Welcome back,
For this month's interview, we have the pleasure of meeting published author, Richard G. Lowe Junior. Richard and I met on one of the many Facebook writing pages after I posted that I was looking for published writers to interview.
So on to the interview!
Short Bio:
Richard Lowe is a professional ghostwriter, Senior LinkedIn Branding Expert, and blogger. His passion is to help businesses and individuals strengthen their brand, establish their credibility and prove their expertise. Richard has written and published 63 books on a variety of subjects (including 2 bestsellers), ghostwritten 16 books, and authored over a thousand articles for blogs and social media. Previous to his writing career, he was the Director of Computer Operations for Trader Joe’s Company for 20 years, and before that the Vice President of Consulting for two computer firms. Some of his works include Focus on LinkedIn (an Amazon bestseller), Cyberheist (for KnowBe4), and Digitize or Die (as Copy Editor and Coach).
Published Works:
Focus on LinkedIn
How to sell on eBay
Real World Survival
How to Operate a Freelance Writing Business
Make a Living as a Professional Self-Published Author
Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex
How to be a Good Manager and Supervisor
How to Throw Parties like a Professional
How to Publish on KIndle
Help! My Debt is Making Me Miserable
How to Manage a Consulting Project
Make Money Using the Internet
Make Money by Decluttering Your Home
Belly Dancers Coloring Books (four volumes)
Human Rights Coloring Books
Dragons Coloring Book
Steampunk Dragons Coloring Book
How to be Friends with Women
Network Your Business to Prosperity
Turn off the TV, Get off Your Ass and do Something
Unlikely Hero
How to Create your Own Zombie Apocalypse
Current Projects: (if any)
Peacekeeper Vol 1: The Beginning of the End
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity (working title)
Website: https://www.thewritingking.com
When did you begin writing?
I began writing when I was 6 years old with a short story about dragons. I wrote on and off throughout my life, and wanted to be a writer "when I grew up". Life got in the way, so I kept postponing it. I wrote a huge number of technical books for work. in 2013, I decided to retire from my job and become a professional writer. Since that time, I've written over 60 books for me (some under pen names), and ghostwritten 16 books.
Did you receive any special training or attend a school?
Nope
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I walk around, looking at things, and inspiration comes to me. I'll look at a garden, and think about a fantasy novel, or a rock and wonder about the history of that rock. From there, stories result.
Do you use any special resources when writing? (other books, computer programs, etc)
I always keep a couple of good dictionaries, a grammar book and a style guide (Chicago Manual of Style) handy. Plus, for fiction, the whole set of books in the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman.
What is (in your opinion) the most important thing to remember when writing, and why is it so important?
That you must sit down, get rid of the distractions and write. It doesn't matter how bad you feel, how many problems need to be resolved, or whatever. Just write. The solution for writers is to write.
What is (in your opinion) the most challenging part of writing, and how do you overcome it?
Filtering out the bad advice from others. Nothing works for everyone. What works for one writer doesn't work for another. A writer has to come up with their own voice and style. I had to learn that lesson and it's a tough one.
Did you use an agent? (why or why not?)
No. I'm entirely self-published at this time. Peacekeeper, one of my current projects, may be the first that I find an agent for.
Did you use an Editor? If not, what process did you use to edit your work?
First, I write the whole book using dictation directly into Word. Then I review it from top to bottom, changing it up and making sure it all makes sense. I read it out loud all the way through, then review it back to front.
How did you get your book published? (self-published, Vanity publishing, Mainstream publisher).
Self-publishing as an Indie publisher. I also publish books as a ghostwriter for others.
Do you handle your own marketing?
Yes. I've found I do a better job than anyone else marketing my books.
What is your best marketing tip?
Social media does not work for promotion, but it works for marketing. You have to build yourself as a brand. Engage with your readers and get them excited about your works.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
My main advice is that to be a writer you must write. I set my goal at 5,000 words per day, minimum, ready to publish. If you are not writing every day, you're not really a writer. Also, if you are not published, you are not a writer. I know several writers who delay publishing to "get the perfect title" or "to give their book one more polish". Wrong. Publish the darn thing. In the modern self-publishing world, you can change almost anything. So publish away, knowing that your first couple of books may not be as good as you'd like. But you'll get better and you can always fix the earlier books
Hopefully everyone found this interview as informative as I did. I would like to thank Richard for taking the time to take this interview. Your knowledge, experience and participation was very much appreciated.
Until Next time.
Cheers,
Patrick Osborne
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