Talented Author Kevin Rau
Hello Fellow Fathomers!
Today in The Locker Kevin Rau joins me…amazing cover artist and author. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to visit Kevin’s blog, you are certainly in for a treat when you do. http://www.kevinrau.com/
Kick back, tie on your cape, and enter Kevin’s world:
Hi Kevin, thank you very much for joining me today and answering a few questions. I will start with something easy. When did you start writing, and was there a significant event that prompted you to do so?
-I began in January 2009. I stopped playing computer games for a while, spent a month voraciously reading books (about 30 in December 2008), and found that I got tired of the stories ending. I realized that the only way I would get "more" of the story (and characters I loved) would be to write my own.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? (Assuming said power would be reasonably "powerful.")
-Super crafting. This is often viewed as the type of power Tony Stark (Iron Man) has, and has a lot of flexibility for what could be built. Barring that, I think I would go with teleportation or gateway, to allow instant travel between massive distances. (Ideally with a lot of gear, then I'd contract with NASA, and get into building Moon/Mars/etc. bases!)
-I began in January 2009. I stopped playing computer games for a while, spent a month voraciously reading books (about 30 in December 2008), and found that I got tired of the stories ending. I realized that the only way I would get "more" of the story (and characters I loved) would be to write my own.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? (Assuming said power would be reasonably "powerful.")
-Super crafting. This is often viewed as the type of power Tony Stark (Iron Man) has, and has a lot of flexibility for what could be built. Barring that, I think I would go with teleportation or gateway, to allow instant travel between massive distances. (Ideally with a lot of gear, then I'd contract with NASA, and get into building Moon/Mars/etc. bases!)
I agree, Kevin, Superman is a classic, Christopher Reeve rocked that role.
Where do you get your inspiration for writing? What motivates you?
-I want more story, more detail, more characters, MORE! I have as much desire to see what happens next in Metrocity as most of my readers do. (I say most because I'm hoping there are a few fanatics out there....)
Where do you get your inspiration for writing? What motivates you?
-I want more story, more detail, more characters, MORE! I have as much desire to see what happens next in Metrocity as most of my readers do. (I say most because I'm hoping there are a few fanatics out there....)
I bet there are more than you realize, Kevin. J
Do you pre-plan your stories, or are you a by-the-seat-of-the-pants style writer?
-I pre-plan the major storylines, and then plot out the first 6-15 chapters, along with a "to-do" list of things that need to happen somewhere (to progress the overall series, being as they act much like an ongoing TV series). From there, I pants it. (Did I just use pants as a verb? Hmmm.)
Do you pre-plan your stories, or are you a by-the-seat-of-the-pants style writer?
-I pre-plan the major storylines, and then plot out the first 6-15 chapters, along with a "to-do" list of things that need to happen somewhere (to progress the overall series, being as they act much like an ongoing TV series). From there, I pants it. (Did I just use pants as a verb? Hmmm.)
You can do what you want, you write your own books….lol
Do you write only when inspired, or do you have a set schedule where you sit down to write?
-I write fastest when inspired, but in general I *try* to write in almost all of my free time. Turning on the TV is bad, it makes my brain mushy, and I get little writing done.
Do you write only when inspired, or do you have a set schedule where you sit down to write?
-I write fastest when inspired, but in general I *try* to write in almost all of my free time. Turning on the TV is bad, it makes my brain mushy, and I get little writing done.
Do you have a favorite genre to write in? To read?
-Contemporary Fantasy/Superhero, and soon Fantasy. I read a wide variety of fantasy, sci-fi, some horror, erotica, and rare thrillers.
What do you enjoy the most about writing?
-Getting my characters out there, and making one of the most extensive written superhero franchises in history (the longest cohesive series in the last decade, to my knowledge).
Is there any part of writing that you don't enjoy?
-Editing and marketing. I'm not a promoter at heart, and am terrible at it. Editing is tedious to me.
-Contemporary Fantasy/Superhero, and soon Fantasy. I read a wide variety of fantasy, sci-fi, some horror, erotica, and rare thrillers.
What do you enjoy the most about writing?
-Getting my characters out there, and making one of the most extensive written superhero franchises in history (the longest cohesive series in the last decade, to my knowledge).
Is there any part of writing that you don't enjoy?
-Editing and marketing. I'm not a promoter at heart, and am terrible at it. Editing is tedious to me.
I’m with you on that, Kevin, marketing and promoting are butt-whoopins…
Can you tell me something odd about yourself?
-I love medieval things, and have weapons and shields all over my house (on plaques on the walls, on coffee tables, glass cases, etc.). I have a full medieval suit (w/chain shirt) I wear to rennaissance faires, as well as to a recent wedding.
-I love medieval things, and have weapons and shields all over my house (on plaques on the walls, on coffee tables, glass cases, etc.). I have a full medieval suit (w/chain shirt) I wear to rennaissance faires, as well as to a recent wedding.
You are the cool kind of guy to know, Kevin. We want to know if you have pictures.
Do you write one story at a time, or do you have several novels in the works at one time?
-I'm linear, and do only one at a time. I'll jot notes down for future stories, but don't do any actual writing until I'm done writing and editing a current book, and send it off to my editors.
In my evil plot to take over the world, what one animal type do you advise I use and why?
-Wait, you have an evil plot to take over the world too? I don't know if I should share my secret, but I guess it wouldn't hurt, there are plenty out there. I advise using buffoons. They are an offshoot of human, but not necessarily the best at taking orders. Quantity over quality, I guess.
Where do you see the future as far as paper books versus digital e-books?
-I foresee paper being reduced to (mostly) hardcovers at some point in the future, for those who enjoy collecting such things, and for potential signatures and look on shelves. But with tablets and Kindle-type devices taking off, as people become used to having them with them all the time, it'll be natural for them to just use it for reading in addition to web/email/calendar/calculator/games/twitter/you-name-it.
What are your current projects?
-H.E.R.O. - Gene Front is my current book, and ought to be released in about a month (roughly, e.g. around mid or late July 2012). This will be the 7th full novel in the H.E.R.O. series, in addition to 2 short stories, and an illustrated guide. (I do 3D character art as well, and use it on my covers, and for bonus pictures on my Facebook page and web site. I did up some neat collage-style artwork for characters in that book for most of the major characters in my series.)
Do you have any advice for others about self-publishing?
-Plan to put in hundreds to thousands of hours on it. Expect to be depressed when you put your first book out, and for months it sells a copy or two a day (if that). But keep trying. Use other people to edit your work, you are too used to it, and gloss over errors. Have others beta-read your book and tell you if something doesn't make sense, or if a character is doing something not in their personality.
Do you have any online sites where readers can find out more about you (and your books)?
My official website is http://www.kevinrau.com/
Do you write one story at a time, or do you have several novels in the works at one time?
-I'm linear, and do only one at a time. I'll jot notes down for future stories, but don't do any actual writing until I'm done writing and editing a current book, and send it off to my editors.
In my evil plot to take over the world, what one animal type do you advise I use and why?
-Wait, you have an evil plot to take over the world too? I don't know if I should share my secret, but I guess it wouldn't hurt, there are plenty out there. I advise using buffoons. They are an offshoot of human, but not necessarily the best at taking orders. Quantity over quality, I guess.
Where do you see the future as far as paper books versus digital e-books?
-I foresee paper being reduced to (mostly) hardcovers at some point in the future, for those who enjoy collecting such things, and for potential signatures and look on shelves. But with tablets and Kindle-type devices taking off, as people become used to having them with them all the time, it'll be natural for them to just use it for reading in addition to web/email/calendar/calculator/games/twitter/you-name-it.
What are your current projects?
-H.E.R.O. - Gene Front is my current book, and ought to be released in about a month (roughly, e.g. around mid or late July 2012). This will be the 7th full novel in the H.E.R.O. series, in addition to 2 short stories, and an illustrated guide. (I do 3D character art as well, and use it on my covers, and for bonus pictures on my Facebook page and web site. I did up some neat collage-style artwork for characters in that book for most of the major characters in my series.)
Do you have any advice for others about self-publishing?
-Plan to put in hundreds to thousands of hours on it. Expect to be depressed when you put your first book out, and for months it sells a copy or two a day (if that). But keep trying. Use other people to edit your work, you are too used to it, and gloss over errors. Have others beta-read your book and tell you if something doesn't make sense, or if a character is doing something not in their personality.
Do you have any online sites where readers can find out more about you (and your books)?
My official website is http://www.kevinrau.com/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/herobooks
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/kevin_rau
I welcome questions and comments about the books, characters and art on the Facebook page, I'll happily interact with people there.
I attest he will interact with you, chat with you, and welcome you. It’s been good fortune for me to meet Kevin. Visit his website and get to know him for yourself!
Thank you so much for the interview!
Comments
Awesome interview. Kev's my HERO. It was so thrilling to get to know more about him. Best wishes to you both and thanks for sharing, MG WELLS