I think the most important thing is to write about what you are passionate about. I think everyone has stories or things they could write about, or at least to teach others about. You just have to find what it is you want to say and work hard. 

L.D. Valencia – 9 March 2018

The Back Flap

The Gifted Complex is the first book in a series about a young boy who has a special power, or gift. He travels to college where he must decide how he will use this power. However, he also learns that there is more on campus than pretty girls and grumpy professors. In his first year on campus, Gabriel discovers that there are mysteries around every corner, and he is left unsure of who he can trust.

About the book

What is the book about?

Answer in normal …

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing about seven years ago now.

How long did it take you to write it?

I wrote the first book in about a year, and then I started working on the second, third, and so on. But then I went back and edited the first draft. Then I wrote some more of the other books, and went back and re-edited the second draft. The final book looks a lot better than those original manuscripts.

Where did you get the idea from?

This project started out as a small short story I wrote as part of a lesson I was teaching on elements of a story. I quickly drafted a story about Gabriel, a kid with superpowers. Then I used it to teach my students what characters were, what a plot was, things like that. When one of my students told me at the end of the lesson, “Mr. V, you should publish.” As sweet as this was, I didn’t really start doing anything with it until much later on. Then I went back and actually took this short story and made it a book.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yeah, there were. There was a part where I really struggled trying to make it flow better. In early drafts, Gabriel went to see the bad guy, left, and then came back. I felt like this didn’t flow well, so I had to scrap it and re-draft that whole section. I wanted the final product to be a really tight story.

What came easily?

Overall, the writing process has come pretty easily. I’ve really enjoyed creating this world and these characters.

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

The characters are fictitious, but as with most authors aspects of their character or personality are borrowed from real world people. In the story, the two main characters have a really tight bond, and that was inspired by my relationship with my best friend.

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 a big reader nowadays. I use Audible and Overdrive for audiobooks a lot. I love book series. Anything with a big world and a good story. I’m a big fan of Harry Potter, I Am Number Four, and I recently started The Wheel of Time series.

Do you have a target reader?

My audience would be upper elementary and even lower middle school. Probably 3-6 graders.

About Writing

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

I use Evernote to help me brainstorm ideas and take down notes. I have a notebook for each book, and after I have all my ideas I create a quick outline with Act I, II, and III. Then I take that to Scrivener, my writing program. I outline the book into my chapters and lengthen it out a bit. Then I start drafting.

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

Sorry, I kind of answered that in the last question. I do. I start off with a short general one on Evernote, and then I move over to a chapter-by-chapter outline on my word processor.

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

I edit a ton. I think it was Steven King who said you have to write a lot of crap before you write anything good. I will do a little of both, editing as I go, but most of it is done on the tail end.

Did you hire a professional editor?

My publisher had a professional editing service. So, after I did my round of editing, they go through and edit too.

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

I do listen to music as I write. I generally can’t listen to stuff with words, because I get distracted by that. So, it is instrumentals, some soundtracks, and original scores from my favorite movies.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did send my pitch to a few local agents. I can’t remember how many. However, most of the ones I contacted weren’t looking for children’s books at the moment. They said that is too hard to really get into at the moment.

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

Honestly, I wanted to remain in control of the story I was telling. I wanted to control the themes I discussed. I also wanted a publisher who could do everything in house.

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

I sent them a bit of concept art done by my friend. He is a graphic designer, and he created a minimalist design for me. I sent that to the publisher who used that as inspiration.

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

Right now, I am working on set up some local events and trying to get involved with some of the book conventions around me. I am also doing some online publicity work, like I have a Goodreads.com campaign coming out soon.

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

I think the most important thing is to write about what you are passionate about. I think everyone has stories or things they could write about, or at least to teach others about. You just have to find what it is you want to say and work hard.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in upstate, New York. I lived about an hour and a half north of the city.

Where do you live now?

Now, I live south of Nashville.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am a teacher by trade, and really my hope is that this book inspires kids and students to get into reading.

What are you working on now?

Aside from marketing and other publicity stuff, I am trying to finish up book 2 of my series. I have it about half way finished. As I said before, I go back and change a lot, so I went back and scrapped a bunch of the beginning and redid that whole bit. So, that set me back a little.

End of Interview:

Got get your copy of The Gifted Complex visit Amazon US or Amazon UK.