Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
WAYNE EDWARDS
When did you start writing?
After I retired in 2019
What makes writing your passion?
Not sure it's my passion, but it's fun to get that story(ies) in your head transmitted to the page
How long have you been writing?
7 yrs
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Exhausted satisfaction!
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Too many characters to mention, but some were based off real people/experiences, and others just a figment of my imagination
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
I think just the overwhelming odds of the newbie, unknown author even selling a couple hundred books. With millions of books hitting the screen each month, it's a daunting task to be recognized without spending a zillion in marketing and promotion.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
That's the million dollar question! No easy answer to that one.
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 think you have a story worth writing, then you better start getting it down on paper!
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Start writing earlier
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes! I try to learn from them
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Well... it makes you feel good that someone has enjoyed your story!
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Absolutely!
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
In my first book, there is a character who shares some of my traits, but I have never based a character strictly on myself
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
No... the book cover is obviously important, but not more so than the story itself
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I very much enjoy connecting with my readers. In fact, I wish more of them would reach out.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I'm honored
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Stanley Gordon West.... his book "Blind Your Ponies" helped inspire me to write my first novel "Pacer Coulee Chronicles."
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Fortunately, I don't have to make a living as an author. I mainly write for fun and my own personal enjoyment. That's not to say I wouldn't be delighted to be a noted or best-selling author, but it's not a dream or aspiration.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Yes, or at least make significant changes to the first book I wrote. I think most authors would tell you, as they look back, that they would make some alterations to the first book they wrote.
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.
It's sad, but unfortunately they're out there. Even worse is the continual AI-generated unsolicited email scams that authors receive by the dozens each day
What would you say to your readers?
I hope you enjoy my books, and many thanks for any feedback you can give, whether positive or negative
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I was fortunate enough to celebrate with a lovely lady our 50th wedding anniversary this past fall. We have three grown daughters and eight grandchildren. We split time between our homes in Bozeman, Montana and Cave Creek, Arizona.
What is your day job if you have one?
I'm retired, but spent a 30+ year career in banking
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love sports... too crippled to play any of them anymore, but enjoy watching. Especially watching my grandchildren in their sports and activities
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Yes. There was a particular experience that got me started in all three of my books (children's book, YA, adult fiction)
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
No
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
We need to get back to the basics. It saddens me immensely to see the statistics as to how few of our elementary and high school students can read, write or do math at even average proficiency. (And allowing students to use AI to do all their homework isn't helping matters.)
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1) to be younger!
2) to be younger!!
3) to be younger!!!
What is your favorite music?
Country
Share a secret with us 🙂
My children's book (Buster the Bridger Mountain Bear) was a story I made up and told countless times as a bedtime story to my children and grandchildren