Please give a warm welcome to Gary Starta, author of Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1).
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I am a former journalist who began writing fiction novels 10 years ago. Since then, I have written cross-genre SCI FI. At least, that’s what I sometimes call it, or, Fiction on the Fringe of Genre. I have released the first book of my trilogy Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1) on January 31st.
What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
My book Coalescence would definitely be science fiction, however, there is some romance, a thriller element and mystery. My previous series, Caitlin Diggs, ran the gamut from crime thriller to urban fantasy.
Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I am a hybrid when it comes to publishing with some self-published but my forthcoming books will be with traditional presses. I have one agent but I have published most of my works without one.
Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
Wow! I definitely am an author who goes with flow, improvises and never ever uses a strict formulaic outline, meaning the reader will hopefully be taken to unexpected places at unexpected points, and as a reader myself, that is where I’d like the author to take me.
What does your writing space look like?
Just a laptop on a desk. Pretty much the same for last decade. All I need to do is put my hands on the keyboard and I am transported to a helluva lotta places.
Do you have any writing rituals or interesting writing quirks?
I like to write a chapter at a time, if that’s a quirk, so be it. lol
What are your three favorite books including the authors?
- Dean Koontz Watcher
- The Stand Stephen King
- Stormfront Dresden Files Jim Butcher
Who is your favorite author and why?
Possibly Dean Koontz, I love the combination of his storytelling and his character’s dialogue. Very inspirational.
What project are you currently working on?
I am editing another book called Dead Market about how Big Pharma wants to intentionally create zombies so they can sell more drugs.
Is being an author your dream job? If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? If not, what would be your dream job?
I have been chasing this dream for a decade but I’ve written a lot longer. Writing would be my dream job, my calling, my reason for being on this planet.
What has been your best moment as a writer?
Receiving reviews from excited readers who loved the book and especially the characters!
Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?
I want to entertain but provide some moral compass as well as give readers some insight into new theories and some older ones, like string theory. Possibly, we could live in parallel universes. Michio Kaku believes this could be so. In other words, the strange ain’t so much science fiction anymore.
Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
Not really but maybe a little in Special Agent Diggs, albeit she is a woman. She has a lot of integrity and never compromises it.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I liked writing Iris Camden in my new CAMDEN INVESTIGATIONS series. She is stubborn to a fault and won’t let go of it no matter what. Kind of like trying to pull a prized object from a dog’s mouth. Even if it could be wrong, it is not letting go for nothing! Lol
Do you base your characters on people you know?
That’s a NEVER! I don’t want anything to do with my real world. That’s why I transport myself thanks to my keyboard. Who wants that kind of reality in their fiction? I certainly don’t.
How much time a day do you spend on social media?
I spend a lion’s share since I am my own publicist.
What do you do to stay sane as a writer?
Get inspired by the next story or new character!
Do you read your reviews and if so, how do you cope with a bad one?
Of course, I think we all read reviews. It would be akin to leaving a Christmas present wrapped for a whole year. Lol. Bad ones I just dismiss if I find no merit. Sometimes a reader just doesn’t like or understand or genre. There is nothing to do but say: ‘Oh well.’
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The compliments would be when a reader discerns my stories are different, because as I said before, I don’t write formula. I love it when they say they’ve never read anything like it.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
‘DON’T STOP UNTIL THEY PUT A BULLET IN YOU’
I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share writers that you recommend for us to check out.
You can find Gary on his website, Facebook Sci Fi page, Facebook series page, Twitter & Amazon.
Click below to buy his books:
Thanks for having me!
My pleasure!