About Bruce Nesmith:
Bruce was the lead designer for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, as well as working on Oblivion, Fallout 3 and Fallout 4. Prior to that he wrote the Ravenloft Boxed Set for Dungeons and Dragons, as well as numerous other D&D products. These days he writes novels at home with his wife and two cats, unless he is running one of his many tabletop role-playing games.
What inspires you to write?
I've been telling stories all my life through gaming, but I've always wanted to write books. I draw my inspiration from everywhere, books, games, movies, comic, etc. Their creativity inspires new story ideas in me.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
I like a number of old school authors like Roger Zelazny and Patricia McKillip. Among more current writers, I enjoy Seanan McGuire, Jim Butcher, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Holly Black, and Charles Stross.
Tell us about your writing process.
When I sit down to write, I first figure out the ending. I need to know where the book is going. Then I create an outline and character sketches. Neither are rigidly followed though. As the writing progresses, the plot will inevitably shift as new and better ideas emerge. Characters will redefine themselves through the actions I give them. As I write, I create a list of things to look for in subsequent passes. This keeps me honest with the state of the story and characters moving forward. In the end, I reread the entire book several times, looking for confusing or awkward sections. It's definitely a process!
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
My characters have a life of their own. I hear them talking in the back of my head as I write. While I don't reply, they nudge me, reminding me of who they are and why I care about them.
What advice would you give other writers?
Let your characters be smart. Don't get so caught up in what you want to happen that you make them do dumb things. Your readers will notice. There is always a way to make the plot work and let your characters do what makes sense to them in that moment.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I use indie publisher Craig Martelle. For me, I wanted to focus on writing and was willing to give up a portion of my profits to let someone else do the marketing, formating and other publishing tasks. The entry to traditional publishing is too long and tedious for me, and overhead of self-publishing is too much work. Indie publishing was perfect for me.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think traditional publishers need to change or they'll become irrelevant. They are already perilously close to being left behind. Growth will always come from the bottom, in self-publishing. The freedom and variety it provides are unparalleled.
What genres do you write?: Contemporary Fantasy
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Bruce Nesmith Home Page Link
Link To Bruce Nesmith Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Facebook
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
