Author Spotlight Gerald Welch

Today is part two of the Warren Murphython
And if you missed day one, PLEASE go back and check out the no holds barred interview and stellar giveaway!

Let us move on though, today we are having yet another awesome interview and signed book giveaway with one of Warren Murphy’s co authors, Gerald Welch.

What has been your experience in the publishing industry thus far?

The publishing industry as we know it is changing. The old monoliths are crumbling as they are trying to change into the digital age. I’m not just talking e-readers, either. Self-publishing has become so easy and professional and cheap that just about anyone who can crank out a book can self-publish without mortgaging their house. That is both bad and good.

How did you meet Warren Murphy?

Through his books. No, seriously, I chose to serve in Korea because of his and Dick’s (Sapir, Murphy’s writing partner with The Destroyer) books. Once there, I wrote him a letter and he wrote back. I then got his email and have been hassling him ever since.

What made him want to add you on to his work as a co author?

Oh, he’s been reading my stuff longer than just about anyone. He read the original crap I had written and let me know that it sucked. But more importantly, he told me WHY it sucked and what I could do to make it better. I’ve been listening to him ever since. Last year he read The Last Witness, book III: Gods of War and liked it and asked if I’d like to co-author a series with him. Put it this way: it would be like a guitarist being asked by Eric Clapton if he’d like to team up for a few albums. It’s still hard to believe.

Do you have a favorite book that he has written?

That’s easy. Destroyer #70. I thought he had ended the series with that book. I literally did not sleep that night and it is because of that book that I wanted to become a writer. A good book is like a drug and I wanted to become a pusher.

What’s your favorite part about the writing process?

The last part where I go over the entire project, making sure everything works and adding small elements to make it more interesting.

How long have you been writing?

Professionally, I would say four years. Otherwise, most of my life.

Where does the inspiration for your stories come from?

I just write stories that I would like to read. The further out there the idea, the better. I love clever writing.

How do you come up with the ideas for the covers?

That’s actually the easy part. Since I know what the story is, I just start throwing elements together that symbolize the ultimate point I want to convey about the story. Anyone who has been with me since the start of The Last Witness series knows that I go through three or four “finished” versions before I hit the real one.

What’s the most important thing that you have learned while working with Warren and being an author?

That, while it’s the most fun I have ever had working, it’s still a job. Things matter. Professionalism matters.

How would you talk someone into buying and reading your work?

I’d let them know that I’ve done my research and found that the number one reason most people don’t read is because of length of the book, length of chapters and slow pacing. Literarily speaking, we’ve always been an ADHD nation and books get longer and longer. Harry Potter wouldn’t have survived, much less thrived if the first two books were 700 pages each.

If you could take over the world, how would you do it?

Oh, I like this one.  Perception is reality. If you can get enough people to see things your way, then they will go along with what you want. You’re getting very sleeeeeepy…

Do you have any advice to give aspiring authors?

Write. Don’t study about writing, don’t talk about writing, just write. I wasted several months on reading books on how to write and while I’m sure I picked up some good points, it wasn’t worth the months that I could have been writing.

Gerald Welch did not provide a bio or picture ( I think it’s because he is lazy) so I’m just going to add my own since I know him pretty well.

Gerald aka: Jerry lives in a very obscure town in Texas in which he probably sticks out like a sore thumb due to his sense of humor and probably style.

This isn’t his first “rodeo” writing a book but I KNOW that this is his favorite and that he loves working with Warren Murphy oh and cats, he probably loves cats and maybe even mice because he’s kinda twisted.

Find out more about Jerry’s Destroyer spin off series https://www.facebook.com/LegacyBookSeries and give it a like!

Now onto the fun stuff, want to win a signed book from Jerry?
You know the drill…..

a Rafflecopter giveaway