My interview with Michael W. Holman

I met Michael W. Holman on Twitter more than a year ago. We struck up a friendship based on support of each other, which quickly morphed into a friendship on a personal level. Michael is the epitome of a charming gentleman, his personality very forthright and honest, and he always shows concern for his friends. We sometimes go a few weeks without speaking, though if he hasn't seen me around I will receive a message off him asking if everything is well with me. He is always polite, always willing to support, and always very respectful, so much so that I admit to nicknaming him Charmer, a name that stuck for me and I use often, which in turn led to him naming a chapter in his novel the same. Not once has Michael ever not responded to my hello, and he is the type of friend any one would be honoured to have, but for me it's also a privilege to know such a talented man.
Michael is a bachelor and has lived all his life in the Pacific Northwest, in Salem, Oregon. He is also the author of the R&R Trilogy, and being a lover of all things Vampire and Werewolf I have to say I'm looking forward to getting to read them. Resolve and Retribution is book one, Returns and Reunions is book two, and Response and Reward is book three, which Michael had planned to be finished before the 22nd of May 2016 to be the best man at his dads wedding. I'm pleased to say he did exactly that!


Here is what Michael W. Holman has to say...


Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
 
I enjoy asking “what if” and writing down what comes to my mind.
 
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
 
First, it was a Language Arts instructor I had at Waldo Middle School, Mrs Edmonton, who gave us an assignment to come up with an alternate end to one story we had always liked.  I still remember the task, and it was given in 1978. 
The second thing to drive me toward being a writer was when I watched one of my DVD movies (“Eddie and the Cruisers” where one character asked another if he had ever gotten around to writing a book.  When the reply was a regretful negative, it galvanized me to get a college-ruled notebook and pen on my table in 2009.
 
How long have you been writing?
 
I have been writing with intent to publish since 2009, when I printed a rough outline of what I wanted to do with my primary characters of Ben and Tabitha.
 
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
 
Ever since I attended grade school, I have had an interest in world history.  I have also been intrigued with the folklore of vampires.  I decided to bring those subjects together, because the undead can watch time unfurl as they sustain their unique personalities.
 
Who is your favourite character, and why?
 
Tabitha is a former English noblewoman who has adapted to a setting far removed from 17th century Birmingham not only to thrive in present-day America, but also because she loves Ben.  She has the physical strength of 20 mortals, yet she has vulnerabilities as well.  In short, she is complex.  And a runner.
 
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
 
I munch a lot of Pringle’s pizza flavoured potato chips and guzzle copious amounts of root beer.
 
What does your family think of your work?
 
I think they are too busy with their own schedules to think much about it one way or another most of the time, although their collective eyebrows went up a bit when the Kindle Edition of “Resolve and Retribution: Book One of the R&R Trilogy” reached an Amazon rank of 26th for the College/Young Adult category.
 
How do you deal with writers block?
 
I get my rump out of my chair at the table with my laptop on it and take a stroll outside, rain or no rain.  It is unlikely that I will melt, and besides, I find it to be a tranquil mini-retreat.
 
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
 
Writing, like reading, is highly subjective.  What works for one person will come up short in the eyes of another.  I am obligated to face the fact the best I can do is to put my sentences together in a coherent manner and hope for the best.
 
What do you enjoy the most about writing?
 
The routine fetters of daily life fall with a thud and it is “all ahead full” once scenarios begin to zing through my head.
 
Where do you find your inspiration?
 
I would say Mr Bram Stoker inspired me, but, in the same manner as “The Tortoise and the Hare” ended differently when I completed Mrs Edmonton’s assignment, I wanted my story about vampires to conclude miles off from Stoker’s “Dracula.”
 
What do you do in your spare time to relax?

Um, spare time?  Sorry, I could not resist.  The range varies, from watching action/adventure films to engaging in yard chores on my father’s property he cannot complete anymore to reading for enjoyment.
 
What do you like to read?

I like to read anything except for my own shopping lists, mostly because I am apt to lose the silly things anyway.  I enjoy reading non-fiction in equal measure to fiction when it is evident the author is skilled with how they use words to draw a reader into their work.
 
Who is your favourite author?
 
K.N. Lee is my author of choice, and especially her heroine Koa, since she is an attractive brunette vampire.
 
Where are your books available?
 
As of the time of these responses to your questions, they are available exclusively through Amazon Books, but I have been told by my publisher more sources will be available in the near future.
 
What are you working on right now?
 
I recently finished writing “Response and Reward: Book Three of the R&R Trilogy.”  The final novel in this series has been submitted via electronic file to Captive Quill Press, and so I have decided to take a short duration leave from writing.  A science fiction novel I began months ago, a bit more than 17,000 words in length as is, awaits me “in the wings.”
 
What is your ultimate goal?
 
Pull up stakes, move to Texas, and start writing my fiction there.
 
Do you have a favourite film? And if so what is it?
 
Yes, Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”  (Black Widow and Scarlet Witch both have gorgeous actresses portraying them.)
 
Is there anything you'd like to add for your readers?
 
The paperback editions of R&R One, in addition to R&R Two, will be available on Amazon as well shortly, according to my publisher, Captive Quill Press.  R&R Three is in its final copy edit/proofreading stage with them.  It will also be sold through Amazon Books.  More sources will sell all three titles in the near future.
 
Here are two links which vampire fans equipped with electronic devices can use right away:
 
www.amazon.com/Resolve-Retribution-Book-One-Trilogy-ebook
 
www.amazon.com/Returns-Reunions-Trilogy-Michael-Holman-ebook
 

Here is where you can find Michael W. Holman


Website: www.mwholman.com

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Michael-W.-Holman

Twitter: @NWrunningwriter
 
Facebook: Michael W. Holman Facebook Author Page


I'd like to take this last moment to thank Michael W. Holman for taking part in my interview process. Again he proved himself to be a gentleman, and I thoroughly enjoyed the insight into his mind. So for those of you lucky enough to have an electronic device, why not pop on over to Amazon and pick up a copy of Michael's books, I guarantee you'll be hooked. For those of you, like me, that prefer a paperback book, then get yourself ready to be able to get your copy to add to your shelves of all things Vampire.
Once again, thank you Michael W. Holman.

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