by 
Interview Gary Hickman
Interview
– When did you start writing novels, what moved you to start writing?
I started writing in counseling from court appointed anger management, funny enough. I had to keep a journal and write my feelings down as a requirement. My counselor said that my writing was taking form and was poetry. I balked at this, but as I continued to write I noticed it. That was when I was a teenager and I progressed since then. I started writing stories and finally had enough of my own excuses. I sat down and wrote my first book.
– In what genres do you write? Do you plan writing in other genres?
I write in the horror, post-apocalyptic genre. Yes, I am doing research for a book that would be better classified as a thriller/mystery style book.
– Tell us about your novels. Why should everyone buy them?
I am former military and I put a lot of my own experiences and expertise in what I write. A good bit of my stories are actual missions I was involved in, but I swap out the real enemy with infected or other supernatural entities.
– What is your all time favorite novel/book? What makes it special?
Wow, it’s hard to pick just one. The Jack Tales: Folk Tales From The Southern Appalachians by Richard Chase comes to mind. One of my favorite teachers in elementary school used to read us stories from this book and I was completely engaged. I bought this book twenty-some years later and read it to my kids. It’s an excellent book.
– Tell us a bit about your writing process.
I basically write the story in an outline format. I have the main flow of the story written and then go back and fill in more content. I feel the filler content and the scene transitions are quite hard for me. Getting from one situation to another is something I struggle with. I get caught up in the story that I have to go back and explain how they got to that moment.
– What author would you love to have dinner with?
Clive Barker. I would like to see where he comes up with his ideas.
– Tell us about your hobbies and passions other than writing.
I host a live stream show with a buddy of mine which we do every week. I also narrate books for other authors on Audible. I also love spending time with my wife, kids and dog.
– We have many followers who would like to start writing a book or are already writing their first novel, any advice for these brave people?
Do it! We can make excuses all day as to why we can’t write a book. Believe me, as time passes you may regret not doing it earlier and when you think back as to why you didn’t, those excuses will suddenly seem stupid.
– How often do you write, daily, every other day or?
Every other day or so.
– Do you keep a notebook with ideas for your novels? If so do you carry the notebook with you so you won’t forget any ideas?
Ha! Yes, I do on both counts. I actually cannot sit down at a computer and start writing. As weird as it sounds, my brain doesn’t work that way. I am old school and I write my stories/chapters down on a note pad and then type them in afterwards. Ideas will not flow with me sitting at a keyboard.
– How important is it to have your facts right and are there any instances when you bend history to fit your story?
I think they are very important. Even when writing fiction, which is what I write, I think having factual elements makes your writing more believable and real. It allows the reader to actually feel that they are part of the story because the facts are relatable.
– What are you reading at the moment?
Alamo: The Retreat, Book 4 By: Craig DiLouie, Stephen Knight, Joe McKinney
– How is it to be an author in your country? Do you have a good support from the local public?
Yes, I’m in the United States. I live in the state of Maryland and it is a very supportive area for artistic expression.
– Certainly you have had some interesting episodes as an author, fans related or others, share one of them with us.
I actually had a reader email me and was extremely upset that I killed her favorite character off. She sent me a few emails complaining. I started thinking of Misery. Haha.
– A final message for our circleofbooks.com readers.
Books are extremely important, especially now with the issues we are dealing with. It can be therapeutic and help in keeping your sanity during this difficult time. Both the reader and the writer benefit from the same book and I believe they share a certain bond through the story. Cheesy, but true.
Thank you Gary Hickman. We at circleofbooks.com wish you much success!
Click here to visit the author page here on Circle of Books.
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