Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Raymond Bolton
When did you start writing?
I stared writing in the early '90s in the middle of a bad marriage. We had very little to talk about, so I spent most of my time at home crafting my debut novel.
What makes writing your passion?
Ever since my early childhood, I always dreamed about being an author. At one point, it became obvious that to do so, I actually had to start putting words to paper.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing for more than thirty years.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I was elated over the fact it was no longer residing only on my computer.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Most of Wraith's characters are based on people I have met. For example: the hit man is based on a bodyguard whose job it was to protect a Mafia capo's daughter.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
That I'm not able to write full time.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Writer's block stems from a lack of understanding of the story one is writing. From the time I begin each novel, I know exactly how it will end, so I never experience writer's block.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
I write because I enjoy it. If you don't enjoy writing enough to keep going when the going gets tough, you should consider pursuing another occupation.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Start writing now, before you lose time you will never regain.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I have no problem with bad reviews. Even the best authors receive negative reviews… so I guess that puts me in their company.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
I'm overjoyed when I somebody praises my work because that means I've made one more person happy.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Yes. Please see question 5.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
I'm very sympathetic with the story's protagonist, Warren Holmes, because, despite his imperfections, he keeps trying to be the best person he can be.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
In certain regards, the cover is more important than the story. If the cover doesn't encourage potential readers to purchase my book, the novel will forever languish as an unread and unappreciated creation.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I LOVE engaging with my readers. Engaging people is the reason I write. Without them, I may as well spend my time gardening or something else reclusive.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Very few authors are ever recognized in public. I doubt many readers would recognize JK Rowlings. But something almost as nice happened when I was selling my books at a ComicCon. One of the Con's attendees stopped by my booth and said, "One of my friends has that book (she pointed) on her bookshelf!"
Who is your favorite author? Why?
It's hard to pick just one, but Neil Gaiman (Neverwhere & The Ocean At The End Of The Lane), Mary Doria Russell (The Sparrow), and Kate Griffin (A Madness of Angels) took me to places I'd never imagined that were difficult to forget.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I'd love to sell as well as Jim Butcher.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No. I put my heart and soul into each of my novels, and won't publish them until I am sure they're as good as I can make them.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
No one. I'm content with being myself and fighting my own battles, with meeting my fans at book conventions.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I don't bother with trolls. They wouldn't listen if I did.
What would you say to your readers?
If you're looking for a unique and rewarding reading experience, try one of my books. Almost all of them have won awards and been endorsed by best-selling authors.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
This year, I am celebrating a twenty-four year marriage with Toni Bolton, whom I met on a blind date in 1999. Our home, which we share with our two cats, Max and April, is roughly one half hour outside Portland, Oregon. We married late in life, so we haven't any children, but that leaves us much more time to enjoy each other's company.
What is your day job if you have one?
I work at a nearby Costco.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I spend most of my free time writing. When I lived in the San Francisco Bay area, I spent a lot of time sailing.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
For as long as I can remember, I'd always fantasized about writing books. At one point, I realized I had to sit down and actually write.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I've written two thrillers that will never be published. The first entails the poisoning of Manhattan's water supply by a terrorist organization. One of my formers clients, who is second in command at Los Alamos National Laboratory, asked that I would keep it out of the public eye because it was a real possibility. I could never publish the second in the series for much the same reason.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
A large number of the children I meet never read a book. If reading were encouraged earlier in their development, they would realize that reading opens up the universe and all of its secrets.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1) A long, healthy life, 2) and end to unnecessary conflict 3) an end to poverty.
What is your favorite music?
Rock & roll
Share a secret with us 🙂
I was once a radio DJ!