What is your writing schedule like? -Schwartz: Any time of the day or evening works for me to write, but I would agree with many that evenings are the best time as they are generally quiet and one can focus on his/her work. How do you think you’ve improved since you began your writing career? -Schwartz: It’s amazing how quickly a writer can acknowledge his own mistakes, poor character development, and inefficient language usage. I compare my earlier version of Book 1 to the rest of the series and the improvement there in style, content, and layout is very obvious. Like any kind of designer, upon completion a writer asks himself the enduring question: how would you do it differently next time? I’ve not only become wiser with story creation, description, and layout, but also more show and public relations savvy as I am self-published and attend many book shows and conventions to advertise and sell my books. As with any other discipline, the learning here never ends. When did you want to become an author and why? -Schwartz: This story makes and examination of religious fanaticism and gang violence, all woven into a superhero dynamic duo action-adventure. The terror attacks on Sept 11, 2001 inspired me to write about the controversial issue of killing in the name of God, all in an attempt to find an answer. As an elementary school student I loved writing stories, however ridiculous, so I felt the time had come to retread that passion. What is your favorite part of the writing process? -Schwartz: My favorite part is writing the climatic conclusion of a particular episode or story. The awesome ending will always race in your mind like a wild animal beating on the cage bars to escape. Writing is a slow hobby, so when the end is finally being written and taking shape it’s an exciting and rewarding experience. What advice would you give aspiring authors? -Schwartz: I tell all aspiring authors to always have a writing utensil and a small notebook handy. You won’t think of everything sitting at your desk. Your best ideas oftentimes come when engaged in menial labor, running an errand, exercising, or snoozing in bed. Rest is also excellent advice. Writing is a slow hobby; don’t expect anything to happen quickly. When you force the words onto paper it becomes obvious and the narrative sounds tired and repetitive. Taking a week off between segments is a good idea. Let your mind recover and conceive fresh ideas. Who is your favorite character throughout your books and why? -Schwartz: There are three main characters in the Ratarra series, so it’s hard to choose one favorite. All three of them are different and unique in their own way, but more importantly they each offer a particular viewpoint in the story, one we can all relate to. Damian is very ideological, passionate, and emotionally involved with his divine mission. Cam just likes to have fun and cause havoc on the bad guys. Riman, their mentor, is an atheist, a master of guises, a spy, and mechanical engineer. Each have their own perspective on the issue involved with the story, and I can understand each one. As this story involves religious issues, I felt it important to include both theist and atheist attitudes. If you could live in any fictional universe what would it be? - Schwartz: The Star Wars universe looks the most appealing to me. I’d love to fly a spaceship from system to system, carrying a blaster, peddling some rare merchandise with some alien vigilantes, and perhaps being drawn in to the larger galactic struggle with the Empire to become some unlikely hero or ace pilot. Learning the Force would be an incredible spiritual adventure, but for that mental and physical crucible I can wait until I’m ready. The time for Yoda will come as the Force wills, you see. About the AuthorTell us a little about yourself:
I’m an average guy, mild-mannered and soft-spoken, father of three grown children and husband of twenty-five years. I work at a grocery chain by day to make ends meet. I enjoy gardening, writing, tabletop wargaming, and non-fiction reading (mostly history).
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1. What is your writing schedule like? - Coffill: I love writing at night with my headphones and listening to all kinds heavy metal, soft and hard rock. I also like the oldies like Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. 2. Are you a part of any writing groups or organizations? - Coffill: I am a proud member of the New England Horror Writers and me also, a proud member of Horror Writers Of Maine and Horror Authors Alliance (I founded both groups) and with Horror Writers Of Maine, we try to do a lot of comic cons and expos. 3. Have you won any writing awards? - Coffill: No awards out of school, just a couple while I was in high school. 4. What was your first published work? - Coffill: The Rain. I later bought my rights back and re-wrote it and called it, Cursed Darkness. 5. How do you think you've approved since you began your writing career? - Coffill: Research. Have mentors who have more experience than you. Always keep in open mind. If a mentor tells you to keep working on your writing, you do it! This has happened to me many times, and I welcome it! You always want to be better than you were five years ago. 6. How long have you've been a published author? - Coffill: Since 2003 7. Which one of your works are you most proud of? - Coffill: I love The Eyes Within and Nightbeast. 8. When did you want to become an author and why? - Coffill: Age twelve. I love telling stories and writing a novel was a challenge, but a fun one! 9. What is your favorite part of the writing process? - Coffill: When I get an idea for a story, I write it down and then I try to bring it alive. 10. If you could have lunch with any author in history who would it be and why? - Coffill: Stephen King. He opened the door for horror writers. His type of writing attracted me, and I took an immediate interest in his stories. Also, all of the donations he has done for his local community of Bangor and what he has done for children has been amazing. 11. What made you want to write in this genre? - Coffill: As a child, I was allowed to watch horror movies. My parents were cool enough for me to do so. I, also love the fear factor. 12. If you couldn't be an author what would your ideal career be? - Coffill: Sales. I love selling stuff like Computers, books or anything that interacts with a customer. 13. What advice would you give to aspiring authors? - Coffill: Never stop writing or give up! Do your research and never listen to anyone telling you can't do it! If it's your dream...just do it! 14. Who is your favorite character throughout all of your books and why? - Coffill: One book comes to mind. My vampire character, Nolan Kraoe from my book, Nightbeast. Teenagers are strangely attracted to him. I get letters in the mail on how they want to marry him or have him go to the prom with them. It's strange, but I am flattered by all of the attention he gets. 15. If you could live any fictional universe what would it be? - Coffill: Star Wars, Star Trek. I love those universes. About the AuthorTell us a little about yourself: I grew up in Freeport, Maine. Graduated from Freeport High School in 1992. Went to Andover College for computers. In March of 1993, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I was only nineteen when they found the disease. I have been married once, but that ended in divorce. I got married again to my beautiful wife, Shelley on May 23, 2015. I have two beautiful daughters, Madelyn, and Savannah. Maddie is five and Sissa are four. I took online classes with US Career Institute and Full Sail University, but my health kept interfering with my courses. I was also diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease, which I suffered two mild heart attacks, one in Dec 2011 and my second in June 2013. I started writing when I was twelve, and I have fifteen unpublished books and four unpublished short stories. I write poetry. I published my poem in 1997 in the anthology, “By The Light Of The Moon.” My poem was called, “Heart Like A Rose.” I only write poetry for my wife now. I currently live in Windham, Maine. My day jobs are: Premium Retail Services, I do sales and merchandising for them. I also an inspector/mystery shopper for Trendsource. I also work for Goodwill as a custodian. I am on disability for Crohn's Disease due to the surgeries, including the one flare up that happened on Easter, 2002, where the Crohn's perforated my large bowel, and I died from it. I had an ileostomy bag for six months, and I was able to recover. I found my Faith in Jesus Christ in 1996, and it's gotten stronger ever since.
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