About C.M. Moore:
C.M. Moore is the pen name I use to write under. It stands for Connor and Monica. I write with my wife. Together, we create romances with a little action, some steamy moments, and a happy ending. Monica's a little shy and doesn't leave our bookstore much. Me? I'm out here in the world of writing just learning and having fun. So far, Monica and I have written 5 books. We call them the Ice Era Chronicles. The first book is called 1:05 a.m.
What inspires you to write?
When I first started writing I did it because I'd just returned home from Afghanistan with a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) and I was working on finding what Wounded Warrior Project calls the "new normal." I was blown up in war… that changes a a person. I had to figure out my life when I got home. Writing became my outlet to discover parts of myself as well as it helped my brain heal. I'm still not all together, but remembering things about all my characters helps.
At the beginning, this was a fun hobby. It still is, but then Monica and I discovered that this work brought us closer. Our made-up world is our joint adventure. She inspires me to keep going, and every time we create a book, I love seeing the joy on her face. Now I can't imagine not writing.
Tell us about your writing process.
My wife and I sit at our favorite little cafe, eat breakfast, and talk about what we want to say. That's always how it starts. I talk plot, she talks characters, we both talk about what we think would make a good book. Together we make an outline and then she heads to our bookstore to type. A few years ago, I cut my wrist with a skill saw. (Not on purpose!) After that I had to have her help me with most of the typing as I learned to use my hand again. Once the basic outline is ready, Monica sends the book to my computer. After I finish my editing, adding, deleting, and fussing, then we sit in the laundry room. It's the only place in my house where our kids don't bother us.(They don't want to fold.)
While I'm hanging out on the dryer, we chat about what we want the characters to do, how the book should end, and mostly… we talk about feelings. After the book is complete, we send it to our publishing house and cross our fingers.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I have a room in my head where I invite the characters to sit and talk to me. If I can't seem to connect with someone, I talk to my wife. Monica always has the answers. It's truly amazing. I sometimes think she can see into my head! There are times when she has a razor sharp vision of who should do what, or what characters are like. She has never steered me wrong.
What advice would you give other writers?
I'm not sure I am qualified to answer this question! What do I know? I guess if I had to give advice it would simply be keep doing what you love. Write because it fills you in a way nothing else can. Do this because you love it. If you follow a dream because it makes you happy, than you're doing it right.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I stumbled into this. I was writing to heal. Monica was writing to learn about herself. We were having fun. When a book was done, we would slip it under our bed. That's where we planned to leave it.
Monica was in the bookstore one day and she wanted a book signed by the author, but the story was under a pen name and she didn't know what to do. I told her I'd look into it for her. I contacted the publishing house to see if they would get the book signed for me. While talking to the publishing house about this other book, I mentioned that I'd written and how much I admire anyone who creates a book. The editor asked to read what I was working on. I sent it.
Wow… that didn't go well! The editor told me that it was garbage! But what was interesting is that she gave me tips to make the writing better. I said thanks for the info and that was the end of it.
Monica and I worked on our first book after that. We took the advice and applied it as best we could. Out of the blue, months later, the editor sent us a message and asked if we had worked on our novel. I said yes and she asked to see it again.
After looking at it a second time, she said she would work with us. We have been working with her ever since. She's wonderful. I'm always truly grateful that I met her.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
We have owned a bookstore for 12 years. I remember people telling me that when e-readers came out, books would vanish. Well… I still sell books. I believe in a world where books and e-readers can all exist. I believe this because there will always be people who want to read. I think books are one of the best escapes out there. When the world gets you down, you can always find a happy-ending between the pages of a great story. I hope that no matter what happens, people always create stories.
What do you use?: Co-writer, Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Romance
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
C.M. Moore Home Page Link
Link To C.M. Moore Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
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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.
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