Mark:
Nothing astounding. I try to write six to eight hours a day.
Paul: What types of books do you
like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Why?
Mark:
I like a variety of stuff: Horror, thrillers, good
science fiction, and fantasy. My favorite authors are Dan Simmons, Clive
Barker, James Lee Burke, Stephen King, Robert McCammon. These are just a few of
my favorite authors. I like them because they successfully transport me to
other worlds. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of independents like Allan
Leverone and Kealan Patrick Burke. If I want a good entertaining fast-food read
I’ll pick up a James Patterson or Lee Child.
Paul: If someone had the
power to step into your creative mind what would they see?
Mark:
A lot of confusing stuff that they probably wouldn’t understand. There’s
a lot of garbage in there. I’m always
putting together pieces of stories.
Paul: What is a typical day
for you?
Mark:
I sit down at my desk when I get up in the morning and work until about noon . I take several hours off in the
early afternoon in order to do other necessary things, and then I get back to
writing in the late afternoon for several more hours. Sometimes I work in the
early evening as well.
Paul: In all the years you’ve been publishing your
work, what is the biggest mistake you made that you could share so others can
avoid making it?
Mark:
Signing away my book rights to a publisher.
Paul: How do you find the time to write?
Mark:
I write full time, so finding the time is relatively
easy. I have other obligations, of course, just like anyone else, but writing
is my top priority.
Paul: What is one thing you hope I do not tell the
readers?
Mark:
I can’t think of anything off hand so I guess you
can tell them anything you’d like. Within reason, of course.
Paul: If you are self-published, what led to you
going your own way?
Mark:
Three of my books
are still with a publisher. I’m working now to get my rights back. I have
seventeen self-published titles and in the past several years have had several offers
from publishers who want my books. I’ve said no to them all. I went independent
for several very good reasons: complete control over my work and how it is presented
to the public. As an independent I don’t have to beg my publisher to make
changes to my manuscript or my book cover or the product description. But the
big one is royalties. I earn approximately 17.5 percent of the list price with
my legacy published books. I earn as high as 70% with my independent titles.
It’s a no-brainer. Unless I get a fabulous offer with crazy piles of money I
will never again sign with a publisher.
Paul: Do you plot your stories or do you just get
an idea and run with it?
Mark:
I rarely plot my stories. It’s too
limiting. At least for me. There are lots of great authors who plot, but I
prefer not to. If the story decides to
change direction half way through I go along with it. If I had a set plot it
would be more difficult.
Paul: Do you do a lot of editing or do you find
that as time goes on your writing is more fully-formed?
Mark:
I edit constantly
as I write, which leads to manuscripts that are mostly formed. But of course
they still need an editor. Every writer needs an editor.
Paul: Do you have to do much research for your
stories?
Mark:
Depends on the
story. Most of my books require a bit of research because I don’t know
everything about all the subjects I tackle.
Mark:
Apocalypse Island: It’s about a guy who can’t
remember his childhood because it was wiped clean by a government organization
that used him and other children in terrible experiments. It’s his search to
find his identity amid a backdrop of murder and government cover-ups. A
fast-paced thriller full of twists and turns.
Paul: What inspired you to write this book?
Mark:
I’m fascinated by government conspiracies. I ran
across an article on a secret CIA program called MK-Ultra in which children
were used as guinea pigs in mind control tests. It sparked my imagination and
out came Apocalypse Island.
Paul: Do you also write any poetry, non-fiction or
short stories?
Mark:
Yes to all of the above.
I’m also a song writer.
Paul: Do
you enter competitions? Are there any you could recommend?
Mark:
The only
competition I have ever entered was a short story contest sponsored by the Book
of Dark Wisdom back in 2004. They were looking for a story of exactly 666
words. I wrote a story called The Swamp and it won first place. First prize was
publication in their magazine along with an interview.
Paul: How much marketing do you do for your
published works or for your ‘brand’?
Mark:
More than I like
to. But it’s part of the game when you’re self-published. No one’s gonna do it
for you.
Paul: What’s your favorite / least favorite aspect
of your writing life? Has anything surprised you?
Mark:
My favorite aspect
is the writing itself. I love creating characters and worlds. My least favorite
is promotion. Nothing surprises me.
Paul: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do
you have any hobbies or party tricks?
Mark:I play music. I have my own band. We do originals and probably far too many Pink Floyd covers.
Paul: That was great, Mark. Many thanks and I wish you continued success.
Mark:I play music. I have my own band. We do originals and probably far too many Pink Floyd covers.
Paul: That was great, Mark. Many thanks and I wish you continued success.
Mark's Blog: Mark Edward Hall
Mark on Twitter: @markedwardhall
Mark on Facebook: Mark Edward Hall
Mark's latest book: Apocalypse Island (Amazon)
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Thanks for doing the interview, Paul.
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