Interview with Richard Brown and GIVEWAY!

I am very pleased to present my first author interview! I just finished Richard Brown's book over the weekend, and you can check out my review here. The interview was fun. I tried to ask some interesting questions, and Richard came up with some very interesting answers! Then, at the end of the interview, you can enter for a chance to win a signed print copy of his book, The Gift of Illusion!!

Mickey@imabookshark: For those who don’t know you, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Richard Brown, author: First, thanks for having me. I'm thirty-one years old. 5'11. Around 165 pounds, and gaining. I have blue eyes and brown hair. I try to keep my hair short because when it gets long it gets really curly and just looks ridiculous, though apparently some women like curly hair on men. I don't get it. In my spare time I enjoy showering and doing the laundry. Oh, and people always tell me I have a bizarre sense of humor, and I don't know why.

M: What gave you the inspiration to write The Gift of Illusion?

R: When I first started writing, I wrote poetry almost exclusively. I really wanted to be a songwriter but I didn't have much musical talent. Every now and then I would write a short story, one in particular called The Eyes of an Angel was pretty good. Or I thought it was back then. It was a long short story at around fifteen thousand words, and it gave me the courage to try something bigger. The Gift of Illusion was the result.

M: Isaac is a really stressed but mostly confident character. Why do so many bad things happen to him?

R: I think it's partly the nature of his profession. As a detective he's forced to experience certain things, bad things, that most of us never will. I think he also has a false sense of confidence. In other words, the way he wants people to view him isn't necessarily the way he really is. On the outside he projects a strong and confident aura, while on the inside he really feels weak and burdened with guilt.

M: Any chance of a sequel? Maybe some good luck for Isaac with Virginia?

R: The idea for a sequel has certainly crossed my mind. I could see him leaving the police force and becoming more of a private investigator, perhaps with Virginia by his side, like a darker X-Files. I could also write a story from the villain's point of view during the time when he lived. I enjoyed writing the snippets in The Gift of Illusion about his past. Ultimately, I think the success of the book will determine whether or not I will write a sequel. So the jury is still out.

M: Which one of the characters best represents you? Which qualities do your characters have that you wish you possessed?

R: Isaac would probably best represent me. He has a quick wit, and likes to poke at people. He also doesn't really care what people think about him, as long as he can keep his emotions buried out of sight.

M: Tell us what you have coming up next: another novel and a poetry book I hear..?

R: The poetry book is called The Rebirth. I hope to have it out in the next month. As I mentioned earlier, I wrote only poetry growing up, so most of the poems in The Rebirth are decades old. But I think they help tell a story of who I was at the time and how I learned to use language. I'm also working on a new novel about a woman who gets a second chance to have a child she lost in labor. It's a much bigger idea with far more characters and multiple plotlines intertwining. I have lots of faith in this story so I'm taking my time with it.

M: Can't wait for it! Sounds good! Now, describe your approach to writing or your writing style in 5 words.

R: Love it or hate it.

M: On Smashwords, it says you like to sing Karaoke. What’s your favorite song to sing?

R: It was Somebody told me by The Killers. But I sort of retired that song cause I think other people were tired of hearing it. The last few sessions I sang some Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi, Radiohead, and a bunch of 80's rock ballads.

M: Good songs!! So, your facebook page is interesting. I found a post about how awesome Subway cookies are. Which one is your favorite?

R: Chocolate Chip, obviously.

M: MMM those are my favorite!! Since June is Audio Book Month and I am a huge fan of audio books: any idea if your book will be coming out on audio? And do you listen to audio books? Anything you can recommend?

R: I don't have any plans for audio, but I think it would be a nice format to have. I would like to reach as many people as possible. I really like listening to anything Frank Muller did, particularly his reading of Stephen King's Dark Tower series. It's unfortunate that he passed away not too long ago.

M: Who would you want to write your biography? And who would you want to read the audio version?

R: I would want it to be written by a ghostwriter so I wouldn't know who to blame, and read by Christopher Walken.

M: I would love if Christopher Walken started doing audio books!! Alright, any parting words? Advice? Favorite things you want to share? Now’s the time!

R: Parting words? Don't say goodbye, say good journey. Masters of the Universe is a classic film that everyone should watch, and Return to Oz. Oh, and thanks for the interview, Mickey. I had fun. Perhaps too much.

Author Links
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads

I had fun, too! Thanks SO much to Richard Brown for taking the time to do this interview. We've had some email communication and he seems like a very cool guy. Check out his book soon! Let's get to the fun part shall we?

Giveaway time!!

Giveaway Details:

• Fill out this form to enter. Only one entry form per person.
• Comments are much appreciated but are not entries into the contest.
  
• Participate in extra entries if you'd like. They are subject to review, so don't lie! ;o)
  
• Following my blog is not required but it's very much appreciated!
• Must be 16 or older.
  
• Last day to enter is 6/30/11. Winner will be announced 7/1/11.
  
• I will pick a winner using Random.org.
  
• I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.

Extra Entries:

• +1 - Follow my blog through GFC or email
• +1 - Follow me on Twitter
• +1 - Tweet/Facebook this contest to spread the word: Interview and GIVEAWAY - Richard Brown's The Gift of Illusion http://tinyurl.com/rbrowngiveaway @imabookshark
• +1 - Like Richard Brown's Facebook page
• +1 - Follow Richard Brown on Goodreads.

Thanks to Richard Brown for the awesome giveaway!
Good luck!!