Gage Greenwood is an author who is fantastic at supporting other offers and a talented writer himself. He has a plethora of good advice for people as well as a desire for genuine followers, not just those who want to “like” his stories to appease him or for their own gain. This desire to write well and to help others make him a fantastic person! Let’s read on and learn more about him in his own words.
Why here, why now?
How did you know you had this series in you?
I didn’t. I started writing it a year before I published it, planning on making it a novel. I couldn’t pinpoint the problem at the time, but for some reason, it wasn’t quite right for a novel format. When I discovered Kindle Vella, it clicked that this was destined to be a series. So, I jumped in, and it’s been a wild ride.
That’s awesome! Your writing is great as a serial, but I would read it in long format, too.
Why did you choose to use a series format?
Winter’s Myths was meant to play out like a television show. It had big cliffhangers, and larger-than-life storylines. The pages of a book couldn’t contain it. Or, I couldn’t contain it. It was a force too strong for me to rope in.
The techniques
What is your greatest challenge in writing?
Finding the time. I’m a full-time parent, a YouTuber, and I have numerous other responsibilities to take care of on a daily basis. I read a book once that said you can’t be a successful author if you don’t make eight hour blocks of time each day for your writing. That makes me laugh. Somedays, I write in five minute increments when the time allows for it.
I feel this with every bit of my soul. And one of these days, I’m hopping over to your YouTube to learn how to do that well.
What surprised you in the writing process?
All of it. It’s like a little mouse on your kitchen counter. It seems so easy to reach for and place in your palm, but dang, it can move away from you in a blink.
Lol, true words!
Is there something in particular, that you found particularly helpful?
I love ProWritingAid for a first checkup on the editing process. As someone just delving into publishing books, I am also loving Vellum. It makes the process of putting your work into multiple formats really easy.
I haven’t used Vellum at all. I should check it out.
What was the coolest or most surprising thing you learned while researching?
Oh yeah, my book is about someone raised underground for his entire life, so I had to do a ton of research on survival, and I delved head first into the prepper community. It’s a super nice group of folks with an extensive knowledge on how to survive no matter what happens. There were so many things I learned that I hadn’t even considered when writing Winter’s Myths. For example, how’d they get their vitamin D? I wouldn’t have even considered answering that without talking to preppers.
Preppers get a bad rap, and some are extreme in their viewpoints, but like any community when met with respect, they give respect. Moreover, they have so much knowledge that they want to share!
What else can you describe in your writing process?
I’m a pantser when it comes to plot, but a planner when it comes to characters. I know their story, and how they will respond to any scenario, but I don’t know what’s going to happen to them until I start writing it.
This a cool little fact. It makes sense. I’m a pantser to when it comes to plot, but I learn my characters as the reader does, with only little bits of pre knowledge. Lol, but I have a separate file with all their bios and world history/culture for my reference.
The audience
How do you know your piece is ready to be shared/complete?
I never do, but eventually I have to let it go.
This is where serial format is especially helpful for me!
Who is your expected audience?
Probably fans of series like The Dark Tower and John Dies at the End. Genre bending weird stories with a lot of humor mixed into the darkness. If you like a little of everything jumbled into one tale, you’ll dig my work. There are some constants, though. You can always expect a lot of darkness, trauma, and something paranormal.
Consistency within the chaos?
Who has been your strongest supporter?
My girlfriend. She was pushing me to publish long before I did. When I come to her after I hit some milestone, and I’m shocked by it, she’s excited for me, but not surprised. She knew I would get there. She always knew. My two friends Emily and Justine have been huge supporters of mine in all aspects of life, as well.
If you could have any author (alive, dead, or fictional) read your book, who would you like to read it?
Stephen King. Honestly, if King read my stuff and responded with “This sucks,” I would put that quote on the cover of everything I publish.
Stephen King is an amazing writer. I grew up reading his books and I love the variety of style and tone he has.
What author, or book, or series most influenced you?
Tough to nail down just one. Stephen King shaped my teenage years. Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men was the book I read the most as a kid. My mom and I used to read Jack London together, and I have always had a special place for White Fang and Call of the Wild because of it. I think everything I have ever read influenced me in some capacity.
That last statement is key. Everything influences my writing.
And other random facts…
I’m not a real person. I’m made from 70 percent tin and 30 percent plastics. But also, I love Miley Cyrus songs (for real), early 2000’s emo, and 90’s alternative. My favorite movies are Pleasantville, Captain America: Winter Soldier, and Halloween, but I also enjoy just about every teen comedy ever made. Mean Girls. Can’t Hardly Wait. 10 Things I Hate About You. Love them all. I have eclectic tastes.
What else is important to share about your book?
Every part matters to the whole, so if you think I went sideways somewhere, buckle in and trust me. It’s all going to collide at some point.
When can we expect more from you?
If all goes according to plan, you can expect a lot this year. Winter’s Myths season one should land in book format, a stand alone novel called, “On a Clear Day, You Can See Block Island,” and a short story collection called, “Tales from Tanner’s Switch,” are all in the works.
Where can we find your book?
https://www.GageGreenwood.com/books
Where can we find you?
https://www.youtube.com/c/gagegreenwoodwrites
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