Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Max Overton

Interview with Max Overton:

Welcome to Romance at Heart’s grilling of the author. I am glad that you could take the time to answer our questions. We enjoy getting to know the authors we love better, and hope that you don’t my my endlessly nosy questions. *bg* At any rate, I really appreciate you answering these questions for me, Max.

- Please tell us about your latest book.

I am currently working on two books. One is a modern-day Paranormal thriller involving serial killers and Wal-Mart. The other is an historical about ancient Egypt told from the point of view of the sister of Akhenaten, the heretic king of the 18th dynasty.

- What can we expect from you in the future?

I have a whole string of books in all different stages, from partly written to a few words jotted in a notebook. They involve such disparate themes as erotica, action, paranormal, alternate history and children’s books.

- How may readers find out about you and your books?

You could try my website at Max Overton or my publisher Mundania Press

- How may readers contact you?

There is an e-mail link on my website.

- How many readers contact you?

Quite a few, though more make personal contact at work.

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

Very much so. When my first historical novel “Lion of Scythia” came out, most people loved it but had a problem pronouncing the Greek and Scythian names. I incorporated a glossary and guide to pronunciation in the sequel, “The Golden King”.

- you have a favourite Comment or question from a reader?

A comment by a reviewer that it didn't matter to her what the book was about, if it had my name on it, she was buying it!

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

Romance is part of life….. or should be.

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

You mean “Was I a Greek soldier in a past life?”….. Not exactly, but I know my own mind and what shaped my character. There are parts of me in almost every character I write about, even the women, but I enlarge and embellish. I have a good imagination.

- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I wrote a couple of short stories in high school and some scientific articles when I was a research scientist, but my wife Ariana lit the writing fire in me when I was fifty.

- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

Depends on the book, and on other things going on around me. My first novel took fifteen months, but I had to take time off in the middle of it to write a PhD thesis. The third book of the Glass House trilogy took me four months.

- What is your writing routine?

No set routine, but I try to give myself a couple of hours a day. Ideally, I can sit in front of my computer of an evening and knock out a couple of thousand words. Other times I just sit and stare at it!

- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow ?

Go with the flow. I hope to reorganize my life shortly so that I can have set times for writing. I need more self-discipline.

- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?

Varies. At the moment the grandkids are a bit noisy, but when they are out I can write.

- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

Chase butterflies with a net or a camera. Walk in the wild woods, commune with nature face to face. Sometimes I read a book or watch a movie. I’m always happy to snuggle with my honey!

- Where do your ideas come from?

Everywhere. Dreams sometimes, reading a book, a conversation. All it takes is a tiny idea. Sometimes they grow and something gets written down. Other times they shrivel and disappear.

- Do you feel humor is important in women's fiction and why?

Oh, yes! People are cracking funnies all the time in real life….. fiction should reflect real life! Characters who never joke can be boring.

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

I’m a proponent of subtlety rather than graphic detail. I like to practice first, find out what works, what doesn’t, have a lot of fun ….. then they just flow off the pen…….

- What kind of research do you do?

All sorts…..books, movies, internet, talking to people, hands-on.

- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?

I would like to try all sorts of genres. Besides, most good stories are cross-genre or have bits of everything in them.

- What does your wife think of your writing?

My late wife, Ariana, wrote novels too. We wrote the “Glass House” trilogy together.

- Do you ever ask her for advice?

All the time!

- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)

I was born in Malaysia and have lived in England, Germany, Jamaica, New Zealand, Australia and the States. I have two sons living in Australia, and a lovely daughter and son-in-law in the States. English is my second language, Chinese being my first. Now I can’t speak a word of Chinese. I have a Master’s degree in Botany and most of a PhD in Tropical Ecology. My passions are the paranormal and butterflies. I have a large scientific collection but these days I prefer to photograph them. When I retire I’d like to do a PhD in ancient history.

- Fill in the blank favorites - Dessert. City. Season. Type of hero. Type of heroine.

Ahhh…. New Zealand….. ten acres in the Pohangina Valley near Palmerston North in the North Island. Or Townsville in Far North Queensland, Australia. Definitely the countryside but close enough to a good hospital! Season…. They all have attractions. Hero….sensitive. Heroine…. Sexy.

- What are some of your favorite things to do?

Sex, chase butterflies, watch movies, sex, read, write books, sex, take photographs, investigate the paranormal, sex …… or any combination!

- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?

Several. Larry Niven, Julian May, Mary Renault, Mary Stewart, James Clavell. Favorite book?..... difficult…it varies. I do like Roger Zelazny’s “Lord of Light”. I keep coming back to it, even after 30 years.

- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

My late wife Ariana. Mary Renault.

- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?

EPIC, Mundania.

- What do you think of critique groups in general?

Useful providing they don’t degenerate into gossip or mindless and automatic congratulation groups.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

Kalamazoo, Michigan….. working on my 15th book. (I have 6 now).

- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?

I wrote the first word of my first novel on January 1st 1999. I did not contemplate being a writer until Ariana persuaded me I could be.

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

Three written by myself. Another three co-written with Ariana. All published by Mundania Press.

- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?

Why buy it? I have it on my bookshelf and I read it often. I do buy copies to send to family as presents.

- Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?

“Looking Glass”, the third book of the “Glass House” trilogy. I had a large input into that one and I enjoyed writing it. The words flowed as if someone was dictating it. Favorite character? I’d have to say Areipithes, a Scythian warrior in “Lion of Scythia” and “The Golden King”. Nasty but with redeeming points. I think it is easier to write villains or “bad boy” heroes.

- What book for you has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?

The hardest is always the one I’m writing now. The easiest is the one I’ve just finished. The most fun is the next one I plan to write.

- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

An idea first that grows toward a story. Then a setting suggests itself and characters form. The story develops to the stage where it clamors to be written.

- What are the elements of a great romance for you?

He, she, other (either gender), conflict, resolution.

- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest?

The hardest parts are the first 20 thousand words and wrapping it up. The easiest is the middle 80 thousand.

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

They are telling me to say I have complete control over them.

- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?

Yes, I think everyone does from time to time. I force myself to write something down, push the story along a bit, even a paragraph. It doesn’t matter if what I write is dreadful, I can always change it later. This always gets me past the blockage.

- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Certainly not the money! To use a crude analogy from a male who really hasn’t the faintest idea what it’s like….. I’ve gestated the ideas for months, I’ve gone through the painful labor of writing the story down, and now I can wonder at this beautiful thing I’ve created.

- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

Envying people who can.

- Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Keep at it! Learn from others, learn the basics of writing, hone your skills, practice, and persevere. It won’t happen overnight but if you want it enough, it will happen.

- What question would you love to answer that I didn't ask?

“What is the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything?” “42”.

And a touch of Douglas Adams too? Thank You Max. Thanks again for taking this time from your busy schedule to spend with us here at Romance at Heart. I know we will all be waiting and watching to see what comes from your pen next. Please, keep in touch, and keep us informed!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

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