DADYMINDS AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH SEAN MICHAEL PAQUET
What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.
My most recent book is my first published work titled "A GAME OF GODS." It is a story set in a science fiction and fantasy world where cosmic alien forces are working to create a second chance for humanity in another world. My account is also based on my interest in Spirituality. Some of the concepts I use in the story are heathenism, metaphysics, meditation, and out of body experiences.
Tell us something about yourself. (Where are you from, what is your background, how long have you been writing or anything we might find interesting about you.)
I am an author, investigative journalist, graphic artist, and freelance writer who lives and works as an American Expatriate in the Philippines. I retired from active duty military service in 2013 after 24 years. I was then a private defense contractor in the Middle East until 2018. I come from a small town called Carp Lake in the Northern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. I grew up loving to read, write poetry, and had enough promise as an artist to consider it full-time until I decided to join the military. I have always had an interest in the weird, unusual, and strange things that exist on the fringes of our reality.
How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?
My writing has always been part of me. However, in 2017 I began going through a Spiritual Awakening. I decided to finally write my story so that I could send a message to readers around the world.
Are you a pantser or a plotter? (i.e., Do you outline and plan your story, or do you sit down and write?)
I am a very go with the flow type of writer. I write when I feel compelled to write. I do not push myself as I feel it takes away from the story if you force yourself to write. If the energy is good, I will write. If it isn't there, I will express myself creatively in other ways.
Do you have a daily or weekly writing schedule, or do you write only when you are inspired?
I just write when I am inspired. If I am not inspired to write, I do artwork using graphics.
How many words or pages do you complete in a typical day?
On a typical day, if the energy is good, I will do maybe 2000 – 3000 words.
Where do you get information or ideas for your books?
All of my material is based on life experience. Either my own or people who are close to me.
Do you read reviews? Or Do you hear from your readers much? What kind of thing do they say?
I read reviews all the time. The people who have read my book have lovely things to say about it.
What is the best advice you could give other writers or someone who wants to become an author about writing or publishing?
Sit down and start writing. Don't worry about grammar, punctuation, or how it will sound to a reader. There is time to fix that later. If you don't feel the inspiration, don't push it. You will only end up frustrating yourself.
When did you write your first book, and how old were you? (tell us a little bit about your experience).
I started writing A GAME OF GODS back in 2017. I was 47 at the time. It was just me and the notepad app on my phone and a lot of time on my hands. It was not difficult for me. I had fully realized the world and the characters from an early age, and it was the place where I went to escape from reality.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to do graphic artwork. I also practice yoga, taking long walks in the woods, and spending time with my kids.
What does your family think of your writing?
Mostly they look at it as something that keeps me busy.
What were the most surprising things you learned from creating your books?
The amount of marketing and advertising one needs to do to make sales.
How many books have you written?
I have written one and am working on a sequel titled "The Jarl's Shadow."
As a child, what did you want to become when you grew up?
I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer. I got close. I was an aircraft maintenance technician in the Air Force.
What is your favorite book and author? How has that book changed you, or what did you learn from the book?
I was always a big fan of the Cleric Quintet by R.A. Salvatore. I consider it to be some of his best work. I think the way the book explored Spirituality and religion in the Forgotten Realms was an inspiration for me to write my own story.
What does being a successful author look like to you?
Having people you don't even know to tell you that they learned something from your work and that it resonated with them to read the same story a second time.
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