About Colby Toennis:
On the eve of my 50th birthday and I still love to lift weights. I'm only writing books to have money for more tattoos. Just kidding. I like to make people laugh and have a twisted sense of humor. Maybe someday I'll get on stage and tell a few jokes I've written. I also like to write lyrics and try to create a rhythm for them on my bass. I have a wild and vivid imagination that I hope shines in my book/s. I'm still writing book 2, but I have a couple more after that in the fantasy series. I also have a sci-fi and a horror I've started outlining.
What inspires you to write?
I constantly have dreams or ideas for monsters, kick-ass characters, or cool plots that I don't see in other people's writings. I want to put these things in stories that people will love. More than anything I want to tell stories that people with remember and be inspired by.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Terry Brooks was a big inspiration for me. I love the premise of the Shannara series. My first novel is post-apocalyptic because of his influence. I also really enjoyed the Wheel of Time, Song of Ice and Fire, and Mistborn series'. Although I don't think I could match those masterfully complex stories they do inspire ideas for mine. Also, can't forget Stephen King. My horror novel is inspired by him. His stories are no less than fascinating.
Tell us about your writing process.
I'm mostly a pantser. When I have an idea for a story I make a rough outline. But once I start writing, the story just flows out of me. I still have a regular job to pay the bills so I write as much as I can. Some days I write a couple thousand words, some days none at all. I also like to draw a map of the area as an aid.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
No, I try to embody the characters to make them as lifelike as possible. This allows me to decide how I think a character will act or what they'll do in tough situations. That means they do come to life for me in a sense. My storyline has changed based on the idea of a character making a decision I hadn't originally intended.
What advice would you give other writers?
It's a grind so be tenacious. Most importantly write about something that entertains and captivates you.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
The traditional publishing market is nearly impossible to break into when you're unknown so I had to self-publish. I will say I didn't have a good experience with Ingram Spark. They urge you to offer a discount to distributors and then you see very little to no royalties.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Like all writers right now, I'm concerned AI will take over. However, I can't control that so I just have to hope that self-publishing remains an affordable option.
What genres do you write?: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Link To Colby Toennis Page On Amazon
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.
