Crimson Cloak Publishing Author – Rick Stepp-Bolling

• Do you write books as a career, or are you currently still juggling your author time with a full or part time job?

I retired from my teaching career seven years ago, so, yes, I’m a full time writer, editor, and golfer. Before retirement, I had very little time to write and spent most of my time editing my students’ writing i.e. grading papers.

• Have you always wanted to be an author, or did some time or event in your life set you on the path?

Ever since I started writing poems and putting them in my never-to-be-girlfriend’s locker in high school, I knew I wanted to write either as a career or, at least, related to my career. As an English Literature major in college, I knew what good writing was all about, but trying to achieve that level of creativity was, and is, a work in progress.

• Do you always write in the same genre, or do you sometimes like a change of theme? If you haven’t already, is there another genre you would like to write?

I love writing in different genres because it expands your thinking. I began writing poetry, a short and precise style of writing requiring a manipulation of language quite different from fiction and nonfiction. As a child, I grew up with DC Comics, Greek and Norse Mythology, and Tom Swift books, so fantasy and science fiction were already a part of my background. Later, I moved to Tolkien, Herbert, Asimov, and LeGuin. It was easy for me to write in that genre because I had already lived on Middle Earth, Dune, and Earth Sea islands. Because of my background in English Lit, I also was familiar with fiction writing, poetry and drama, so I had some background in those genres. I’ve also dabbled in memoir writing although unless I sell a million copies of something, I doubt anyone would be too curious about my life.

• As a writer, what is the best thing that has happened to you, and what is that most exciting thing that could happen to you?

Wow, the best thing that’s happened to me. That’s difficult. Publishing my first poem, winning back to back Aquarium of the Pacific poetry contests, completing my first novel, publishing my first novel…these all qualify, so it’s difficult to choose a best. Two of the most humbling experiences include reading a poem I wrote for my daughter’s wedding and being asked to officiate a wedding because the couple wanted to be married by a poet. The most exciting thing that could happen would be having one of my novels made into a movie (just wishful thinking).

• Could you tell us something about your published books, and let us know what they are about and where they are available?

I have three books currently published (none being made into a movie): SMOKE AND MIRRORS, a collection of poems available at Amazon, AUTOCIDE, a collection of strange and bizarre short stories available at Amazon, and PATCH MAN, a fantasy/science fiction novel published by Crimson Cloak and available through Crimson Cloak and Amazon.

http://main.crimsoncloakpublishing.com/rick-stepp-bolling.html

A prophecy declares a small child will decide the victory between two countries paralyzed by war…

An old man sells magical patches on the ruined streets of Hagra-Dis when a small, one-armed girl begs him to fix her doll. An Imperial missile blast kills the little girl, Meesha, but Var patches her back to life, and they flee marauding storm troopers.

Imperial High Command unleashes Ulan, a formidable assassin and mystic who chases the Patch Man and his ragged band of followers through a labyrinth peopled with powerful beings and monsters. Both the pursued and pursuers find themselves in life or death situations when they encounter the Greeter, a mysterious being who controls the entrance to parallel worlds populating the labyrinth. It is in these domains they discover clues to end the war—with little Meesha as the secret key to ultimate victory and peace.

Link to book on Amazon

Thanks for your great replies, Rick, and best of luck with your books!