy camping and fishing infused with mystery, suspense, comedy, horror and sci-fi will enjoy the second. People who like the idea of a secret organization that possesses advanced technologies and special abilities and powers will like both my books. At least I hope they would.

Mark

5/23/2020 03:03:34 pm

Having a lot of self-confidence is necessary when marketing for more than one reason. First is there will be a lot of negative responses, not everyone is going to buy the book, especially from a first-time author. Those that do, many won't leave a review. Then when actually marketing a book there will be nos also. Some book promoters charge so much, the no is coming from your wallet. Some reviewers won't like the genre, others don't have any space on their schedule. My list is booked out for several months as you well know. Seeking interviews from local news media can result in a no also, although a yes is possible. It boils down to if you don't ask you don't get.
New questions.
Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?
Do you struggle with writer's block, if so, how do you overcome it?

MK Schultz link

5/23/2020 04:40:15 pm

My writing lucky charm is a necklace with an inscribed pendant. When start a writing session, I begin by dramatically placing the necklace around my neck. It makes me into a different person. It developed into an idea that I ended up using in "The Fishing Trip" too; a dramatic scene that I am quite fond of. I also have other trinkets that I have collected which are mentioned in my books. They are on my writing table and they represent motivation for me. On my table now is a small translucent container that holds the actual 3 dimes written about in my first book. I also have a framed photo of the actual point in time when the fruit pyramid ritual first took place. I have Sherman's rabbit's foot Bugs as well, and also the vile from "The Fishing Trip" that holds three wish capsules that contain my three most important treasures. My blood brother Dan has one too.

I think work and stress is my writing Kryptonite but I try to defeat it. When I am in a consistent zone on a path of progress, I am able to defeat this Kryptonite with ease however.

Writer's block hasn't wreaked havoc on my writing yet. But I am not naive to think that it couldn't in the future. If it does, I feel confident that I will be able to overcome it.

Mark

5/23/2020 06:18:56 pm

Those are cool lucky charms. That is a great idea to keep objects from your books on your desk.
The J-O-B is something many writers have to contend with. It has a tendency to not be nearly as fulfilling as writing is on a good day. For most workers, there aren't many of those good days.
One of the best ways to beat writer's block, among many, is to write about something else, even nonsense. When the ink starts to flow the muse is usually not far behind. Let me know if you ever get stuck, I have picked up many ideas.
New questions.
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?
Are there any issues that are peculiar to writing science fiction that might not apply to other genres?
Do you ever read books in genres you don’t like? Why or why not.

MK Schultz link

5/24/2020 10:30:44 am

One advantage in writing under a pseudonym is that it allows you to keep your writing life separate. I chose to use the initials of my first and second name for partly this reason. It maintains a certain level of anonymity that I enjoy.

I didn't choose to write sci-fi. My books contain a bit of everything I think. But you have to pick one genre to identify your book in the market and when your book contains time travel, it is what it is.

I am open to reading all genres except for erotica. I don't care if a book has a sex scene, but I am not interested when that's all a book stands for.

Mark

5/24/2020 10:46:53 am

There seem to be many different reasons for using a pen name. Protecting a personal identity is high on that list.
Some multi-genre authors use a different pen name for each style of writing. They bring all the books and pen names together on one website, hoping to get some crossover from their fans into a different genre.
Your books do have a lot of different genres within them, but you are right time travel is leaning heavily into sci-fi.
New questions.
Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?
At this time, do you read books for entertainment or just research homework?
What type of book is your favorite guilty pleasure to read or listen to for fun?

MK Schultz link

5/24/2020 11:04:03 am

Consuming books, movies, TV and music all contribute to my writing without a doubt. Observing is also big for me. Things I see in my daily life spark ideas that become scenes in my books

When I read books, I do it for entertainment but as a writer there is a certain element of research involved as well. It is interesting to see how another author crafts their work.

I like the silliness of Bruce Campbell. He has written a few books and I enjoy them.

Mark

5/24/2020 01:04:29 pm

Sometimes an inspiring moment comes along and surprises us. Other times there can be so many that it's hard to sort it all out.
I have been told by many writers that they are always analyzing a story to learn more, that it detracts from the pleasure of reading sometimes.
New questions.
What hurdle did you face in writing this book and how did you overcome it?
Would you agree or disagree with the statement: suffering is a requirement to be a good writer, and why?
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?

MK Schultz link

5/24/2020 01:34:26 pm

When I was writing "The Fishing Trip", there was so much material I had in mind for the five fishermen to experience during their trip. The hurdle I faced was figuring out what else include in the story because I didn't want it to be one dimensional. It was also a struggle to figure out how to tie it all in with my first book. In the end, I am very pleased with how it came together. I structured it into three parts and I feel that it really worked well for the story. I feel that readers of my first book will have a lot of fun with this one, trying to figure out how it could possible connect and tie in with the first. My muse delivered and that is who I credit with overcoming some of the hurdles I was faced with.

Suffering does make a good writer, or any kind of artist I believe. But I don't think it is mandatory, although it was a struggle in my life that I was faced with that gave birth to my first book and more than that; introduced me to my passion and very destiny that I had blindly searched for my entire life.

I have spent a lot of my own money to publish and market my books. Such is the case for indie-writers. I look at the money I spent as investments in my passion, so it is pretty easy for me to justify. But there is definitely limits. I guess I would have to say that the money I spent to get my books published is the most important because it got my books out there. Your proof reading services were also invaluable I now believe. Now that my books are out there, expenditures on marketing it important to me but I have to be careful. It is tough to beat the book promotion package offered by The Wordrefiner. I spent 40 times the money on a three month advertising campaign offered by my publisher with less results that the one week promotion available from The Wordrefiner.

Mark

5/24/2020 05:29:38 pm

The sifting process is something that almost every author goes through, especially for a genre or topic that requires a lot of research. Avoiding the dreaded 'info dump' is necessary, because the reader is likely to get bored and close the book. There are so many other books available to read.
We all have suffering of one kind or another, no doubt about that.
Getting the book published is the deal maker, for sure. Without that the rest is not that important.
It was an honor to partner with you working on The Fishing Trip, I enjoyed taking a good story and helping it to shine.
New questions.
With the explosion of different streaming services, these companies are scrambling for content. Writers are going to be sitting on the top of the heap soon, because they are content providers. Have you considered shopping your content to these companies?
An e-book is only one form that writing can be consumed in. Have you considered licensing large print, graphic books, plays or audio books? Audio books, in English and translated, are exploding worldwide.

MK Schultz link

5/24/2020 06:18:48 pm

The thought of my books being turning into film or TV is something that I dream of. I have always thought that my books would be well suited for this. I have faith that opportunities will come the longer I persist and keep trying to promote my books.

I like the audio book idea and I hope I can achieve that some day. It would be so much fun to hear the voices of my characters brought to life.

Mark

5/24/2020 07:27:20 pm

I have links to blogs about both of those topics on my Highly Regarded Blogs page. Lots of good scrolling.
Audio books are exploding around the world. English is spoken in many countries around the world as the language of business and government or as a second language taught at all school levels. Millions of people access the internet through only a phone, so audio books are an easy way to access entertainment on a small-screen platform.
Big Bad Wolf is a company that sells English language books all over the world in the millions.
There is also having a book translated, they have been pretty expensive in the past. But Artificial Intelligence is changing that rapidly.
One of my followers is having his book made into a movie, I believe. You should follow @davepperlmutter He might have some good tips. Blogs have been written about this also.
New questions.
Do you subscribe to any magazines, newsletters, blogs or podcasts that enhance your writing career? Feel free to share as many as you would like.
What are your favorite reference books or websites for grammar and writing?
Have you ever created a throw-away character that developed into a major player?

MK Schultz link

5/25/2020 08:23:28 am

Thanks for pointing out all of this. I look forward to checking it out.

Currently I don't subscribe to any magazines, newsletters, blogs or podcasts. I look forward to trying to broaden myself by doing so. I used to subscribe to the author learning centre. The link can be found at iUniverse.com. It is $9.99 per month. If I had the time, it is well worth it due to the volume of resources available there.

I have a bunch of bookmarked websites that I refer to for grammar etc. Good old Google is very helpful in researching.

In my first book, the throw-away character Alejandro Flores turned into a major player in "The Fishing Trip", although readers may not catch it at first. Further elaboration will follow in book 3.

Mark

5/25/2020 09:38:08 am

There are a lot of great blogs and content for authors out there, I subscribe to several that are free, Anne R. Allen, Kristine Rusch, Joanna Penn to name three. I have links to many of their blogs on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.
I am going to have to go back and look up Alejandro, I don't recall his role.
New questions.
Do you ever put a story aside and come back to it at a later date; if so, how long before you return to it?
Why do most authors write in 3rd person POV instead of first and second POV?
Do you think you were born to write or did you have to learn the craft?

MK Schultz link

5/25/2020 11:21:47 am

Alejandro did an unspeakable act in book 1 and Kassius brought him to justice and fixed the terrible destruction he caused. The fixing of the situation, resulted in some side effects that have only just begun in book 2.

When I started writing "The Fishing Trip", I put it aside for six months after completing the first chapter. I did this to submit queries for my first book which had not yet been published. Then again after completing the first nine chapters, I put it aside for an additional six months to focus on the publishing and marketing of my first book. Finally, I returned to it but it was difficult to get back into the flow so I had to re-read what I had completed to get back into the mindset of it. After that, I didn't stop.

I think 3rd person POV is a good way to tell a story. I don't mind having more than one POV even though I know that is frowned upon by some. I like an omniscient narrator as well.

I believe that I was born to write. I searched for it for my entire life but did not recognize the clues until I was 44 years old. It was then that I realized that I discovered my destiny.

Mark

5/25/2020 12:09:52 pm

Thanks for the hint. I will have to check to see if I remember correctly.
How many queries did you send out? How many answers did you receive?
Querying is so difficult, from what I have heard. You are putting your baby in front of strangers, agents or publishers, and you are lucky to even get a rejection form letter, much less an acceptance.
I think we have Amazon to thank for that. They turned the publishing world upside down. The traditional publishers have been struggling to survive ever since. Many of them have disappeared, swallowed up by a competitor or bankrupt. Their profit margins are so slim now.
Third person omniscient is a very popular way to tell a story. It's how stories have been told for so many generations.
It's a wonderful thing to find what you were destined for. No matter how hard it gets, there is the internal satisfaction of operating in your giftedness.
New questions.
What did you buy with your first royalty check?
How did you celebrate when you published your first book?
How many times did you rewrite the first page, the first chapter of this book?

MK Schultz link

5/25/2020 12:29:18 pm

Altogether, I submitted about 80 queries over the course of about a year. I submitted to publishers and literary agents. From the 80, I think I got about 30 rejections and 50 non-replies. It truly did start to feel like a waste of time and that was when I decided to self-publish. It was tough to give up on because I truly did and still do believe in my books. I think they have something to give in the way of entertainment and I feel that they are though provoking and unique. Doubt still enters and sometimes you wonder if you are like one of those really terrible auditions you see on American Idol where the person seems to so thoroughly believe that the judges are wrong. In the end, I don't think so because I always return to the same place of love and fondness of my work with no regret. So sorry Simon, but you're wrong. LOL

I deposited my first royalty cheque in a separate bank account which I will not touch until I either retire, or it grows enough to enable me to retire. I would follow this up with an LOL, but I can't because I am being sincere. But still, LOL.

When I published my first book, it was a dream come true. My publisher called me to congratulate me and to inform me that my book was live and available online. When I checked, I was over the moon. I celebrated with some beverages along with my wife and made some phone calls to friends and family to announce it to them.

The first page and chapter of "The Fishing Trip", was never re-written fully; just edited, modified, added to, and tweaked 10 times in total I think.

Mark

5/25/2020 05:18:23 pm

Some of those auditions on American Idol can make you cry, some can make you laugh; for a rare few, you might do both. It certainly illustrates the importance of getting out of the bubble. That is part of the purpose of having beta readers and critique partners. People who want to help you improve, not just feel good about your writing,
You certainly worked the query mine diligently. Thirty actual replies is pretty decent. Many agents are paid on commission when they get the author a contract and not before. So it's no surprise they won't spend anytime with a book that they think they can't sell, for whatever reason.
Many writers spend that first check at a fancy restaurant, like Jacque-in-the-box, or some other well-known venue. ;-)
That had to be an incredible, over-the-moon feeling when you first book came out! I bet the second book was almost as good. I doubt if that feeling will ever go away, even after 100 books.
Ten times works for me.
New questions.
Who are your favorite dead authors?
Who are your favorite living authors at this time?
Do you have a “favorite” filler word or two that you have to keep taking out of a story, like “just” or like “like”? 😉

MK Schultz link

5/25/2020 05:42:47 pm

The feeling of publishing a book for the second time was just as good as the first proving that writing a book is not like doing heroin where supposedly the level of the first high is never achieved again. LoL.

My favorite dead authors are old classics like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Scott F. Fitzgerald, Mark Twain, Shakespeare and the inspired authors from the Bible whose muse was God.

My favorite living author is me, followed closely by Stephen King. LoL.

I had to eliminate a lot of adverbs like "really" for one. I also had to watch for over use of other words like "inevitably" and probably "seemingly" although I do quite like that word.

Mark

5/25/2020 06:05:40 pm

Good to know, that the high stays the same.
Mark Twain was quite the writer. I read about Tom Sawyer and Huck Fin more than once. One of his short stories, "The Cat and The Painkiller" was a favorite of mine, the surest cure for getting out of a funk. It would have me laughing my head off before I got to the end, without fail.
The Bible is timeless, no doubt about that.
At least King made it to number 2!
The adverbs look pretty and sound highfalutin at times, but they can slow a story down. Sometimes you want to move it slow, but other times it needs to go fast. That excess baggage has to be go away.
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?
Do you have any Easter eggs hidden in your stories that only close friends or family members would recognize?

MK Schultz link

5/25/2020 06:20:17 pm

Words are powerful. The older I get the clearer this becomes. I came across an interesting concept that is simple and yet complex that stuck with me. "Says equals means", is how it went. I think there is a lot of truth packed into that. I think of it often.

There are many hidden messages in my books. They are riddled with them. Some only my friends, family or previous co-workers will get. Others are for me and would never be possible to decode. They are for me. I am selfish in my writing in that I do it for me, but I also care a great deal about others finding something to enjoy and maybe even love.

As far as Easter eggs, they are in my books for sure. I had a lot of fun with many of the behind the scenes aspects of writing my books and I suppose that will only continue. I really like dramatic scenes and themes as anyone who has read my books will see.

Mark

5/25/2020 07:09:20 pm

Easter eggs and the like are a lot of fun to learn about. It provides a feeling of being an insider, someone who knows the secrets.
It might be fun in a future book to include a subtle puzzle of some kind, with the winner getting to suggest a character name or two.
Secrets for yourself, that's an interesting concept also. I don't think I would have thought of that. Perhaps it happens naturally in the course of writing, as you write from internal resources.
New questions.
Do you believe that a good book will sell itself?
Do you think good marketing can overcome the limitations of a mediocre book?

MK Schultz link

5/25/2020 08:00:32 pm

I think a good book CAN sell itself. I believe that this is possible, however only if it reaches the people. Unfortunately, I think that there must be amazing books and stories out there are are invisible, due to the sheer volume that exists and continue to be written.

Marketing does work. I believe it can produce results far past that of what the content of the book contains. For example, let me use movies as an example. Pan's Labyrinth and Avatar. One of these movies is ten fold better than the other, and yet the far lesser of the two reached unprecedented success. There are many examples like this. People can be like cattle when it comes to big block busters. Even if the movie sucks. The same principle applies to books I believe. No matter what the outcome, I will continue to believe in my books and although they may not ever make it to the best sellers list, I still believe some people will like them more than some best sellers. I am proof of one of those people to exist. There has to be others.

Mark

5/25/2020 09:11:22 pm

I saw Avatar, I don't think I have seen the other movie. The story line of Avatar didn't do much for me, but I enjoyed the special effects. One of these days I will see Pan's Labyrinth.
There are a lot of amazing books out there. I have read quite a few. A well written book is a true pleasure. I have found books like this in many different genres.
Last questions.
Do you have any problems when writing about characters of the opposite sex, why or why not?
How do you balance the demands on your time as a writer with personal relationships?
What is the biggest myth about writing that would help aspiring authors?

MK Schultz link

5/26/2020 08:30:28 am

There are several characters of the opposite sex in both of my books. As long as they are a sister, mother, wife or daughter, I don't find it difficult. I just draw from my own experiences and it seems to go well. My main characters so far have been men, but my books have a lot of various characters other than men. Animals are fairly prominent in my books as well.

My day job requires an early 5:30am rise. Because of this, my internal clock is set. On weekend mornings, I can get a pretty good writing session in before my family even gets up. Later in the day or night, I will sometimes get in a second session. During the week, I try to do a short session before bed. My writing sessions are usually short bursts so it generally isn't an issue. It is kind of like doing an exercise workout for me, in that when I start, I don't sit and look at the treadmill or weights. I start immediately. The same goes for my writing. I don't sit and stare at the screen too often. I usually am able to hit the ground running to make the session very efficient. This is made possible by all the thinking I do when not in a session.

The biggest myth about writing for me is that you are not good enough to be a writer because you don't have a degree in English literature or the arts. Another myth I think is the belief by some that traditional publication is the only valid publication. I don't believe that either of these are necessary to make one a writer. I think all that is required is the desire to write and the drive to improve. Writing is art and art comes from the soul. It is an expression that often cannot be contained. It needs to be set free.

Mark

5/26/2020 10:29:39 am

It sounds like you have a good handle on balance of family, life and writing. It works well for you. All that cogitation and rumination works well for you also.
Good call on the myths of writing. I think you nailed two big ones. A writer can educate themselves about many aspects of English grammar and writing skills. Though it runs contrary to the desires of many authors, I think traditional publishing is a bad deal for the author. They lose so much control of their book. Unless the author has a knowledgeable lawyer they can lose all rights to their book forever.
Thank you so much, Mark, you have been a fabulous guest and I have enjoyed our chat immensely.
Until next time, keep writing, your fans are depending on it.

MK Schultz link

5/26/2020 11:36:23 am

Many thanks Mark. I really enjoyed this. My fans will be pleased to know that there is much more to come. Stay tuned, follow me on twitter and be sure to visit my website listed at the top of the interview. If anyone wants to contact me, my email address is on my website. Thanks again...MK Schultz

The Fishing Trip: Kassius Kanex, Book 2 By MK Schultz

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