About Phil Warner:
Phil is a retired educator having been a teacher, vice-principal, principal, and superintendent of education. Even in retirement, he stays connected by teaching at a university and sitting on the teachers’ governing body in the investigations committee.
Phil grew up in Windsor, but landed in Bright’s Grove. Both of these locations are on the Michigan border, which set the stage for him writing about Michigan.
Phil’s debut novel UNDONE was based out of Detroit and was a murder mystery involving a rookie Detroit Tiger. This book ended with a twist which led to significant encouragement to writing a second novel.
That twist was used as a launching point for Warner’s second novel entitled Michigan Fixer, a crime novel based in Detroit and surrounding areas.
What inspires you to write?
I find writing to be very similar to reading as I get absorbed into the story, but the neat thing about writing is I get to control the story. It’s also an opportunity to share little tidbits and personal stories that are sprinkled into the piece.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Grisham and Baldacci are who I normally read; however, I would say that Michael Crichton was my favourite. We lost a great story-teller who was an incredible researcher, as well.
Tell us about your writing process.
With my first novel, I wrote it in four parts and I actually framed out part four first and then wrote part two. Parts one was written as a large prologue and then I went at part three. It may have been convoluted, but it came together nicely.
For my second novel, I wrote began with writing a short story. That sat on a shelf for awhile and then it became my main character development. I then took two somewhat minor characters from UNDONE and thought of ways to weave them together. Then, the ideas just flowed and I wrote the story sequentially.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
In my first novel, I wrote in the first person for three different individuals. It was more like a role playing in my own head.
For Michigan Fixer, I wrote in third person, so it was more like I was a fly on the wall. I found this a little more challenging, but I put my mind into that observer mode.
What advice would you give other writers?
Learn how to type fast! That way your writing can keep up with your brain! My ideas flow so fast that if I didn’t know how to type, I wouldn’t be able to keep up.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
After completing my first book, I tried to pursue traditional publishing, but the process is incredibly frustrating and time consuming. After discovering self-publishing via KDP, I realized I had complete control over the entire process.
For my second novel, the process was even smoother and I didn’t even really think about chasing publishers.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
For publishing companies to survive, they need to speed up and be more accommodating of authors. They’re missing out on great stories, because they are so elitist. I’m certain this will be their demise as self-publishing flourishes.
What genres do you write?: Mystery, crime, sport
What formats are your books in?: eBook, Print, Both eBook and Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Link To Phil Warner Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
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.
