Today I am pleased to present to you all the 64th in a series of Author Interviews. Recently I sat down with the teenage mutant ninja turtle acting Gregory G. Allen and our conversation went something like this:
Paul: I like to start my interviews by asking if you
have any writing rituals?
Gregory: I wish I could say
that I have this really cool way of approaching my writing, but sadly I am one
of those ‘when the moment hits me…I write’ type of people. I can actually write
when people are even talking in the room just by blocking everyone out in the
background.
Paul: If someone had the power to step into your
creative mind what would they see?
Gregory: They would see a
pretty messed up room. My brain can go all over the place when a storyline is
coming into my mind. I usually see snippets of a story. Small moments that I
then go and flesh out. I’m sure those snippets would completely frighten
someone if they were seeing them in their raw form.
Paul: Do you have a favorite character in each of
your series, aside from the lead? If so, which one and why?
Gregory: I’ve written stand-alone
novels and at times, it’s the supporting players that I love. When I wrote Patchwork Of Me, I had a sassy character
named Hahn that was no-holds barred in how she spoke. I love that she has no
issues saying what is on her mind and makes no apologies for it. As a matter of
fact, she has stayed in my head and told me she wants the sequel to be more
about her.
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?
Gregory: As authors, we
want as many people as possible to find our work. And sometimes that means
putting our money into the wrong marketing places. I spent much money my first
time out on a publicist that unfortunately did not do reap much benefits. In
hindsight; I shouldn’t have spent that kind of money when I am an unknown
author.
Paul: How do you find the
time to write?
Gregory: This is so difficult. Once we
have a book out there, we spend so much time promoting it that getting back to writing
is not always easy. When I’m feeling creatively charged, I make the time for
writing. Usually at night time when I’m most creative.
Paul: What is one thing
you hope I do not tell the readers?
Gregory: That Gregory carries himself as
if he always knows what he’s doing, but many times it is all by the seat of his
pants.
Paul: Do you plot your stories or do you just get
an idea and run with it?
Gregory: The idea usually comes first and then I will
sit down and create an outline. However, once I start writing – I always veer
off from the outline as the characters really drive the story at that point.
Paul: Do you do a lot of editing or do you find
that as time goes on your writing is more fully-formed?
Gregory: I write and then tend to go back and always
self-edit when I read over again. However, in the end, I always use an editor
before I ever submit my work anywhere.
Paul: Do you have to do much research for your
stories?
Gregory: I tend to write many types of stories, so to
make them authentic I do research. I want the places, occupations of
characters, and storylines to ring as true as possible.
Paul: What is your most recent book? Tell us a
little about it.
Gregory: Cool
Side Of The Pillow tells the story of Zachery
Kleinmann who lives in the elite world of New Canaan, Connecticut and left his
accounting job four years earlier to be a modern stay-at-home father. But as
his son is starting pre-school, his wife is passionately
involved in her own career, and Zach is knocking on forty years old, he
begins to wonder how he will find his own serenity and define himself
moving forward. Enter Ginger Charman, an older, eccentric, free living
actress who has dedicated her life to bringing joy to children and
keeping all those around her young at heart. As Zach is pulled into her
world and discovers secrets about his new friend, he is not sure he'll ever be
able to leave the rabbit hole once he has fallen through - or if he'll even
want to venture outside of it again.
Paul: What inspired you to write this book?
Gregory: I spent many years
as a children’s theater actor (even toured the country as a Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtle), so I thought writing a book that utilizes that setting could be
interesting. People in the theater can be thought of to be wild and kooky and
this older eccentric actress is just that. I also wanted to explore role
reversal where the wife is out working, the man is at home; delve into marital
issues; as well as the question of if men and women can be friends.
Paul: Do you also write any poetry, non-fiction or
short stories?
Gregory: I’ve written a memoir novella about my half-brother
that died when he was only 34 as well as a children’s book on autism awareness.
Paul: Do you enter competitions? Are there any you
could recommend?
Gregory: I have done some of the Book Festival
competitions and won those (New York Book Festival). Also the Reader’s Favorite
competition was a great one that both one of my novels and my children’s book
did really well in.
Paul: How much marketing do you do for your
published works or for your ‘brand’?
Gregory: I find that I am always marketing. Social
media. Reviews. Features. Blogs. I market everywhere that I can reach out to
find new readers.
Paul: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do
you have any hobbies or party tricks?
Gregory: I
manage an arts center on a college campus and still dabble in theater.
Sometimes performing or also reviewing shows and writing articles for
BroadwayWorld.com When not doing that, I love to travel. And those travels
sometimes turn up in my writing, so maybe that can be counted as research.
Paul: That was wonderful, Gregory. I wish you every success for the future.
About Gregory G. Allen: Gregory G. Allen is the author of COOL SIDE OF THE PILLOW, PATCHWORK OF ME, PROUD PANTS: AN UNCONVENTIONAL MEMOIR, WELL WITH MY SOUL, and the children's book CHICKEN BOY: THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF A SUPER HERO WITH AUTISM which won the People's Choice Grand Prize Award in the MeeGenius! Author Challenge. He has been in the entertainment business for over twenty years as an actor, director, producer, songwriter, playwright and author. Gregory contributes articles and blogs to several online sites including BroadwayWorld.com and Huffington Post.
Gregory's Blog:
Gregory G. Allen
Gregory on Twitter:
@GregoryGAllen
Gregory on Facebook:
Gregory G. Allen
Gregory's latest book:
Cool Side Of The Pillow (Amazon)
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