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Join us on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, for a special discussion with author Chris Keane: /user/show/3...

If you have a question for Chris, please post it in this thread, where he will be discussing his writing.

Remember - you can post questions here throughout the duration of the Featured Author Discussion at any time.

We are looking forward to the insightful questions and answers!

Hi Chris!

Thanks for being our Featured Author this session; we are looking forward to a great discussion! We were wondering how you find inspiration for your characters. Do you ever base them off of people you know?

Hi Chris,

How do you select the titles for your books? Do they grow from your writing, or do you have the title in mind before you start to write?

Thanks!

Hello Chris,

I am interested in the editorial side of your writing. In your opinion, what qualities contribute to an ideal editor?

Thanks for answering our questions!

Talia

Hi, Have you ever use any other platform besides Facebook and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to advertise your story(ies)? If so, do you mind sharing which. Starting at the bottom in the writing world, how has that affected you in following your dream? Are you a self publishing author or a traditional one? What advice would you give to your authors coming up?

Thanks for all the great questions!

1. We were wondering how you find inspiration for your characters. Do you ever base them off of people you know? I do base them on types of people, but it's never an exact match. That would be too difficult. The main characters are a little more crafted. But for the background characters often I will say to myself: Ok, think about an obnoxious bouncer, or think about a sweet old lady I knew and go from there.

2. I pick the title beforehand...I read this in an Elmore Leonard interview once, and I've stuck with the technique to help focus the story.

3. I think about editing as two types: content vs. copy. Content you want someone who's going to be honest, understands what type of writer you are (what you are capable of vs. reaching for), and also has a great sense of story. These people are rare. copy editor you're looking for someone who is precise and also has a great insight into style..eg. you're using this technique too much, or not enough.

If anyone needs a copy of Loot I can provide the PDF if you provide your email!

Chris

Lesha,

I write for a small independent publishing firm so I've done most of my own advertising. I've done interviews for various BLOGs which helped get me visibility and more of a network on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and Facebook/Twitter. I would use the free services as much as possible.

Chris wrote: "If anyone needs a copy of Loot I can provide the PDF if you provide your email!

Chris"

Why did Andy let Doug have the money? Sorry for the spoiler, but I can't figure out his reason behind it other than he agreed with his cousin that he didn't deserve the money because he didn't really care about his Aunt.

Lesha, Thanks for reading.

I saw your review as well.

I will try to clarify.

Doug bullied Andy because he was jealous of him and also mad that he stopped coming to see their aunt who needed help as she aged.

Andy started to feel guilty when he arrived at the farmhouse..he didn't expect to find it in such bad shape. Also, he was sad when he found his picture in her wallet.

You're right! Andy let Doug have the money because he agreed that he didn't deserve it. It's not that he didn't care about his aunt. Andy did care, he just lost interest in coming out to the farmhouse and would rather hang with his friends at home. When Andy came back he realized how much he cared about here. As he walked away Teddy asked him if they could go trick or treating..he replied it was "too late" as he looked back at the farmhouse. He was really talking about it was too late to be a better nephew to his aunt because she had die.

For a free copy of LOOT email me at:

[email protected]

Hi Chris,

What is your favourite social media platform, and how do you use it to promote your books? Thanks for answering all of these excellent questions!

The Sands Press Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Team

Well, Facebook is my social media platform of choice. I don't seem to be able to generate followers on Twitter. (too old? lol)

I use Facebook to provide status updates on my stories, releases, and to share good news about my work.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your answer regarding characters! Do you have a favourite character who you have written?

Hello Chris,

Speaking of titles, which title would you recommend to somebody who is new to your work? Is there any book in particular with which they should start out?

Hi Chris,

Do you ever enlist friends and family to help with the editing of your work, or do you prefer to hire a professional? If the latter, where do you find your editors?

DigiWriting wrote: "Hi Chris,

Thanks for your answer regarding characters! Do you have a favourite character who you have written?"
My favorite character is probably Teddy from Loot b/c he reminds me of how I was when I was little--naïve, totally obsessed with candy, and always reluctantly going along with my friends!

Blue Moon wrote: "Hello Chris,

Speaking of titles, which title would you recommend to somebody who is new to your work? Is there any book in particular with which they should start out?"
I only have one release..Loot. Although, I'm writing a novel now hopefully to be released in the Fall which is a Paranormal Romance.

Talia wrote: "Hi Chris,

Do you ever enlist friends and family to help with the editing of your work, or do you prefer to hire a professional? If the latter, where do you find your editors?"
I'm very lucky that my best friend is a professional copy editor..and he married a professional copy editor. I do enlist friends to get feedback on the story itself. It's valuable to know how people feel about the story and to get some real-time reviews while you can still modify the story.

Chris wrote: "Talia wrote: "Hi Chris,

Do you ever enlist friends and family to help with the editing of your work, or do you prefer to hire a professional? If the latter, where do you find your editors?"
I'm v..."

I think Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ is a great way to find editors. I've come across several.

Hi Chris,

As a fellow author, I often like to ask other authors if you find the writing process (first draft to finished manuscript) engaging or frustrating? I recently finished my first book and it was not an easy process. If you do get frustrated, how do you overcome this?

Hi Chris, do you prefer to write at home in silence or do you prefer to work at, for example, a coffee shop?

J.R. wrote: "Hi Chris,

As a fellow author, I often like to ask other authors if you find the writing process (first draft to finished manuscript) engaging or frustrating? I recently finished my first book and..."

I would say I find it more engaging than frustrating. Although, at times I feel overwhelmed by it. In those cases I move up a level to the top level outline which I find centering. Once I get my bearings, I'll dig back into the writing. Sometimes I'll take a break and listen to a good writing podcast or read a book on writing for inspiration.

Adam wrote: "Hi Chris, do you prefer to write at home in silence or do you prefer to work at, for example, a coffee shop?"

Hello Adam, thanks for your question. I prefer a little background noise. So, a place like Barnes and Nobel is ideal for writing in my case. At home there are way too many distractions. The library can be too quiet.

Hi Chris,

When starting a new work, where do you look to for inspiration?

¹ó°ùé»åé°ù¾±±ç³Ü±ð wrote: "Hi Chris,

When starting a new work, where do you look to for inspiration?"

There are several sources I use.

I look in the books that I love for inspiration. For example, before writing Loot I read Steven King's The Body which is the same type of story/genre.

I draw from my own life experiences and those that I observe of others around me to get the premise for a story.

Thanks, Chris!

We are also wondering: what is the most important message that you hope to convey to your audience through your writing?

I think all of my stories are in some way morality tales in which the main character evolves in his thinking to be a better person.

So, I guess the message is that if you're wise you can learn from your mistakes or even better the mistakes of others so you don't have to go through the negative consequences yourself.

Hi Chris,

What is your favourite genre to read? Is it the same one in which you write?

Chris,

Do you write with a specific word count in mind, or does the story itself dictates the word count?

Thanks!

Blue Moon wrote: "Hi Chris,

What is your favourite genre to read? Is it the same one in which you write?"

Most often I'll read crime, young adult, sci-fi/fantasy.

My stories are all coming of age which is a common theme in all genres. Most have been young adult tales, however, my latest is not. I'm excited about writing in a more adult voice.

DigiWriting wrote: "Chris,

Do you write with a specific word count in mind, or does the story itself dictates the word count?

Thanks!"

I do have a word count in mind, but try to leave some flexibility there. Sometimes I'm wrong and the story is longer or shorter. but usually it's in the ballpark of my initial estimate.

Thank you for all of your informative and insightful answers, Chris! We've learned a lot about your writing, and the process in general. It was a pleasure to have you as our Featured Author this month.

Hope to see you around the group!

Thanks I enjoyed it a lot! Great questions! Thanks for participating everyone!

Hi Chris,

I'm late to the discussion, but I wanted to thank you again for sending me "Loot." I loved it and posted a review here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. I look forward to reading more from you!

What a great way to end the discussion thank you so much!