September 10, 2012

Author Interview: Richard Stephenson


Please welcome the fascinating author, Richard Stephenson!

Richard Stephenson
Richard Stephenson was born in 1975 in Denison, TX and spent his childhood in North Texas. In 1992, he graduated high school after only three years. He then pursued his degree at Oklahoma Christian University, once again accomplishing the task in three years. Richard then married his best friend before going off to basic training to be a military policeman with the US Army. With his new wife joining the adventure, they spent the next four years at Fort Polk, LA and had two children.

Just before his son turned five, Richard and his wife were told that their oldest child had Asperger's Syndrome. Nine years later, Richard's son would become the inspiration for the character of Howard Beck.

After leaving the armed forces, Richard continued his law enforcement career in the federal sector and has been with the Department of Justice for eleven years.

Richard enjoys many things. He reads constantly with the thanks of his trusty iPad. When he can find the time, he can be found playing Mass Effect, Fallout: New Vegas, or Modern Warfare 2. When a friend or a friend of friend needs a computer fixed, Richard is on the case.

Richard has always had a passion for writing. His first novel, Collapse, will be released this summer.
Check out his Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads page!

When and why did you begin writing?

I wrote the first words of Collapse in late February of 2012. I had been kicking ideas around in my head for a couple of years and just had to get them down.


What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?

Hardest part was without a doubt editing. I hate editing, it’s like doing homework in my opinion and takes the fun out of the process. The easiest part was, well, writing. I don’t understand writer’s block and hope that I never do. I think if you have an outline mapped out and know how you want your characters to go from point A to point B, filling in the gaps should come naturally.


What music do you listen to while you write?

Yo-Yo Ma.

What inspires you?

Knowing that I’m writing something that will entertain people.


Do you have any hidden talents?

I can take apart a computer and put it back together.


What are your current projects?

I had a few really awesome ideas for Collapse that never made it in the book. Two of those ideas I just hated to have to cut out, but didn’t have a choice as they both would have slowed down the pace of the story. I’ve decided to take those two ideas and turn them into short stories.


What book are you reading now?

Pandora’s Pitbull by Peter Carroll


Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?

Shapeshifter, it’s the ultimate disguise, you can be anyone or anything and get away with anything.


Do you have any advice for other writers?

Get help. The term “independent writer” should never be taken beyond its literal meaning of “independent of the Big Six.” You need an editor, you need proofreaders, you need someone to design an amazing cover for your book.


Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I continued to be humbled by your praise and it is an honor for me to give you an entertaining story to read. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.
                                              Collapse (New America)

BOOK ONE in the NEW AMERICA series.

America is falling, ready to join the Roman Empire as a distant memory in the annals of history. The year is 2027. Tired and desperate, the American people are deep in the middle of The Second Great Depression. The Florida coastline is in ruins from the most powerful hurricane on record; a second just like it is bearing down on the state of Texas. For the first time in history, the Middle East has united as one and amassed the most formidable army the world has seen since the Third Reich. A hidden army of terrorists is on American soil. This is the story of three men: Howard Beck, the world’s richest man, also diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Richard Dupree, ex-Navy SEAL turned escaped convict. Maxwell Harris, a crippled, burned out Chief of Police of a small Texas town. At first they must fight for their own survival against impossible odds. Finally, the three men must band together to save their beloved country from collapse.

BOOK TWO in the New America series, entitled "Resistance" is slated for a summer 2013 release.

Check out this awesome book here

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