Author Bio:
I was born in 1980 in the city of Elizabeth, NJ to Reagan and Margaret Stoddard and because of my father’s ministries, I moved around from state-to-state, including Maryland and Pennsylvania. At the time, I was always to myself, especially during my middle and high school years, where I gamed, wrote, sketched, took martial arts–At the time, it was Taekwon-Do and Hup Kwan Do and played guitar.
After I graduated from high school, I worked full time starting out with a dude ranch in Millers, MD, to working construction. I then decided to go to retail and grocery, working for FedEx:Ground and at the time, I was going to HACC as a part-time student and majored in CADD and graduated in 2006. When I wasn’t studying in some form, I read several books, including astonomy and physics and after having spent several years struggling on ways to perfect my ideas for a sci-fi series and illustrations using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, MS Paint, Bryce and Fontstruct.com. I discovered myself and with it, ideas that would forever change my stories and my life. A year later, I recieved an offer of publication, but was forced to decline because of limited financial resources.
Two years later, I met my future wife on-line. I was on the verge of my Black Belt Test in Isshinryu, when my life changed yet again. I soon moved to New Columbia and commuted almost an hour to my job. The year that followed I became a father, 1st Dan in TKD and a published author.
I currently live in Milton with my wife Christine, my son Isaiah and our two cats Emma and Tiger. I currently work for a sub-contractor and spend time with my family, working out, developing my own style of Karate(Kuroyudo) and pursue the talents that I have been given. I hope to be a full-time author and martial arts instructor at some point. I also hope to see my novel made into a movie, videogame, etc.
What inspires you to write?
I am often inspired by many things: life events, movies, books, people and current events that are see in the world around us. I am inspired by fellow writers/authors who have the same passions and though there are times I get discouraged when I go through the dry spells. I am often reminded to persevere and to see that my dreams of becoming a full-time author are on the horizon.
Tell us about your writing process.
Every author has there own unique way of creating their stories, I have used several methods in the writing process, especially after doing some research–I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to details. Usually I start off as a seat-of-the-pants writer, sometimes jotting down notes of how the characters and the plot unfolds, like how the character is going to overcome certain reactions in a dramatic chapter or scene. Having played DnD in the past, I often sketch out the star systems, skylines and starships and then render them using a couple of software programs and sometimes, I’ll be watching certain movies or gaming that inspires me further and I can visualize the characters played by the actors/actresses I see on screen.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
When it comes to my characters, each of them have unique personalities which inevitably could be explosive with my protagonist, while other co-characters work well or not at all. I sometimes have an “interview” with the characters to understand how they would react/respond in particular scenarios and what they perceive as the plot thickens. When writing on several manuscripts at once, some character personalities trickle over and can be rather redundant, I end up having to take a step back from writing and focus on one story.
What advice would you give other writers?
First and foremost, be persistent. I know that working a full-time job, providing for my family, I don’t have as much time writing as I would like, the stress of work tends to hamper creative flow–at least when it comes to writing. Yet, it doesn’t affect the other facets of creativity so much. It’s also good to get some beta readers, an editor that can read over your manuscript once it is finished and help with flow, character development, etc. But as a fellow writer, I would say to dream–and dream big!! Do not be discouraged during those seasonal writer’s blocks and search for other authors and artists(besides family) who will support you in your endeavor’s. Don’t give up!!
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I started my research on publishers years prior to the release of my first novel, I scoured through the internet and I often considered going through a traditional publisher. However, the submission process would take at least six months, or it had to be solicited by an agent and both the agents and the publishers are particular with what genre types they accept as a whole. I decided to go self-publish(independent) because, it was an open door and I was eager to see my book in print. However, self-publishing downside is that there is no advance, you have to provide the money and not everyone is able or unwilling to risk investing in their own product–especially when you lack the necessary funds to publish. I would advise self-publishing as a last resort, but I would get connections to agents and traditional publishers through social media, such as LinkedIn.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
With the tablets rapidly rising in circulation, the ebook/epub format is becoming common in the world of today; though I prefer the hardcover or trade paperback when it comes to reading. There is something about when you pick up a book, the smell, flipping through the pages and feeling more engaged in a story, as opposed to reading on a tablet. Tablets are convenient, but I am rather sentimental. Epub format is often cheaper, but should not be undersold, that is, if the novel is worth reading. In a sense, the price of the ebooks are based on its content, some include detailed designs that allow the reader a clearer visual of the universe created. I would say the future of published could be completely converted to digital format in a few years, the publishers and authors will have to compensate their pricing in order to gain the dividends.
What do you use?
Beta Readers
What genres do you write?
sci-fi, fantasy, speculative fiction, paranormal, adventure, thriller
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
M. J. Stoddard Home Page Link
Link To M. J. Stoddard Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5045527.M_J_Stoddard
https://www.facebook.com/Arcturus2120
https://twitter.com/M_JStoddard
http://www.pinterest.com/m3jstoddard/pins/
