Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
RC Cameron
When did you start writing?
I started writing novels seriously only since I retired, some six years ago. But during my career, in selling IT services, I wrote proposal after proposal, and that feeling of handing out a well-written document provided a lot of satisfaction. So, I figure writing fiction gives me similar rewards.
What makes writing your passion?
How long have you been writing?
I've only been writing for six years, but I have a dual career. I write both for the French-Canadian market and for the US market. I happen to own a place in South Florida, so when I'm there, I write about my American protagonist. While in Montreal, I write about my French-Canadian detective.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
A lot of satisfaction, because the process was new to me. I had to learn about writing structure, plot, style, dialogs, etc... Then there is the editing process and the process of finding an editor. But I love the writing community which, I find, is very generous in sharing information, tricks, and techniques.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
As a youngster, I read all the Agatha Christies books involving Poirot. I also devoured Arsene Lupin, Sherlock Holmes, and others. So my choice of a protagonist was definitely influenced by these very capable and cerebral characters.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Marketing. In the US, I publish on Amazon. To get yourself known to readers it's a constant battle to build your author site, your Facebook pages, and your various ads. I wish an agent would handle all of that, but I haven't been picked up yet.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I try to keep a somewhat regular schedule. I write in the morning, exercise in the afternoon, and may edit for an hour or so before dinner. When words don't jump on the page, I'll pause and do something else.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I read all my book reviews, good or bad. There is something to learn even in bad reviews.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Good reviews are like receiving your paycheck at the end of the week. It's your reward.
We all know the writing profession will put food on the table for only a few writers. So instead, good reviews provide the fuel to your career.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Of course. Your stories are often built on your own experiences, at least partially. So you write about places you know and people you've met. I like adding some of my own expressions to my characters. Sometimes my readers will just say 'reading your book, is like talking to you'. I love that.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I love John Grisham with his court drama. Reminds me of watching Perry Mason when I was younger. Grisham is the modern vision.
I also like Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch character. A smart detective with flaws. From him, I learned that you should not have a perfect character. It's uninteresting.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Yes, I would rewrite my first novel to incorporate all that I have learned since. Especially about character flaws. Nobody is perfect, so why write about a perfect person nobody can relate to.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
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.
What would you say to your readers?
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live near Montreal, Quebec. Married with two children old enough now to have kids of their own. We have five grandkids.
In the winter, I migrate to Pompano Beach where I write about my private investigator living on a yacht in a small marina.
What is your day job if you have one?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Did you have a happy childhood?
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
What is your favorite music?
Share a secret with us 🙂