About Calvin Wolf:
I grew up in the strange and energetic land of Midland, Texas: The oil is rich, the air is hot, and the politics as far right as you can get! I wanted seasons and snow, so I went to the University of Wyoming for a while. After two bachelor’s degrees and an MPA, I returned to Texas to get certified as a teacher. For six years, I’ve been a high school social studies teacher, freelance writer, and aspiring novelist. By day, I teach about economics, government, and politics. By lunch, evening, and night, I write! Since 2011, I have written over 2,000 articles and completed eight political thriller novels. I’m back in Midland, teaching at my alma mater, and loving life with my wife, son, and our adorable French bulldog. Before I became a teacher, I was a comic strip artist and a professional backpacking guide. I once stood between a mama bear and her cub and lived to tell the tale!
What inspires you to write?
When I read or hear a story, I feel competitive! I want to try to create a story that is either more exciting, more dramatic, more realistic, more imaginative, et cetera. So many books, movies, plays, and everyday events have inspired me to write that it’s impossible to keep track!
Tell us about your writing process.
I write entirely by the seat of my pants. I liken it to trailblazing: I see my destination (the climax) and begin working my way there. Sometimes, the path is smooth. Occasionally, I get trapped in an impassible thicket and must backtrack. I’ll thrash around for a bit and see if I’ve created a potential path. If there’s a path, I’ll plunge ahead! If there’s no path, I have to backtrack and pause to re-strategize. There’s no outline of anything – it’s all in my head…for better or worse!
I write on Google Docs. This way, I can access my manuscript at home or at work, from any computer.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I do imagine how my characters would talk to each other. Instead of me talking to them, I let them talk to each other. I like to give them a little independence. Some minor characters have surprised me by becoming more assertive and competent over the six-book series.
What advice would you give other writers?
To quote former British prime minister Winston Churchill: “Never, never, never, never, never give up.”
Oh, and learn to MARKET your work! When I began writing, I thought finishing the novel was 90 percent of the battle. Now, I know that it’s much, much less than that! Writers need to focus on networking and building a brand before they release their first book.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’m rather impatient, so I’m prone to self-publishing. I use Smashwords. If I’ve got more than one book coming “through the pipeline” within a period of time, say six months or so, I will try to place one with a small publisher. I think authors just have to make a judgment call as to whether or not they are willing to take the time to go through the process it takes to get published by a publisher versus self-publishing. My work tends to be rather time-sensitive, featuring lots of contemporary politics and current events, so I tend to self-publish to keep my writing feeling more fresh and pertinent.
I advise new authors to be cautious, take their time, and do their research when it comes to seeking a publisher. Make sure you know what vanity publishers are!
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think there will always be a demand for books, so I am optimistic. Of course, the stakes are higher for authors due to most readers spending more time watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the Internet.
What genres do you write?: Thriller, Political Thriller, Sci-Fi
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Calvin Wolf Home Page Link
Link To Calvin Wolf Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
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.
