Sit down, shut up, and write. It sounds simple, but that first step is the hardest hurdle to cross.

Bobby Nash – 21 February 2018

The Back Flap

Sometimes half an inch is all that stands between life and death.

Abraham Snow’s career ended with a single shot. Left for dead, the undercover operative barely survived an assassin’s bullet. After a long and painful recovery, Snow retires. He returns home to rest and recuperate only to get swept up in the family business, one just as dangerous as his previous profession. When he thwarts an assassination attempt on a diplomat that endangers his sister, Snow leaps into action to keep his family out of a highly trained killer’s crosshairs.

About the book

What is the book about?

Snow Falls is book 1 in a series of action/thriller novellas starring Abraham Snow. There are currently three books in the series (Snow Falls, Snow Storm, and Snow Drive), with at least three more scheduled for 2018 to round out series one (six books in the series). Each novella tells a stand-alone story, but is also part of an over-arching story in the series similar to how some TV series work.

Here’s the official synopsis for Snow Falls:

Abraham Snow’s career ended with a single shot. Left for dead, the undercover operative barely survived an assassin’s bullet. After a long and painful recovery, Snow retires. He returns home to rest and recuperate only to get swept up in the family business, one just as dangerous as his previous profession. When he thwarts an assassination attempt on a diplomat that endangers his sister, Snow leaps into action to keep his family out of a highly trained killer’s crosshairs. Snow Falls is the first book in the continuing adventures of Abraham Snow.

When did you start writing the book?

Snow Falls was originally written and released in 2014 for a publisher that has since suspended publishing. I got the rights back in December 2016 and BEN Books released the new printing of Snow Falls January 2017. Snow Storm followed in February 2017. Snow Drive came out later in 2017. The series continues with Snow Trapped in 2018.

How long did it take you to write it?

I remember writing Snow Falls fairly fast. Once the idea came together and the publisher was onboard, the story flowed pretty well. I don’t know how long in terms of days because I am usually juggling multiple projects so they get worked on around one another.

Where did you get the idea from?

I wanted to do a story that was reminiscent of the TV shows I grew up enjoying as a kid. You can see inspiration from Magnum P.I., The Rockford Files, and their contemporaries in the storytelling. Snow is basically me doing TV without actually doing TV.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The mystery is always a struggle for me. Snow Falls sets up a mystery that Snow has to unravel over the course of the six novellas in series one. I like to play fair with my readers so I make sure that the clues are there so the reader has a chance to piece things together along with the characters. When writing the clues, I can’t help but feel there’s a big neon sign over them pointing out the clues. Of course, that’s just my writer insecurities rearing their ugly head.

What came easily?

The characters, especially Archer Snow, our main character’s grandfather. He came out of my mind fully formed and ready to go to work. It’s no surprise that he has become a fan favorite character in these books. I love writing him.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The characters are entirely fictional, but there are bits of me in every character I create. Plus, I sometimes use real people to help round out a character, especially in early days. Once the characters come to life in my imagination, they are who they are. All I have to do is point them toward trouble and see how they handle it.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I am influenced by all writers. I can learn lessons, both good and bad, by watching and studying other writers. We’re all different, but I can always learn new tricks or techniques by studying or talking to authors. I read a lot too and pick up things that way as well. Over time, I have also gotten to know other authors and I’ve picked up some valuable pointers by talking with them or watching how they interact with their fans.

Do you have a target reader?

My readers tend to be teenagers and up and fairly evenly split between male and female, depending on the book. Snow seems to do well with male and female readers in the 20 – 40 range.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Sit down, shut up, and write. It sounds simple, but that first step is the hardest hurdle to cross. I have loose plots, but leave room for the characters to surprise me. In Snow Drive, the end chapter of the book is a great moment for the series, but it totally screws up plans I had for later books. I had to do some restructuring, but because I allowed myself room for change, the story is so much the stronger for it.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I do not do full outlines. I do short, bullet points that have important plot point. Then, I point the characters toward that plot point and see what happens. I get some great stuff that way.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

A little of both. When I start working, I will read over the previous day’s work and give it a quick edit pass. Most of the editing is tackled after the book is completed though.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Sometimes I will play the radio or put the music I have on my laptop to shuffle, but I generally tune it out. Sometimes I write in silence.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Multiple times, but I have had absolutely zero luck with finding an agent to date. I’ve had better luck finding publishers willing to publish work that agents told me was not sellable. Go figure.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Well, the no agent thing closes off the big New York publishers. I look for publishers who handle the type of work I write and I also look for publishers that will help me promote the book. I self-publish a few items, like the Snow books now that the rights have reverted to me. I prefer to work with publishers, but I’m enjoying self-publishing on a small scale.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The cover to Snow Falls was professionally done and the trade dress was designed by me.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

There is a plan, but I’m not afraid to wing it when a wild idea strikes me. Sometimes those hairbrained moments work out really well.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Set realistic goals. If you are an indie author, you probably have a day job. Work that into your plans. Don’t try to do 5,000 words a day just because a full-time writer you follow does that. Do what you can realistically do and build from there. That said, if you want to write as a career, you have to treat writing like a job instead of a hobby. If writing is a fun hobby, that’s cool too. Set your writing goals accordingly and you’ll be happier and a lot less stressed.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I currently live about 55 miles east of Atlanta. I haven’t travelled far.

Where do you live now?

I currently live in Bethlehem, Georgia. As the name implies, it is a rather small town.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I would like readers to know that I and my books exist and are out there. I work hard to get the word out about my books. It’s a never-ending battle, but one I love.

End of Interview:

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Get your copy of Snow Falls from Amazon US or Amazon UK.