Author Bio:
Bryan Koepke is the author of Vengeance; book one in the Reece Culver thriller series. He has been a member of professional teams that integrated, tested, and launched spacecraft from both coasts of the U.S. Rumor has it that he gained his affection for Manchego cheese while working as a sous chef, but this could neither be confirmed nor denied. These days when he’s not busy writing thrillers he works for an aerospace company. Bryan lives in Colorado with his wife Ildy and their dog Daisy. He’s a private pilot, holds an FAA A&P mechanics license, and has extensive training in avionics and electronics. He once raced a Yamaha YZ 125 in motocross competitions. He can often be found enjoying the Colorado Mountains on a hike, skiing down the slopes, ridding aboard an ATV, or fishing.
What inspires you to write?
I’ve always been drawn to writing. I was the kid in grade school who loved it when the teacher would say “take out a pencil, two sheets of paper, and write me a story”. When I was a teenager I wanted to become an author, but over time more urgent matters such as figuring out a way to earn a living replaced that pursuit. A few years back at a time when I was reading tons of mystery and thriller novels I decided to write one of my own. I spent the next two years writing two thrillers that are currently sitting in the bottom drawer of my desk aging like fine bottles of wine. Book three became Vengeance.
Tell us about your writing process.
I do the bulk of my writing early in the morning before my day job and on weekends. When I begin a novel I write scenes and chapters sequentially. At some point in the process I’ll begin an outline mainly to use in the revision process. Recently I’ve started aiming for a goal of 1000 words each time I sit down to write. On weekends when I’m well rested I can crank out 3,000 or more words in one sitting.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Over the years I’ve developed a technique where I start thinking about the story and my characters just before I fall asleep at night. While I sleep my subconscious takes over and a day or more later while writing the story will come to me. While I don’t talk to my characters I do think they take the story over as I write and lead it to new and often more interesting places than I may have intended.
What advice would you give other writers?
Get out and experience life. It’s impossible to write well without having a well nurtured imagination. When you edit read your story out loud. Also be careful who you listen to when taking advice or criticism about your work. Everyone has an opinion, but recognizing which advice to take can be a big challenge. Most of all enjoy your writing. Spend time studying the craft but enjoy the process.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
It wasn’t a specific influence that led me to publish my book. For me it was more of a time in my life when I felt I was ready to entertain people. I have several books in the bottom drawer of my desk that were good, but not good enough to publish. It’s a great time for authors and there are many roads to becoming published. This in turn makes it a great time for readers because they have more books to choose from and enjoy. Anytime an industry has strong competitive influences it flourishes.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think it’s a great time to be in the industry. it’s growing and changing. The options to both authors and the reading public are expanding. The middle men in the industry are being forced to grow and come up with new ideas and means to judging a books value. Fifty years from now when people look back this will be seen as a renaissance.
What do you use?
Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?
Thriller, Mystery Thriller
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Bryan Koepke Home Page Link
Link To Bryan Koepke Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21520824-vengeance
http://www.facebook.com/BryanKoepkeAspiringAuthor
http://www.twitter.com/BryanKoepke
