I’m hosting an interview with Mike Hartner, author of “I, Walter”. Welcome to my blog, Mike, and thanks for answering my interview questions.
Author Interview
1) How long have you been writing?
When I was in school and young, I wrote poetry. Years ago, I wrote stories about my genealogy. Now, I write romantic fiction.
2) What is your favorite genre to write?
So far, the favorite is romantic fiction.
3) Which genre have you never tried before, but would you like to try out?
Quiet a few genres that I haven’t tried. Before I’m done writing, I’d like to try mystery.
4) Please tell us about your book.
I, Walter is the first book in a series of ‘portraits’ that will eventually lead the series to current day. I, Walter is the story of Walter Crofter. He was born in 1588, in London, and this is the story of his life.
5) Which character was your favorite, and why? Which character was your least favorite, and why?
In this book, I liked Walter Crofter the best. His sense of humor is close to mine. My least favorite is Gerald. He’s my least favorite because he is the only character I have encountered who has enough of an evil bent to do things that are hideous.
6) What was the hardest part about writing your book?
Wrapping my head around the character of Gerald.
7) What is your writing routine? Are there things you absolutely need to start writing?
My writing routine gets done when all other household chores are done. My characters pick classical music to write to, and then I put headphones on and write. Walter’s music included Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Ode to Joy), Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave, and a few others.
8) How long did it take you to write your book from start to finish?
About ten months. But it was an outgrowth from another book that had a two-year head start.
9) Can you tell us about your editing process?
I send my editing job to a professional, www.theperfectwrite.com. Rob is the best in editing, and I’m very happy with the results.
10) Is this book part of a series? If so, how many installments do you have planned?
Definitely, this book is the first in a series. Right now, the last number I had was 16 or 17. But, I think that depends a lot on the characters. Walter was the first generation. By third or fourth generation there will be characters outside of the family to get involved.
11) Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Write what you know, or what your muse gives you. Be diligent and professional, remembering that you wouldn’t want to read sloppy writing, and nobody else does either. And work at your own pace. Don’t let everyone else dictate to you.
12) Why should everyone read your book?
It has pirates and swords, and the ocean, and a romance. It’s a memoir. It’s light reading, and a lot of my readers have enjoyed it.
13) If you could meet three authors, dead or alive, which authors would you choose?
Alexandre Dumas, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway.
14) What inspired you to write your book?
My muse brought Walter into my mind. Walter Crofter inspired me to write his story. And my editor convinced me that it was good enough to publish. My characters and my muse always inspire me.
15) Are you working on something at the moment? If so, can you tell us more about it?
I have just finished book two, which is slated for release in the late part of June. It will be a summer release. It again, is a historical fiction. It is the story of one of Walter’s children.
Author Bio
Mike Hartner was born in Miami in 1965. He’s traveled much of the continental United States. He has several years post secondary education, and experience teaching and tutoring young adults. Hartner has owned and run a computer firm for more than twenty-five years. He now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with his wife and child. They share the neighborhood and their son with his maternal grandparents.
Website: www.mikehartner.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHartnerAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Hartner-Author/368690356556759
About I, Walter
Walter Crofter was born into Elizabethan England. In a country and a time where favor and politics were both deadly, can an honest boy stay true to himself? Especially given his family background?
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